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The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said that the UK’s withdrawal agreement was “90%” complete, but could still fail over the issue of the Irish border.

Speaking to France-Inter radio, Mr Barnier said: “A deal is possible, it is desirable but it is difficult.”

He said he was hoping to complete the deal “in a few weeks or a few months, as soon as possible”.

But asked if he was convinced that a deal would be done, he replied: “I have no deep conviction on this subject, because in the UK the political situation is very complex and I don’t know what decisions Theresa May will take.

“I hope for a deal, I am working for it, because it is in our common interest.”

The one “extremely serious” issue outstanding was the need to ensure there is no hard border in Ireland, said Mr Barnier. Asked if the whole deal could fail over this point, he replied: “My answer is yes.”

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has urged warring Tory MPs to unite behind Theresa May’s Brexit strategy.

After EU leaders meeting in Brussels failed to agree a way forward, Mr Hunt rejected claims that the Prime Minister had “capitulated” in the face of EU demands.

“The reason why this week has been difficult is because Theresa May has not buckled. She has held firm. She has stuck to her principles,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“It is precisely because she has not capitulated that we have not concluded this agreement.

“The one thing I would say to my colleagues is that the great strength of the EU in these negotiations is that the 27 EU nations have remained united.

“We now need to do the same behind Theresa May to maximise her negotiating leverage in Brussels and make sure she does come back with that deal that honours the letter and spirit of the referendum decision.”

Jamie Lee Curtis believes her portrayal of Laurie Strode in the latest Halloween film could inspire more strong female leads in Hollywood movies.

The US actress is reprising a role she first took in the 1978 horror classic Halloween, for a new instalment which is the 11th in the franchise and set 40 years after the original.

Strode, who spent the first film being hunted by her homicidal brother, Michael Myers, confronts the trauma that has haunted her throughout her life.

Curtis, 59, said Laurie is a victim suffering post-traumatic stress disorder following a random attack but fighting back could open the door to further strong female lead characters in film.

She told the Press Association: “Women are taking their seat at the table in more and more places in all areas of the world; government, corporations, movies, music – it’s time.”

Asked about the housing crisis, Mr Higgins, Mr Gallagher and Mr Duffy admitted they are all landlords.

Mr Casey said: “The president is the influencer in chief. You can only influence as president.”

Ms Freeman said: “Homelessness has many different levels. We have children, 280% increase in child homelessness, and students trying to get accommodation. That is up to the government. It is the president’s duty and role to inspire new initiatives to help that.”

Mr Gallagher said: “The president can remind the government that they must work together to address the greatest crisis of our time.”

Disruption at London Paddington could continue into a third day after testing of a £500 million new train fleet damaged overhead electric wires.

Network Rail said: “The extent of the damage means we will not be able to complete our repairs in one night, so while services on Thursday morning will be significantly improved, there may still be some disruption.”

Two sisters who came from Swindon to see the carriage procession said it was “well worth the wait”.

Jane Cluett, 58, said they had been in position since 7.30am on Friday.

Her sister Emma McCarthy, 46, said of Eugenie: “She looked absolutely beautiful and very, very happy.

“We toasted to the bride and groom with a glass of Prosecco and some red velvet chocolate cake.”

The pair streamed the service on their phones and sang along to hymns while they were waiting.

Speaking about their first glimpse of Princess Eugenie, Ms Cluett said: “The dress was very different, not what we were expecting.”

Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown arriving for the memorial service at Southwark Cathedral, London for the former culture secretary, Baroness Tessa Jowell. (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

England head coach Eddie Jones during the squad announcement at Twickenham Stadium, London. (Adam Davy/PA)

The Duchess of Sussex with an Australian rules football during a visit to Melbourne, on the third day of the royal couple’s tour in Australia

Founder of WAH London Ltd, Sharmadean Reid, after receiving her Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) medal for services to the Nail and Beauty Industry in an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London (Yui Mok/PA)

Prime Minister Theresa May peers into a hot water urn during a meeting at a social group in Vauxhall from a charity working to combat loneliness at the launch of the first loneliness strategy. (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

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