Brexit deal could be agreed ‘within days’ after late-night pizza summit - Irish foreign minister

A Brexit deal could be agreed “within days”, the Irish foreign minister declared on Thursday, hours after negotiators in London haggled about fishing quotas over takeaway pizzas.

Simon Coveney said he believed there was a “good chance” of an agreement this weekend despite gaps over fishing and whether the EU courts will act as umpire in future disputes.

“It's the time to hold our nerve and trust Michel Barnier,” he told Irish radio. “And I believe if we do that, there's a good chance that we can get a deal across the line in the next few days.”

Stacks of takeaway pizzas were delivered to the negotiation venue in central London on Wednesday as talks continued late into the night.

EU and UK negotiators are due to review overall progress today and tomorrow, officials said. And EU diplomats told Reuters a deal could come as early as tomorrow.

Another source said the next 24-48 hours would be "crucial".

Cabinet Minister Gavin Williamson said he had heard “good progress” was being made.

"We always expect negotiations to go up to the wire,” he told Sky.

"I'm confident from what I hear that progress, good progress is being made but we're going to do a deal that is right for Britain, if such a deal is available," he said. "If such a deal isn't available then we're not going to sign.”

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