The Latest: Varadkar says issues remain over Brexit
BRUSSELS (AP) — The Latest on Britain's plans to leave the European Union (all times local):
12:25 p.m.
As Brexit negotiations continue, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar says there is a pathway to a deal "but there are many issues that still need to be resolved."
Varadkar, who spoke by phone Wednesday morning to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the European Commission, says he hopes the issues can be resolved in the course of the day.
That would allow European Union leaders to consider them at a two-day summit starting Thursday in Brussels, which would clear the way for a vote by British lawmakers at a special sitting of Parliament scheduled for Saturday.
However, Varadkar says that even if that does not happen, the Oct. 31 deadline for the UK to leave the EU "is still a few weeks away and there is a possibility of another summit before that if we need one."
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12:20 p.m.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has told a parliamentary committee that the British government plans to comply with the law as it enters a delicate phase in the Brexit process.
Barclay told the Exiting the European Union Committee Wednesday that the government headed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson will comply with "undertakings given to the court in respect of the law."
He was apparently referring to the government's commitment in a Scottish court to follow a law requiring Johnson to seek a Brexit extension from the European Union if no agreement is approved by Saturday.
Barclay maintained, however, that the government is still committed to leaving the EU by Oct. 31.
He did not explain how this would be possible given the law's intent to prevent a "no-deal" Brexit.
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10 a.m.
The British government says talks with the European Union...