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| Brexit: Boris Johnson claims EU has not explained in detail why it objects to his alternative backstop plan - live news | Brexit: Boris Johnson claims EU has not explained in detail why it objects to his alternative backstop plan - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Plaid Cymru has confirmed that it would support Jeremy Corbyn as leader of an interim administration to prevent a no-deal Brexit. A Plaid Cymru source said: | |
| It’s not about who, but about how we stop a disastrous crash-out Brexit. This is about policies not personalities. | |
| The focus now must be on ensuring that the anti-no deal legislation is enacted. We cannot afford to do anything to jeopardise that – that includes playing party political games over who should lead a caretaker administration. | |
| Plaid Cymru has said we will work with anyone who can command a majority if a caretaker administration is needed to block a no-deal, secure an extension and deliver a referendum. | |
| These are from ITV’s Robert Peston. | |
| UK is leaving EU on 31 October without a deal, that EU is poised to reject Johnson’s offer. Without the EU state aid constraints, Treasury could pump money into any businesses affected by no deal that need temporary support | |
| Here is a bit more detail about this. A statutory instrument confirming that the UK would keep the existing EU rules on state aid was supposed to be pushed through tomorrow. This has now been pulled by Downing Street. What is now being debated by ministers and officials is... | |
| "whether and when to pull the existing state-aid statutory instrument and effectively have no state aid regime from 31 October" - which would not need primary legislation, says government official. As I said earlier, this would give Johnson maximum flexibility to help... | |
| businesses damaged by a no-deal Brexit. And Labour is unlikely to kick up a stink, since Corbyn and McDonnell have always been iffy about EU state aid rules, which they see as limiting the freedom of a Labour government to run an interventionist industrial policy. | |
| This is from the SNP MP Joanna Cherry, one of the people who brought the case to the Scottish court of session in an attempt to get a ruling that Boris Johnson must comply with the Benn Act. She said: | |
| As a result of this important court action, we have forced the Tory government to concede that the prime minister will comply with the law, and promise to send a letter requesting a Brexit extension and not frustrate the purpose of the Benn Act. | |
| However, given Boris Johnson’s slippery track record of acting unlawfully, and the contradictory statements issued by the UK government - we do not trust the Tory leader or believe he can be taken at his word to obey the letter and spirit of the law. As such, we will appeal the decision, and expect that appeal to be heard tomorrow. | |
| A senior member of the Home Office’s drugs advisory panel has quit, claiming political interference is undermining its independence. Prof Alex Stevens, who worked on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), has posted a thread on Twitter explaining his decision, which was revealed by the Guardian. | |
| I have resigned from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Recent political vetting and exclusion of suitably qualified applicants to join means that the ACMD is losing its independence. A thread to explain follows… | I have resigned from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Recent political vetting and exclusion of suitably qualified applicants to join means that the ACMD is losing its independence. A thread to explain follows… |
| Here is a Guardian video of the Extinction Rebellion protests around Westminster. | Here is a Guardian video of the Extinction Rebellion protests around Westminster. |
| This is from Neale Richmond, an Irish senator and Fine Gael Europe spokesperson, explaining for the benefit of Boris Johnson (see 12.32pm) what the EU thinks the problems are with the UK’s Brexit plan. | This is from Neale Richmond, an Irish senator and Fine Gael Europe spokesperson, explaining for the benefit of Boris Johnson (see 12.32pm) what the EU thinks the problems are with the UK’s Brexit plan. |
| 1) Creates a Customs Border2) Only partial regulatory alignment3) Stormont veto (maj only needed in one community)4) No legal guarantees5) Technology isn’t in existence6) Contrary to Dec’17 declaration7) Far removed from backstop | 1) Creates a Customs Border2) Only partial regulatory alignment3) Stormont veto (maj only needed in one community)4) No legal guarantees5) Technology isn’t in existence6) Contrary to Dec’17 declaration7) Far removed from backstop |
| Bruno Bonnell, a French MP for Emmanuel Macron’s En Marche! party, told Emma Barnett on Radio 5 Live this morning that Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan was “almost like a joke”. He explained: | Bruno Bonnell, a French MP for Emmanuel Macron’s En Marche! party, told Emma Barnett on Radio 5 Live this morning that Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan was “almost like a joke”. He explained: |
| It’s not a final version - it’s almost like a joke. We don’t even understand it ... | It’s not a final version - it’s almost like a joke. We don’t even understand it ... |
| This is not a genuine offer. This is clearly a political manipulation to put the responsibility of a no-deal Brexit on the EU’s side. | This is not a genuine offer. This is clearly a political manipulation to put the responsibility of a no-deal Brexit on the EU’s side. |
| Explaining his objection to the proposal, he said: | Explaining his objection to the proposal, he said: |
| First of all, what he is suggesting right now is a very complex process, and even more complicated than what is proposed by the backstop. | First of all, what he is suggesting right now is a very complex process, and even more complicated than what is proposed by the backstop. |
| Secondly, it’s again a last-minute proposal, as if he wanted to force the issue and put the responsibility of a no-deal Brexit onto the EU’s shoulders. | Secondly, it’s again a last-minute proposal, as if he wanted to force the issue and put the responsibility of a no-deal Brexit onto the EU’s shoulders. |
| I mean we don’t want to pick and choose here. He is the one who refused the deal that was in place, that was proposed, that was negotiated. | I mean we don’t want to pick and choose here. He is the one who refused the deal that was in place, that was proposed, that was negotiated. |
| The European commission said it plans to “take stock” later this week in terms of making an assessment of the UK’s Brexit plan. At its regular, daily briefing, the commission’s chief spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said: | The European commission said it plans to “take stock” later this week in terms of making an assessment of the UK’s Brexit plan. At its regular, daily briefing, the commission’s chief spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said: |
| Talks will continue today and this week in order to give the UK the opportunity to present their proposals in more detail and then we will take stock with member states and the European parliament throughout the week. | Talks will continue today and this week in order to give the UK the opportunity to present their proposals in more detail and then we will take stock with member states and the European parliament throughout the week. |
| And, as we have said before, everyday counts in these talks. | And, as we have said before, everyday counts in these talks. |
| I think we have said many times that we are available 24/7. | I think we have said many times that we are available 24/7. |
| Labour MP Stephen Hepburn has been suspended from the party following a complaint of sexual harassment, the Press Association reports. It is understood his case has been referred to the national constitutional committee and he has been suspended pending that process. | Labour MP Stephen Hepburn has been suspended from the party following a complaint of sexual harassment, the Press Association reports. It is understood his case has been referred to the national constitutional committee and he has been suspended pending that process. |
| Ian Jones from the Press Association has filed this, looking at four potential dates for the general election. | Ian Jones from the Press Association has filed this, looking at four potential dates for the general election. |
| Time is running out for a general election to take place before the Christmas season. | Time is running out for a general election to take place before the Christmas season. |
| The earliest date for polling day is probably Thursday November 28. | The earliest date for polling day is probably Thursday November 28. |
| By law, parliament has to be dissolved 25 working days before a general election. | By law, parliament has to be dissolved 25 working days before a general election. |
| For an election on November 28, dissolution would need to take place on October 24. | For an election on November 28, dissolution would need to take place on October 24. |
| This would give MPs time to debate and vote on the Queen’s Speech, which is taking place on October 14. | This would give MPs time to debate and vote on the Queen’s Speech, which is taking place on October 14. |
| It also avoids a clash with the EU summit of October 17/18. | It also avoids a clash with the EU summit of October 17/18. |
| But MPs may want to wait until after October 31, the day on which the government says the UK will leave the EU, with or without a deal, before triggering an election. | But MPs may want to wait until after October 31, the day on which the government says the UK will leave the EU, with or without a deal, before triggering an election. |
| Under this scenario, MPs could hold the trigger-vote on November 4 or 5, parliament would be dissolved on November 7, with polling day falling on December 12. | Under this scenario, MPs could hold the trigger-vote on November 4 or 5, parliament would be dissolved on November 7, with polling day falling on December 12. |
| A dissolution any later than November 7 would push the election very close to Christmas. | A dissolution any later than November 7 would push the election very close to Christmas. |
| A third scenario could see MPs try to fix polling day for as early as possible in the new year, probably on January 9. | A third scenario could see MPs try to fix polling day for as early as possible in the new year, probably on January 9. |
| This would mean dissolution on December 2, however, and it seems unlikely politicians would wish to spend the festive period campaigning. | This would mean dissolution on December 2, however, and it seems unlikely politicians would wish to spend the festive period campaigning. |
| MPs may therefore decide to sit tight and wait until Christmas is out of the way before triggering an election, with dissolution potentially on January 9 followed by polling day on February 13. | MPs may therefore decide to sit tight and wait until Christmas is out of the way before triggering an election, with dissolution potentially on January 9 followed by polling day on February 13. |
| The Green party has proposed the legalisation of drug use in the UK and the establishment of a regulated market with tightly-controlled specialist pharmacies selling substances including cocaine and MDMA after safety consultations. | The Green party has proposed the legalisation of drug use in the UK and the establishment of a regulated market with tightly-controlled specialist pharmacies selling substances including cocaine and MDMA after safety consultations. |
| It appears to be the first time a UK political party has gone so far as to call for the radical change in drug policy, and it comes amid heightened concern over the exploitation of teenagers by county lines drug gangs and record drug-related deaths. Dr Alex Armitage, the Green party candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington who is leading on the policy told the Guardian: | It appears to be the first time a UK political party has gone so far as to call for the radical change in drug policy, and it comes amid heightened concern over the exploitation of teenagers by county lines drug gangs and record drug-related deaths. Dr Alex Armitage, the Green party candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington who is leading on the policy told the Guardian: |
| Our policy stems from the fact that we’re recognising more and more that the prohibition of drugs is a complete and utter failure, particularly for people marginalised in society. | Our policy stems from the fact that we’re recognising more and more that the prohibition of drugs is a complete and utter failure, particularly for people marginalised in society. |
| It doesn’t matter if you’re dealer recruited into organised crime group after being excluded from school, or a person who was abused as a child who uses heroin to numb the pain or whether you live in an affluent area and worry about your home being burgled by people who need to steal to enable their drug use. It’s an issue that affects everyone in society in one way or another. | It doesn’t matter if you’re dealer recruited into organised crime group after being excluded from school, or a person who was abused as a child who uses heroin to numb the pain or whether you live in an affluent area and worry about your home being burgled by people who need to steal to enable their drug use. It’s an issue that affects everyone in society in one way or another. |
| Particularly in south America, where cocaine originates from, you have murder and disappearances on a mass scale, massive environmental destruction and visible corruption of government. Rather than having short term solution to problems we face, the Greens are taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. | Particularly in south America, where cocaine originates from, you have murder and disappearances on a mass scale, massive environmental destruction and visible corruption of government. Rather than having short term solution to problems we face, the Greens are taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. |
| All of this death, harm and destruction stems from the fact that drug use is illegal and unregulated. The only way to regulate drug use is to create a legal system. | All of this death, harm and destruction stems from the fact that drug use is illegal and unregulated. The only way to regulate drug use is to create a legal system. |
| Under the proposals, closely regulated specialist pharmacies would be permitted to sell recreational drugs to adults at fixed doses and prices over the counter after a safety consultation. | Under the proposals, closely regulated specialist pharmacies would be permitted to sell recreational drugs to adults at fixed doses and prices over the counter after a safety consultation. |
| “People would know exactly what they were taking,” Armitage said. “It solves the problem of drug dealers cutting drugs with unknown substances.” | “People would know exactly what they were taking,” Armitage said. “It solves the problem of drug dealers cutting drugs with unknown substances.” |
| Here is some Twitter comment on the Scottish court judgment. | Here is some Twitter comment on the Scottish court judgment. |
| From the law lecturer and Times journalist Raphael Hogarth | From the law lecturer and Times journalist Raphael Hogarth |
| The Court of Session holds there's no need for it to force the PM to comply with the Benn Act and seek an extension, given that his lawyers said he would. But it also fires a warning shot: the PM had better not renege and destroy "core principles of constitutional propriety". pic.twitter.com/c1ISLS0WdB | The Court of Session holds there's no need for it to force the PM to comply with the Benn Act and seek an extension, given that his lawyers said he would. But it also fires a warning shot: the PM had better not renege and destroy "core principles of constitutional propriety". pic.twitter.com/c1ISLS0WdB |
| From my colleague Severin Carrell | From my colleague Severin Carrell |
| Lord Pentland @JudgesScotland says the court has to trust @BorisJohnson and @GOVUK law officers are telling the truth: he will obey #BennAct #courtofsession pic.twitter.com/qhpHlddKsi | Lord Pentland @JudgesScotland says the court has to trust @BorisJohnson and @GOVUK law officers are telling the truth: he will obey #BennAct #courtofsession pic.twitter.com/qhpHlddKsi |
| From David Anderson, the QC, crossbench peer and former independent reviewer of terror legislation | From David Anderson, the QC, crossbench peer and former independent reviewer of terror legislation |
| Key para of the Scottish judgment is here: there can be no doubt that PM accepts he must comply with Benn Act, and that he will not frustrate its purpose. https://t.co/CWdChBPGgd pic.twitter.com/3deOtPy1zV | Key para of the Scottish judgment is here: there can be no doubt that PM accepts he must comply with Benn Act, and that he will not frustrate its purpose. https://t.co/CWdChBPGgd pic.twitter.com/3deOtPy1zV |
| From the FT’s legal commentator David Allen Green | From the FT’s legal commentator David Allen Green |
| Paragraph 43 looks like the important oneThe government's assurances are legally sufficient, so *no* order neededLooks like government has now boxed itself into making the application under the Benn Act in the event of No DealCase did well to get those promises, so bravo pic.twitter.com/KWmFqVO5xN | Paragraph 43 looks like the important oneThe government's assurances are legally sufficient, so *no* order neededLooks like government has now boxed itself into making the application under the Benn Act in the event of No DealCase did well to get those promises, so bravo pic.twitter.com/KWmFqVO5xN |
| If the government now breaks the law, it also will be breaching these "clear and unequivocal" averments to the courtNot a Scots lawyer, but that looks like enough for an order to be made later this month, if need be | If the government now breaks the law, it also will be breaching these "clear and unequivocal" averments to the courtNot a Scots lawyer, but that looks like enough for an order to be made later this month, if need be |
| So, in essenceAs per my analysis a few days ago, No 10 headed off prospect of a court order by making express statements to the courtThat could not have been done lightly or without full legal adviceNo 10 Ten knew what it was committing to, even if it pretended otherwise | So, in essenceAs per my analysis a few days ago, No 10 headed off prospect of a court order by making express statements to the courtThat could not have been done lightly or without full legal adviceNo 10 Ten knew what it was committing to, even if it pretended otherwise |