Sky's Kate McCann explains why No Deal rhetoric should NOT be believed
SKY NEWS's political correspondent Kate McCann suggested Boris Johnson may have already struck a Brexit agreement with the European Union as she discussed the PR-like tone the Government adopted in recent days.
Brexit: Boris Johnson ‘battling for Britain’ says Barclay
The Sky News reporter said the language both the UK Government and the European Union have been using in recent days could signal a Brexit trade deal will be struck soon. Kate McCann made the comments after Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay insisted Boris Johnson is "battling for Britain," noting the language used could be interpreted as an attempt to "sell the deal". Ms McCann said: "The way this is now being sold is a bit of a PR campaign.
"Steve Barclay saying the PM is 'battling for Britain', it's all about a battle. We've seen the EU doing the same in the newspapers this morning.
"That might tell you that we're getting to the point where this is becoming a PR campaign about selling a deal that's nearly done.
"And that might tell you that it's closer than we think."
In the interview, Mr Barclay however reiterated the European Union still has to compromise on key issues before the UK agrees to a deal.
JUST IN: Major part of deal COLLAPSES - EU says UK talks 'like climbing Himalayas'
Mr Barclay said: "The discussions are ongoing. The fundamentals remain the same. It is in both sides' interest to have a deal.
"That is what the Prime Minister has committed to.
"The Prime Minister is battling for Britain.
"And whether there is a deal is not simply down to the actions of the Prime Minister, it needs the EU to move to respond to the precedent that they have given other countries."
Brexit: Ann Widdecombe criticises Boris Johnson’s negotiations
After speculation that the negotiations would conclude on Sunday without an agreement, the Prime Minister agreed with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to go "the extra mile" to ensure a deal is reached.
Mr Johnson has however maintained the risk of a no deal Brexit remain high after months of the two sides failing to find common ground on fisheries, competition and state aid.
The warning tones were echoed in France, were MEP and former Europe Minister Nathalie Loiseau claimed divergence is still irreconcilable.
Ms Loiseau said: "We are far from an agreement.
"Nothing is impossible to a willing heart, but it’s like climbing the Himalaya from the northern side.”
The Government has launched a £4billion operation in a bid to prepare the UK for a no deal withdrawal at the end of the month with prospects of an agreement looking remote.
The new cash injection will seek to protect Britain's supply chain and fishing waters, with contracts in play will four ferry companies to carry 3,000 lorries a week to the UK with food and medicines.