Brexit transition period will not be extended: Michael Gove

Michael Gove has said he has “formally confirmed” to the EU that the UK will not extend the Brexit transition period.

The Cabinet Office minister announced the decision on Friday, adding: “The moment for an extension has now passed.”

In a post on Twitter, Mr. Gove said he had chaired a “constructive” meeting of the EU Joint Committee with EU Commission Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations Maros Sefcovic.

He said: “I formally confirmed the UK would not extend the transition period & the moment for an extension has now passed. On January 1, 2021, we will take back control and regain our political & economic independence.”

The vice-president of the EU Commission, Maros Sefcovic, said that Friday’s meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee was “positive” but that there is still more to do.

M. Sefcovic: “I have to underline that the meeting took place in an excellent atmosphere. I am glad that we also had some positive results at the end of our discussions, which I believe would pave the way forward for the proper implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.”

He added: “However, with some six months to go before the end of the transition period, we still have lots of work to do.”