Brexit talks enter final 48 hours as UK threatens to deploy no-deal gun boats

Boris Johnson held a meeting on Friday to discuss the country’s no-deal preparations Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA

The UK has fired a warning shot to Brussels over no-deal after readying Royal Navy boats to patrol its fishing waters as negotiations enter their final 48 hours.

Four 80-metre armed vessels have been placed on standby to guard British waters from EU trawlers in the event that there is no new agreement on fishing rights after December 31 when transitional arrangements end.