Boris Johnson risks Brexiteer fury with customs union hint, after EU gives green light to secret negotiations

Donald Tusk concedes there are ‘promising signals’ on reaching a deal

Michel Barnier says Brexit 'like climbing a mountain' as positive deal talks continue

Brexit negotiations will now enter the “tunnel” phase of intensive and secretive talks in a boost for Boris Johnson’s prospects of brokering a fresh deal.

Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, held what he called a “constructive” meeting with the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels, raising hopes of a breakthrough on a withdrawal deal.

As the EU27 ambassadors approved talks moving into the “tunnel” phase, EU Council president Donald Tusk said the UK had still not delivered anything workable, but conceded there were “promising signals”.

Mr Johnson hinted at a major concession to rescue a deal by refusing to rule out Northern Ireland staying in the EU’s customs union.

It came as details of private Tory polling emerged showing Mr Johnson cannot get a Commons majority unless he delivers Brexit by 31 October.

Many MPs believe that, if he cannot get a deal, Mr Johnson will use an emergency Saturday sitting of Parliament on October 19 to push for a “people versus Parliament” general election as early as next month.

But if a deal is forthcoming he would need the backing of the DUP and hardline Brexit-backing Tories to give it any chance of getting it through without opposition support.

See below for what was our live coverage.

[11 October 2019 19:19 · Samuel Osborne]

In her statement, DUP leader Arlene Foster said the UK must leave the EU as "one nation" and no barriers to trade could be erected within the UK.

She stressed the importance of Northern Ireland giving democratic consent to any arrangement that might align the region with specific sectors of the single market.

Her statement said:

We have held steadfast to that position whilst recognising the need to be flexible and look at Northern Ireland specific-solutions achieved with the support and consent of the representatives of the people of Northern Ireland.

In order to secure a sensible deal for everyone it is important that the European Union understand that to maximise the prospects of agreement there will need to be a clear acceptance that the economic and constitutional integrity of the whole of the United Kingdom will have to be respected as we leave.

As a consequence of the mandate given to us by voters in 2017, the DUP is very relevant in the Parliamentary arithmetic and, regardless of the ups and downs of the Brexit discussions, that has not changed.

We will judge any outcome reached by the prime minister against the criteria above.