'the bloc’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier told Mr Johnson to stop “pretending” to negotiate.'

It seems that Johnson is trying to find a way around the backstop, which are the so called “secret” documents submitted to the EU.

It isn’t a new WA

Thanks for the straight answer Urm, even if I don't agree with you! I don't though think that he is keeping his cards close to his chest because of leaks, I think he does not have an agreement in mind, he is going to go to the wire, blame the EU and then the sh*t will hit the fan in this country. He is incompetent and unfit for office and patently out of his depth, not quite the good fun he thought it would be being PM, especially as he is only there through another load of deception and lies, pretending to be a Brexit supporter just to oppose his pal DC. Personally, I am thankful for those brave enough to leak information which will affect me and my family, information like operation Yellowhammer that Ms Leadsom stated should not be shown as it may frighten us.

Sorry I didn’t answer your first question Gill57.

Quite honestly I don’t know why those talks had (up until now) not been reported on or broadcast.

Perhaps it’s because the DUP’s feathers would be ruffled? They are, after all, trying to sort out a way around the backstop issue which is highly sensitive.

Perhaps though, where there’s a will, (none so far but the clock is ticking) there’s a way?

What do you think?

I think Gill57 that Boris is understandably keeping his cards very close to his chest. There have been so many leaks in the past (even from Cabinet members).

Talks are ongoing. People ARE working hard behind the scenes.

Do I think he’s doing a good job?

Yes - if he delivers Brexit.

He is an appalling example of the worst of public school entitlement and insincerity. He is certainly not negotiating and is just wasting time on purpose. I think the idea is if shout loud enough for long enough you will get your own way.

He is a fantastic example of how the upper classes behave, riding roughshod over the views of many of the citizens of this country. I’m so glad that on his press tours ordinary folk are giving him a piece of their mind.

I’m ashamed that a person like this is so called representing the interests of this country!??

Why are the negotiations secret Urm? Do you think that Johnson is doing a good job, honestly?

Do you HONESTLY believe Boris (well his team) is not negotiating behind the scenes?

Of course they are!

Stephen Barclay is off to see Barnier tomorrow.

And Simon Coveney, the Irish foreign minister, has been engaged in secret Brexit talks with senior members of Boris Johnson's government.

Mr Coveney said: 'Of course there are conversations, as you would expect, exploring concepts, what might work, what won't work.'

His comments, first reported by The Times, suggested that efforts to break the Brexit impasse are now stepping up a gear as the Halloween departure date draws ever closer.

42 days ...

before dying - blindness, foot, leg amputations ...

Anyone who says that would be worth it must be plain stupid and totally devoid of empathy and love. What if it was his wife, or his granchild- would it be worth it too?

He has made no attempt whatseover to negotiate as far as anyone can see, just another one of his lies, like yesterday's debacle. What a complete arse he is. And still, we get 'good old Boris' from his fan clubs who seem to have collectively lost their wits, a man interviewed on BBC this morning, fervent Brexiteer, an insulin dependant diabetic, when asked if he thought potential insulin shortages worried him? No, he thought it would be worth it. To die from diabetic complications. When you hear blind stupidity like that, one despairs of the future.

Indeed - agreed with all above comments. He has made NO attempt whatsoever to 'negotiate' - just repeated, louder and louder, like a robot- 'we don't want the back stop' but providing no alternative whatsoever. That is NOT 'negotiating'.

Ive never trusted him and did not understand why people in the Conservative Party voted for him. I personally liked Rory Stewart, a measured man who actually thought before he spoke. What was the attraction of Mr Johnson?

Didn't anyone see that he was bluffing ?? I said this months ago. ( rolls eyes )

Sadly, there are still people who agree with him, swallow his lies and actually admire him. He is an incoherent buffoon. Never going to be admired for his oratory.

It's been his intention all along, GagaJo. We are being thrown over a cliff by a madman. He's got to be mad; I can't find any other reason for what he is doing.

Remember, this is a man who didn't even really believe that we should leave the EU.