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Brexit deal 'still possible, but more difficult' - Barnier Brexit deal 'still possible, but more difficult' - Barnier
(about 1 hour later)
The EU's chief negotiator has said a Brexit deal could still be struck this week despite it becoming "more difficult" to reach an agreement.The EU's chief negotiator has said a Brexit deal could still be struck this week despite it becoming "more difficult" to reach an agreement.
Michel Barnier said it was "time to turn good intentions into legal text".Michel Barnier said it was "time to turn good intentions into legal text".
Mr Barnier, who will update EU ministers at a meeting in Luxembourg later, has previously said "big gaps" remained between the UK and EU.Mr Barnier, who will update EU ministers at a meeting in Luxembourg later, has previously said "big gaps" remained between the UK and EU.
The BBC's Adam Fleming said he understood the UK has shared a new text of its customs proposals with the EU.The BBC's Adam Fleming said he understood the UK has shared a new text of its customs proposals with the EU.
Discussions between officials aimed at settling the terms of the UK's withdrawal have intensified in recent days, with nearly 12 hours of talks on Monday.Discussions between officials aimed at settling the terms of the UK's withdrawal have intensified in recent days, with nearly 12 hours of talks on Monday.
Hopes of a deal being agreed before the 31 October Brexit deadline were boosted after a meeting between Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart last week.Hopes of a deal being agreed before the 31 October Brexit deadline were boosted after a meeting between Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart last week.
Mr Johnson is trying to hold together a coalition of Conservative Brexiteers and Democratic Unionists in support of his proposed alternative to the Irish backstop - the arrangement designed to keep an open border in Ireland which has been rejected three times by MPs.
The DUP leader, Arlene Foster, had more than an hour of talks in Number 10 on Monday night with the Prime Minister discussing the ongoing Brexit talks.
Speaking in Luxembourg on Tuesday morning, Mr Barnier said an agreement "will be more and more difficult but it is still possible this week".Speaking in Luxembourg on Tuesday morning, Mr Barnier said an agreement "will be more and more difficult but it is still possible this week".
"Reaching an agreement is still possible but obviously any agreement must work for everyone - for all of the UK and the whole of the EU," he added. "It is high time to turn good intentions into legal text.""Reaching an agreement is still possible but obviously any agreement must work for everyone - for all of the UK and the whole of the EU," he added. "It is high time to turn good intentions into legal text."
The UK's Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said both sides needed to be given the "space" to work through their detailed discussions and a "deal was still possible".
The two sides are in a race against the clock, with EU leaders wanting to sign off any agreement at a two-day summit starting on Thursday.The two sides are in a race against the clock, with EU leaders wanting to sign off any agreement at a two-day summit starting on Thursday.
Finland's prime minister, Antti Rinne, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, said on Monday there was not enough time for a deal to be reached by then.Finland's prime minister, Antti Rinne, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, said on Monday there was not enough time for a deal to be reached by then.
After meeting the European Council's president-elect Charles Michel, Mr Rinne said: "I think there is no time in a practical or legal way to find an agreement before the EU Council meeting. We need more time."After meeting the European Council's president-elect Charles Michel, Mr Rinne said: "I think there is no time in a practical or legal way to find an agreement before the EU Council meeting. We need more time."
It's extremely hard to see how a new Brexit deal can still be agreed by this Thursday. Cabinet delayed
Negotiations continue - but time is tight, and, to use the words of even the most upbeat of those involved, "there's still much work to do".
EU internal talk is focusing now on a possible "holding pattern statement" at this week's EU leaders summit, along the lines of "we've made great progress in negotiations but still need more time".
There are also renewed mutterings about a new Brexit summit, maybe towards the end of the month.
Read more from our Europe editor.
Former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said it would be "very difficult" to reach an agreement and pass the domestic legislation needed to implement it by 31 October.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today that an extension of a "few days" might be acceptable to many Conservatives as it would make clear "the end was in sight".
'Issue of trust'
But Environment Minister Zac Goldsmith said any further delay risked eroding the public's trust in the political system.
"If both sides wish to secure a deal, a deal can be secured," he told Today.
"It's a matter of political will - where there is a will, there is a way. That has never been more true than in the case of Brexit.
"There are issues of trust there, but even beyond issues of trust I don't think it serves our interest as a country to be in a permanent state of division and paralysis."
With talks in Brussels ongoing, a Cabinet meeting expected to take place on Tuesday has been postponed and is now likely to take place on Wednesday. Downing Street sources say it is to allow for a fuller update on Brexit.With talks in Brussels ongoing, a Cabinet meeting expected to take place on Tuesday has been postponed and is now likely to take place on Wednesday. Downing Street sources say it is to allow for a fuller update on Brexit.
The two-day EU summit is crucial because the prime minister must get a new deal approved by MPs by Saturday if he is to avoid asking for a Brexit delay.The two-day EU summit is crucial because the prime minister must get a new deal approved by MPs by Saturday if he is to avoid asking for a Brexit delay.
The Benn Act passed by MPs opposed to no-deal says he must ask for an extension to the Brexit deadline if MPs do not back a deal by then.The Benn Act passed by MPs opposed to no-deal says he must ask for an extension to the Brexit deadline if MPs do not back a deal by then.
However, Mr Johnson has repeatedly ruled out requesting such an extension, prompting speculation that he may seek to sidestep the legislation. Labour has threatened court action to force the PM to obey the legislation.However, Mr Johnson has repeatedly ruled out requesting such an extension, prompting speculation that he may seek to sidestep the legislation. Labour has threatened court action to force the PM to obey the legislation.
Regardless of what happens in Brussels, a showdown is anticipated in an emergency sitting of Parliament on Saturday - the first in 37 years.Regardless of what happens in Brussels, a showdown is anticipated in an emergency sitting of Parliament on Saturday - the first in 37 years.
MPs will be able to back or reject any deal presented to them, or there will be discussions on what to do next.MPs will be able to back or reject any deal presented to them, or there will be discussions on what to do next.
'Mood change'
Ex-foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said while he hoped an agreement could be reached and the necessary legislation passed to implement it by 31 October, it would be "very difficult" given how little time was left.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today that an extension of a "few days" might be acceptable to many Conservatives as it would make clear "the end was in sight".
But leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg said legislation required to ratify any agreement would be "relatively easy to pass" if MPs agreed to a deal on Saturday.
He suggested the mood was changing in Parliament and after more than three years of disagreement and rancour "everyone is desperate to finish this".
"The votes are now there for a deal," he said. "There is just a mood in the country that we want to get on with this and politicians have to be sensitive to that mood."
He warned ex-Conservative MPs reportedly considering forcing the PM to ask for a delay in order to enshrine the withdrawal deal in law, saying they would be seen as blocking Brexit.
Timeline: What's happening ahead of Brexit deadline?Timeline: What's happening ahead of Brexit deadline?
Thursday 17 October - Crucial two-day summit of EU leaders begins in Brussels. This is the last such meeting currently scheduled before the Brexit deadline.Thursday 17 October - Crucial two-day summit of EU leaders begins in Brussels. This is the last such meeting currently scheduled before the Brexit deadline.
Saturday 19 October - Special sitting of Parliament and the date by which the PM must ask the EU for another delay to Brexit under the Benn Act, if no Brexit deal has been approved by MPs and they have not agreed to the UK leaving with no-deal.Saturday 19 October - Special sitting of Parliament and the date by which the PM must ask the EU for another delay to Brexit under the Benn Act, if no Brexit deal has been approved by MPs and they have not agreed to the UK leaving with no-deal.
Thursday 31 October - Date by which the UK is currently due to leave the EU.Thursday 31 October - Date by which the UK is currently due to leave the EU.