The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said the EU's ready to give the UK further assurances that the Irish backstop 'should only be temporary'.

His comments come as efforts continue to reach a deal before the UK's scheduled exit from the bloc on March 29th.

EU officials have repeatedly ruled out any substantial renegotiation of the withdrawal agreement.

We will not reverse the backstop. It's an insurance.

Michel Barnier's told Germany's Die Welt newspaper the EU is ready to give further guarantees, assurances and clarifications that the backstop should only be temporary and they we will not reverse the backstop.