The Latest: Official: Brexit talks may not start on time
LONDON (AP) — The Latest on the outcome of Britain’s general election (all times local):
11:25 a.m.
Britain’s chief negotiator for leaving the European Union says the talks for exiting the trading bloc may not start as scheduled next week.
David Davis told Sky News on Monday that the talks tentatively set to begin on June 19 might not take place because it would clash with the Queen’s Speech, which sets out the legislative agenda for the new government.
Davis also suggested the government would focus on the divorce proceedings before moving on to trade.
The EU has said that Brexit talks need to make sufficient progress before trade deals can be discussed, though Britain had argued the discussions should take place simultaneously.
The change of position comes after Prime Minister Theresa May lost her majority in the House of Commons in a disastrous election last week.
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9:30 a.m.
Senior members in Theresa May’s government are moving to support her leadership despite doubts about whether she will remain in power following a disastrous election result.
The prime minister is meeting members of her party Monday after losing her majority in the House of Commons last week.
Seeking to set the tone, David Davis, the cabinet member in charge of European Union exit negotiations, says speculation about her removal is “unbelievably self-indulgent.”
Davis told ITV he’s loyal to May and there’s a distinction between “running a campaign and running a country. Running a country is more difficult and she’s formidably good at that.”
Davis also sought to reassure the public that any deal between the Tories and the Democratic Unionist Party would not change abortion or gay rights laws.
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