The French President has reportedly softened his line following an eleventh-hour bid by the EU to help get the withdrawal agreement finalised next month.
Attorney general Geoffrey Cox, whose previous legal advice suggested the backstop could be used to keep Britain in the customs union could, crucially, be persuaded to change his view if enough legal assurances are given, senior EU diplomats believe.
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Emmanuel Macron is set to give Theresa May a legally-binding assurance that the Irish Brexit backstop is only temporary. The French President has reportedly softened his line following a last-ditch bid by the EU to help get the withdrawal agreement finalised next month
'There will be sufficient changes to allow Mr Cox to give a pass to the agreement,' a veteran European ambassador told
The Times.
Mr Cox and Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay are expected in Brussels on Monday for talks with Michel Barnier, the EU's lead negotiator.
While the prime minister will then engage is more talks with Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president. However, a senior government source said an imminent breakthrough is unlikely, and indicated Theresa May would instead ask for more time when the Commons debates Brexit on March 1.
'There is progress being made and we would hope to be able to show signs of it by then,' the source told The Times. 'But any agreement is unlikely to be ratified.'
Despite it's willingness to negotiate a new legally binding assurance, diplomats did urge that there are limitations on what could be offered because of the risk to the Irish prime minister's minority government.
Attorney general Geoffrey Cox, whose previous legal advice suggested the backstop could be used to keep Britain in the customs union, could crucially be persuaded to change his view if enough legal assurances are given, senior EU diplomats believe The discussions come amid a fear within the Conservative Party of an influx of Ukip voters - dubbed 'a Purple Momentum'.
Former ministers Nick Boles and Anna Soubry said a ‘purple Momentum’ was gaining control of some local Conservative associations and leaving their sitting MPs facing the threat of deselection.
It came as Theresa May was warned that a dozen ministers will resign by the end of the month unless she agrees to postpone Brexit to prevent a No Deal scenario.
Miss Soubry yesterday said the Conservative Party was ‘broken’ as the Prime Minister struggles to reconcile the warring factions.
Emmanuel Macron is set to give Theresa May a legally-binding assurance that the Irish Brexit backstop is only temporary. The French President has reportedly softened his line following a last-ditch bid by the EU to help get the withdrawal agreement finalised next month'There will be sufficient changes to allow Mr Cox to give a pass to the agreement,' a veteran European ambassador told The Times.Mr Cox and Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay are expected in Brussels on Monday for talks with Michel Barnier, the EU's lead negotiator.While the prime minister will then engage is more talks with Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president. However, a senior government source said an imminent breakthrough is unlikely, and indicated Theresa May would instead ask for more time when the Commons debates Brexit on March 1.'There is progress being made and we would hope to be able to show signs of it by then,' the source told The Times. 'But any agreement is unlikely to be ratified.'Despite it's willingness to negotiate a new legally binding assurance, diplomats did urge that there are limitations on what could be offered because of the risk to the Irish prime minister's minority government.
Attorney general Geoffrey Cox, whose previous legal advice suggested the backstop could be used to keep Britain in the customs union, could crucially be persuaded to change his view if enough legal assurances are given, senior EU diplomats believe The discussions come amid a fear within the Conservative Party of an influx of Ukip voters - dubbed 'a Purple Momentum'.Former ministers Nick Boles and Anna Soubry said a ‘purple Momentum’ was gaining control of some local Conservative associations and leaving their sitting MPs facing the threat of deselection.It came as Theresa May was warned that a dozen ministers will resign by the end of the month unless she agrees to postpone Brexit to prevent a No Deal scenario.Miss Soubry yesterday said the Conservative Party was ‘broken’ as the Prime Minister struggles to reconcile the warring factions.
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