No 10 says Brexit talks ongoing after reports deal is close

Downing Street has said Brexit negotiations remain ongoing after reports suggested Boris Johnson is closing in on a new deal after giving significant ground to the EU over the Irish border.

The Prime Minister is in a race against time to get a fresh agreement negotiated in time for the Brussels summit of European leaders starting on Thursday.

The Guardian reported senior sources on both sides of the Channel saying that a draft treaty could be published on Wednesday morning after the UK agreed in principle there will be a customs border in the Irish Sea.

But the PM’s official spokesman said: “Talks remain constructive but there is more work still to do.”

Downing Street sources were also downplaying the chances of a breakthrough being imminent.