skynewspolitics--2020-12-07--MPs vote to reinstate controversial parts of PM's post-Brexit bill

MPs have voted to reinstate controversial parts of a bill that could override the Brexit divorce deal and break international law .
They rejected an earlier decision by the House of Lords to strip out key sections that would take precedence over the EU Withdrawal Agreement .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's big Conservative majority meant the measures that have sparked consternation at home and abroad passed comfortably , by 357 votes to 268 .
Three Tory MPs rebelled to vote against the government , while 12 others - including Theresa May - abstained .
The draft legislation will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lords , beginning what is known as `` ping pong '' - when the two chambers do not back down to the other 's amendments .
Ministers argue the provisions are needed to protect the integrity of the UK and the Good Friday Agreement in the event no trade deal is struck with Brussels by the end of the transition period on 31 December .
But former Tory prime ministers have been deeply critical of the bill , Mrs May warning it will wreak `` untold damage '' on Britain 's international reputation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move `` incredulous '' and `` unprecedented '' .
Legal action was also launched by the EU back in October .
The UK government said on Monday it would `` be prepared to remove '' the offending parts if a future relationship agreement can be salvaged .
The prime minister will head to Brussels `` in the coming days '' to meet EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to try and secure a breakthrough .
Following a call between the pair on Monday afternoon - their second in 48 hours - they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We agreed that the conditions for finalising an agreement are not there due to the remaining significant differences . ''

MPs have voted to reinstate controversial parts of a bill that could override the Brexit divorce deal and break international law.
They rejected an earlier decision by the House of Lords to strip out key sections that would take precedence over the EU Withdrawal Agreement.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's big Conservative majority meant the measures that have sparked consternation at home and abroad passed comfortably, by 357 votes to 268.
Image: Boris Johnson will head to Brussels within days
Three Tory MPs rebelled to vote against the government, while 12 others - including Theresa May - abstained.
The draft legislation will now be sent back to the House of Lords, beginning what is known as "ping pong" - when the two chambers do not back down to the other's amendments.
Ministers argue the provisions are needed to protect the integrity of the UK and the Good Friday Agreement in the event no trade deal is struck with Brussels by the end of the transition period on 31 December.
But former Tory prime ministers have been deeply critical of the bill, Mrs May warning it will wreak "untold damage" on Britain's international reputation and John Major saying he found the move "incredulous" and "unprecedented".
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Image: Ministers argue the provisions are needed to protect the integrity of the UK
Legal action was also launched by the EU back in October.
The UK government said on Monday it would "be prepared to remove" the offending parts if a future relationship agreement can be salvaged.
The prime minister will head to Brussels "in the coming days" to meet EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to try and secure a breakthrough.
Following a call between the pair on Monday afternoon - their second in 48 hours - they said in a joint statement: "We agreed that the conditions for finalising an agreement are not there due to the remaining significant differences."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-07--PM to go to Brussels as 'significant differences' hamper trade talks breakthrough

Boris Johnson will head to Brussels for post-Brexit trade talks after a phone call with the EU Commission president ended with `` significant differences '' unresolved .
The pair spoke on Monday afternoon - their second conversation in 48 hours - but were unable to overcome the three remaining stumbling blocks : Governance , fisheries and the level playing field .
In a joint statement , the prime minister and Ursula von der Leyen revealed they asked their negotiators to `` prepare an overview of the remaining differences '' and will meet face-to-face `` in the coming days '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go until the end of the transition period - due to expire on 31 December .
It came into force after Brexit happened on 31 January .
Tensions are rising as talks go down to the wire , with businesses unsure exactly which rules they will be operating under and what costs products may incur for being exported or imported .
The level playing field issue has for weeks been talked of as one of the biggest issues of disagreement , concerning common standards to ensure fair competition for firms .
Both sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the talks to conclude , but that has been continuously pushed back and may now continue towards a summit of EU leaders on Thursday .
A senior UK government source said `` no tangible progress '' had been made since Friday , when chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier was in London .
`` Whilst we do not consider this process to be closed , things are looking very tricky and there 's every chance we are not going to get there , '' they added .
Rachel Reeves , Labour 's shadow minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK and EU should `` get on with reaching an agreement '' .
She added the government was `` failing to deliver their promises '' and warned that clinching a deal was `` critical to the British national interest for jobs and security '' .
On Monday morning , the pound had fallen by more than two cents against the US dollar to just over $ 1.32 as investors grew more anxious about the possibility of a no-deal outcome .
It was a sharp reverse from market optimism over the talks last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time this year .
However , the UK currency was trading above $ 1.33 in the wake of the joint statement - and just below €1.10 .

Boris Johnson will head to Brussels for post-Brexit trade talks after a phone call with the EU Commission president ended with "significant differences" unresolved.
The pair spoke on Monday afternoon - their second conversation in 48 hours - but were unable to overcome the three remaining stumbling blocks: Governance, fisheries and the level playing field.
In a joint statement, the prime minister and Ursula von der Leyen revealed they asked their negotiators to "prepare an overview of the remaining differences" and will meet face-to-face "in the coming days".
Image: Ursula von der Leyen held a call with the prime minister on Monday
There is less than a month to go until the end of the transition period - due to expire on 31 December. It came into force after Brexit happened on 31 January.
Tensions are rising as talks go down to the wire, with businesses unsure exactly which rules they will be operating under and what costs products may incur for being exported or imported.
Image: There is less than a month until the transition period ends
The level playing field issue has for weeks been talked of as one of the biggest issues of disagreement, concerning common standards to ensure fair competition for firms.
Both sides had set a deadline of mid-October for the talks to conclude, but that has been continuously pushed back and may now continue towards a summit of EU leaders on Thursday.
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A senior UK government source said "no tangible progress" had been made since Friday, when chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier was in London.
"Whilst we do not consider this process to be closed, things are looking very tricky and there's every chance we are not going to get there," they added.
Image: Deal or no-deal will have big implications for businesses who export or import
Rachel Reeves, Labour's shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said the UK and EU should "get on with reaching an agreement".
She added the government was "failing to deliver their promises" and warned that clinching a deal was "critical to the British national interest for jobs and security".
On Monday morning, the pound had fallen by more than two cents against the US dollar to just over $1.32 as investors grew more anxious about the possibility of a no-deal outcome.
It was a sharp reverse from market optimism over the talks last week which saw sterling climb above $1.35 for the first time this year.
However, the UK currency was trading above $1.33 in the wake of the joint statement - and just below €1.10.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-05--It all comes down to this: The key obstacles to a Brexit trade deal before PM heads to Brussels

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will head to Brussels for last-ditch talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in the hope of striking a post-Brexit trade deal .
The leaders will meet after they failed to resolve `` significant differences '' between the UK and EU over the phone , having seen their chief negotiators hit a dead end following a week of intense discussions in London .
Brexit is no doubt reaching its endgame after months of stop-start talks , which have still barely moved on the three thorniest issues - fisheries , ensuring economic fair play , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fishing is of great symbolic significance to maritime nations , such as the UK and France .
EU countries want their boats to be able to keep fishing in British waters after the end of the transition period on 31 December .
But the UK argues as an independent coastal state it should be able to prioritise its own boats and control access and quotas .
France , which is seen by many on the UK side as the EU nation most resistant to compromise , has threatened to veto any deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level playing field to ensure businesses on one side do not gain an unfair advantage over those on the other side .
In return for continuing access to the single market , the EU is seeking a high degree of alignment by the UK with its standards on workers rights , the environment and particularly state aid for businesses .
Brussels wants to safeguard against the UK becoming a low-regulation economic rival on the bloc 's doorstep .
The British deny they want to undercut the EU , but argue the whole point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control '' and being free to set its own standards , and so has resisted curbs on its freedom to set future economic policies .
The two sides remain at loggerheads over the mechanisms for enforcing any agreement and resolving future disputes .
The UK has insisted as an independent sovereign nation it can not accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice .

There is still no breakthrough on a post-Brexit trade deal and negotiators have been instructed to continue with talks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen have said that although deadlines have been repeatedly missed, they believe it is "responsible" to go the "extra mile".
After months of stop-start talks during which 98% of the substance of a trade deal is said to have been agreed, there remains differences on the three thorniest issues - fisheries, ensuring economic fair play, and resolving future disputes.
Image: Fishing is one of the issues leaders are yet to agree on
Fishing
The politically-charged issue of fishing is of great symbolic significance to maritime nations, such as the UK and France.
EU countries want their boats to be able to keep fishing in British waters after the end of the transition period on 31 December.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:40 Brexit border delays: Why do they matter?
But the UK argues as an independent coastal state it should be able to prioritise its own boats and control access and quotas.
However, most fish caught by UK fishermen are sold in Europe, and Britain needs to maintain access to EU markets to be able to do that.
France, which is seen by many on the UK side as the EU nation most resistant to compromise, has threatened to veto any deal.
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Various EU and independent commentators have said that, because fishing accounts for such a small proportion of the UK economy, they see little reason why it should remain a stumbling block if the political will for a deal is there.
Image: Moves to ensure a level playing field for business are also a sticking point
Fair competition guarantees
Serious issues remain over the so-called level playing field to ensure businesses on one side do not gain an unfair advantage over those on the other side.
In return for continuing access to the single market, the EU is seeking a high degree of future alignment by the UK with its standards on workers rights, the environment and particularly state aid for businesses.
Brussels wants to safeguard against the UK becoming a low-regulation economic rival on the bloc's doorstep.
The British deny they want to undercut the EU, but argue the whole point of Brexit was about "taking back control" and being free to set its own standards, and so has resisted curbs on its freedom to set future economic policies.
Mr Johnson said: "Our friends in the EU are currently insisting that if they pass a new law in the future with which we in this country do not comply or don't follow suit, then they want the automatic right to punish us and to retaliate."
The issue has left many independent commentators struggling to understand why a deal cannot be struck as many have pointed out the UK has no desire to undercut the EU, and in many cases, has tougher standards than the bloc.
Again, observers have said that if the political will is in place, conditions could exist for a deal to be struck.
Image: The UK says it cannot accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice
Settling disputes
The two sides remain at loggerheads over the mechanisms for enforcing any agreement and resolving future disputes.
The UK has insisted as an independent sovereign nation it cannot accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-07--Boris Johnson the 'enfant terrible' to plead for Brexit deal

Months of COVID-enforced phone calls , Zooming and virtual meetings have proved fruitless in the search for a Brexit trade deal .
So Boris Johnson now has to go to Brussels for a face-to-face showdown with his tormenters : European leaders who regard him with contempt for his role in Brexit .
The prime minister will travel to the city where he made his name as a journalist writing stories claiming the European Union wanted to ban prawn cocktail crisps , bent bananas and curved cucumbers .
Many Brussels veterans still remember the current prime minister as the enfant terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brussels wanted to harmonise the size of condoms throughout Europe .
Angela Merkel , the most powerful leader in Europe , used to regard David Cameron as a `` naughty nephew '' .
She is so similar to Theresa May in temperament that they once turned up at a summit in matching blue jackets .
But she does n't trust Boris Johnson and will probably never forgive him for Brexit .
And she wo n't take kindly if he turns up at the EU summit on Thursday pleading for a trade deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's disdain for the UK 's prime minister is nothing , however , compared with that of the French President Emmanuel Macron , who is largely responsible for the deadlock of the past few days .
President Macron , who normally has a good relationship with the EU 's chief Brexit negotiator , Michel Barnier , accused him of `` going soft '' in the talks and ordered him to table new demands on fishing .
So the prime minister will be wary about talks with Europe 's most powerful leaders and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win over Ursula von der Leyen in two marathon phone calls are getting nowhere .
On Saturday , - with the prime minister dressed casually at Chequers - they spoke for an hour .
This time - with the prime minister in a suit in Downing Street - it was 90 minutes .
Still no agreement , though .
Not even close .
By agreeing to go to Brussels , however , Mr Johnson is n't yet giving up on a deal .
Or so he 'd have us believe .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far from cordial .
So let 's not hold our breath .

Months of COVID-enforced phone calls, Zooming and virtual meetings have proved fruitless in the search for a Brexit trade deal.
So Boris Johnson now has to go to Brussels for a face-to-face showdown with his tormenters: European leaders who regard him with contempt for his role in Brexit.
The prime minister will travel to the city where he made his name as a journalist writing stories claiming the European Union wanted to ban prawn cocktail crisps, bent bananas and curved cucumbers.
Many Brussels veterans still remember the current prime minister as the enfant terrible of The Daily Telegraph who once claimed Brussels wanted to harmonise the size of condoms throughout Europe.
Angela Merkel, the most powerful leader in Europe, used to regard David Cameron as a "naughty nephew". She is so similar to Theresa May in temperament that they once turned up at a summit in matching blue jackets.
But she doesn't trust Boris Johnson and will probably never forgive him for Brexit. And she won't take kindly if he turns up at the EU summit on Thursday pleading for a trade deal with the EU.
The veteran German chancellor's disdain for the UK's prime minister is nothing, however, compared with that of the French President Emmanuel Macron, who is largely responsible for the deadlock of the past few days.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:20 Brexit: Talks end with 'differences'
President Macron, who normally has a good relationship with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, accused him of "going soft" in the talks and ordered him to table new demands on fishing.
So the prime minister will be wary about talks with Europe's most powerful leaders and he'll no doubt fear his attempts to win over Ursula von der Leyen in two marathon phone calls are getting nowhere.
On Saturday, - with the prime minister dressed casually at Chequers - they spoke for an hour. This time - with the prime minister in a suit in Downing Street - it was 90 minutes. Still no agreement, though. Not even close.
By agreeing to go to Brussels, however, Mr Johnson isn't yet giving up on a deal. Or so he'd have us believe. But the reception he'll get there will be far from cordial. So let's not hold our breath.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-07--Ex-Open Britain director Gieve takes role in government trade drive

An avowed pro-European who was involved in the doomed People ’ s Vote campaign that was aimed at overturning the result of the Brexit referendum is to help spearhead a renewed government inward investment drive .
Sky News understands that Daniel Gieve , who was on the board of the pro-EU group Open Britain , is taking on a key post in Whitehall 's new Office for Investment ( OfI ) .
Mr Gieve 's appointment comes a fortnight after Boris Johnson announced the establishment of the new OfI , which will spearhead a push to land `` top tier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in government of a figure who played such a prominent role opposing Brexit reflects a subtle shift in Whitehall since the departure of Dominic Cummings , the prime minister 's former chief adviser .
Mr Gieve was previously an executive at Finsbury , the public affairs and public relations firm founded by Roland Rudd , who spearheaded the People 's Vote campaign .
Sources said that Mr Gieve was likely to be installed as the new OfI 's chief operating officer , or a similar executive post .
The OfI will be chaired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment , and `` sponsored '' by the PM and Rishi Sunak , the chancellor .
Lord Grimstone said last month : `` If we are to build back better from this pandemic , we need to refocus and re-double our efforts to attract foreign investment , which will increase productivity , economic growth across the country , boost our exports and better our research and development environment .
`` We must sharpen our priorities and transform our investment offer accordingly to meet the demands of a changing global economic outlook - whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities . ''
Mr Gieve could not be reached for comment .

An avowed pro-European who was involved in the doomed People’s Vote campaign that was aimed at overturning the result of the Brexit referendum is to help spearhead a renewed government inward investment drive.
Sky News understands that Daniel Gieve, who was on the board of the pro-EU group Open Britain, is taking on a key post in Whitehall's new Office for Investment (OfI).
Mr Gieve's appointment comes a fortnight after Boris Johnson announced the establishment of the new OfI, which will spearhead a push to land "top tier" investments in Britain.
The arrival in government of a figure who played such a prominent role opposing Brexit reflects a subtle shift in Whitehall since the departure of Dominic Cummings, the prime minister's former chief adviser.
Mr Gieve was previously an executive at Finsbury, the public affairs and public relations firm founded by Roland Rudd, who spearheaded the People's Vote campaign.
Sources said that Mr Gieve was likely to be installed as the new OfI's chief operating officer, or a similar executive post.
Image: Lord Gerry Grimstone will chair the Office for Investment
The OfI will be chaired by Lord Grimstone, the minister for investment, and "sponsored" by the PM and Rishi Sunak, the chancellor.
Lord Grimstone said last month: "If we are to build back better from this pandemic, we need to refocus and re-double our efforts to attract foreign investment, which will increase productivity, economic growth across the country, boost our exports and better our research and development environment.
"We must sharpen our priorities and transform our investment offer accordingly to meet the demands of a changing global economic outlook - whether that be in greener or increased digitally-led opportunities."
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Mr Gieve could not be reached for comment.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-08--UK to ditch international law-breaking clauses of Brexit legislation after reaching deal with EU

The government will drop parts of legislation that could have seen the UK break international law after reaching an `` agreement in principle '' on Brexit divorce issues .
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said he was `` delighted '' to have reached an agreement , including on post-Brexit arrangements for the Irish border , following talks with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic .
As a result , the government said it would withdraw the most controversial parts of its Internal Market Bill .
The proposed legislation had seen the EU launch legal action against the UK as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised not to introduce any similar measures in its Taxation Bill , which is due to be debated by MPs in the House of Commons later on Tuesday .
Mr Gove and Mr Sefcovic are co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Committee , which oversees the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement - the divorce deal Britain agreed with the bloc last year - and the accompanying Northern Ireland Protocol for post-Brexit border arrangements on the island of Ireland .
Their discussions are separate from the ongoing negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Brexit transition period on 31 December .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are due to meet in Brussels `` in the coming days '' in a bid to try and break the impasse on a EU-UK trade agreement .
A joint EU-UK statement announcing the agreement between Mr Gove and Mr Sefcovic said : `` Following intensive and constructive work over the past weeks by the EU and the UK , the two co-chairs can now announce their agreement in principle on all issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland .
`` An agreement in principle has been found in the following areas , amongst others : Border Control Posts/Entry Points specifically for checks on animals , plants and derived products , export declarations , the supply of medicines , the supply of chilled meats , and other food products to supermarkets , and a clarification on the application of State aid under the terms of the Protocol . ''
It added : `` In view of these mutually agreed solutions , the UK will withdraw clauses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK Internal Market Bill , and not introduce any similar provisions in the Taxation Bill . ''
The agreement in principle and draft texts are subject to final approval from both sides , before being formally adopted .
Analysis : Agreement shows the UK is willing to compromise - but is it enough ?
In agreeing to remove law-breaking clauses in the Internal Market Bill , the UK Government has drawn a line under a controversial and - some critics say - damaging chapter in the Brexit negotiations .
The decision to include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of a promise to protect Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement whether the UK and EU agree a deal or not .
But including them drew derision from around the world , as well as MPs and peers from across the political spectrum .
So what does this agreement by the Joint Committee mean for a Brexit trade deal ?
You could argue it changes everything and nothing at the same time .
In one sense it could be seen as a concession to the EU which had warned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK government gave a clear indication it was prepared to drop or neuter the clauses yesterday and this failed to move talks on .
The decision was welcomed in Brussels but did n't cause major political ripples .
On the flip side , this agreement means that in the face of a no-deal Brexit there will be protections for those moving goods between mainland UK and Northern Ireland , something which previously had not been the case .
This could be seen as a safety net to allow no deal to happen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that particular market .
Either way the next steps for the talks may not be hugely impacted by the decision , although it will likely go some way to reassuring governments around the world that the UK will stick to international legal agreements in future .
We need to see the details as these are yet to be published , but it does show the UK side is willing to compromise .
It is unclear yet whether it will be enough .

The government will drop parts of legislation that could have seen the UK break international law after reaching an "agreement in principle" on Brexit divorce issues.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said he was "delighted" to have reached an agreement, including on post-Brexit arrangements for the Irish border, following talks with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic.
As a result, the government said it would withdraw the most controversial parts of its Internal Market Bill.
Image: The UK's Internal Market Bill had sparked a bitter row with the EU
The proposed legislation had seen the EU launch legal action against the UK as part of a bitter row.
The government also promised not to introduce any similar measures in its Taxation Bill, which is due to be debated by MPs in the House of Commons later on Tuesday.
Mr Gove and Mr Sefcovic are co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Committee, which oversees the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement - the divorce deal Britain agreed with the bloc last year - and the accompanying Northern Ireland Protocol for post-Brexit border arrangements on the island of Ireland.
Their discussions are separate from the ongoing negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal, which are still deadlocked ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are due to meet in Brussels on Wednesday in a bid to try and break the impasse on a EU-UK trade agreement.
The agreement between Mr Gove and Mr Sefcovic could help ease tensions between London and Brussels as trade negotiations go down to the wire.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 Brexit talks 'looking very, very difficult'
An EU-UK statement announcing the Joint Committee agreement said: "Following intensive and constructive work over the past weeks by the EU and the UK, the two co-chairs can now announce their agreement in principle on all issues, in particular with regard to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
"An agreement in principle has been found in the following areas, amongst others: border control posts/entry points specifically for checks on animals, plants and derived products, export declarations, the supply of medicines, the supply of chilled meats, and other food products to supermarkets, and a clarification on the application of State aid under the terms of the Protocol."
The two sides have also reached an agreement on how goods will be considered "not at risk" of entering the EU when moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, as well as on parts of state aid rules and the make-up of an arbitration panel for settling disputes after the Brexit transition period ends.
The statement added: "In view of these mutually agreed solutions, the UK will withdraw clauses 44, 45 and 47 of the UK Internal Market Bill, and not introduce any similar provisions in the Taxation Bill."
The agreement in principle and draft texts are subject to final approval from both sides, before being formally adopted.
The government's publication of the Internal Market Bill earlier this year brought condemnation from critics both in Westminster and across European capitals.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:55 'We can leave without EU free trade deal'
US president-elect Joe Biden also intervened to warn against the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland becoming "a casualty of Brexit".
The bill's most controversial clauses, which will now be withdrawn, sought to allow ministers to override the UK's Withdrawal Agreement.
The government admitted this could have seen the UK breach international law, but argued it was needed to protect the integrity of the UK, as well as the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Gove is set to give a statement to MPs on Wednesday to explain the detail of the EU-UK Joint Committee's agreement.
He said on Tuesday: "There will be some necessary checks on food and products of animal origin as they go into Northern Ireland.
"But these are checks which reflect the fact the whole island of Ireland has always been treated as a single zone for animal health."
He added the checks will be "as light-tough as possible".
Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said she would "await to see the detail", adding: "For us the important issue on all of these matters is that we have unfettered access from Northern Ireland into Great Britain, but also that trade from Great Britain into Northern Ireland can flow freely as well.
"So we await to see what has happened in relation to those matters."
While Ms von der Leyen said she was "delighted".
Labour's shadow Northern Ireland secretary Louise Haigh described the news of an agreement as "a welcome step forward, after months of crippling uncertainty for Northern Ireland".
"An agreement, not reckless threats, has always been the responsible way forward," she added.
Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale, who has been a critic of the government's Internal Market Bill, said: "I'm cautiously pleased that an unnecessary and self-inflicted national embarrassment appears to be resolved."
And David Blevins, Sky News' senior Ireland correspondent, said: "Anyone hoping that the British government might be prepared to renege on its plan to put an economic border in the Irish Sea will be disappointed.
"But the majority of business groups are cautiously welcoming news that it will honour the commitments of the Northern Ireland protocol.
"Any breach of international law or rowing back on the deal would have resurrected fears of a land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic."
Analysis: Agreement shows the UK is willing to compromise - but is it enough?
By Kate McCann, political correspondent
In agreeing to remove law-breaking clauses in the Internal Market Bill, the UK government has drawn a line under a controversial and - some critics say - damaging chapter in the Brexit negotiations.
The decision to include them was, UK sources say, a result of a promise to protect Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement whether the UK and EU agree a deal or not.
But including them drew derision from around the world, as well as MPs and peers from across the political spectrum.
So what does this agreement by the Joint Committee mean for a Brexit trade deal?
You could argue it changes everything and nothing at the same time.
In one sense it could be seen as a concession to the EU which had warned the clauses were completely unacceptable.
But the UK government gave a clear indication it was prepared to drop or neuter the clauses yesterday and this failed to move talks on. The decision was welcomed in Brussels but didn't cause major political ripples.
On the flip side, this agreement means that in the face of a no-deal Brexit there will be protections for those moving goods between mainland UK and Northern Ireland, something which previously had not been the case.
This could be seen as a safety net to allow no deal to happen in a less damaging way, at least for that particular market.
Either way the next steps for the talks may not be hugely impacted by the decision, although it will likely go some way to reassuring governments around the world that the UK will stick to international legal agreements in future.
We need to see the details as these are yet to be published, but it does show the UK side is willing to compromise. It is unclear yet whether it will be enough.
Analysis: Even this deal won't restore trust completely
By Adam Parsons, Europe correspondent
The spectre of the Internal Market Bill has always been hugely unpopular in the European Union.
Its controversial clauses were seen as an unwarranted threat to the sanctity of the Withdrawal Agreement, and a show of bad faith. Very few in Brussels will mourn their passing.
Trust has been bruised and even this deal won't restore it completely.
One diplomat summed it up to me like this: "When you've been punched in the face by someone, you don't start to trust them just because they stop punching you".
But clearly this is a problem that has been resolved, and there is relief over that.
The EU has always placed great weight on the Irish border question and the uncertainty around the Protocol was stretching patience.
Resolution, some time before the end of December, has been warmly welcomed, even before the details are known.
Does this make a deal more likely? Certainly it will calm anger, and crucially it will mean that any future deal is much more likely to pass easily through the European Parliament.
But the Internal Market Bill was not the main problem for trade negotiators.
Those, of course, are threefold - the competition rules known as the level playing field, fishing and governance.
And the deal agreed today probably won't make any substantial difference to those contentious areas. Welcome? Definitely. But a breakthrough in trade talks? Probably not.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-08--PM: Brexit trade deal 'looking very, very difficult at the moment'

Boris Johnson has said the conclusion of a Brexit trade deal is `` looking very , very difficult at the moment '' as he prepares for a make-or-break visit to Brussels .
The prime minister spoke to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the phone on Monday , in which the pair agreed there were still `` significant differences '' on key issues .
Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen are planning to meet in person in Brussels `` in the coming days '' , with the hope they can push a deal over the line despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a visit to an NHS site on Tuesday as the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out across the UK , the prime minister issued a warning that an agreement might not be struck .
`` You 've got to be optimistic , you 've got to believe there 's the power of sweet reason to get this thing over the line , '' he said .
`` But I 've got to tell you it 's looking very , very difficult at the moment .
`` We 'll do our level best , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody - be in good cheer , there are great options ahead for our country on any view .
`` But the key thing is , on 1 January , whatever happens there 's going to be change and people need to get ready for that change . ''
The prime minister said there `` may come a moment when we have to acknowledge that it 's time to draw stumps '' and settle on a no-deal outcome ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December .
He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long way apart still '' on the issue of fisheries .
The prime minister and Ms von der Leyen have also highlighted so-called `` level playing field '' commitments and governance issues as other major sticking points .
Mr Johnson urged European leaders to `` understand that the UK has left the EU in order to be able exercise democratic control over the way we do things '' .
And he vowed Britain would `` prosper mightily '' whatever the outcome of trade negotiations .
Without a post-Brexit trade deal being agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU and UK are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules with tariffs imposed in both directions .
The prime minister has often referred to this scenario as `` Australian '' terms of trade with the bloc , as Australia does not have a comprehensive trade deal in place with the EU .
The EU 's chief negotiator , Michel Barnier , met with his UK counterpart , Lord Frost , on Tuesday to `` prepare the next steps '' ahead of the meeting between Ms von der Leyen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he prepared to brief EU ministers on the current state of Brexit negotiations , Mr Barnier said the trade talks needed `` a school of patience , even a university of patience '' .
After the meeting , Mr Barnier said there was `` full unity '' among the 27 EU member states , adding : `` We will never sacrifice our future for the present .
Access to our market comes with conditions . ''
Lord Frost was due to travel back to London later on Tuesday in order to brief Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK and EU negotiating teams .
Downing Street said there were `` no plans '' for the prime minister to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron or German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
Mr Johnson 's official spokesman said a date of the meeting between the prime minister and Ms von der Leyen had yet to be agreed .
Number 10 also did not rule out MPs being made to sit over the Christmas period in order to approve a Brexit deal , but said that negotiations would not continue into 2021 .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe minister Michael Roth called for `` political will in London '' in order to reach an EU-UK trade deal .
`` It 's good that every effort is undertaken to find a sustainable and good solution , '' he said .
`` We want to reach a deal but not at any price .
What we need is political will in London .
Let me be very clear , our future relationship is based on trust and confidence .
`` It 's precisely this confidence that is at stake in our negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to gather in Brussels on Thursday for a European Council summit , although Brexit is not yet on the agenda .

Boris Johnson will travel to Brussels today in a last-ditch bid to secure a post-Brexit trade deal.
The prime minister is due to sit down with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for dinner to continue discussions, after the pair's phone call on Monday ended with "significant differences" still in place.
Their showdown will come a day before EU leaders land in the Belgian capital for a pre-Christmas summit.
Image: Boris Johnson spoke to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday
Ms von der Leyen said she was looking forward to welcoming Mr Johnson to Brussels, on what will be his first trip there since winning an election landslide last year and delivering the UK's exit from the EU.
A UK government source said "some political impetus will be required for the talks to make any more progress", and if that succeeds then the chief negotiators can take over once again.
But they added: "We must be realistic that an agreement may not be possible."
Image: Ms von der Leyen said 'I look forward to welcoming' Mr Johnson to Brussels
Earlier, during a visit to an NHS site on Tuesday as the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out across the UK, the prime minister issued a warning that a trade agreement might not be struck.
"You've got to be optimistic, you've got to believe there's the power of sweet reason to get this thing over the line," he said.
"But I've got to tell you it's looking very, very difficult at the moment.
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"We'll do our level best, but I've would just say to everybody - be in good cheer, there are great options ahead for our country on any view.
"But the key thing is, on 1 January, whatever happens there's going to be change and people need to get ready for that change."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:55 'We can leave without EU free trade deal'
The prime minister said there "may come a moment when we have to acknowledge that it's time to draw stumps" and settle on a no-deal outcome ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.
He added the UK and the EU are "a long way apart still" on the issue of fisheries.
The prime minister and Ms von der Leyen have also highlighted so-called "level playing field" commitments and governance issues as other major sticking points.
Mr Johnson urged European leaders to "understand that the UK has left the EU in order to be able exercise democratic control over the way we do things".
And he vowed Britain would "prosper mightily" whatever the outcome of trade negotiations.
Without a post-Brexit trade deal being agreed by the end of this month, the EU and UK are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules with tariffs imposed in both directions.
The prime minister has often referred to this scenario as "Australian" terms of trade with the bloc, as Australia does not have a comprehensive trade deal in place with the EU.
The EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, met with his UK counterpart, Lord Frost, on Tuesday to "prepare the next steps" ahead of the meeting between Ms von der Leyen and the prime minister.
Speaking as he prepared to brief EU ministers on the current state of Brexit negotiations, Mr Barnier said the trade talks needed "a school of patience, even a university of patience".
After the meeting, Mr Barnier said there was "full unity" among the 27 EU member states, adding: "We will never sacrifice our future for the present. Access to our market comes with conditions."
An EU source said Mr Barnier had told member states that the "chances of reaching an agreement are now very slim".
Lord Frost was due to travel back to London later on Tuesday in order to brief Mr Johnson on the remaining differences between the UK and EU negotiating teams.
Downing Street said there were "no plans" for the prime minister to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron or German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Mr Johnson's official spokesman said a date of the meeting between the prime minister and Ms von der Leyen had yet to be agreed.
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Number 10 also did not rule out MPs being made to sit over the Christmas period in order to approve a Brexit deal, but said that negotiations would not continue into 2021.
Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, Germany's Europe minister Michael Roth called for "political will in London" in order to reach an EU-UK trade deal.
"It's good that every effort is undertaken to find a sustainable and good solution," he said.
"We want to reach a deal but not at any price. What we need is political will in London. Let me be very clear, our future relationship is based on trust and confidence.
"It's precisely this confidence that is at stake in our negotiations right now."
EU leaders are due to gather in Brussels on Thursday for a European Council summit, although Brexit is not yet on the agenda.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-08--Zuckerberg 'threatened to pull UK investment amid regulation row'

Matt Hancock appeared to offer to `` water down regulation '' during a meeting with Mark Zuckerberg in which the Facebook founder said the company was considering not investing in the UK , according to a report .
Previously secret minutes from a meeting in 2018 , obtained by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism , provide a summary of a conversation between Mark Zuckerberg and the then Digital , Culture , Media and Sport ( DCMS ) secretary .
They record Mark Zuckerberg speaking `` of an anti-tech UK government and said he jokes about adding the UK as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not visit '' .
According to the Bureau , the second country `` was redacted in the notes '' although , the Bureau reported , `` the size of the redaction matches the length of the words 'except China ' '' .
Later that year , parliament 's DCMS select committee would seize Facebook documents using an obscure parliamentary power following Mr Zuckerberg 's refusal to attend a parliamentary hearing .
The meeting minutes record Mr Zuckerberg stating that Facebook was `` considering looking elsewhere '' for a European territory to invest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving from the committee .
In response , Mr Hancock gave the Facebook chief what was described as `` a very brief lesson in the role of parliamentary select committees '' , although the contents of this lesson are n't disclosed .
He then responded to Mr Zuckerberg 's concerns about the tone of regulation in the UK by saying it could `` shift from threatening regulation to encouraging collaborative working to ensure legislation is proportionate and innovation-friendly . ''
The minutes conclude : `` If there really is a widespread perception in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-tech then shifting the tone is vital .
London Tech Week is a great opportunity , and could n't have arrived at a better time . ''
The documents were obtained following a two-year legal challenge that found the department for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport ( DCMS ) had unlawfully withheld them under Freedom of Information laws .
A spokesperson for the social media firm told Sky News : `` Facebook has long said we need new regulations to set high standards across the internet .
`` In fact last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish new rules around harmful content , privacy , data portability , and election integrity .
`` The UK is our largest engineering hub outside of the US and just this year we created 1,000 new roles in the country , '' they added .
DCMS has not responded to Sky News ' requests for a statement .

Matt Hancock appeared to offer to "water down regulation" during a meeting with Mark Zuckerberg in which the Facebook founder said the company was considering not investing in the UK, according to a report.
Previously secret minutes from a meeting in 2018, obtained by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, provide a summary of a conversation between Mark Zuckerberg and the then Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) secretary.
They record Mark Zuckerberg speaking "of an anti-tech UK government and said he jokes about adding the UK as the only country in the world he will not visit".
According to the Bureau, the second country "was redacted in the notes" although, the Bureau reported, "the size of the redaction matches the length of the words 'except China'".
Later that year, parliament's DCMS select committee would seize Facebook documents using an obscure parliamentary power following Mr Zuckerberg's refusal to attend a parliamentary hearing.
Image: Matt Hancock offered to 'water down regulations' the report alleges
The meeting minutes record Mr Zuckerberg stating that Facebook was "considering looking elsewhere" for a European territory to invest in due to the criticism the company was receiving from the committee.
In response, Mr Hancock gave the Facebook chief what was described as "a very brief lesson in the role of parliamentary select committees", although the contents of this lesson aren't disclosed.
He then responded to Mr Zuckerberg's concerns about the tone of regulation in the UK by saying it could "shift from threatening regulation to encouraging collaborative working to ensure legislation is proportionate and innovation-friendly."
The minutes conclude: "If there really is a widespread perception in the Valley that the UK government is anti-tech then shifting the tone is vital. London Tech Week is a great opportunity, and couldn't have arrived at a better time."
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The documents were obtained following a two-year legal challenge that found the department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) had unlawfully withheld them under Freedom of Information laws.
A spokesperson for the social media firm told Sky News: "Facebook has long said we need new regulations to set high standards across the internet.
"In fact last year Mark Zuckerberg called on governments to establish new rules around harmful content, privacy, data portability, and election integrity.
"The UK is our largest engineering hub outside of the US and just this year we created 1,000 new roles in the country," they added.
A spokesperson for DCMS said: "We are completely committed to tackling online harms and have set out tough, world-leading proposals that will make the internet safer for UK citizens.
"We will outline full details on plans for new regulations imminently that will include tough sanctions for digital firms who do not step up in a fair and proportionate approach," they added.
The chair of the DCMS committee, Julian Knight, said: "Two years ago, when Parliament was seeking to hold Facebook to account, we now know that the Government was holding its own private talks with Mark Zuckerberg.
"Numerous invitations to appear before our predecessor DCMS committee in its investigation into fake news went unanswered by him. It is of concern, that as has been reported, he met the then DCMS Secretary of State to express concerns about the tone of Government policy towards online regulation.
"We are looking forward to seeing the Government's long-awaited online harms legislation in the coming weeks," added Mr Knight.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-08--Compromise appears off the menu for Johnson's Brussels dinner date

Boris Johnson is dashing to Brussels for dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , hoping for an early Christmas present : a Brexit deal .
With deadlock after months of talks between UK and EU negotiators , the prime minister is aiming for an 11th-hour breakthrough in what could be a make-or-break meeting .
Mr Johnson will fly to Brussels from RAF Northolt after Prime Minister 's Questions and following a three-course dinner with Ms von der Leyen he will return to London the same evening .
The dinner is effectively the last chance for a Brexit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's negotiator Lord Frost and the EU 's Michel Barnier - who said the chance of a deal was now `` very slim '' - appeared to have run their course .
Failure to achieve a breakthrough at the dinner would make a no-deal Brexit , which Mr Johnson claims he wants to avoid , much more likely , with some European leaders believed to be running out of patience .
Announcing the dinner date , Ms von der Leyen tweeted : `` I look forward to welcoming UK prime minister Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion on the partnership agreement . ''
But ahead of the dinner , a UK government source downplayed expectations , claiming : `` It 's clear that some political impetus will be required for the talks to make any more progress .
`` If we can make progress at a political level it may allow Lord Frost and his team to resume negotiations over the coming days .
`` But we must be realistic that an agreement may not be possible as we will not compromise on reclaiming UK sovereignty . ''
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eternal '' , the remaining issues standing in the way of a trade deal are fishing rights , level playing field guarantees and the governance of any deal .
There had been suggestions that Mr Johnson was keen to travel to Brussels on Thursday or Friday so he could also hold face-to-face meetings with top EU power brokers Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron .
But it is thought Ms von der Leyen was opposed to that idea and did not want Mr Johnson and the Brexit dispute disrupting and overshadowing discussions at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders .
Instead , she is expected to brief the leaders during the summit on her talks with Mr Johnson and if there is progress at the dinner , negotiations between Lord Frost and Mr Barnier could resume on Friday .
The European Commission 's chief spokesman , Eric Mamer said Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen would not be sealing a deal but trying to find reason to `` move forward hopefully with negotiations , which could hopefully continue after that '' .
`` This is uncharted territory , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see how this meeting goes . ''
Earlier , briefing EU foreign ministers , Mr Barnier said : `` We are close to the moment of needing urgent measures which means a contingency plan for no deal .
`` The basis of our future cooperation with the UK is more important than rushing now .
We can not sacrifice our long-term interests for short-term political goals . ''
But the prospects of a breakthrough at the dinner received a boost when the Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove announced a deal on post-Brexit arrangements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Maros Sefcovic , the commission 's vice-president , in Brussels on Monday , Mr Gove announced that the government will drop parts of the UK Internal Market Bill that break international law .
Welcoming the agreement on the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol , Mr Sefcovic said : `` I hope this will create positive momentum for the discussions on the free trade agreement .
`` We 're still very far apart and we 're not hiding this from anyone .
We 've removed one big obstacle from the way and I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming from this very complex negotiations . ''
Mr Gove said : `` We have reached stability and security for Northern Ireland .
It was always very important to make sure there 's no border infrastructure between Ireland and Northern Ireland .
That 's guaranteed .
`` What we 've also been able to do is make sure there are no tariffs or costs for business in Northern Ireland and also we will be able to ensure unfettered access for goods which come from Northern Ireland to the UK .
`` And that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds , access to the European single market because there 's no infrastructure on the island of Ireland and at same time unfettered access to the rest of the UK market . ''
Asked why England , Scotland and Wales could not have the best of both worlds , Mr Gove said : `` Northern Ireland is in a unique situation .
The only land border the UK has with the EU is on the island of Ireland . ''
The dinner will be the PM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 2019 when he clinched his EU Withdrawal Agreement , which he hailed as an `` oven-ready deal '' in the general election campaign a few weeks later .
But Brussels is the city where Mr Johnson made his name as a journalist for The Daily Telegraph , writing stories which included claiming the EU wanted to ban prawn cocktail crisps , bent bananas and curved cucumbers and harmonize the size of condoms throughout Europe .
In one front-page Telegraph story , the future PM claimed the European Commission 's Berlaymont headquarters would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1991 .
Three decades later , not only is the renovated Berlaymont still standing , it is the venue for Mr Johnson 's dinner with Ursula von der Leyen .

Boris Johnson is dashing to Brussels for dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, hoping for an early Christmas present: a Brexit deal.
With deadlock after months of talks between UK and EU negotiators, the prime minister is aiming for an 11th-hour breakthrough in what could be a make-or-break meeting.
Mr Johnson will fly to Brussels from RAF Northolt after Prime Minister's Questions and following a three-course dinner with Ms von der Leyen he will return to London the same evening.
The dinner is effectively the last chance for a Brexit deal, after talks between the UK's negotiator Lord Frost and the EU's Michel Barnier - who said the chance of a deal was now "very slim" - appeared to have run their course.
Failure to achieve a breakthrough at the dinner would make a no-deal Brexit, which Mr Johnson claims he wants to avoid, much more likely, with some European leaders believed to be running out of patience.
Announcing the dinner date, Ms von der Leyen tweeted: "I look forward to welcoming UK prime minister Boris Johnson tomorrow evening. We will continue our discussion on the partnership agreement."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 EU: Still 'significant differences' over Brexit
But ahead of the dinner, a UK government source downplayed expectations, claiming: "It's clear that some political impetus will be required for the talks to make any more progress.
"If we can make progress at a political level it may allow Lord Frost and his team to resume negotiations over the coming days.
"But we must be realistic that an agreement may not be possible as we will not compromise on reclaiming UK sovereignty."
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Although Mr Johnson earlier said "hope springs eternal", the remaining issues standing in the way of a trade deal are fishing rights, level playing field guarantees and the governance of any deal.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:51 Brexit trade deal 'looking very difficult'
Ahead of Mr Johnson's dinner with Ms von der Leyen, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove - the prime minister's Vote Leave ally - said there could be "scope for compromise" on a transition arrangement on fisheries.
"I think there can be scope for compromise but the compromise exists on the way in which European boats can continue to access UK waters," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"But what is not up for compromise is the principle that the UK will be an independent coastal state and it will be a matter for negotiation between the UK and the EU, with the UK in control of our waters.
"I think we can be very generous with that, I think we can reach arrangements with European countries that allow a staged process so there can be a degree of certainty so that they can manage that change."
There had been suggestions that Mr Johnson was keen to travel to Brussels on Thursday or Friday so he could also hold face-to-face meetings with top EU power brokers Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron.
But it is thought Ms von der Leyen was opposed to that idea and did not want Mr Johnson and the Brexit dispute disrupting and overshadowing discussions at the two-day summit of the EU's 27 leaders.
Instead, she is expected to brief the leaders during the summit on her talks with Mr Johnson and if there is progress at the dinner, negotiations between Lord Frost and Mr Barnier could resume on Friday.
The European Commission's chief spokesman, Eric Mamer said Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen would not be sealing a deal but trying to find reason to "move forward hopefully with negotiations, which could hopefully continue after that".
"This is uncharted territory," he said. "We'll have to see how this meeting goes."
Earlier, briefing EU foreign ministers, Mr Barnier said: "We are close to the moment of needing urgent measures which means a contingency plan for no deal.
"The basis of our future cooperation with the UK is more important than rushing now. We cannot sacrifice our long-term interests for short-term political goals."
But the prospects of a breakthrough at the dinner received a boost when Mr Gove announced a deal on post-Brexit arrangements for the Irish border.
After talks with Maros Sefcovic, the commission's vice-president, in Brussels on Monday, Mr Gove announced that the government will drop parts of the UK Internal Market Bill that break international law.
Welcoming the agreement on the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, Mr Sefcovic said: "I hope this will create positive momentum for the discussions on the free trade agreement.
"We're still very far apart and we're not hiding this from anyone. We've removed one big obstacle from the way and I hope we will see the positive results also coming from this very complex negotiations."
Mr Gove said: "We have reached stability and security for Northern Ireland. It was always very important to make sure there's no border infrastructure between Ireland and Northern Ireland. That's guaranteed.
"What we've also been able to do is make sure there are no tariffs or costs for business in Northern Ireland and also we will be able to ensure unfettered access for goods which come from Northern Ireland to the UK.
"And that means businesses in Northern Ireland have the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds, access to the European single market because there's no infrastructure on the island of Ireland and at same time unfettered access to the rest of the UK market."
Asked why England, Scotland and Wales could not have the best of both worlds, Mr Gove said: "Northern Ireland is in a unique situation. The only land border the UK has with the EU is on the island of Ireland."
The dinner will be the PM's first official visit to Brussels since October 2019 when he clinched his EU Withdrawal Agreement, which he hailed as an "oven-ready deal" in the general election campaign a few weeks later.
But Brussels is the city where Mr Johnson made his name as a journalist for The Daily Telegraph, writing stories which included claiming the EU wanted to ban prawn cocktail crisps, bent bananas and curved cucumbers and harmonize the size of condoms throughout Europe.
In one front-page Telegraph story, the future PM claimed the European Commission's Berlaymont headquarters would be blown up by the end of 1991.
Three decades later, not only is the renovated Berlaymont still standing, it is the venue for Mr Johnson's dinner with Ursula von der Leyen.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-08--Johnson heading to Brussels today for last-ditch trade deal talks

Boris Johnson will travel to Brussels today in a last-ditch bid to secure a post-Brexit trade talks breakthrough .
The prime minister is due to sit down with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for dinner to continue discussions , after the pair 's phone call on Monday which ended with `` significant differences '' still in place .
Their showdown will come a day before EU leaders land in the Belgian capital for a pre-Christmas summit .
Ms von der Leyen said `` I look forward to welcoming '' Mr Johnson to Brussels on what will be his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landslide last year and delivering Brexit .
A UK government source said `` some political impetus will be required for the talks to make any more progress '' , and if that succeeds then the chief negotiators can take over once again .
But they added : `` We must be realistic that an agreement may not be possible . ''
Earlier during a visit to an NHS site on Tuesday as the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out across the UK , the prime minister issued a warning that a trade agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got to be optimistic , you 've got to believe there 's the power of sweet reason to get this thing over the line , '' he said .
`` But I 've got to tell you it 's looking very , very difficult at the moment .
`` We 'll do our level best , but I 've would just say to everybody - be in good cheer , there are great options ahead for our country on any view .
`` But the key thing is , on 1 January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be change and people need to get ready for that change . ''
The prime minister said there `` may come a moment when we have to acknowledge that it 's time to draw stumps '' and settle on a no-deal outcome ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December .
He added the UK and the EU are `` a long way apart still '' on the issue of fisheries .
The prime minister and Ms von der Leyen have also highlighted so-called `` level playing field '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sticking points .
Mr Johnson urged European leaders to `` understand that the UK has left the EU in order to be able exercise democratic control over the way we do things '' .
And he vowed Britain would `` prosper mightily '' whatever the outcome of trade negotiations .
Without a post-Brexit trade deal being agreed by the end of this month , the EU and UK are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules with tariffs imposed in both directions .
The prime minister has often referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trade with the bloc , as Australia does not have a comprehensive trade deal in place with the EU .
The EU 's chief negotiator , Michel Barnier , met with his UK counterpart , Lord Frost , on Tuesday to `` prepare the next steps '' ahead of the meeting between Ms von der Leyen and the prime minister .
Speaking as he prepared to brief EU ministers on the current state of Brexit negotiations , Mr Barnier said the trade talks needed `` a school of patience , even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting , Mr Barnier said there was `` full unity '' among the 27 EU member states , adding : `` We will never sacrifice our future for the present .
Access to our market comes with conditions . ''
An EU source said Mr Barnier had told member states that the `` chances of reaching an agreement are now very slim '' .
Lord Frost was due to travel back to London later on Tuesday in order to brief Mr Johnson on the remaining differences between the UK and EU negotiating teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no plans '' for the prime minister to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron or German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
Mr Johnson 's official spokesman said a date of the meeting between the prime minister and Ms von der Leyen had yet to be agreed .
Number 10 also did not rule out MPs being made to sit over the Christmas period in order to approve a Brexit deal , but said that negotiations would not continue into 2021 .
Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday , Germany 's Europe minister Michael Roth called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to reach an EU-UK trade deal .
`` It 's good that every effort is undertaken to find a sustainable and good solution , '' he said .
`` We want to reach a deal but not at any price .
What we need is political will in London .
Let me be very clear , our future relationship is based on trust and confidence .
`` It 's precisely this confidence that is at stake in our negotiations right now . ''
EU leaders are due to gather in Brussels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although Brexit is not yet on the agenda .


skynewspolitics--2020-12-08--A final bout - but no one expects Johnson and von der Leyen to sort Brexit over dinner

The aim is to provide some impetus , to stimulate one final bout of purposeful negotiations .
Brexit : Boris Johnson in final bout - but nobody expects Brexit to be sorted over dinner Johnson and von der Leyen spoke for an hour on Saturday When Boris Johnson arrives for dinner in Brussels , he will be welcomed to the headquarters of the European Commission - the giant concrete X known as the Berlaymont .
It is a building he knows well , from his years as a journalist based in this city , reporting on the foibles of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prime minister used to write lurid stories of EU excess for The Daily Telegraph ; now he returns to oversee one final push for a trade deal worth untold billions .
When the Brexit saga began , the European Commission was overseen by Jean-Claude Juncker , a president of international renown .
Mr Juncker had previously been the long-standing prime minister of Luxembourg ; he was confident and gregarious .
His successor , German Ursula von der Leyen , is cut from a different cloth - hard-working and diligent but also , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much less colourful figure .
Mrs Von der Leyen was previously Germany 's defence minister - a big job , certainly , but not a globally recognised one .
Before her came a long line of men ( yes , all of them men ) , who had been prime ministers , finance ministers or party leaders .
`` She is a technocrat , not a leader , '' said an underwhelmed diplomat to me .
Mrs Von der Leyen , according to a variety of sources I have spoken to , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage with a `` political win '' .
The COVID recovery plan that she championed ended up causing ructions ; the European budget is being held up by a different row .
Her green vision for Europe has been overtaken by the focus on the pandemic .
So could she end up taking the credit for orchestrating a Brexit deal in search of that win ?
Well , those diplomats suggest two things - firstly , that they think the European Commission president is much more open to the idea of compromise than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And secondly , crucially , that plenty of member states do n't share the opinion .
The French , for instance , believe that Mr Barnier has already given up enough , if not too many , concessions to the British .
The Dutch , Belgians and Danes are all dubious .
Even countries towards the east of Europe , who are completely untouched by the niceties of English Channel fishing , are beginning to go cold , with one diplomat telling me that `` we think no deal would be better than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutal truth is that , even if she did create some kind of compromise , Mrs von der Leyen has no power to force it through .
That will require the backing of national leaders , who , by happy coincidence , meet in Brussels on Thursday .
Nobody is really expecting Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen to sort Brexit over dinner .
The aim is to provide some impetus , to stimulate one final bout of purposeful negotiations , perhaps to spot some of the much talked-about landing zones .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on fundamental disagreements that have become apparent during months of negotiation .
There is , among the Brussels cynics , not just a doubt about whether Mrs von der Leyen can produce meaningful movement , but also a fear that the whole idea of the dinner is a PR stunt , dreamt up in Westminster .
`` I suspect they want Boris to come to Brussels , be seen to try , and then come home claiming that he 'd done his best , but got nowhere , '' said another EU source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ der Leyen wants to do something - anything - and has n't spotted the trap . ''
Optimism , it is fair to say , is not running high , even if hope remains .
`` The road to compromise is narrow , '' one diplomat told me , `` and we are running out of time and patience . ''

The aim is to provide some impetus, to stimulate one final bout of purposeful negotiations.
Brexit: Optimism is not running high, even if hope remains for a deal
Johnson and von der Leyen spoke for an hour on Saturday
When Boris Johnson arrives for dinner in Brussels, he will be welcomed to the headquarters of the European Commission - the giant concrete X known as the Berlaymont.
It is a building he knows well, from his years as a journalist based in this city, reporting on the foibles of the European Union.
In those days, the prime minister used to write lurid stories of EU excess for The Daily Telegraph; now he returns to oversee one final push for a trade deal worth untold billions.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:51 Barnier: Chance of Brexit deal 'very slim'
When the Brexit saga began, the European Commission was overseen by Jean-Claude Juncker, a president of international renown. Mr Juncker had previously been the long-standing prime minister of Luxembourg; he was confident and gregarious.
His successor, German Ursula von der Leyen, is cut from a different cloth - hard-working and diligent but also, by comparison to Mr Juncker, a much less colourful figure.
Mrs Von der Leyen was previously Germany's defence minister - a big job, certainly, but not a globally recognised one.
Before her came a long line of men (yes, all of them men), who had been prime ministers, finance ministers or party leaders. "She is a technocrat, not a leader," said an underwhelmed diplomat to me.
Mrs Von der Leyen, according to a variety of sources I have spoken to, is keen to establish herself on the world stage with a "political win".
The COVID recovery plan that she championed ended up causing ructions; the European budget is being held up by a different row. Her green vision for Europe has been overtaken by the focus on the pandemic.
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Image: The talks in Brussels are hoped to bring an end to the deadlock
So could she end up taking the credit for orchestrating a Brexit deal in search of that win?
Well, those diplomats suggest two things - firstly, that they think the European Commission president is much more open to the idea of compromise than her chief negotiator, Michel Barnier.
And secondly, crucially, that plenty of member states don't share the opinion. The French, for instance, believe that Mr Barnier has already given up enough, if not too many, concessions to the British.
The Dutch, Belgians and Danes are all dubious. Even countries towards the east of Europe, who are completely untouched by the niceties of English Channel fishing, are beginning to go cold, with one diplomat telling me that "we think no deal would be better than giving away anything more".
The brutal truth is that, even if she did create some kind of compromise, Mrs von der Leyen has no power to force it through.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 Brexit talks 'looking very, very difficult'
That will require the backing of national leaders, who, by happy coincidence, meet in Brussels on Thursday.
Nobody is really expecting Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen to sort Brexit over dinner.
The aim is to provide some impetus, to stimulate one final bout of purposeful negotiations, perhaps to spot some of the much talked-about landing zones.
But the differences remain yawning, based on fundamental disagreements that have become apparent during months of negotiation. There is, among the Brussels cynics, not just a doubt about whether Mrs von der Leyen can produce meaningful movement, but also a fear that the whole idea of the dinner is a PR stunt, dreamt up in Westminster.
"I suspect they want Boris to come to Brussels, be seen to try, and then come home claiming that he'd done his best, but got nowhere," said another EU source.
"My fear is that von der Leyen wants to do something - anything - and hasn't spotted the trap."
Optimism, it is fair to say, is not running high, even if hope remains.
"The road to compromise is narrow," one diplomat told me, "and we are running out of time and patience."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-09--PM says a good UK-EU trade deal 'there to be done'

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 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , just days before the transition period ends on 31 December .
Responding to a question from his Brexiteer colleague Sir Edward Leigh , he tried to assure MPs a `` good deal is still there to be done '' with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties 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 do n't comply , they have the automatic right to punish us .
`` And they are insisting the UK should be the only country in the world not to have sovereign control over its fishing waters .
`` I do n't believe those are terms any prime minister of this country should accept . ''
He again insisted the UK would `` prosper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - a claim which has been disputed by economic experts including the Office for Budget Responsibility and the governor of the Bank of England .
As the deadline looms , Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the prime minister had told the British people `` the chances of no deal were absolutely zero '' and questioned why anyone should believe what he says about Brexit .
But Mr Johnson said he had not misled the people and claimed the government `` had an oven-ready deal , which was the Withdrawal Agreement '' - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` whatever happens from 1 January '' , the UK will `` be able to get on '' with a points-based immigration system , instituting low tax free ports , institute higher animal welfare standards , do free trade deals , `` and we 'll get our money back '' .
Sir Keir also asked how many of the 50,000 promised customs agents would be in place on 1 January , but the prime minister did not answer directly and said the government has `` invested £1 billion in getting this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship is on 1 January '' .
Mr Johnson added that the UK will become a `` magnet for overseas investment '' , whether there is a deal with the EU or not .

Boris Johnson has arrived in Brussels for crunch Brexit talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In a tweet, the prime minister insisted the UK "will prosper mightily as an independent nation" - irrespective of whether the two sides "agree trading arrangements resembling those of Australia or Canada".
His message was accompanied by a photo of him waving and holding a red despatch box as he boarded a plane in London.
Image: Boris Johnson shared a photo of him boarding a plane to Brussels on Twitter
Image: The PM arriving in Brussels for crunch talks with Ursula von der Leyen
Before leaving Downing Street, the prime minister told the Commons that "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.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said there is some chance that a deal could be reached, but warned it is unlikely that a breakthrough would be made by tomorrow.
However, she added: "If there are British conditions which we cannot accept, then we will take the path of no-deal. One thing is absolutely clear - the integrity of the EU's market must be preserved."
Sky's Europe correspondent, Adam Parsons, said Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen are meeting for dinner - and their goal appears to involve seeing whether some sort of political deal can be reached.
He added: "There is a mood among plenty of European leaders that we are heading towards no-deal, it's been a pretty glum assessment all round recently.
"There are big, fundamental, ideological differences and I don't think they are going to be easy to sort out over dinner."
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The union flag has now been pulled up outside the European Commission ahead of Mr Johnson's arrival.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:58 PM adamant about EU Brexit deal
During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson tried to assure MPs a "good deal is still there to be done" with the EU.
But, outlining the difficulties facing the 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.
"And they are insisting the UK should be the only country in the world not to have sovereign control over its fishing waters.
"I don't believe those are terms any prime minister of this country should accept."
Mr Johnson again insisted the UK would "prosper mightily" with or without a post-Brexit trade deal.
As the deadline looms, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the prime minister had told the British people "the chances of no deal were absolutely zero" and questioned why anyone should believe what he says about Brexit.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:34 Starmer corrects PM on self-isolation location
But Mr Johnson said he had not misled people and claimed the government "had an oven-ready deal, which was the Withdrawal Agreement" - not a free trade deal.
He added that "whatever happens from 1 January", the UK will "be able to get on" with the new points-based immigration system, as well as be able to "get on with instituting free ports, low tax free ports, in places where jobs and growth are most needed around the country".
"We'll be able to honour our promise to the British people and institute higher animal welfare standards, and we'll be able to do free trade deals and we'll get our money back as well," Mr Johnson told MPs.
Sir Keir also asked how many of the 50,000 promised customs agents would be in place on 1 January, but the prime minister did not answer directly and said the government has "invested £1bn in getting this country ready for whatever [the] trading relationship is on 1 January".
Mr Johnson added that the UK will become a "magnet for overseas investment", whether there is a deal with the EU or not.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-08--Is PM's final Brexit push just a PR stunt? Either way, optimism is not running high

The aim is to provide some impetus , to stimulate one final bout of purposeful negotiations .
Brexit : Optimism is not running high , even if hope remains for a deal Johnson and von der Leyen spoke for an hour on Saturday When Boris Johnson arrives for dinner in Brussels , he will be welcomed to the headquarters of the European Commission - the giant concrete X known as the Berlaymont .
It is a building he knows well , from his years as a journalist based in this city , reporting on the foibles of the European Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister used to write lurid stories of EU excess for The Daily Telegraph ; now he returns to oversee one final push for a trade deal worth untold billions .
When the Brexit saga began , the European Commission was overseen by Jean-Claude Juncker , a president of international renown .
Mr Juncker had previously been the long-standing prime minister of Luxembourg ; he was confident and gregarious .
His successor , German Ursula von der Leyen , is cut from a different cloth - hard-working and diligent but also , by comparison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colourful figure .
Mrs Von der Leyen was previously Germany 's defence minister - a big job , certainly , but not a globally recognised one .
Before her came a long line of men ( yes , all of them men ) , who had been prime ministers , finance ministers or party leaders .
`` She is a technocrat , not a leader , '' said an underwhelmed diplomat to me .
Mrs Von der Leyen , according to a variety of sources I have spoken to , is keen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` political win '' .
The COVID recovery plan that she championed ended up causing ructions ; the European budget is being held up by a different row .
Her green vision for Europe has been overtaken by the focus on the pandemic .
So could she end up taking the credit for orchestrating a Brexit deal in search of that win ?
Well , those diplomats suggest two things - firstly , that they think the European Commission president is much more open to the idea of compromise than her chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , crucially , that plenty of member states do n't share the opinion .
The French , for instance , believe that Mr Barnier has already given up enough , if not too many , concessions to the British .
The Dutch , Belgians and Danes are all dubious .
Even countries towards the east of Europe , who are completely untouched by the niceties of English Channel fishing , are beginning to go cold , with one diplomat telling me that `` we think no deal would be better than giving away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that , even if she did create some kind of compromise , Mrs von der Leyen has no power to force it through .
That will require the backing of national leaders , who , by happy coincidence , meet in Brussels on Thursday .
Nobody is really expecting Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen to sort Brexit over dinner .
The aim is to provide some impetus , to stimulate one final bout of purposeful negotiations , perhaps to spot some of the much talked-about landing zones .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagreements that have become apparent during months of negotiation .
There is , among the Brussels cynics , not just a doubt about whether Mrs von der Leyen can produce meaningful movement , but also a fear that the whole idea of the dinner is a PR stunt , dreamt up in Westminster .
`` I suspect they want Boris to come to Brussels , be seen to try , and then come home claiming that he 'd done his best , but got nowhere , '' said another EU source .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to do something - anything - and has n't spotted the trap . ''
Optimism , it is fair to say , is not running high , even if hope remains .
`` The road to compromise is narrow , '' one diplomat told me , `` and we are running out of time and patience . ''


skynewspolitics--2020-12-10--Johnson accused of a 'failure of diplomacy and leadership' as no-deal Brexit looms large

Boris Johnson is being accused of failure after his hopes of a Brexit meal deal in Brussels were dashed and trade talks went into extra time with a new deadline of Sunday .
His three-hour dinner with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen ended in deadlock with `` very large gaps '' between the two sides , according to Downing Street .
Ms von der Leyen , who described the talks as `` lively and interesting '' said the two sides `` remain far apart '' , a damning verdict that suggests a no-deal Brexit looks increasingly likely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now face MPs in a potentially heated Commons showdown , with opposition parties condemning the threat of no deal but Tory Brexiteers relishing it .
Labour is claiming that a year after Mr Johnson promised an `` oven-ready deal '' he has failed to deliver what he promised .
The SNP has accused him of `` a failure of diplomacy and leadership '' .
While Mr Gove faces MPs , Ms von der Leyen will brief the EU 's 27 leaders at a Brussels summit and the Brexit negotiators Lord Frost and Michel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The deadlock at dinner came after the PM dashed to Brussels for talks which were billed as a make-or-break attempt to salvage a Brexit deal after months of discussions between Lord Frost and Mr Barnier ended in stalemate .
But the three-course dinner failed to achieve the breakthrough hoped for by both sides and even the menu chosen by Mr Johnson 's EU hosts pointed to a no-deal Brexit looming ahead .
In a move that was either intended to be provocative or reveal a sense of humour , given the clash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served scallops as a starter and turbot for the main course .
Even the choice of dessert - pavlova , a dish which it is claimed originated in Australia - hinted at a no-deal outcome , since Mr Johnson has often spoken of leaving the EU on Australian trade terms , meaning no deal .
The meeting got off to a bad start as the two leaders posed for the cameras ahead of the dinner .
Ms von der Leyen told Mr Johnson to keep his distance as they briefly took their face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister to put his mask back on , to which Mr Johnson responded : `` You run a tight ship here , Ursula , and quite right too . ''
Three hours later , in a statement issued immediately after the dinner , a No .
10 source said : `` The PM and VDL had a frank discussion about the significant obstacles which remain in the negotiations .
`` Very large gaps remain between the two sides and it is still unclear whether these can be bridged .
`` The PM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next few days between their negotiating teams .
`` The PM does not want to leave any route to a possible deal untested .
The PM and VDL agreed that by Sunday a firm decision should be taken about the future of the talks . ''
In a further statement an hour later , a Downing Street spokesman added : `` They acknowledged that the situation remained very difficult and there were still major differences between the two sides .
`` The prime minister is determined not to leave any route to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement must respect the independence and sovereignty of the UK . ''
In her statement , Ms von der Leyen said : `` We had a lively and interesting discussion on the state of play across the list of outstanding issues .
`` We gained a clear understanding of each other 's positions .
They remain far apart .
`` We agreed that the teams should immediately reconvene to try to resolve these essential issues .
We will come to a decision by the end of the weekend . ''
Reacting to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rayner tweeted : `` One year after Boris Johnson promised us an oven-ready deal he has completely failed .
`` The failure to deliver the deal he promised is his and his alone . ''
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves , whose urgent question is being answered by Mr Gove in the Commons , said : `` The Prime Minister promised an oven-ready deal .
`` He needs to get it done so we can focus on what matters to the British people : securing our economy , protecting our NHS and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SNP 's Westminster leader Ian Blackford tweeted : `` A no deal would be a massive failure of diplomacy and leadership which @ BorisJohnson has to take ownership of .
`` On top of the health & economic impact of Covid this is self-induced self harm .
Disruption to trade , tariffs , higher prices and lost jobs is never a price worth paying . ''
Analysis : EU 's patience with the UK has all but evaporated And so now we have a deadline that feels pretty firm .
Putting the finishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will focus some attention when EU leaders gather in Brussels for their latest meeting , and may push negotiators to make one last throw of the dice .
But it might go nowhere .
For months now , the negotiating teams have been talking with ever more intensity - and they have achieved very little .
Without significant compromises , on both sides , it 's hard to see how a breakthrough will emerge .
The EU has already started to gear up for no deal , and those preparations are now going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be better to negotiate once the effects of no deal have been seen ; others are genuinely upset - fond of the UK and worried that rancour will follow .
But everyone is weary of talks that have meandered endlessly down a variety of cul-de-sacs .
The EU is presently split by arguments over its budget , COVID-19 , the rule of law and foreign policy .
Over the past 10 months or so , Brexit has taken up a lot of time without ever being top of the agenda .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK left with a deal - but the EU thinks the compromises need to come mostly from Westminster - and the patience to wait for them has all but evaporated .

Boris Johnson is being accused of failure after his hopes of a Brexit meal deal in Brussels were dashed and trade talks went into extra time with a new deadline of Sunday.
His three-hour dinner with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen ended in deadlock with "very large gaps" between the two sides, according to Downing Street.
Ms von der Leyen, who described the talks as "lively and interesting" said the two sides "remain far apart", a damning verdict that suggests a no-deal Brexit looks increasingly likely.
The Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove will now face MPs in a potentially heated Commons showdown, with opposition parties condemning the threat of no deal but Tory Brexiteers relishing it.
Labour is claiming that a year after Mr Johnson promised an "oven-ready deal" he has failed to deliver what he promised. The SNP has accused him of "a failure of diplomacy and leadership".
While Mr Gove faces MPs, Ms von der Leyen will brief the EU's 27 leaders at a Brussels summit and the Brexit negotiators Lord Frost and Michel Barnier will resume their talks once again.
Image: Ms von der Leyen said 'very large gaps' remain between the two sides
The deadlock at dinner came after the PM dashed to Brussels for talks which were billed as a make-or-break attempt to salvage a Brexit deal after months of discussions between Lord Frost and Mr Barnier ended in stalemate.
But the three-course dinner failed to achieve the breakthrough hoped for by both sides and even the menu chosen by Mr Johnson's EU hosts pointed to a no-deal Brexit looming ahead.
In a move that was either intended to be provocative or reveal a sense of humour, given the clash over fishing rights, Mr Johnson was served scallops as a starter and turbot for the main course.
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Even the choice of dessert - pavlova, a dish which it is claimed originated in Australia - hinted at a no-deal outcome, since Mr Johnson has often spoken of leaving the EU on Australian trade terms, meaning no deal.
The meeting got off to a bad start as the two leaders posed for the cameras ahead of the dinner. Ms von der Leyen told Mr Johnson to keep his distance as they briefly took their face coverings off.
She then told the Prime Minister to put his mask back on, to which Mr Johnson responded: "You run a tight ship here, Ursula, and quite right too."
Three hours later, in a statement issued immediately after the dinner, a No. 10 source said: "The PM and VDL had a frank discussion about the significant obstacles which remain in the negotiations.
"Very large gaps remain between the two sides and it is still unclear whether these can be bridged.
"The PM and VDL agreed to further discussions over the next few days between their negotiating teams.
"The PM does not want to leave any route to a possible deal untested. The PM and VDL agreed that by Sunday a firm decision should be taken about the future of the talks."
In a further statement an hour later, a Downing Street spokesman added: "They acknowledged that the situation remained very difficult and there were still major differences between the two sides.
"The prime minister is determined not to leave any route to a fair deal untested, but any agreement must respect the independence and sovereignty of the UK."
In her statement, Ms von der Leyen said: "We had a lively and interesting discussion on the state of play across the list of outstanding issues.
"We gained a clear understanding of each other's positions. They remain far apart.
"We agreed that the teams should immediately reconvene to try to resolve these essential issues. We will come to a decision by the end of the weekend."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:24 'I'll take Commons up to Xmas Eve if necessary'
Reacting to the deadlock, Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted: "One year after Boris Johnson promised us an oven-ready deal he has completely failed.
"The failure to deliver the deal he promised is his and his alone."
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves, whose urgent question is being answered by Mr Gove in the Commons, said: "The Prime Minister promised an oven-ready deal.
"He needs to get it done so we can focus on what matters to the British people: securing our economy, protecting our NHS and rebuilding our country."
And the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford tweeted: "A no deal would be a massive failure of diplomacy and leadership which @BorisJohnson has to take ownership of.
"On top of the health & economic impact of Covid this is self-induced self harm. Disruption to trade, tariffs, higher prices and lost jobs is never a price worth paying."
Analysis: EU's patience with the UK has all but evaporated
By Adam Parsons, Europe correspondent
And so now we have a deadline that feels pretty firm. Putting the finishing line at the end of this weekend will focus some attention when EU leaders gather in Brussels for their latest meeting, and may push negotiators to make one last throw of the dice.
But it might go nowhere. For months now, the negotiating teams have been talking with ever more intensity - and they have achieved very little. Without significant compromises, on both sides, it's hard to see how a breakthrough will emerge.
The EU has already started to gear up for no deal, and those preparations are now going to gather momentum.
Some believe that it will be better to negotiate once the effects of no deal have been seen; others are genuinely upset - fond of the UK and worried that rancour will follow.
But everyone is weary of talks that have meandered endlessly down a variety of cul-de-sacs. The EU is presently split by arguments over its budget, COVID-19, the rule of law and foreign policy. Over the past 10 months or so, Brexit has taken up a lot of time without ever being top of the agenda.
Every European country would rather that the UK left with a deal - but the EU thinks the compromises need to come mostly from Westminster - and the patience to wait for them has all but evaporated.