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BBC (3 October 2017)

There has not been "sufficient progress" in Brexit talks yet to open trade discussions, EU negotiator Michel Barnier has suggested.

He told the European Parliament Theresa May's Florence speech "gave us some openings which are starting to be reflected in the negotiations".

MEPs are debating a motion urging any decision on the next phase of talks be delayed pending a "big breakthrough".

The UK insists there is a new dynamic and "real momentum" behind the process.

But during the debate in Brussels, a number of MEPs drew attention to what they claimed were divisions in the Conservative government and Mrs May's cabinet.

Manfed Weber, a German member of the European People's Party grouping, said: "Who do I call in London - Theresa May, Boris Johnson or David Davis? Please don't put your party first".

MEPs will vote later on a motion saying the UK's approach to financial issues has "seriously impeded" progress, a motion the UK said was drafted before the most recent round of negotiations.

Rolling updates from the European Parliament
What we learned from Theresa May's Florence speech

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage accused the EU of "treating us (the UK) like a hostage".

"Unless we pay a ransom and meet your demands you won't have an intelligent conversation with us about trade... and no guarantee when we meet your demands you will come to us and have a sensible trade agreement," he said.

The Department for Exiting the EU said that since Mrs May's speech "the dynamic of the negotiations has shifted and we have instilled real momentum into the talks".

The European Parliament, home to 751 MEPs from across the EU, has no formal role in the Brexit negotiations - but will get to approve any final deal agreed between the UK and Brussels.

Tuesday's vote in Strasbourg is not binding, but does represent a chance to "take the political temperature", BBC Brussels reporter Adam Fleming said.

It comes with the UK keen to start talking about what kind of trading relationship it will have with the EU after Brexit.

The original aim had been to get the go-ahead for these discussions when EU leaders meet next month.

But the EU says this can only happen when the European Council decides there has been "sufficient progress" on three issues: the so-called divorce bill when the UK leaves, the rights for EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU and the Northern Ireland border.

Media captionDavid Davis and Michel Barnier on the state of talks

The motion - which has been proposed by the main political groupings so is likely to be passed - says Theresa May offered "some clarifications" on these issues in her speech in Florence last month.

It also says during the transition period she proposed, EU law would have to continue to apply in full under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, and there could be no limits on the free movement of citizens.

On citizens' rights, the two sides cannot agree on whether UK or EU courts will guarantee European nationals' rights in the UK after Brexit.

The motion calls for "reciprocity, equity, symmetry and non-discrimination", also applying to future family members born after the UK leaves the EU.

It also criticises the UK's proposals so far - involving EU citizens applying for a new "settled status" after five years - and says people are suffering "unnecessary hardship and anxiety".

'Vital role'

And on another sticking point, the amount of money the UK will pay as it leaves the EU, it says: "The absence of any clear proposals has seriously impeded the negotiations", adding that "substantial progress in that area is required before entering into discussions on other issues".

A Department for Exiting the EU spokesman said: "We recognise and respect the vital role the European Parliament will play in this process and that this resolution sets out its views. However, it will be for the council to decide on sufficient progress.

"As we've said, we are clear that we have made considerable progress on the issues that matter: increasing certainty for citizens and businesses, providing reassurance to our EU partners in regards to our mutual financial obligations and agreeing on some of the key principles in relation to the issues arising for Northern Ireland and Ireland."