Brexit LIVE: EU 'impressed with Johnson' and could 'scrap backstop' - Major breakthrough

Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, said: “A deal between EU and UK is more likely than I had thought - my conclusion after 2 days of meetings with EU, member-state and UK officials.”

He added Boris Johnson has made "quite a good impression" with Brussels chiefs.

He said France, Germany and the European Commission could go along with any changes which still "replicate the affects of the Northern Ireland backstop" if they were given viable alternatives.

In a Twitter thread Grant added if this was all in place "gentle pressure" would be put on Ireland to approve a Brexit deal.