UK PM spokesman: Big issues remain in Brexit talks ahead of EU Summit next week

The UK PM spokeswoman Alison Donnelly was out on the wires in the last hour, saying that May will never agree to backstop that will trap the UK in a customs union permanently.

Additional quotes:

   •  Backstop must be temporary.
   •  The future economic relationship needs to be in place by the end of December 2020.
   •  Big issues remain in Brexit talks ahead of EU Summit next week.