Brexit talks: ‘Significant gaps’ remain between UK and EU, Ursula von der Leyen warns

“Significant gaps remain” between the UK and the EU as Brexit negotiations continue, the European Commission’s president said, but talks will continue in an attempt to strike a deal.

On Twitter, Ursula von der Leyen said she has had a ‘good phone call’ with Boris Johnson, during which they discussed how negotiations have been progressing so far.

The pair spoke via video conference and said afterwards they have told their chief negotiators to continue to push ‘intensively’ to strike a post-Brexit trade agreement.

A joint statement issued by Ms von der Leyen and Mr Johnson said: ‘They agreed on the importance of finding an agreement, if at all possible, as a strong basis for a strategic EU-UK relationship in future.’