Brexit talks branded "disappointing" as Coronavirus pandemic takes its toll

The UK Government has been urged to rethink its plans to press ahead with Brexit negotiations and "solely focus" on the Coronavirus pandemic.

Michael Gove will hold Brexit talks today via videolink

Talks taking place today via video link between Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and EU officials have been branded "disappointing" by Scottish Government cabinet secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville

The UK and EU's chief negotiators, David Frost and Michel Barnier are in self-isolation after testing positive for coronavirus.

Ms Somerville has repeated SNP calls for a rethink

"I think it's disappointing if the Uk Government are still moving foreward with this," she told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland.

"The Scottish Government's focus is absolutely on the fight against Coronavirus, that is what every Scottish Government minister is spending their time doing, what every official is spending doing and that's quite right.

"There isn't any greater priority for the people of Scotland just now.

"It saddens me to think that the Uk Government doesn't think that. I hope they do reflect and change their mind because certainly our response up here to this health crisis has been to solely focus on that and I think the UK Government should do the same. I think that's the sensible thing that most people would expect them to do."

Downing Street insisted there would be "no change" to its timetable for getting a trade deal done.