EU talks equally close to breakdown or breakthrough - UK official

Britain's negotiations with the European Union are equally close to a breakthrough or a breakdown, a senior UK official involved in the talks said on Thursday, adding it was now for the EU to adopt its position.

"We're potentially equally close to both, to be honest - I think it's hard to quantify," the official said when asked if a breakdown or breakthrough was closer.

"I can quite see how we could either make a breakthrough relatively quickly if they do adjust their position in the most important areas, and if they don't, we won't. It really is in their hands to a large extent."