Brexit: EU decision on Boris Johnson’s deal could happen by ‘end of the week’

French President Emmanuel Macron has told Boris Johnson that the EU could make a decision by the end of the week on the latest Brexit proposals.

While the two leaders spoke on the phone on Sunday, Mr Johnson was urged by the French leader to “engage in discussions swiftly” so that a decision can be made this week about the latest proposals.

However, Downing Street officials said Mr Johnson told EU leaders over the weekend that this is the final chance to strike a deal, and that the EU must show the same level of compromise that the UK has done.

The PM added that he wants a deal that is acceptable to both sides, claiming that his new proposals have the support of parliament.

Mr Johnson submitted fresh proposals to Brussels last week which called for a replacement to the Irish backstop with a mixture of checks at ports on the Irish Sea and away from the border in Ireland – but the EU says it remains “unconvinced” by the offer.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said on Sunday that ministers are “considering” whether or not to hold a vote in the Commons before the upcoming EU summit, to try to prove that the proposals have MPs’ backing.

Number 10 also warned the EU that the UK could still leave without a deal on 31 October, despite the Benn Act being designed to prevent that from happening.

A senior Downing Street source said: “This is the chance to get a deal done – a deal that is backed by parliamentarians and a deal which involves compromise on all sides.

“The UK has made a big, important offer but it’s time for the Commission to show a willingness to compromise too. If not the UK will leave with no deal.

“The surrender act and its authors are undermining negotiations, but if EU leaders are betting that it will prevent no-deal, that would be a historic misunderstanding.”

It comes as a cabinet minister told Sky News there is “no plan” should a deal not be agreed before the deadline later this month and that Mr Johnson has “no intention” of extending Article 50.

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Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick also repeatedly refused to say whether Mr Johnson would write a letter to the EU asking for a delay if he failed to reach a deal.

Mr Jenrick told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday show: “The prime minister has been very clear that he is not going to extend Article 50 – I don’t think he personally could have been any clearer.

“We have said that we will comply with the law, however what we’re going to do now is work as hard as we possibly can to secure that deal.”

It is thought that Mr Johnson will continue speaking to EU leaders in the week, and could even travel across the continent in an attempt to rescue the deal.

Meanwhile, a decision is due later today from the Court of Session in Scotland on whether or not the prime minister can be forced by the courts to request an extension on Article 50.

Documents read out in court on behalf of Mr Johnson said that he would not seek to frustrate the Benn Act.

(c) Sky News 2019: Brexit: EU decision on Boris Johnson’s deal could happen by ‘end of the week’