Raab: Brexit deal within our sights

DOMINIC Raab said he was ‘stubbornly optimistic’ a Brexit deal was within reach yesterday as Brussels extended its security offer to the UK.

The EU’s lead negotiator Michel Barnier said the bloc was ready for an ‘ambitious partnership’ on security as he offered a guarantee on access to the Galileo satellite system following six hours of talks with the Brexit Secretary.

Mr Barnier said the offer would rival agreements with other non-member ‘third’ countries such as Norway and the US. It includes access to the Public Regulated Service signal as long as the right post-Brexit deal is agreed. This can be used by governments during national emergencies such as terrorist attacks.

Mr Barnier has previously indicated he wanted a partnership with the UK over the ‘most sensitive signal’ but access has not been guaranteed in such clear terms. Britain is buoyed by the offer but is still contemplating going alone with its own domestic satellite project.

Standing alongside Mr Raab yesterday, Mr Barnier said the pair were confident an agreement on the divorce deal could be reached by October in order to give the EU parliament and Westminster time to sign it off ahead of Britain’s exit on March 29 next year. Mr Raab added: ‘I am stubbornly optimistic that a deal is within our reach.’ But another sticking point on the exit deal appears to be rules protecting European foods such as Parma ham, which Brussels wants Britain to continue recognising. However the UK considers this a matter for the future trade relationship.

Little progress looks to have been made either regarding the Irish border, which Mr Barnier described as urgent.