Boris Johnson's big European tour continued yesterday when he shook hands with France's Emmanuel Macron.

The new Prime Minister is on a charm offensive ahead of the impending Brexit deadline of October 31.

It's hoped he can secure a new deal, popular enough to pass through parliament, in order to avoid a no-deal exit.

Securing an alternative to the Irish border backstop — which would mean the UK would be left effectively tied to the EU indefinitely unless a trade deal can be negotiated — is a priority for Mr Johnson and on Tuesday German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave him hope by challenging him to come up with a solution in 30 days.

Monsieur Macron's reception appeared frostier but he did not, as many expected, completely reject renegotiations of Theresa May's unpopular deal.

Closer to home Operation Brock was back in the news after it transpired former transport secretary Chris Grayling was warned using Manston as an emergency lorry park if the no-deal traffic plan was rolled out was 'completely unsuitable'.

But the man behind the infamous no-ship ferry contract said the contingency plans had “been developed through extensive consultation over many months," and were “the most appropriate” in terms of the overall traffic impact for Kent.

Meanwhile the Health Service Journal has been shown a government memo which advised the NHS to tow the government line when it comes to any communications which mention the b word.

The missive comes after the storm caused when the NHS said they would be cancelling blood donor sessions in Dover and Folkestone for two months around the original exit date of March 29, fearing travel chaos.
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