THE Brexit talks are making real progress and the chances of a deal have risen, Boris Johnson declared confidently. But the question is: where is the evidence?
Indeed, the EU, which is supposedly being fed the golden nuggets of information, has insisted a no-deal outcome remains a "distinct possibility".
The Prime Minister’s bold assertion followed an allegation that his key aide Dominic Cummings had described the negotiation process as a "sham".
Mr Johnson told MPs the claim about his chief of staff was "wholly implausible". Earlier, Downing St was far more forceful in its denial.
The European Commission said while there was "progress on process" because of the increased tempo of meetings between officials, there were still no "concrete" proposals from the UK on resolving the Irish backstop issue.
Yet Mr Johnson told MPs his efforts to force Brussels to make major changes to the Brexit deal were bearing fruit after he had told the EU why any future agreement must see the "abolition of the anti-democratic backstop".
"We've also been clear that we will need changes to the Political Declaration to clarify that our future relationship with the EU will be based on a free trade agreement and giving us full control over our regulations, our trade and our foreign and defence policy.
"This clarity has brought benefits. Far from jeopardising negotiations, it has made them more straightforward. In the last few weeks, I believe the chances of a deal have risen,” boasted the PM to shaking heads on the opposition benches.
The pace of talks would be upped this week, he explained, noting: “Our European friends can see that we want an agreement and they're beginning to reflect that reality in their response." What response?
During Commons exchanges an unconvinced Jeremy Corbyn questioned if the UK had put forward any new proposals on the backstop at all before warning the "reckless Government” had only one plan: “to crash out of the EU without a deal".
The Labour leader accused the Government of hiding from scrutiny and the people by failing to publish its no-deal preparations.
Philip Hammond echoed the point. The former Chancellor experienced the unusual sensation of being cheered from the Labour benches when he said: "Last Friday, Chancellor Merkel of Germany observed somewhat acerbically that nine days into the 30 days the PM had requested during his visit to Berlin, she hadn't yet seen any proposals from the UK.”
He urged his Tory colleague to publish the proposals toute de suite both for the benefit of MPs and Brussels.
Mr Johnson replied: "Chancellor Merkel was making an elementary point which is that we could easily do a deal within 30 days. And we certainly shall.”
But the doubting Thomases were not helped when Gavin Barwell, who was Theresa May's chief of staff, also noted how he had heard reports about "sham negotiations" from "multiple" government sources.
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