Brexit news latest: Boris Johnson to head to Luxembourg for talks with EU's Jean-Claude Juncker

Harriet Brewis @HattieBrewis13 September 2019
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Boris Johnson will hold Brexit talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as he continues his efforts to find a new Brexit deal.

The Prime Minister will travel to Luxembourg on Monday for his first meeting with Mr Juncker since entering Number 10 in July, Downing Street confirmed.

A European Commission spokeswoman said Mr Juncker was "looking forward to working constructively" with the Prime Minister.

She said the "working lunch" would be held at a "neutral location" rather than the British Embassy or a commission venue.

"By common accord they agreed to meet in Luxembourg on Monday," she told a briefing in Brussels.

Boris Johnson will meet with Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg on Monday

"They have been trying to arrange a meeting for a while now. They've already spoken on the phone, so I think it's the willingness that comes from both sides."

However, Number 10 sources has played down the prospect of the talks leading to an imminent breakthrough, insisting there was still "a long way to go".

It will be Mr Juncker's first meeting with Theresa May's sucessor 
Getty Images

The PM's Brexit envoy David Frost has been holding talks in Brussels this week, but Brexit negotiations have produced few signs of progress as the October 31 deadline looms ever closer.

But Mr Johnson remains hopeful he will strike a Brexit deal at the European Union summit in October, insisting yesterday that both sides “can see the rough area of landing space” to do it.

Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said "the gap is very wide" between the EU and the UK in reaching a deal and the DUP has rejected reports it is willing to soften its approach to the Irish border issue.

"We have always said we would be willing to look at alternative arrangements, but what we're seeing falls far short," Mr Varadkar told RTE radio.

"We are exploring what is possible. The gap is very wide but we will fight for and work for a deal until the last moment, but not at any cost."

Mr Johnson wants the Irish border provision removed from a legally-binding Brexit agreement sealed by his predecessor.

But the EU insists the so-called backstop must stay in so that goods can flow smoothly between member country Ireland and Northern Ireland when it leaves along with the rest of the UK.

Parliament has passed a law obliging the Prime Minister to seek an extension if no deal is reached by mid-October.

Mr Johnson has said he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than do so.

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