Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has emerged from "serious detailed discussions" with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier emphasising their "shared desire" to secure a deal.
Mr Barclay told reporters in Brussels that the technical teams had been "getting into the detail" of reaching a deal and would meet again next week.
Their meeting in Brussels follows European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s admission that the UK and EU could feasibly reach a viable withdrawal agreement by the Halloween deadline.
However, Irish deputy PM Simon Coveney dampened the spirit of optimism, insisting "we are not close to a deal right now" and there remains a “wide gap” between London and Dublin over a new withdrawal agreement.
The European Commission issued a statement following Mr Barclay and Mr Barnier's meeting, confirming that a “fully workable and legally operational solution” for the Irish border would have to be included in any withdrawal agreement.
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Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has defended the party's stance to cancel Brexit if it wins power.
Ms Swinson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I absolutely am determined that we keep our place in the EU.
"And I have not given up.
"I still believe we can stop Brexit."
Ms Swinson would not be drawn on whether the Lib Dems would campaign to rejoin the EU if Brexit happens.
Former justice secretary David Gauke has said Prime Minister Boris Johnson must obey the law on Brexit.
Referring to the PM's Incredible Hulk analogy, Mr Gauke, who lost the Tory whip over his Brexit stance, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme:
Maybe the Incredible Hulk doesn't have to comply with the law, but the British Government does.
"And if Parliament has neither supported a deal, nor supported a no-deal departure, then the law is clear that he has to seek an extension, the Prime Minister has to seek an extension and that is what he will have to do.
"That is what the law states."
Jo Swinson has posted a comic incentive to join the Liberal Democrats.
The party leader has tried to entice Larry the Downing Street cat by tweeting a picture of catnip, writing: "Excellent membership benefits".
Labour MP David Lammy is among those to question whether the Government will seek an extension with the EU if no deal is reached by mid-October.
Twitter users continue to voice fears that the Government won't respect the so-called Benn Act – the law to extend the Brexit deadline until January 31 2020 if no Brexit deal is reached by October 19.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is being roasted on social media after speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.
Conservative Party Chair James Cleverly has hit out at the Liberal Democrats on Twitter.
Some key moments from the weekend:
- Boris Johnson likens Britain to The Hulk, vowing the UK will break out of the "manacles" of the EU.
- Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay insists progress is being made on securing a deal with Brussels, insisting there is a “landing zone” in sight.
- The Liberal Democrats vote to cancel Brexit if they win a general election.
- Former Tory minister Sam Gyimah defects to Lib Dems.
Good morning and welcome to our rolling Brexit coverage.
Boris Johnson will hold talks with Jean-Claude Juncker today, in his first face-to-face meeting with the European Commission president since entering No10 in July.
It comes after the PM vowed that Britain would tear out of the EU "like The Incredible Hulk" if a Brexit deal cannot be struck by October 31.