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Sadiq Khan and Nicola Sturgeon have called for London and Scotland to be given 'special' Brexit deals, after Theresa May reportedly agreed to allow Northern Ireland to have 'regulatory alignment' with the EU.

Both leaders suggested that if Northern Ireland can get a special deal, there's no reason why other parts of the UK can't.

The London mayor suggested allowing London to stay in the Customs Union after Brexit could save thousands of jobs in the capital.

And the Scottish First Minister tweeted to say if one region can "effectively stay in the EU single market, (which is the right solution for Northern Ireland) there is surely no good practical reason why others can't."

It follows DUP leader Arlene Foster hitting out at the deal, saying she had not approved plans for 'regulatory alignment'.

(Image: PA)

She told reporters the party would not put up with attempts to change the relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in a bid to secure a deal without her party's consent.

It could throw a spanner in the works of Theresa May's last-ditch bid to secure a deal in Brussels today.

The Prime Minister's minority Tory government is being propped up by the DUP , whose 10 MPs are all that stand in the way of the UK government collapsing.

It had been reported this morning that a draft agreement had been circulated which sought 'regulatory alignment' between Northern Ireland and the Republic - with Mrs May agreeing to a 'special solution' to break the deadlock.

But speaking to reporters, Ms Foster said: "We will not accept any kind of of regulatory divergence which separates us economically or politically from the rest of the UK.

She added: "The Republic of Ireland government is trying to unilaterally change the Belfast agreement without our input and without our consent.

"Of course, we will not stand for that."

Mrs May's official spokesman told a regular Westminster briefing: "The PM has been clear that the UK is leaving the European Union as a whole and the territorial and economic integrity of the United Kingdom will be protected."

(Image: Getty Images Europe) (Image: AFP)

Responding directly to questions about the report by Irish broadcaster RTE, he said: "RTE also reported this morning we were holding a Cabinet meeting and I missed that if it occurred."

UK Government sources say they are “quietly optimistic” that a deal can be pulled together in the next few hours.

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A European Commission spokesman said Mr Juncker's talks with European Parliament figures and the working lunch with Mrs May were intended "to come as close as possible to what could be a deal, an agreement, for the heads of state or government to consider".