Last-minute effort to reach Brexit agreement

Theresa May has not yet reached an agreement on a post-brexit plan for the Irish border to push negotiations forward which satisfies the European Union, Ireland and the Democratic Unionist Party, it was reported last night.

The announcement that European Council president Donald Tusk would make a statement on Brexit early this morning fuelled speculation that the Prime Minister had made progress.

But a Government source said: “We’re not there yet.” European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas tweeted that: “We are making progress, but not yet fully there.”

A Number 10 spokesman confirmed talks were ongoing.

European Council president Donald Tusk will make a statement on Brexit at 7:50am Brussels time (6:50am UK time) today, a Council spokeswoman confirmed.

The Dublin government spokesman did not specifically confirm whether or not a new form of text had been tabled by UK negotiators.

Efforts to reach agreement on the Irish question came after the Commons Public Accounts Committee said Britain’s borders could be exposed to risks on day one of Brexit because of a lack of planning.

A hard-hitting report described the situation as “extremely worrying”.