Headlines capture optimistic mood after Anglo-Irish summit but hint of serious obtacles to be overcome

This article is more than 11 months old

This article is more than 11 months old

The meeting between Boris Johnson and Irish leader Leo Varadkar, which has been dubbed “an “extraordinary summit” resulting in a “surprising burst of optimism”, leads on most of the front pages today.

The Daily Mail asks with – one imagines – bated breath: “Dare we dream of a deal?”

The paper reports that “Mr Varadkar, who has long been seen as the roadblock to an agreement, added that he even believed a deal could be ‘done by the end of October’. He described the meeting – which included more than 90 minutes where the two leaders negotiated without officials – as ‘very positive’ and said he was ‘absolutely convinced’ Mr Johnson wanted an agreement.”

While the Guardian (“Johnson and Varadkar: ‘We can see a pathway to possible Brexit deal’”) reports on the surprising, positive development, it also prints Varadkar’s note of caution after the meeting. “Varadkar warned that although he believed the outline of a deal would be possible in time for the crunch summit of EU leaders next Thursday, serious challenges remained, adding that there was ‘many a slip between cup and lip’”.

The Guardian (@guardian) Guardian front page, Friday 11 October 2019: Johnson and Varadkar: ‘We can see a pathway to a possible Brexit deal’ pic.twitter.com/yoWJIhdgCB

The Metro says it with song: “Irish eyes are smiling”, with the paper declaring that: “Hopes of a Brexit deal revived last night as the Irish premier hailed a ‘very good’ meeting with Boris Johnson in Merseyside.”

Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) Friday's front page:

IRISH EYES

ARE SMILING#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/t9kenjmq6y

The FT (“Johnson and Varadkar see Brexit deal ‘pathway’ as talks shift mood”) says there are “suggestions that Mr Johnson had shifted his red lines and might now be willing to consider letting Northern Ireland stay in the EU customs union”, something it said risked “hardliners’ fury”.

Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) FT: Johnson and Varadkar see Brexit deal ‘pathway’ as talks shift mood #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/mUIb0PE7CB

The Telegraph reports that the “pound surged” after the talks. “Deal can be done by Oct 31, say Irish,” according to the paper’s splash headline.

Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) TELEGRAPH: Deal can be done by Oct 31st say Irish #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/PrIigLmmNx

The i (“‘Pathway to a deal in sight’”) labels the development a “surprising burst of optimism” and quotes Irish sources who said there was “‘Significant movement from British side’ on customs union”.

Kate Lyons (@MsKateLyons) The i paper. Front page 11 October 2019. pic.twitter.com/jfp9FSG0KJ

The Times, which also leads on the pathway line (“Britain and Ireland on ‘pathway to agreement’”) labels Varadkar’s claim that a Brexit deal could be reached “as early as next week”, “an unexpectedly upbeat assessment”. However, the paper notes that “each side was tight-lipped about the basis of a potential deal”.

Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) TIMES: Britain and Ireland on ‘pathway to agreement’ #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/gg3ZK78fUd

“Has Boris only gone and done it?” asks the Express, adding that the prime minister “has won a dramatic Brexit breakthrough after crunch talks with Irish premier Leo Varadkar”.

Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) EXPRESS:Has Boris only gone and done it? #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/OHgaueURZs

The Sun dedicates a grand total of eight lines to the Brexit developments, devoting most of its front page to everyone’s favourite story: the bust-up over Rebekah Vardy allegedly leaking private information about Coleen Rooney. The Sun, the recipient of the leaks in question, unsurprisingly takes Vardy’s side. Its headline is: “Becky’s wagony”.

Kate Lyons (@MsKateLyons) The Sun's front page. 11 October 2019. pic.twitter.com/75vv8uZePq

The Mirror also turns its attention away from Brexit. “Tears for my brave Rod” is its headline, with quotes from Rod Stewart’s wife about the singer’s recent treatment for cancer.