On Brexit, EU needs to accept UK is independent now, British source says

LONDON, Sept 4- The European Union is slowing down Brexit trade negotiations and should understand that its demands on state aid and fishing are not compatible with Britain’s status as an independent country, a British source close to the negotiations said. “We have been clear from the start that we are seeking a relationship that respects our sovereignty and…

LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) – The European Union is slowing

down Brexit trade negotiations and should understand that its

demands on state aid and fishing are not compatible with

Britain’s status as an independent country, a British source

close to the negotiations said.

“We have been clear from the start that we are seeking arelationship that respects our sovereignty and which has a freetrade agreement at its core, similar to the one the EU has withCanada,” the source said.

“We have also consistently tried to move discussionsforwards but have been prevented from doing so by an EU whichinsists that everything must go at the pace of the mostdifficult issue,” the source said.

“Their ask that we accept continuity with EU state aid andfisheries policy is simply not compatible with our status as afully independent country. The EU need to realise that whatthey’re asking for is at odds with what the British people votedfor, twice, and not something we could accept.”(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Kate Holton)