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The last round of negotiations ended this week although Mr Barnier declared no serious progress has been made. Pressure is building on the UK and EU to make progress on the future trade agreement ahead of the crucial EU-UK summit later this month. Over the last few weeks, both sides have declared more must be done to move talks forward although Mr Barnier claimed the UK is backtracking on promises made in the political declaration.

However, following Mr Barnier’s claims against the UK, Nigel Farage delivered a message to Brexit supporters today.

He told Express.co.uk: “We are heading in the right direction.

“Even if Boris extended the transition period, that wouldn’t be the end of the story because the political backlash would be huge.

“It is a great historic struggle for our independence.

“There will be ups and downs along the way, but we should feel pleased that we are heading in the right direction.

“All that can stop it would be a betrayal from the Government.”

The deadline to extend the transition period ends on June 30 – although the Prime Minister has repeatedly ruled out an extension.

As it stands, the transition period ends on December 31 and in his press conference today, Mr Barnier once again insisted the potential to extend the period still remains.

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He said on Friday: “My responsibility is to speak to truth and, to tell the truth, this week there have been no significant areas of progress.”

“In all areas, the UK continues to backtrack under commitments undertaken in the political declaration, including on fisheries.

“We cannot and will not accept this backtracking on the political declaration.

“We have always been open to the possibility of an extension of one or two years – as is possible under the exit agreement.

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“And our door remains open.”

Chiefly, the two sides have still not come to an agreement on fisheries, the level playing field and security cooperation.

While the EU has stated these areas must be addressed, UK officials have stated Brussels has misunderstood the reason behind Brexit.

As stated by both Mr Frost and Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Gove, the UK’s sovereignty remains paramount to any agreement.

They have also refused to be tied into any EU regulations now that the UK is a sovereign state.

In Mr Frost’s own statement today, he said: “We continue to discuss the full range of issues, including the most difficult ones.

“Progress remains limited but our talks have been positive in tone.

“We are now at an important moment for these talks.

“We are close to reaching the limits of what we can achieve through the format of remote formal rounds.”

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