Brexit Secretary says UK may do with legal assurances about backstop, outside of deal

Britain's Brexit Secretary has told the top EU negotiator London could accept legally-binding guarantees on the disputed Irish border backstop that would not require changes to the already-negotiated EU-UK divorce deal, diplomatic sources said. That would run against the official line of British Prime Minister Theresa May, who has said she needs changes to the legally binding Withdrawal Agreement to secure ratification of the accord by the British parliament.

But diplomatic sources on both sides said after a meeting between the two men earlier this week that Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay still sought a unilateral exit clause from the backstop for Britain or a firm time-limit. The EU has repeatedly ruled out both. Barclay is due in Brussels on Monday for another meeting with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier.