Brexit: Boris Johnson says a good UK-EU trade deal ‘there to be done

Mr Johnson had time to take part in PMQs in Westminster before heading to Brussels this evening.
Boris Johnson has said “a good deal is there to be done” with the EU on trade – but says the bloc is currently insisting on terms which no prime minister could accept.

Mr Johnson spoke at Prime Minister’s Questions before travelling to Brussels for final talks with EU President Ursula von der Leyen, just says before the transition period ends on 31 December.

Responding to a question from his Brexiteer colleague Sir Edward Leigh, he tried to assure his colleagues a “good deal is still there to be done” with the EU.

But, outlining the difficulties currently facing the final talks, he added: “Our friends in the EU are currently insisting if they pass a new law in the future which we don’t comply, they have the automatic right to punish us.