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Brexit deal is ‘possible’ in 6 to 8 weeks: EU

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BLED, Slovenia: EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Monday it was “realistic” to expect an agreement on a divorce deal with London within the next eight weeks, striking an optimistic note as the clock ticks down to Britain’s departure from the bloc.


The pound rose against the dollar on Barnier’s comments, which come after weeks of increasing anxiety that an agreement to avoid Britain crashing out in a “no-deal” Brexit would not be reached in time.


British police chiefs have reportedly even drawn up contingency plans to deal with civil unrest in the event of Britain leaving the EU with no deal in place, citing fears of shortages of food and goods could lead to disorder.


“I think that if we are realistic, we are able to reach an agreement on the first stage of this negotiation, which is the Brexit treaty, within six or eight weeks,” Barnier told a conference in Bled, Slovenia.


Barnier’s comments may bring some relief to British Prime Minister Theresa May, who is under regular attack from within her own deeply divided party, with former foreign minister Boris Johnson launching a fresh broadside against her on Monday. Johnson resigned from the government in July over May’s plan for Britain to retain close trade ties with the EU after Brexit and rumours abound that he is plotting to try to oust the


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