No. 10 plays down prospects of deal with EU,.....>

UK: No. 10 plays down prospects of deal with EU, with Downing St. source stating

to The Spectator late last night that "the negotiations will probably end this

week" and that "if this deal dies in the next few days, then it won't be

revived". 

- The gov't maintains its stance that the UK will leave the EU on Oct 31. This

stands in stark contrast to the provisions of the Benn Act, that require gov't

to ask for extension if a deal isn't reached by Oct 19. 

- Scottish court ruling yesterday declining to issue order for PM to comply with

Benn Act leaves unorthodox routes for the gov't to circumvent Benn Act open.

Media speculation seems to coalesce around UK gov't asking another EU member

state (likely Hungary) to veto the extension. 

- This seems unlikely though. For all the assurances of support from the UK in

this eventuality, gov't of PM Viktor Orban vetoing the UK's extension could find

itself facing the displeasure of other member states and EU institutions at a

time where Budapest is already facing Article 7 hearings regarding alleged

threats to rule of law in Hungary.