BREXIT talks have been extended as the chief negotiators for the EU and UK try to hammer out a last-minute deal.
Michel Barnier, head of negotiations for the European Commission, will stay in London until Wednesday for meetings with the UK's Lord David Frost.
The latest round of talks began after Barnier returned to London on Thursday.
He was scheduled to leave today but this has now changed.
Further talks are also scheduled to take place in Brussels next week, according to the BBC.
Appearing on the Andrew Marr Show this morning, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the renewed talks are "a very good sign" that a trade agreement can be reached.
If that doesn't happen, the UK will have to trade with the bloc under World Trade Organisation rules when the transition period ends on December 31.
European leaders had said a deal must be struck by the end this month to allow time for it to be ratified by all the relevant parliaments before the year is out.
But earlier this month Boris Johnson accused the EU of failing to "negotiate seriously" and said the UK was preparing to leave without a deal.
Today Lewis said: "We have got to make sure it is a deal that works, not just for our partners in Europe... but one that works for the United Kingdom."
It's understood that state aid, fishing rights, post-Brexit competition rules and the enforcement of any deal remain sticking points.
Some critics fear a no-deal scenario will cause problems for businesses, but the government insists the UK will prosper.
Arriving last week, Barnier told the media "every day counts" and highlighted "huge common responsibility" on both sides.
Lewis said: "The EU need to understand it is for them to move as well, so that we can get a deal that works for the UK as well, a proper free trade agreement that recognises us as the UK being a sovereign nation."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel