Barnier says main Brexit framework 'largely defined' - FT
By Duncan Ferris
Date: Monday 12 Nov 2018
(Sharecast News) - The EU's chief Brexit negotiator on Monday told ministers from the EU's remaining member states that the main points of a Brexit deal were ready to present to the UK cabinet on Tuesday, according to The Financial Times.
Speaking after late-night talks that ran to almost 3am, Michel Barnier reportedly stated that "the parameters of a possible agreement are very largely defined" but still require endorsement from Theresa May's government.
However, EU officials later dialled down talk of a breakthrough, saying "intense negotiating efforts continue, but an agreement has not been reached yet".
Talks are now said to have entered a crucial 48-hour period, with Downing Street and the EU keen to sign-off on a withdrawal deal at a special summit at the end of the month, but contentious issues such as the Irish border remained unsolved.
Hardline Tory Brexiteers and the DUP warned over the weekend that they are prepared to vote down any withdrawal plans that they see as threatening the union by putting a trade border across the Irish Sea.
If no agreement is ready to be put to the EU by Wednesday it faces a delay until next month, meaning further uncertainty and money spent on preparations for a 'no deal' outcome.
Pressure on the Prime Minister also appears to be building to a fever pitch, with Boris Johnson calling for a "cabinet mutiny" against the proposals for the UK to sign up to EU rules in trade in goods the same week that his brother, Jo Johnson, resigned from the government and called for a 'people's vote' on Brexit.
Former education secretary Justine Greening is another who backs a second referendum on Brexit and said last week that there was "no chance" of the MPs approving May's current blueprint for relations with the EU.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in a speech on Monday that Brexit is now "more divisive" than the Iraq War or the Miner's Strike and it must remain possible for the UK to rejoin Europe one day.
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