Mr Foxis one of eight candidates vying to replace Brazilian Roberto Azevedo as director-general. If Mr Fox replaced Mr Azevedo, he will bethe first British boss of the WTO.

The UK has been a member of the WTO since it was founded in 1995, but has only sat as an independent member since leaving the EU back in January.

When asked whether he thought it was premateure to expect a UK nominee to lead the body, Mr Fox hit back claiming the UK have had experience working with European partner.

He said: "I say that's wrong.

"We have long experience working with European partners and outside on a range of global issues.

He added: When it comes to the appropriate checks on goods coming in to the country, then of course at Calais it will be the case that the French authorities will be seeking to check export declarations."

Britain will formally leave the European Union following the end of the year.

The UK is set to embark of a new trading relationship with the EU after leaving the single market and customs union.

READ MORE:Brexit chaos: European judges plunge trade talks into doubt

The latest round of Brexit trade talks between the UK negotiator David Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier will conclude later today in Brussels.

Several outstanding issues remain including trade, fisheries and governance.

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4.46am update:Sturgeon crisis: Scottish GDP plummets up to 90 percent amid crippling coronavirus

Scottish Government figures released today show that GDP for the end of May was down by almost a quarter compared to the period prior to lockdown.

Performance was 22.1 percent below the level for February although the economy grew by 1.5 percent in real terms.

In the hardest hit sector, accommodation and food services, output plunged by almost 90 percent over three months to May.

Alongside the 89.8 percent slump in the accommodation and food services, arts, culture and recreation saw a drop of 54.3 percent over the three months to May.

Output fell in nearly every industry in March and April, the statistics show, although the results for May were "more mixed".

In the construction sector, total output is estimated to have increased by 8.2 percent in May, after a drop of 40.1 percent in April.

2.35am update:UK and EU deal on 'collision course for failure' - could go down to wire

The UK andtheEuropean Unionare continuing talks in a desperate attempt to strike a post-Brexittrade deal before the end of the transition period on December 31.

The UK officially left the bloc on January 31, with trade talks beginning in Brussels two months later, led byBoris Johnson's chief negotiator David Frost and Brussels counterpartMichel Barnier.

Face-to-face talks were put on hold due to the coronavirus crisis sweeping through the continent, but resumed last month in Brussels, followed by further meetings in London at 10 Downing Street last week.

1.11am update:Brexit breakthrough: Frost hopes to overcome 'significant differences' in London showdown

David Frost is understood to be eyeing his first breakthrough in the future relationship negotiations after holding talks with his EU counterpart Michel Barnier in Brussels.

The pair agreed to put added emphasis on Britains future security pact with the EU as a potential landing zone for an agreement emerged.

The two sides will hold four separate sessions on law enforcement and judicial cooperation as the Capital hosts its first ever round of negotiations with Brussels.

6pm update: Alok Sharma says seamless trade is vital for the economy

As Brexit negotiations continue, concerns over border control in Northern Ireland continues to dominate headlines and discussions.

NowSecretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, has promised plans will make sure trade continues to flow between all four nations of the UK.

Tweeting an article to his latest column in the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Sharma said: "Seamless trade is vital for our economy, boosting business, supporting jobs, and ensuring consumers get the best deal.

"Our Internal Market plans will make sure its business as usual, with trade continuing to flow between all four nations of the UK."

4.30pm update: LiamFox sets out masterplan to UK to lead world on trade as he bids for WTO job

The Brexiteer argued not every country "sees every issuye through the Brexit prism" as he eyes becomingthe first British boss of the World Trade Organisation.

Asked whether ongoing trade talks between the UK and EU would prove an advantage or obstacle to his bid, he replied: "Very fortunately, not everyone in the world sees every issue through the Brexit prism."

"If I were to be elected the director-general... Britain would be one of 164 countries that would be looked after without fear or favour.

"In which case, the discussion between the United Kingdom and the European Union on Brexit would be a matter for those two parties."

3.10pm update: Nick Clegg's 2016 comments suggest Michel Barnier is keen for Britain to fail

Brexitnegotiations have stalled in recent months over two key issues fisheries and regulatory alignment.

Mr Johnson wants to fulfil a Leave campaign promise that the UK will take back control of its waters post-Brexit.

MrBarnierhas warned Mr Johnson he cannot secure access to European markets without allowing EU vessels into UK waters.

One reason Mr Barnier may be holding firm in talks is his apparent eagerness to get the upper hand on the UK as Nick Clegg's comments in 2016 suggest.

The former Liberal Democrat leader said of him: He is no friend of the City of London."

3pm update: Steven Brown takes over from Luke Hawker

1.30pm update: Officials from Japan set to hold Brexit trade talks in London next month

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi is set to visit the UK next month to discuss a post-Brexit trade deal, according to the Jiji news agency.

1.00pm update: Dutch PM unconvinced EU deal will be reached

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has does not think an agreement will be reached among the EU27 for a coronavirus recovery fund.

In an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS in Brussels, he said: I'm not optimistic, but you never know.

12.15am update: Brexit negotiator Frost could be set for influential foreign policy role

Brexit negotiator David Frost could change the traditional role of a National Security Advisor and become the "Dominic Cummings" of Britain's foreign policy, according to Tory MP Tobias Ellwood.

Mr Ellwood, who serves as Chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee, said: I fear though, with Dominic Cummings, he is a domestic revolutionist and he has less interest in what goes on beyond Dover.

We need another version of him because obviously the Prime Minister relies on him incredibly, we need somebody like him maybe David Frost the new National Security Advisor to bring on the arc of interest which is the international interest.

Dominic Cummings is immensely powerful, that concerns some cabinet members significantly because he does change the focus in allowing one individual to yield so much influence.

But that is the choice of the Prime Minister, he can take that approach if he wants to, my concern though is less to do with the individual, but more to do with the perception that Britain is less interested in international affairs than we previously were.

READ MORE Boris Johnson's masterstroke: David Frost tipped to secure arc of interest in new role

11.15am update: Italy set to push for exit from the EU

Italy could be set to follow the UK and quit the European Union, as "Italy's Nigel Farage" vows to ramp up campaigning and force a vote, plunging the bloc into crisis.

Gianluigi Paragone, a former senator for the anti-establishment 5Star Movement has announced the launch of a single-issue party, much like the Brexit Party, to push for Italys departure from the EU.

READ MORE: Italexit closer than ever! Italy's 'Nigel Farage' warns Rome better off before EU project

10.30am update: Brexit battle: Sturgeon pledges to defy Boris Johnsons new law with OWN EU rules

Wesminster and Holyrood are set for an extraordinary Brexit battle after Nicola Sturgeons government threatened to defy a major post-Brexit law with their very own legislation.

The SNP has warned they are prepared to take the UK Government all the way to the Supreme Court over plans to give Westminster the power to set food and environmental standards after Brexit.

Michael Russell, SNP cabinet secretary for constitutional affairs, said Holyrood will plough ahead with proposals for its own rival law if Westminster are handed the power to force Scotland to accept new standards on food, environmental, animal welfare and state aid.

Mr Russell said: The Scottish Government now intends to publish a full rebuttal of these proposals and then debate that document in the Scottish Parliament and we will recommend that the Parliament refuses to give the legislative consent which it will need.

We will also now review our work on joint frameworks given the negative impact these proposals will have on them, and furthermore we will seek alignment with EU standards including via the Continuity Bill which we intend to have on the statute book by the end of the year.

We will actively oppose the UK Governments proposals at every opportunity, including at every legislative stage, and pursue every avenue to challenge the Bill should it pass no one should be in any doubt about our determination to defend the powers of the Scottish Parliament and the founding principles of devolution.

Tory MP Tom Tugendhat has hit out at SNP plans to block Boris Johnsons plan to create in internal market within the UK to allow goods to trade freely without barriers beyond Brexit.

Mr Tugendhat wrote on Twitter: Putting barriers to trade in the UK will cost us all.

Separating business from customers theyre already hurting the tourism sector, not content with damaging hotels and restaurants in pursuit of separation, theyre turning on others too.

This week Downing Street published a 106-page white paper setting out trade terms between the four nations after Brexit.

9.25am update: Czech PM hits out at plans to triple rebates in EU fund after the UK leaves bloc

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babishas hit out at the EUs plan to triple rebates in the proposed recovery fund plan.

The Czech Prime Minister said the funds were increased to 14.5bn euros following the UKs exit from the EU but they are now 45bn euros.

In Brussels, he said: "Before the pandemic, we were criticising these rebate.

"They were increased because of the UK and the UK has left.

"Originally these rebates were 14.5bn euros and now they are 45bn euros. Why are we increasing? They are not fair.

8.50am update: Brexit talks clash with EU summit in Brussels

Brexit talks in Brussels between UK negotiator David Frost and Michel Barnier have clashed with an EU summit as leaders also gather in the Belgian capital to discuss bloc's long-term budget and an economic recovery fund.

European Council President Charles Michel hasput forwarda compromise package worth more than 1.82 trillion.

He said: We have worked very hard in order to prepare this summit.

Even if it is difficult, I am convinced that with political courage it is possible to reach an agreement.

Originally posted here:

Brexit LIVE: WTO takeover shock as Brexiteer outlines top job plans - Daily Express