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UK Long Way From Brexit Deal, Downing Street Source Says

Reuters

   LONDON - Britain remains a long way from agreeing on a final Brexit
   deal and the next few days will be critical if it is to reach departure
   terms with the European Union, a Downing Street source said Saturday.

   Negotiators for Britain and the EU entered intense talks over the
   weekend to see if they can break the Brexit impasse before a crucial
   summit next week and a deadline for Britain to leave the bloc Oct. 31.

   News of progress in the talks sent financial markets surging Friday
   after Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar identified a
   pathway to a deal following months of acrimony.

   But on Saturday the deputy leader of the Northern Irish party that
   holds a key role in the talks signaled his concern about the mooted
   proposal and the Downing Street source said Britain remained ready to
   leave without a deal if needed.

   "We've always wanted a deal," the person said, on condition of
   anonymity. "It is good to see progress, but we will wait to see if this
   is a genuine breakthrough.

   "We are a long way from a final deal and the weekend and next week
   remain critical to leaving with a deal on Oct. 31. We remain prepared
   to leave without a deal on Oct. 31," the source said.

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