British-Irish talks spark new optimism

Boris Johnson and Irish premier Leo Varadkar have said they can “see a pathway” to a possible Brexit deal. Following more than two hours of talks at a country manor on The Wirral near Liverpool, the two leaders said they believed a deal was “in everybody’s interests”. In a joint statement, they said they would now “reflect further” on their discussions while their officials would continue to “engage intensively”. “Both continue to believe a deal is in everybody’s interest. They agreed they could see a pathway to a possible deal,” the statement said. “They agreed to reflect further on their discussions and that officials would continue to engage intensively on them.”

The meeting at the 19th Century Thornton Manor was seen as a last chance for Mr Johnson to save his hopes of getting agreement on a Brexit deal ahead of next week’s EU summit.

In their statement, the two leaders said their discussions had concentrated on “challenges” of future customs arrangements and “consent” in Mr Johnson’s Brexit blueprint.

The Irish and other EU governments have objected to proposals to take Northern Ireland out of the EU customs union, meaning the return of customs checks on the island of Ireland.

They have also voiced concerns about proposals for the new arrangements to require the consent of the Stormont Assembly, effectively handing a veto to the DUP. The statement said Mr Varadkar will consult with Brussels while Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay will meet the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier today.