1: Big question of today: Has Boris Johnson caved in talks with Brussels to strike a Brexit deal?
2: There has definitely been ‘movement’ on the UK side - Michel Barnier told EU capitals that it was worth looking at offers on customs and consent over the weekend, per EU sources.
3: In his meeting with Barnier, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said the UK understands that the EU sees problems with the most recent proposals and is ready to take a further look.
4: Barnier told senior EU diplomats that the new UK proposals were worth the EU Commission’s time to consider. Talks will be at technical level. Not expecting Barclay or Barnier to take part.
5: One EU source said it didn’t look like new UK plans had emerged but rather a ‘new direction of travel’. Still enough to hold some pretty intensive negotiations. Senior diplomats will be briefed again on Monday, EU affairs ministers will be left with bigger decisions Tuesday.
6: Far from a done deal though. One senior EU diplomat says: ‘Caution is the key word, but it makes sense to talk during the weekend.’
