Brexit talks to resume despite growing EU pessimism

Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay will travel to Brussels later, amid growing pessimism on the continent over whether a new withdrawal deal can be agreed.

The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, told diplomats that the UK‘s proposed alternative to the Irish backstop was unworkable.

Reports say European diplomats believed that the chances of finalising a new Brexit deal by a crucial EU summit on October the 17th were dwindling.

The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on October the 31st.

Members of parliament have passed a law requiring prime minister Boris Johnson to seek an extension to the deadline from the bloc if he is unable to pass a deal in parliament, or get members to approve a no-deal Brexit by 19 October.