Sources: EU will not suspend Brexit talks because of new British law

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The EU will not seek to suspend talks on a new Brexit deal, even though London published draft legislation acknowledging it may be breaking international law if it ignores parts of an earlier divorce treaty it struck with the bloc, three sources said.

“The talks will continue, albeit in a tense atmosphere. The EU will not leave the negotiating table, you can be sure of that,” said an EU diplomat.

“(EU Brexit negotiator Michel) Barnier will present himself as the one who wants a deal, which puts Britain in the position of being responsible for the chaos.”

An EU official responsible for Brexit also said that the Union would not break off the talks in order to avoid being held responsible for a possible fiasco.

A second Brussels official involved in the talks with London confirmed that they did not expect negotiations on a new EU-UK deal to be suspended from 2021. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, John Chalmers; Editing by Alex Richardson)