UK Brexit Sec. Raab frustrated by EU Barnier's lack of availability on talks – Guardian

The Guardian, a British daily newspaper, reports that the UK Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab expressed his frustration to the European Union (EU) officials over the EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier’s alleged failure to make himself available for face-to-face talks.

Raab said that the EU negotiator allegedly keeps turning down requests to meet Brexit secretary due to diary constraints.

The Guardian has learned. Raab was granted only a two-hour meeting with Barnier last week, and has only been offered a three-hour slot this Friday, due to the former French Minister’s diary constraints.

Meanwhile, The Department for Exiting the EU said: “Both the secretary of state and Michel Barnier are committed to weekly discussions to ensure that both sides get a good deal.

“Over the next few weeks, our teams will work at pace to finalise the terms of the United Kingdom’s orderly withdrawal from the European Union, and lay the framework for a new deep and special partnership.”