PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has continued to knock back a request for a extension to the Brexit trade negotiations despite the coronavirus crisis.

He was asked today at PMQs in the Commons whether a one-year extension could be sought for the UK’s Brexit implementation process.

Alliance MP Stephen Farry (North Down) said: “Defeating the coronavirus must be the top, indeed the only priority, for the forseeable future. There’s already huge anxiety across the UK, businesses are facing unprecedented challenge and uncertainty.

“So regardless of Leave or Remain, how quickly will the Prime Minister recognise the inevitable and seek at least a one-year extension to the Brexit implementation process?”

But Johnson responded: “Our priority is to deal with the coronavirus epidemic and the other matter that he mentions has already, as he will know, been legislated for.”