Brexit talks could go on past Christmas as UK and EU vow to ‘go extra mile’

The agreement to continue talking beyond the Sunday deadline set by Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen does indicate that progress could be possible.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to continue trade talks (Aaron Chown/PA)

Brexit talks could go right to the wire after the UK and European Union refused to set a new deadline following the decision to continue negotiating over a trade deal.

There was fresh hope on the prospect of a deal after Boris Johnson and Europe’s top official Ursula von der Leyen agreed to “go the extra mile” and continue discussions beyond Sunday’s initial deadline.