Brexit minister pledges to “get down to work” as first full round of negotiations opens

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epa05876306 A handout photo made available by 10 Downing Street on 29 March 2017 shows British Prime Minister Theresa May signing a letter of notification to the President of the European Council setting out the United Kingdom's intention to withdraw from the European Union at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, 28 March 2017. May will deliver a statement to parliament in London on 29 March. EPA/JAY ALLEN / NO10 / MOD / HANDOUT MOD Crown Copyright 2016 © HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Britain’s Brexit minister pledged to “get down to work” as he kicked off a first full round of negotiations on Monday, a year after Britons voted narrowly to leave the EU their government seemed at war with itself over the divorce terms.

Prime Minister Theresa May’s authority diminished after losing her majority in a June election.

May has struggled to control rival cabinet ministers, worrying European Union negotiators who stress that 20 months until Brexit is very little time to negotiate an orderly departure.

“It’s time to get down to work and make this a successful negotiation,” veteran anti-EU campaigner David Davis said as he was welcomed by the bloc’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier before their teams began four days of talks.

 

 

In London, media were rife with reports of infighting echoing the Leave-Remain rifts that May’s Conservative party suffered during the EU referendum.

Her spokesman said she would tell ministers not to reveal cabinet discussions.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, in Brussels for a separate meeting, passed up a chance to deny that ministers are at odds.

His backing helped secure a four-point victory for the Leave camp in June last year.

 

 

Asked point blank if the cabinet was still “split on Brexit”, Johnson simply said he was pleased negotiations had begun and then defended the offer May has made to protect the rights of EU citizens in Britain.(Reuters/NAN)

OYE/SH

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