Seven hours left to achieve Brexit ‘clarity’, says Donald Tusk
A Brexit breakthrough must happen today if there is any hope of it being approved by the 27 EU leaders at tomorrow’s key summit, both sides have agreed.
Although successive deadlines – most of which were set by the EU – have fallen by the wayside, a UK government source this morning said it would not be possible for talks to run over today.
That was backed up this afternoon by European Council president Donald Tusk, who told Polish TV: “In seven to eight hours everything should be clear”.
He added: “The basic foundations of an agreement are ready and theoretically tomorrow we could accept this deal with Great Britain.
The pound has risen 0.67 per cent against the dollar at $1.285 amid hopes that a last-minute deal could be reached.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is currently chairing a special Cabinet meeting, to update his closest ministers on the state of talks, both in Brussels and here in London.
Johnson has held three meetings with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in three days, as he seeks to win over the Conservative’s confidence and supply partner, which carries 10 seats.
This afternoon DUP leader Arlene Foster rubbished reports a deal was imminent after caving in on the issue of consent.
“‘EU sources’ are talking nonsense,” she tweeted. “Discussions continue. Needs to be a sensible deal which unionists and nationalists can support.”
But it is not only the DUP that Johnson must convince.
He is due to speak at the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers at 4:30 this afternoon, where he will face conflicting groups including the Eurosceptic ERG, headed by Steve Baker.
Main image: Getty