Brexit: MEPs urge delay in trade talks decision

MEPs have voted to urge the EU not to open the next phase of Brexit talks unless there is a "major breakthrough".
A motion in the European Parliament to back a delay in any decision over trade discussions was backed by 557 MEPs, with 92 against and 29 abstentions.
Several MEPs claimed UK divisions were hampering the process with one urging Theresa May urged to "put Britain first" and avoid internal "quarrels".
But UKIP's Nigel Farage accused the EU of "treating the UK like a hostage".
Tuesday's vote in Strasbourg was not binding, but does represent a chance to "take the political temperature", BBC Brussels reporter Adam Fleming said.
The UK government insists there is a new dynamic in the negotiations since Mrs May's Florence speech last month and "real momentum" behind the process.
The European Parliament, home to 751 MEPs from across the EU, has no formal role in the Brexit negotiations - but will get to approve any final deal agreed between the UK and Brussels.
As the debate opened, a number of MEPs drew attention to what they claimed were divisions in the Conservative government and Mrs May's cabinet over the terms of exit.
Manfred Weber, a German member of the European People's Party grouping, said: "Who do I call in London - Theresa May, Boris Johnson or David Davis? Please don't put your party first.
"We need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position," he added.
Guy Verhofstadt, who leads the Liberal ALDE group and is also the Parliament's chief Brexit spokesman, said he "deplores" the lack of progress so far, blaming open splits among leading British ministers.

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