Heading‘Brexit closer as lighttalks with EU reach moment of truth’

STEPHEN Barclay said Brexit talks were reaching a “moment of truth” as the UK prepared to put a fresh deal to the EU.

The EU Exit Secretary yesterday discussed a revised Withdrawal Agreement with the EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

Government sources said the UK’s proposals discussed with Mr Barnier will be formally tabled after next week’s Tory Party conference in Manchester.

Mr Barclay believes there is still time for a deal to be struck, even though it will be less than a fortnight before the EU Council’s October 17 meeting. This was believed to be the last chance for an agreement before the UK’s scheduled October 31 departure.

However, Mr Barclay admitted many obstacles remained.

He said after the talks with Mr Barnier: “There is still a long way to go. I think we are coming to a moment of truth in these negotiations.

“We will see if there is political will on both sides.

“We are committed to securing a deal. We are committed to leaving on October 31, but that deal has to be without the backstop.

“Parliament has rejected the backstop three times.

“I have been very clear with Michel Barnier in negotiations that the backstop has to go.”

But he added: “We are committed to securing a deal.

“The Prime Minister has made clear he wants a deal but there has to be political will on both sides and that’s what we’re exploring.”

Mr Barnier said a Withdrawal Agreement must include a solution to prevent the creation of a hard border on the island of Ireland.

After yesterday’s meeting, an EU Commission statement said: “Michel Barnier stressed that it is essential there is a fully operational solution in the Withdrawal Agreement to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, protect the all-island economy and the integrity of the Single Market.

“The EU remains open and willing to examine any workable and legally operative proposals that meet all these objectives.” Hopeful... Stephen Barclay