Christmas Eve Brexit deal expected despite 'last-minute hitch', says Coveney

Boris Johnson has been in close contact with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in recent days as top-level efforts intensified to get a deal over the line.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said that he believes there will be a Christmas Eve Brexit deal despite a last-minute hitch.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Coveney pointed out that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been due to hold a news conference early this morning, but that had not happened.