Michel Barnier has said there are “just a few hours” left for the EU and UK to agree on a Brexit deal if it is to be ratified before the end of the transition period on 31 January.

"It's the moment of truth. We have very little time remaining, just a few hours, to work through these negotiations in a useful fashion if we want this agreement to enter into force on 1 January,” he told MEPs at the European Parliament on 18 December.