This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49995133

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Brexit: Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar hold further talks Brexit: Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar hold further talks
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar are holding further talks to discuss the UK's Brexit proposals.Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar are holding further talks to discuss the UK's Brexit proposals.
Downing Street said the meeting would allow "detailed discussions" on the process of securing a deal.Downing Street said the meeting would allow "detailed discussions" on the process of securing a deal.
Mr Johnson has said he remains "cautiously optimistic" about a deal.Mr Johnson has said he remains "cautiously optimistic" about a deal.
But on Wednesday EU leaders accused the UK of putting forward untested ideas, adding that progress towards a new deal had been limited.But on Wednesday EU leaders accused the UK of putting forward untested ideas, adding that progress towards a new deal had been limited.
A similar sentiment was expressed on Tuesday by Mr Varadkar, who suggested it would be "very difficult" for the UK and the EU to reach a Brexit agreement before the 31 October deadline.A similar sentiment was expressed on Tuesday by Mr Varadkar, who suggested it would be "very difficult" for the UK and the EU to reach a Brexit agreement before the 31 October deadline.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the "behaviour and language" used by the PM "suggests he's not going to reach an agreement with the European Union".Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the "behaviour and language" used by the PM "suggests he's not going to reach an agreement with the European Union".
But Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith called for MPs and commentators to "step back" and "give this meeting space".But Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith called for MPs and commentators to "step back" and "give this meeting space".
The meeting between the two leaders is taking place in the north-west of England, with Mr Johnson still insisting the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal at the end of the month.The meeting between the two leaders is taking place in the north-west of England, with Mr Johnson still insisting the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal at the end of the month.
That is despite the so-called Benn Act - passed by MPs last month - demanding he request a delay to the Article 50 deadline from the EU until January 2020 if a deal has not been agreed before 19 October.That is despite the so-called Benn Act - passed by MPs last month - demanding he request a delay to the Article 50 deadline from the EU until January 2020 if a deal has not been agreed before 19 October.
On Wednesday, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said the PM was gearing up to bypass legal obstacles to a no-deal Brexit by sending one letter requesting an extension and, in the same instance, submitting a second memo telling European leaders he does not want one. On Wednesday, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom suggested the PM was gearing up to bypass legal obstacles to a no-deal Brexit by sending one letter requesting an extension and, in the same instance, submitting a second memo telling European leaders he does not want one.
Asked on ITV's Peston programme whether the idea of sending two letters to the EU was a possible loophole, Ms Leadsom replied: "Absolutely."Asked on ITV's Peston programme whether the idea of sending two letters to the EU was a possible loophole, Ms Leadsom replied: "Absolutely."
Mr Johnson put forward fresh proposals for a Brexit deal last week, but Mr Varadkar has said "big gaps" remain between the UK and the EU.Mr Johnson put forward fresh proposals for a Brexit deal last week, but Mr Varadkar has said "big gaps" remain between the UK and the EU.
Former Tory chancellor Philip Hammond accused Mr Johnson of tabling a proposed deal that "is not going to fly, and was never going to fly".Former Tory chancellor Philip Hammond accused Mr Johnson of tabling a proposed deal that "is not going to fly, and was never going to fly".
"Much of it is stuff which has already been tried with the EU in the past and rejected in the past," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."Much of it is stuff which has already been tried with the EU in the past and rejected in the past," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
What are the PM's border plans?What are the PM's border plans?
Under Mr Johnson's proposals, which he calls a "broad landing zone" for a new deal with the EU:Under Mr Johnson's proposals, which he calls a "broad landing zone" for a new deal with the EU:
Updating MEPs on the state of talks, the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said he believed "with goodwill" on both sides there could be an agreement in the run-up to the EU summit later this month.Updating MEPs on the state of talks, the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said he believed "with goodwill" on both sides there could be an agreement in the run-up to the EU summit later this month.
But he added: "To put things very frankly and to try to be objective, we are not really in a position where we are able to find an agreement."But he added: "To put things very frankly and to try to be objective, we are not really in a position where we are able to find an agreement."
As it stood, he continued, the UK was proposing replacing an "operable, practical and legal solution" to avoid a hard Irish border with "one that is simply a temporary solution".As it stood, he continued, the UK was proposing replacing an "operable, practical and legal solution" to avoid a hard Irish border with "one that is simply a temporary solution".
Mr Barnier said the UK's suggested alternative to the Irish backstop - which would see customs checks conducted away from the border at business premises or electronically - "had not been tested" and was "largely based" on exemptions for small businesses and technology that had "yet to be developed".Mr Barnier said the UK's suggested alternative to the Irish backstop - which would see customs checks conducted away from the border at business premises or electronically - "had not been tested" and was "largely based" on exemptions for small businesses and technology that had "yet to be developed".
'Prospect of a deal looks remote''Prospect of a deal looks remote'
The prospect of securing an agreement that would allow the UK to leave the European Union with a deal three weeks today - on 31 October - looks remote, and few believe there is much prospect of a major breakthrough on Thursday.The prospect of securing an agreement that would allow the UK to leave the European Union with a deal three weeks today - on 31 October - looks remote, and few believe there is much prospect of a major breakthrough on Thursday.
Each side's plan is rejected by the other, and the EU Summit - where any deal would have to be signed off - is just a week away.Each side's plan is rejected by the other, and the EU Summit - where any deal would have to be signed off - is just a week away.
With time in such short supply, the focus is turning to what happens next, how the government might seek to frustrate Parliament's desire to stop an imminent no-deal Brexit, and how soon - whatever happens - a general election might follow.With time in such short supply, the focus is turning to what happens next, how the government might seek to frustrate Parliament's desire to stop an imminent no-deal Brexit, and how soon - whatever happens - a general election might follow.
For more analysis, read BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg's blog.For more analysis, read BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg's blog.
In a speech in Northampton, Mr Corbyn reiterated that his party would agree to a general election as soon as no-deal has been taken "off the table", as the PM "can't be trusted not to break the law".In a speech in Northampton, Mr Corbyn reiterated that his party would agree to a general election as soon as no-deal has been taken "off the table", as the PM "can't be trusted not to break the law".
He also accused Mr Johnson of "using the Queen" to deliver a "pre-election Tory party political broadcast" at next week's state opening of Parliament.He also accused Mr Johnson of "using the Queen" to deliver a "pre-election Tory party political broadcast" at next week's state opening of Parliament.
He told party supporters that the government had "no obvious means" of getting new laws passed, and holding a Queen's Speech before an election was a "cynical stunt."He told party supporters that the government had "no obvious means" of getting new laws passed, and holding a Queen's Speech before an election was a "cynical stunt."
Timeline: What's happening ahead of Brexit deadline?Timeline: What's happening ahead of Brexit deadline?
Thursday 10 October - Boris Johnson meets Irish leader Leo Varadkar in the north-west of England for "detailed discussions" over the UK's Brexit proposals.Thursday 10 October - Boris Johnson meets Irish leader Leo Varadkar in the north-west of England for "detailed discussions" over the UK's Brexit proposals.
Monday 14 October - The Commons is due to return, and the government will use the Queen's Speech to set out its legislative agenda. The speech will then be debated by MPs throughout the week.Monday 14 October - The Commons is due to return, and the government will use the Queen's Speech to set out its legislative agenda. The speech will then be debated by MPs throughout the week.
Thursday 17 October - Crucial two-day summit of EU leaders begins in Brussels. This is the last such meeting currently scheduled before the Brexit deadline.Thursday 17 October - Crucial two-day summit of EU leaders begins in Brussels. This is the last such meeting currently scheduled before the Brexit deadline.
Saturday 19 October - Special sitting of Parliament and the date by which the PM must ask the EU for another delay to Brexit under the Benn Act, if no Brexit deal has been approved by Parliament and they have not agreed to the UK leaving with no-deal.Saturday 19 October - Special sitting of Parliament and the date by which the PM must ask the EU for another delay to Brexit under the Benn Act, if no Brexit deal has been approved by Parliament and they have not agreed to the UK leaving with no-deal.
Thursday 31 October - Date by which the UK is due to leave the EU, with or without a withdrawal agreement.Thursday 31 October - Date by which the UK is due to leave the EU, with or without a withdrawal agreement.