Nicola Sturgeon warns Boris Johnson over ‘extraordinarily reckless’ Brexit deadline

Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives the media briefing in Downing Street on coronavirus

Nicola Sturgeon has joined with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford to call for an extension to Brexit trade talks, warning Boris Johnson that “the end of this year is the worst possible time to end the transition period”.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ms Sturgeon and Mr Drakeford say it would be “extraordinarily reckless” to allow the UK to exit the transition period without a trade deal, meaning that tariffs and checks would be imposed on goods crossing in and out of the EU.

It comes as official figures confirm that UK GDP fell by 20% in April, the deepest one-month fall on record, as the full economic impact of the coronavirus lockdown is felt.