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May briefs cabinet that Brexit deal is near - report

EPA-EFE / ANDY RAIN

United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May told the members of her cabinet during a meeting on Thursday evening that London was close to a Brexit deal with Brussels, according to a report by the Financial Times.

Two Eurosceptic unnamed ministers were reportedly talking about quitting over May's intentions to sign a backstop plan which would pull the entire UK into a "temporary" customs union. Meanwhile, one source close to negotiations was quoted saying: "The prime minister never brings the cabinet together to tell them what’s going on. That’s not her style. It feels to me like the deal is practically done."

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), a key partner in May's minority government, said earlier it would vote down any deal which would include a customs border in the Irish Sea and separate Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. It also threatened to vote against the budget in protest of such an agreement.

Breaking the News / BM