EU negotiator denies Brexit bill 'punishment'

Brussels

THE EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier insisted on Wednesday that the bloc was not punishing Britain as London firmly rejected a reported 100 billion-euro (S$152 billion) exit bill.

Mr Barnier warned however against the "illusion" that leaving the European Union would be quick or painless, urging Britain to start talks as soon as possible after its general election in June.