Barnier shows draft UK deal to EU members

Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier yesterday said that he had sent an "ambitious" first draft of what could be a new post-Brexit trade deal with Britain to EU capitals. But even if the Brussels veteran's text finds favour with MEPs and the 27 capitals, there are provisions that are unlikely to be acceptable to Number 10. The draft -- obtained by AFP -- would ensure Britain does not diverge far from EU state aid, environmental, labour and quality standards, while trade will be overseen by a "Specialised Committee on the Level Playing Field." But, in the case of any dispute over interpretation of EU law, the eventual deal's arbitration committee would have to defer "to the Court of Justice of the European Union to give a ruling on the question."

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