EU negotiator Michel Barnier signals Brexit breakthrough is ‘very close’ after fresh compromise from Britain

MICHEL Barnier told EU countries behind closed doors that a Brexit breakthrough is now “very close” after fresh compromise from Britain.

The usually stubborn Frenchman's team sent the Pound soaring yesterday after an upbeat assessment of the state of the talks at a closed meeting with diplomats from national capitals - despite public doom and gloom.

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Hopes of progress have been fuelled by expectations that Theresa May has come forward with a compromise solution to the Irish border.

The PM will propose keeping the whole of the UK in a customs union as a final fallback but allowing Northern Ireland to stick to EU regulations.

But any checks in the Irish Sea will be fiercely opposed by her DUP partners, with leader Arlene Foster saying she will stick to her "blood red" line.

However on EU diplomat told The Sun that the role of the ECJ in governing the Withdrawal Agreement also remains a major sticking point.

And they warned progress is still slow on a framework for the future trade deal which is needed to get the pact through both parliaments.

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Another potential stumbling block is the UK's tough stance on geographical indications, which effectively copyright iconic food and drink products.

The rules state that the likes of Parmesan cheese and Champagne can only be labelled as such if they are made in a specific region.

EU ambassadors met in Luxembourg last night amid a renewed sense of optimism a deal can be sealed at the next leaders' summit, which starts on October 17th.

Afterwards a second EU diplomat told The Sun: "We have reasons to remain confident concerning a deal.”

On the backstop, they added: "The Brits showed a new willingness to move and this is promising."

Last night a government spokesman said: "We will continue to work at pace to conclude these negotiations in the Autumn.

"As the PM has said, we will set out our alternative proposals to preserve the integrity of the UK.

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"This will be in line with the commitments we made back in December."

An EU source told told The Sun that the two negotiating teams will engage in "very intensive" talks over the next few days.

Mr Barnier is expected to meet with Italian PM Antonio Conte on Monday before visiting Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

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