UK ‘formally confirms’ no Brexit extension

UK cabinet minister Michael Gove has said the government has “formally confirmed” it will not extend the Brexit transition period.

The UK has left the EU, but will remain in both the bloc’s customs union and single market until 31 December (more on that here).

Downing Street has faced calls from some quarters to push back the date due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

But tweeting after a meeting with EU officials, Gove said that the “moment for extension has now passed”.

His comments follow calls from Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, to extend the transition period.

In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the pair said it “would be “extraordinarily reckless” to transition as scheduled.

Johnson is expected to hold crunch trade talks with EU leaders next week.