Dominic Raab put Westminster on standby for a Northern Ireland Protocol deal is announced after he said he expected a new pact to be signed in “days, not weeks”.
The deputy prime minister said there had been a “paradigm shift” in the approach from Brussels, suggesting that talks have produced changes to customs controls and Unionists’ concerns about Northern Ireland’s lack of a say in EU rules that affect the EU are removed. region.
We’re on the verge, we’ve made great progress, we’re not there yet
Asked on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday program if a deal could be unveiled as early as Monday, Mr Raab replied: “I think there is real progress.
“We want to make sure all the pieces are in place.
“I think hopefully there will be some good news in a few days, not weeks.”
The cabinet minister later told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: “If we can get this over the line – we’re on the cusp, we’ve made great progress, we’re not there yet – this would be a very important deal are.”
It comes as Rishi Sunak said his government was “giving everything we’ve got” to strike a deal to resolve issues with the Protocol, a Brexit treaty negotiated by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
As Downing Street appeared to be gearing up for an announcement, Sunak was warned by both his backseat Eurosceptic Conservatives and the Labor Party not to rush a parliamentary vote on his deal.
Mr Sunak has previously promised that MPs will be given the opportunity to “express” their views on the revised terms.