UK starts dispute proceedings, claiming exclusion from EU scientific research

The UK and the EU have reached an impasse over British participation in the Horizon science programme, the Euroatom nuclear treaty and space services. Photograph: Dino Fracchia/Alamy

The UK is triggering dispute proceedings with the EU, accusing it of breaching the Brexit treaty by freezing it out of scientific research programmes following the row over Northern Ireland.

Liz Truss, the foreign secretary and Tory leadership frontrunner, said there had been a “clear breach” of the trade and cooperation agreement, with her department writing to Brussels requesting formal dispute talks.