BREXIT deal hopes have been dashed after Boris Johnson decided to send MPs home for Christmas on Thursday.
The PM has told MPs to head home for the usual parliamentary recess untill January 5.
It means an emergency Commons recall will be needed if a deal is done by the end of the year.
The PM’s move has been seen as a warning shot to Brussels that he will not be forced into a climbdown in hasty discussions, Commons sources told The Sun.
The news comes as the EU has weakened on its threat of issuing lightning tariffs if the UK cuts state aid, labour or environmental standards in future.
UK sources said today that both sides were still far apart on a trade deal and not close to cinching an agreement.
One official said: “We’ve made some progress, but we are still very far apart in key areas.”
Follow our Brexit live blog for all the latest news and updates…