Barnier says will lead post-Brexit UK-EU talks

European Union negotiator Michel Barnier told AFP on Thursday that he had been asked to lead the bloc's talks with London on their future post-Brexit relationship.

Barnier said the incoming head of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had asked him to remain in post for a year once Brexit has been ratified "and I will therefore be able to begin talks on future relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union."