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Brexit: MEPs to criticise UK over approach to talks Brexit: MEPs turn on UK and criticise internal 'divisions'
(about 7 hours later)
The UK's approach to Brexit negotiations will come in for criticism in the European Parliament later. The UK's approach to Brexit has been criticised in the European Parliament, with Theresa May urged to "put Britain first" and avoid internal "quarrels".
MEPs will vote on a motion saying the UK's approach to financial issues has "seriously impeded" progress. MEP Manfred Weber said it was not clear who was "responsible for the British position" while Guy Verhofstadt said UK ministers were in open disagreement.
It also says a decision on whether to move negotiations on to their next phase should be delayed unless there is a "big breakthrough". MEPs are debating a motion urging a delay to any decision on the next phase of talks pending a "big breakthrough".
The UK said the motion was drafted before the most recent round of negotiations. But UKIP's Nigel Farage accused the EU of "treating the UK like a hostage".
The Department for Exiting the EU said that since then "the dynamic of the negotiations has shifted and we have instilled real momentum into the talks". The UK government insists there is a new dynamic in the negotiations since Mrs May's Florence speech last month and "real momentum" behind the process.
The European Parliament, home to 751 MEPs from across the EU, has no formal role in the Brexit negotiations - but will get to approve any final deal agreed between the UK and Brussels.The European Parliament, home to 751 MEPs from across the EU, has no formal role in the Brexit negotiations - but will get to approve any final deal agreed between the UK and Brussels.
Tuesday's vote in Strasbourg is not binding, but does represent a chance to "take the political temperature", BBC Brussels reporter Adam Fleming said.Tuesday's vote in Strasbourg is not binding, but does represent a chance to "take the political temperature", BBC Brussels reporter Adam Fleming said.
It comes with the UK keen to start talking about what kind of trading relationship it will have with the EU after Brexit. As the debate opened, a number of MEPs drew attention to what they claimed were divisions in the Conservative government and Mrs May's cabinet over the terms of exit.
'Some clarifications' Manfed Weber, a German member of the European People's Party grouping, said: "Who do I call in London - Theresa May, Boris Johnson or David Davis? Please don't put your party first.
The original aim had been to get the go-ahead for these discussions when EU leaders meet next month. "We need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position," he added.
But the EU says this can only happen when the European Council decides there has been "sufficient progress" on three issues: the so-called divorce bill when the UK leaves, the rights for EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU and the Northern Ireland border. Guy Verhofstadt, who leads the Liberal ALDE group and is also the Parliament's chief Brexit spokesman, said he "deplores" the lack of progress so far, blaming splits among leading British ministers.
The motion - which has been proposed by the main political groupings so is likely to be passed - says Theresa May offered "some clarifications" on these issues in her speech in Florence last month. "There are differences between Hammond and Fox... and Johnson and May."
It also says during the transition period she proposed, EU law would have to continue to apply in full under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, and there could be no limits on the free movement of citizens. He also criticised the UK's proposals for creating a new "settled status" for EU citizens after Brexit - which he said would cause a "huge administrative burden" for those affected.
Addressing the meeting, EU negotiator Michel Barnier suggested there has not been "sufficient progress" in Brexit talks yet to open trade discussions despite Mrs May's speech which "gave us some openings which are starting to be reflected in the negotiations".
MEPs will vote later on a motion saying the UK's approach to financial issues has "seriously impeded" progress, a motion the UK said was drafted before the most recent round of negotiations.
Mr Farage, a key figure in the campaign to leave the EU which won last year's referendum, accused the EU of "treating us (the UK) like a hostage".
"Unless we pay a ransom and meet your demands you won't have an intelligent conversation with us about trade... and no guarantee when we meet your demands you will come to us and have a sensible trade agreement," he said.
The UK is keen to start talking about what kind of trading relationship it will have with the EU after Brexit but it looks increasingly unlikely EU leaders will agree to this when they meet next month.
Citizen rights
The EU says this can only happen when the European Council decides there has been "sufficient progress" on three issues: the so-called divorce bill when the UK leaves, the rights for EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU and the Northern Ireland border.
On citizens' rights, the two sides cannot agree on whether UK or EU courts will guarantee European nationals' rights in the UK after Brexit.On citizens' rights, the two sides cannot agree on whether UK or EU courts will guarantee European nationals' rights in the UK after Brexit.
The motion calls for "reciprocity, equity, symmetry and non-discrimination", also applying to future family members born after the UK leaves the EU. The motion - which has been proposed by the main political groupings so is likely to be passed - calls for "reciprocity, equity, symmetry and non-discrimination".
It also criticises the UK's proposals so far - involving EU citizens applying for a new "settled status" after five years - and says people are suffering "unnecessary hardship and anxiety". And on another sticking point, the amount of money the UK will pay as it leaves the EU, it says "substantial progress in that area is required before entering into discussions on other issues".
'Vital role' Speaking earlier, Mrs May said her Florence speech had "changed the dial" in the negotiations and European leaders were clear where the UK stood and who was in charge.
And on another sticking point, the amount of money the UK will pay as it leaves the EU, it says: "The absence of any clear proposals has seriously impeded the negotiations", adding that "substantial progress in that area is required before entering into discussions on other issues".
A Department for Exiting the EU spokesman said: "We recognise and respect the vital role the European Parliament will play in this process and that this resolution sets out its views. However, it will be for the council to decide on sufficient progress.
"As we've said, we are clear that we have made considerable progress on the issues that matter: increasing certainty for citizens and businesses, providing reassurance to our EU partners in regards to our mutual financial obligations and agreeing on some of the key principles in relation to the issues arising for Northern Ireland and Ireland."