Brexit deal will come down to final seconds - David Davis ready for EU's last minute panic
FORMER Brexit Secretary David Davis has claimed Britain's European Union negotiations could come down to the final seconds.
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The ex-Cabinet minister said negotiations with other member states would be decided in the final moments, with October being a key month for talks. The comments come just a day after French President Emmanuel Macron claimed massive changes could not be made in the short timeline.
The leader added a solution could be found but that any changes would not be very different from the previous agreement due to time constraints.
Britain is frantically preparing for a no deal exit with just over two months until Brexit deadline day on Halloween.
But Mr Davis feels its the UK’s preparation and progress which could see a deal secured at the twelfth hour.
Speaking to Choppers Brexit Podcast for the Telegraph, the ex-Cabinet minister stressed how important the final few days will be will be.
He said: “October will be the key month in negotiating terms. When we get to the beginning of October then we’ll have some work under our belt, we’ll have some preparation done.
“Remember at the beginning of this process back in 2016 I said it won’t be the first three years that matter, it will be the last three weeks, three days, three hours, three minutes, three seconds.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warmed to the idea of a new deal as pressure grows.
She said a new plan could be possible, but Britain would have to come up with a solution to the controversial backstop.
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EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said he will look at realistic proposals, despite previously claiming the terms of the withdrawal agreement could not be changed.
“This is not going to be a cinch. This is not going to be easy. We will have to work very hard to get this done.”
Diplomats could offer Boris Johnson a stripped back version of the backstop which would keep customs checks away from the border.
Under the proposals, Northern Ireland would align to European Union SPS rules to allow trade of agricultural products.
Brussels would then turn a blind eye to goods crossing the border from the UK by trusting the Government to maintain strong standards.
But there are concerns the loophole could make the border a smuggling route to the single market and abused by non-EU nations such as China and India.
A source told Express.co.uk: “The level playing field issue only clearly filtered through this week, so we can revisit the backstop but it depends on how many guarantees the UK can make in Ireland.
“If the Prime Minister can deliver a Commons majority then there is a possible deal where there is alignment on SPS and equivalence on goods.”
But no deal preparation has been stepped up, with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, in charge of making sure Britain is ready to exit.
Last week, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay signed the commencement order which means Britain will take control of its laws after Halloween.
Just days ago, the Home Office also confirmed freedom of movement in its current format would end on October 31.
Chiefs added they would introduce a fairer immigration system which would prioritise what people can contribute to the UK instead of where they come from.
But experts have attacked the move, adding it would not work as employers would not know who arrived before or after the exit date.
The Prime Minister has promised he will pull Britain out of the EU on time to renew confidence in democracy after previous failures to leave.
He has claimed securing a deal is his priority, but would not be afraid to pull out without an agreement if one could not be arranged.