UK PM's spokesman: Gaps remain between EU and UK over N.Ireland trade solution

LONDON (Reuters) - Significant differences remain between Britain and the European Union in talks over how to resolve the post-Brexit trade row relating to Northern Ireland, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman said on Monday.

The spokesman said he would guide reporters away from media speculation that the negotiations were about to enter the final so-called 'tunnel' phase.

Asked if the final talks were close, the spokesman said: "I would guide away from that sort of speculation at the moment. Again, emphasising there are still gaps in our position that need to be resolved to address these problems.

"What we are doing currently is having scoping discussions about potential solutions for these problems."

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill, Writing by William James, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)