David Frost, the man tasked securing a trade deal with the European Union, has shown mild signs signs of the virus, according to UK sources. It is not clear whether he has actually caught coronavirus, but is following the advice of public health officials. The news comes after his EU counterpart Michel Barnier announced yesterday on social media that he had tested positive for the disease.

It will likely cause chaos in the two sides’ future relationship discussions as governments across the bloc prepare to extend their lockdowns.

This week’s round of negotiations, scheduled for London, had already been called off as part of an effort to curb the spread of the global pandemic.

The second round of face-to-face negotiations was due to begin on Wednesday.

It is understood the cases aren’t connected since the two negotiators have not met for almost three weeks.

Mr Frost, 55, was largely credited with convincing the EU to reopen Theresa May’s hated withdrawal agreement that heralded a breakthrough in negotiations last October.

He has since retained his position as the Prime Minister’s top Europe adviser and holds vast swathes of influence over Britain’s future trading relationship with Brussels.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Barnier, 69, said he was in high spirits and good health after testing positive for coronavirus.

He said: “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.”

Officials from both sides continue to work on contingency to hold negotiations via video link as the global pandemic continues.

Another tactic under consideration is to hold continuous talks rather than the planned short, intensive sessions to limit social contact between negotiators.

Mr Johnson has already ruled out extending the transition period beyond December 2020 as a result of the outbreak.

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He pointed towards legislation preventing ministers from requesting a delay when asked at his daily coronavirus press conference on Wednesday.

He said: “It’s not a subject that’s being regularly discussed, I can tell you, in Downing Street at the moment.

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

The UK and EU are continuing to work on the future relationship, with both sharing draft legal texts for a free-trade agreement.

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The Government has signalled it has no intention of publishing its own dossier after Brussels shares its with the world.

“We are sharing ours in confidence as a negotiating document, as part of the ongoing negotiating process,” a UK spokesman said.

“Teams will now analyse each other’s texts and we expect further conversations between the teams next week.

“We will keep under review which documents it is appropriate to publish during the course of negotiations and whether it is useful to make them available more widely.”

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