EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier tests positive for Covid-19

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator with the UK over Brexit, has tested positive for coronavirus.

He wrote on Twitter: "I would like to inform you that I have tested positive for #COVID19. I am doing well and in good spirits. I am following all the necessary instructions, as is my team.

"For all those affected already, and for all those currently in isolation, we will get through this together."

On Wednesday, Boris Johnson he would not ask for an extension to the Brexit transition period despite the mass disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Prime Minister insisted there will be no delay past the end-of-year deadline, even though trade negotiations scheduled for this week had to be cancelled.

However, regardless of the disruption, the UK and the EU did exchange draft legal texts for the future relationship on Wednesday evening.

Britain was understood to have shared a negotiating document detailing a desired free trade agreement, plans for aviation safety and a civil nuclear agreement.

The PM's Europe adviser David Frost and Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier were due to resume talks on Wednesday, but had these scuppered by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Negotiations were expected to get back on track next week, but there was an acknowledgement they could no longer take place in person.

Mr Johnson pointed towards laws preventing ministers from requesting a delay when asked at his daily coronavirus press conference on Wednesday.

"It's not a subject that's being regularly discussed, I can tell you, in Downing Street at the moment," he told reporters.

"There is legislation in place that I have no intention of changing."