UK at loggerheads with EU again over £41bn Brexit ‘divorce bill’

Brussels' accounts reveal amount expected, but London says: We don't recognise that figure'

The government has rejected claims it owes the European Union 41bn for a Brexit divorce bill", even as it emerged the first payments have been made.

Brussels and Westminster reopened a dispute about the size of the bill, after the publication of the EU's 2020 accounts revealed the European Commission expected 47.5bn (40.8bn) from the UK, a sum higher than British estimates.