Brussels and Number 10 are divided over Boris Johnson’s chances of striking a Brexit deal.
Brexit Minister James Duddridge fuelled hopes of a breakthrough, telling MPs that a fresh withdrawal pact was “within reach”.
Government sources indicated progress was being made as Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay travels for talks with European Union chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Friday.
It is claimed that Brussels could shift over plans for the Irish Backstop, aimed at stopping a hard border.
(Image: PA)
The Government wants to forge a key role – dubbed “consent” – for the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont in a bid to break the deadlock in negotiations. But it has not sat since 2017.
However, a senior Brussels source said: “It’s extremely unlikely we’ll get there.”
Jeremy Corbyn held crisis talks with fellow opposition leaders yesterday as they tried to thrash out a plan to prevent Britain leaving without a pact.
Also the National Audit Office said there were “risks” to supplies of medicines, with the Department of Health and Social Care lacking information about levels of stockpiling.
Meanwhile, MPs fear Boris Johnson will snub the law and fail to request a Brexit delay if he is unable to force a deal through the Commons by October 19.
(Image: REUTERS)
The Prime Minister has suggested he will not break the law, but has also insisted the UK will leave the EU on October 31, “do or die”.
The PM has refused to explain how he plans to do both, after admitting he would not ask the bloc for an extension, fuelling fears of a no-deal departure.
Insisting a deal was “within reach” Brexit Minister James Duddridge told the Commons: “The Government will obey the law.”
