BORIS Johnson has threatened to walk away from talks after Angela Merkel warned Britain would have to "live with the consequences" of Brexit.

The German chancellor fired the shot across the bow of the Prime Minister as he decided to ditch plans laid out by his predecessor Theresa May for close economic ties to Brussels.

It comes as Britain's chief negotiator David Frost – known as "the sherpa" – will kick off a new round of talks at the EU headquarters as part of an "intensified process".

Follow our Brexit live blog below for all the latest updates…

• DAVID FROST WILL STAY ON UNTIL TALKS CONCLUDE

  It was revealed last night that Brexit chief negotiator David Frost will become the PM's next National Security Adviser.

  Mr Frost will continue to lead Brexit talks until they have concluded, and says the trade negotiations will remain his “top priority”.

  Last week, he warned Michel Barnier to 'get real' over Brexit.

  He said: “This needs to be a real negotiation and some of the EU’s unrealistic positions will have to change if we are to move forward.”

  Here's the full story.

• BORIS RULES OUT RETURN TO AUSTERITY

  As politicians resume Brexit talks today, Boris Johnson gave an interview to Times Radio.

  He admitted that coronavirus has been an “absolute nightmare” and a “disaster” for the UK.

  “This has been a disaster, let's not mince our words, this has been an absolute nightmare for the country,” he said.

  “The country has gone through a profound shock. But in those moments you have the opportunity to change and to do things better.”

  During the interview, he also said:

  • There will be “bumpy times” ahead – but the UK will get through the economic fallout “very, very well indeed”
  • He's been “very lucky” to recover from coronavirus and his illness has given him an “even deeper love and admiration for the NHS”
  • The Government is prepared to “crack down on local flare-ups” via a “whack-a-mole strategy”
  • The PM has also ruled out a return to austerity as the UK gets back on its feet

  BREXIT TALKS TO RESUME TODAY

  Good morning.

  Brexit negotiations are restarting today in Brussels – and politicians will meet in person for the first time since March.

  The deadline to get a deal won't be extended – and we have until the UK's transition period expires at the end of the year to get this sorted.

  There's been little progress during the lockdown, and it's hoped the face-to-face weekly meetings will help.

  The Government wants to see the outline of an EU-UK trade deal by the end of the summer.

  This is in order to give UK businesses time to prepare themselves for a new working relationship with the EU, which will begin on January 1, after the transition period ends.

  And all of this is happening after the resignation of Britain's most senior civil servant Sir Mark Sedwill, who will be replaced with chief Brexit negotiator David Frost from late August.

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