NIGEL FARAGE has warned Ursula von der Leyen “the battle lines are set” after the European Commission President threw into doubt the possibility of a free trade deal between the UK and the European Union.
The Brexit Party leader slammed the new EU chief after Ms von der Leyen indicated a free trade deal would only be available if the freedom of movement of EU citizens continued after Brexit.
Speaking ahead of her meeting with Prime Minster Boris Johnson in Downing Street, the European Commission president suggested there would not be time to agree everything “without an extension of the transition period beyond 2020”.
A furious Mr Farage, wrote on Twitter: “Von der Leyen has just made it clear the EU wants continued free movement of people and a ‘level playing field’ on regulations for any Free-Trade Agreement.
Earlier Ms von der Leyen issued a stern message to the Prime Minister and warned “every choice comes a consequence”.
She told an audience at the London School of Economics: "Our partnership cannot and will not be the same as before.
"It will not be as close as before because with every choice comes a consequence. With every decision, comes a trade-off.
"Without the free movement of people, you cannot have the free movement of capital, goods and services.
"Without a level playing field on environment, labour and state aid, you cannot have the highest quality access to the world's largest single market.
"The more divergence there is, the more distant the partnership will be."
The Government has confirmed freedom of movement will end after Brexit and Britain’s three million EU citizens can apply for “settled status”.
Downing Street said Mr Johnson will underline that the forthcoming negotiations will be based on an ambitious free trade agreement, and not on alignment.
10.27pm update: "Don't settle for isolation"
EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen has called on the UK's youth not to settle for "isolation" after Brexit.
Speaking to LSE students on Wednesday, Ms von der Leyen said the Brexit which will be negotiated would be "for your generation".
She also added: "Brexit does not only mark the end of something.
"It also makes a new phase in an enduring partnership and friendship.”
8.31pm update: Boris Johnson reaffirms January 31 date
Following his meeting with EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, Mr Johnson released a tweet setting out his plans for the future negotiations.
He said: "When we leave the EU on January 31st, we will negotiate a new free trade agreement with our European partners and continue to work together as friends and sovereign equals to tackle the world’s greatest challenges."
6.27pm update: Brexit talks described as "positive"
Following Boris Johnson's meeting with the EU Commission President, a spokesman said the talks were "positive" as the two spoke of the future relationship between the UK and EU.
They added: "They discussed the progress of ratification in the UK and in the European Parliament.
"He said the UK wanted a positive new UK and EU partnership, based on friendly co-operation, our shared history, interests and values.
"The PM reiterated that we wanted a broad free trade agreement covering goods and services, and co-operation in other areas.
"The PM was clear that the UK would not extend the implementation period beyond December 31 2020; and that any future partnership must not involve any kind of alignment or ECJ jurisdiction. He said the UK would also maintain control of UK fishing waters and our immigration system."
5.30pm update: Scottish MPs vote to reject Prime Minister's Brexit deal
Boris Johnson's withdrawal agreement is expected to pass through Parliament on Thursday but MSPs were able to voice their disapproval of the legislation at Holyrood.
Mike Russell, Scotland's Constitutional Relations Secretary, described the legislation as "uniquely offensive to Scottish democracy".
He added: "The Withdrawal Agreement which is contained in it and amplified by it is deeply damaging to the UK as the Scottish Government has set out in detail before.
"But it is particularly bad for Scotland, as all the evidence shows, and it is uniquely offensive to Scottish democracy."
4.25pm update: "Internal revision is needed"
Secretary-General of the Italian Bishops' Conference, Monsignor Russo, has warned that Brexit is not a good sign for the EU.
He added: "Brexit is not good news.
"The long journey towards European unity has brought peace to our people, providing decades of democracy, rights and economic and social development.
"If this unity breaks, it means that something went wrong.
"The British choice to leave the European Union is legitimate and must be respected: looking to the future, we need to build a new partnership, which will see the EU and the UK still close and collaborating for the good of their respective people."
4.10pm update: Tory MP clashes with Andrew Neil
The UK will refuse to hand power back to the EU on regulation standards in the future, Tory MP Crispin Blunt has claimed.
While hosting BBC Politics Live Andrew Neil argued the UK would have to listen to the EU’s rules and regulation if they want to engage in trade.
Quizzed on if the UK would have to conform to Brussels' demands, Mr Blunt said: "We will set its own standards about what is going to produce here.
“We are perfectly capable of protecting workers standards and terms and conditions of employment and the environmentalist risks ourselves.
“That is one of the reasons we can safely leave the European Union."
Additional reporting by Luke Hawker.
2.30pm update: Brexit POLL: Do you think Brexit will be delayed after von der Leyen’s warning today? VOTE NOW
1.00pm update: Remainer sparks staggering Brexit clash with Iain Dale
Remainer Yasmin Alibhai-Brown sparked a vicious Brexit row with political commentator Iain Dale as the pair were questioned over whether Brexit should be celebrated on January 31.
Speaking on Jeremy Vine, Alibhai-Brown said: “I don’t live in North Korea. I’m not going to be forced into enjoying Brexit, no.”
Mr Dale intercepted: “Do you understand the concept of losers consent? Because that is integral to democracy.”
Ms Alibhai-Brown continued: “Yes but winners are behaving really quite badly, they are humiliating us. So, enjoy but we’re not coming.”
Mr Dale said: “No they’re not. How is having a private celebration humiliating in any way?”
12.15pm update: Von der Leyen fires warning to Boris ‘every choice comes a consequence’
Ursula Von der Leyen has warned Boris Johnson “every choice comes a consequence” ahead of talks between the European Commission president and Prime Minister.
The President of the European Commission, told an audience at the London School of Economics: "Our partnership cannot and will not be the same as before.
"It will not be as close as before because with every choice comes a consequence. With every decision, comes a trade-off.
"Without the free movement of people, you cannot have the free movement of capital, goods and services.
"Without a level playing field on environment, labour and state aid, you cannot have the highest quality access to the world's largest single market.
"The more divergence there is, the more distant the partnership will be."
11.55am update: Von der Leyen casts doubt over trade deal by December
Ursula Von der Leyen has thrown into doubt the possibility of a trade deal being agreed between the UK and the EU by the end of the year.
The President of the European Commission told an audience at the London School of Economics: “Without an extension of the transition period beyond 2020 you cannot expect to agree on every single aspect of our partnership.
“We will have to prioritise.”
Brexit: Von der Leyen hopes for 'positive result' says Mamer
11.30am update: EU chief says Brexit day will be ’tough and emotional’
Ursula von der Leyen has said the January 31, the day the UK is set to leave the bloc, will be “tough and emotional”.
The President of the European Commission insisted the bond between the UK and EU is “unbreakable”.
She told an audience at the London School of Economics: “Before the end of the month I expect both the British and European Parliament to ratify the agreement and so in just over three weeks on the 31st of January, the UK will spent its last day as member state, this will be a tough and emotional day.
“But when the sun rises again on February 1, the European Union and the UK will still be the best of friends and partners. The bond between us will still be unbreakable.”
11.20am update: von der Leyen acknowledges the relationship between the UK and EU has not always been smooth
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission has acknowledged the relationship between the UK and EU has not always been smooth.
She told an audience at the London School of Economics: “The relationship may not have always been smooth or perfect but what relationship ever is.
“In my opinion to good far outweighs the difficult.”
Ms Von Der Leyen also paid a glowing tribute to Britain’s 45-year membership of the European Union.
10.50am update: BBCs Katya Adler explains why Europe will negotiate hard - ‘fearful of setting precedent’
BBC Europe Editor Katya Adler has insisted the EU will negotiate hard with the UK over trade, as the bloc is aware the world is watching and “fearful of setting precedent” that could undermine the value of single market.
Ms Adler wrote on Twitter: “EU aware world [including future trade partners for the bloc] will be watching these negotiations.
“Brussels fearful of setting precedent that could weaken value of its lucrative single market. For example Emmanuel Macron yesterday urged Michel Barnier to negotiate with UK ‘in cold blood’.”
10.20am update: Barclay ‘optimistic’ over trade deal
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has said he is “optimistic” about trade deal between the UK and EU ahead of talks between Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Mr Barclay told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’m optimistic about the deal. Both sides have said they want to have a close partnership.
“The commission president is here as part of that commitment and discussion on the EU side.”
9.45am update: Verhofstadt launches last desperate bid to wreck Brexit
Guy Verhofstadt is set to launch one final bid to wreck Brexit with a new set of demands in future relationship talks.
The European Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator wants to maintain freedom of movement in return for internal market access.
In a draft resolution, seen by Express.co.uk, to be debated in Strasbourg next week, he calls to ensure “those rights should be commensurate with the degree of future cooperation in other areas”.
The motion says: “Free movement rights are also directly linked to the three other freedoms integral to the internal market, and have a particular relevance to services and professional qualifications.”
9.10am update: Katya Adler reveals trade talks will not begin until March
BBC’s Europe editor Katya Adler has revealed trade talks between the UK and EU will not begin until March.
Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will meet today in London, but trade talks will not begin as the EU27 is yet to agreement a “mandate” for a trade negotiatins to commence.
She wrote on Twitter: “EU countries must agree a mandate for EU Commission to negotiate a comprehensive trade agreement on their behalf.
“Mandate then has to be formally signed off at minister level by reps of all EU countries.
"All this means EU says trade talks will start beginning March.”
8.30am update: Bank warns hard Brexit just a damaging as no deal
The Dutch central bank has warned a ‘hard’ Brexit may be just as damaging to the economy as if there was a no deal Brexit at the end of the month.
Dutch central bank Governor Klaas Knot said: “In economic terms there may be little difference between a no deal Brexit that could have occurred on the January 31 and a hard Brexit that could still occur at the end of 2020.”
