Senior UK official: This is a normal negotiation, progress so far is genuine

Senior UK official on Brexit

• this is a normal negotiation, progress so far as a genuine
• expects talks to continue in 2nd half of August and into September
• there is no formal cut off date for talks
• question now is whether EU can adapt its position
• clear EU have understood presence of EC J in a deal is a nonstarter
• puzzled by Barnier's comments calling for UK to publish state aid policy
• we are equally close to breakthrough and breakdown in negotiations
• we have made big moves toward EU position on structure a possible agreement