Brexit: Ministers told ‘judgement day’ looms for decision

Ministers have been told “judgement day is coming” over Brexit as the UK and EU strive for a deal within 48 hours.

Officials are trying to hammer out an agreement on the terms of the UK’s exit by Wednesday to enable EU leaders to agree it by the end of the month.

Downing Street said talks had gone on through the night but “substantial issues” still remained to be resolved.

Amid growing pressure on the PM, one Tory said MPs will be “judged at the bar of history” if they back her plans.

Mark Francois compared Mrs May’s handling of the Brexit negotiations with the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in World War Two, complaining of “one tactical defeat after another”.

A growing number of Tory MPs are warning the prime minister that her Brexit plan will not be approved by Parliament while Labour’s Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer has said MPs will not allow the UK to leave without a negotiated agreement and “technically” the whole process can be stopped.

The uncertainty has been reflected on the financial markets, with sterling falling 1% against the dollar. before recovering slightly.

BBC