It will be 'very difficult' to reach a new Brexit deal by the October 31 deadline, the EU’s chief negotiator warned last night. Michel Barnier told ambassadors that Britain's Irish backstop alternative is still not acceptable – despite concessions from Boris Johnson. TOMORROW – EU ministers will meet in Luxembourg, where the outline of a Brexit deal will need to be agreed if it is to be signed off by end of the week. THURSDAY/FRIDAY – Boris Johnson attends a European Council summit in Brussels, where he hopes EU leaders will approve the new deal. The plan would see Northern Ireland being subject to EU customs tariffs as goods cross the Irish Sea from mainland Britain.

Source: Daily Mail October 13, 2019 21:56 UTC