"Gaps remain" - DUP has its say on latest Brexit deal proposal

The DUP has given a cool response to the latest Brexit negotiations.

After a 90-minute meeting with the Prime Minister last night, the party says "gaps remain and further work is required".

Boris Johnson is trying to secure a deal before tomorrow's EU summit but the main problem is still how to prevent a hard border in Northern Ireland.

Brexit negotiations are to continue on a final day of efforts to get a deal ready for a crucial EU summit, after Tuesday's talks ran into the small hours of the morning.

The PM is running out of time to get an agreement in place so it can be approved by European leaders at the Brussels summit starting on Thursday.

A Number 10 source said progress was still being made in the talks, which ran to about 1.30am in the Belgian capital and will resume on Wednesday morning.

Reports had suggested a deal was close ahead of a midnight deadline imposed by the EU, with the Prime Minister said to be making major concessions on the Irish border.

But sources on both sides of the Channel downplayed the suggestions, and the PM's official spokesman said: "Talks remain constructive but there is more work still to do.''

The PM is expected to update his Cabinet on progress in the negotiations on Wednesday afternoon.

A Downing Street source said: "Constructive talks, worked into the night, continue to make progress, continue in the morning."

Main pic: Boris Johnson with DUP leader Arlene Foster during a visit by the PM to Stormont in July.

• dup
• Brexit