Brexit news – live: ‘We’ll see’ if trade deal still possible, Barnier says as Johnson to hold emergency call

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has gone into self-isolation after a member of his staff tested positive for coronavirus, a party spokesman said.

A man deported from the UK on a controversial flight to Jamaica on Wednesday has tested positive for coronavirus, Emily Goddard reports.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson has spoken publicly for the first time since being arrested on Friday as part of a probe into building and development contracts in the city.

“I was arrested as part of Operation Aloft on Friday 4th December, and interviewed for 6 hours. I co-operated fully with Merseyside Police and will continue to be co-operative in their continuing enquiries,” Mr Anderson said in a statement to the Liverpool Echo.

“I will be talking to my cabinet colleagues over the weekend to ensure the challenges our city faces with the Covid pandemic continue to receive the focus they deserve. I also support the Labour Party’s decision to apply an administrative suspension while this investigation continues.

“I have been bailed to return in one month’s time. Given the investigation is continuing, and there are bail conditions, I will not be making any further comments.”

The world can “begin to dream about the end of the pandemic” following positive outcomes from coronavirus vaccination trials, the director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said, Katie Anderson reports.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned, however, that economically powerful nations must not trample on the poor and marginalised “in the stampede for vaccines”.

Here’s a handy summary of the sticking points in the post-Brexit trade talks between Britain and the EU, from PA media.

The EU wants to continue to maximise access to UK waters for its fishing fleets after 31 December.

The British argue the UK is now an independent coastal state and should be able to prioritise its own boats.

However, most fish caught by UK fishermen are sold in Europe and Britain needs to maintain access to EU markets.

The level playing field

The so-called “level playing field” rules are intended to ensure businesses on one side do not gain an unfair advantage over those on the other side.

In return for continuing access to the single market, the EU is seeking a high degree of alignment by the UK with its standards on workers rights, the environment and particularly state aid for businesses.

The British deny they want to undercut EU measures, but say the point of leaving is for the UK to be able to set its own standards.

Governance

The two sides are still at odds over the mechanisms for enforcing any agreement and resolving disputes.

The British have been adamant that the UK is an independent sovereign state and cannot accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has voiced doubt over the prospect of success in stalled trade talks, saying that “we will see” if there is still a way to reach agreement, political editor Andrew Woodcock reports.

Speaking to broadcasters at the Eurostar train terminal in London as he made his way back to Brussels this morning, Mr Barnier said the EU side remained “calm” following the pause in talks announced on Friday night after a week of intensive negotiations failed to bridge differences.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson has been released on bail after being arrested with four other people by detectives investigating allegations of bribery and witness intimidation linked to building contracts.

Merseyside Police said in a statement: “We can confirm that five people arrested in connection with offences of bribery and witness intimidation as part of an investigation on into building and development contracts in Liverpool have been released on conditional bail pending further inquiries.”

Mr Anderson, 62, was detained yesterday and taken to a police station for questioning.

A last-gasp bid will be made to prevent Brexit ruining African farmers – and hitting British exports – amid allegations of government “bullying” of developing countries, deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports.

Farmers in Ghana will be hit with huge new tariffs on key exports including bananas and tuna, unless the country agrees to ‘roll over’ its existing trade deal, from the UK’s EU membership, by the end of the month.

But its government has protested it would be forced to break a legal agreement with other West African countries – and has condemned the “take it or leave it” approach pursued by London.

Durham Police have confirmed they are examining a new 225-page dossier of evidence which suggests Dominic Cummings should face charges over his infamous lockdown trip – or trips – to the north east, Colin Drury reports.

Senior officers with the force have been instructed to assess the file which was compiled and submitted by lawyers working with the former north-west chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal.

Rapid Covid tests should not be used as a green light for those who test negative to abandon social distancing, a senior member of the NHS Test and Trace operation has warned, political editor Andrew Woodcock reports.

Susan Hopkins’ warning came after it was revealed that the fast-turnaround “lateral flow” kits picked up only five out of 10 people with coronavirus during mass testing in Liverpool.