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| Brexit: Varadkar says new agreement 'possible' by end of October after talks with Johnson - live news | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| From my colleague Lisa O’Carroll, Varadkar on his thoughts about his discussions with the prime minister. | |
| “I had a very good meeting today with the prime minister and our teams together. It was very positive and very promising. I am now absolutely convinced that both Ireland and Britain want there to be an agreement that’s in the interests of Ireland and UK and the EU as a whole,” he said. | |
| The meeting lasted significantly longer than expected, with the two prime ministers agreeing that there had been enough movement to form a basis for substantive negotiations. | |
| Varadkar said he believed the outline of a deal would be possible in time for the crunch summit of EU leaders next Thursday although “there was many a slip between cup and lip” and challenges remained ahead. | |
| “What I would hope that what happened today will be sufficient to allow negotiations to resume in Brussels,” he added. | |
| “I do see a pathway towards an agreement in the coming weeks. | |
| “There are of course issues yet to be fully resolved, the first is the issue of consent and democracy ensuring that any long term arrangement that applies to Northern Ireland has the consent of the people of Northern Ireland, the second is the whole issue of customs ensuring that there is no customs border between north and the south. | |
| “Also we had a good discussion looking forward to how relationships might look after Brexit, how we can strengthen co-operation north and south economically and politically and also between Britain and Ireland.” | |
| Lisa adds a note of caution from Varadkar. | |
| But Varadkar warned: "There is a many a slip between cup and lip" | |
| This is from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll. | |
| BREAKING: Leo Varadkar says "it is possible for us to come" to a "treaty" agreement "by the end of October. | |
| That is all from me for today. From Brexit to parents’ evening ... | |
| My colleague Nadeem Badshah is now taking over. | |
| These are from Mujtaba Rahman, the former European commission official who produces well-regarded Brexit analysis for the Eurasia consultancy. | |
| So UK officials I've spoken to a bit more downbeat than readout from Irish times. 1/ Caution weariness on briefs of a 3h private meet between @BorisJohnson and @LeoVaradkar. 2/ Absolutely clear that UK position - that its customs territory remains intact - remains. Don't see a | |
| Commons majority otherwise. 3/ Objective is to tee up a real negotiation between @MichelBarnier & @SteveBarclay tomorrow. UK side continues to believe that @EU_Commission holds the key. "If they want to make it work they will." So both sides still holding to core principles ENDS | |
| The MP Chris Williamson has lost his high court bid to be reinstated to the Labour party after he was suspended over allegations of anti-Semitism, the Press Association reports. It story goes on: | The MP Chris Williamson has lost his high court bid to be reinstated to the Labour party after he was suspended over allegations of anti-Semitism, the Press Association reports. It story goes on: |
| The Derby North MP was suspended in February after he claimed that Labour had been “too apologetic” in response to criticism of its handling of antisemitism allegations. | The Derby North MP was suspended in February after he claimed that Labour had been “too apologetic” in response to criticism of its handling of antisemitism allegations. |
| He was readmitted to the party and issued with a formal warning following a hearing of a national executive committee (NEC) antisemitism panel in June - prompting an outcry from MPs, peers and Jewish groups. | He was readmitted to the party and issued with a formal warning following a hearing of a national executive committee (NEC) antisemitism panel in June - prompting an outcry from MPs, peers and Jewish groups. |
| But he was suspended again in July after a second panel reviewed the decision to reinstate him and found it “cannot safely stand”. | But he was suspended again in July after a second panel reviewed the decision to reinstate him and found it “cannot safely stand”. |
| Labour also imposed a separate suspension on September 3 over additional allegations of misconduct. | Labour also imposed a separate suspension on September 3 over additional allegations of misconduct. |
| At a hearing in September, Williamson’s lawyers argued that his treatment had been “manifestly unfair” and asked the high court to declare his suspension from the party was void. | At a hearing in September, Williamson’s lawyers argued that his treatment had been “manifestly unfair” and asked the high court to declare his suspension from the party was void. |
| Giving judgment this afternoon, Mr Justice Pepperall ruled that “the Labour party acted unfairly in that there was no proper reason for reopening the case against Mr Williamson”. | Giving judgment this afternoon, Mr Justice Pepperall ruled that “the Labour party acted unfairly in that there was no proper reason for reopening the case against Mr Williamson”. |
| However, the judge found that there was “nothing in the new allegations, the timing of the letter of 3 September or the decision to suspend that entitles me to take the view upon the papers that the Labour party is acting either unfairly or other than in good faith”. | However, the judge found that there was “nothing in the new allegations, the timing of the letter of 3 September or the decision to suspend that entitles me to take the view upon the papers that the Labour party is acting either unfairly or other than in good faith”. |
| He added: “I therefore refuse relief in respect of Mr Williamson’s recent re-suspension. The new disciplinary case must run its course.” | He added: “I therefore refuse relief in respect of Mr Williamson’s recent re-suspension. The new disciplinary case must run its course.” |
| Williamson himself has posted a thread on Twitter about the case. It starts here. | Williamson himself has posted a thread on Twitter about the case. It starts here. |
| The battle is won. The war rages on.The High Court has today judged that the Labour Party acted unlawfully in re-suspending me on 28 June, and "that there was no proper reason" for doing so.I'm glad the 're-suspension' has been quashed. However, I'm currently suspended. 1/8 | The battle is won. The war rages on.The High Court has today judged that the Labour Party acted unlawfully in re-suspending me on 28 June, and "that there was no proper reason" for doing so.I'm glad the 're-suspension' has been quashed. However, I'm currently suspended. 1/8 |
| From the Irish Times’ political editor Pat Leahy | From the Irish Times’ political editor Pat Leahy |
| So am hearing that there has been very significant movement from British side on the customs issue in the Johnson-Varadkar talks. Not clear on detail and not clear what concessions expected in return. But if what I hear is correct, it changes the picture substantially | So am hearing that there has been very significant movement from British side on the customs issue in the Johnson-Varadkar talks. Not clear on detail and not clear what concessions expected in return. But if what I hear is correct, it changes the picture substantially |
| From my colleague Lisa O’Carroll | From my colleague Lisa O’Carroll |
| Press conference with Leo Varadkar shortly. Limited press here - mainly Irish - after Downing St briefed there was no media . access.... we expect him here in next 15 minutes pic.twitter.com/f9y6gjaOyQ | Press conference with Leo Varadkar shortly. Limited press here - mainly Irish - after Downing St briefed there was no media . access.... we expect him here in next 15 minutes pic.twitter.com/f9y6gjaOyQ |
| Given that Leo Varadkar spent a lot of time talking to Boris Johnson one-to-one, some of us are wondering if his experience of a Johnson negotiation will end up similar to Damian Green’s. (See 10.30am.) | Given that Leo Varadkar spent a lot of time talking to Boris Johnson one-to-one, some of us are wondering if his experience of a Johnson negotiation will end up similar to Damian Green’s. (See 10.30am.) |
| And these are from RTE’s Tony Connelly. | And these are from RTE’s Tony Connelly. |
| So, following the Varadkar Johnson meeting, here’s where things are at | So, following the Varadkar Johnson meeting, here’s where things are at |
| 1/ Source says meeting was constructive, two leaders in private for most of the three hours, with teams of officials joining near the end | 1/ Source says meeting was constructive, two leaders in private for most of the three hours, with teams of officials joining near the end |
| 2/ talks concentrated on customs, consent and future relations between Ireland and UK | 2/ talks concentrated on customs, consent and future relations between Ireland and UK |
| 3/ Key thing is that on the basis of the meeting, Michel Barnier can make a call as to whether the negotiations can now intensify | 3/ Key thing is that on the basis of the meeting, Michel Barnier can make a call as to whether the negotiations can now intensify |
| 4/ So a lot hinges on the Barnier/Barclay breakfast tomorrow morning | 4/ So a lot hinges on the Barnier/Barclay breakfast tomorrow morning |
| 5/ Irish officials have fully briefed Task Force 50 officials in Barnier’s team. Irish and UK officials will also continue talking. | 5/ Irish officials have fully briefed Task Force 50 officials in Barnier’s team. Irish and UK officials will also continue talking. |
| 6/ Source wd not say whether things might reach fruition in time for next week’s summit | 6/ Source wd not say whether things might reach fruition in time for next week’s summit |
| 7/ But clearly there is a degree of positivity attached to this meeting | 7/ But clearly there is a degree of positivity attached to this meeting |
| These are from journalists from Irish news organisations, who seem to have had some briefing. | These are from journalists from Irish news organisations, who seem to have had some briefing. |
| From the Irish Daily Mail’s Emma Jane Hade | From the Irish Daily Mail’s Emma Jane Hade |
| NEW: The Taoiseach and PM's meeting lasted three hours, starting off with just the two, who were then joined by officials. It is understood 'good progress' was made on the 3 issues & officials to take things forward, taskforce engaged now as a basis for renewed negotiations' | NEW: The Taoiseach and PM's meeting lasted three hours, starting off with just the two, who were then joined by officials. It is understood 'good progress' was made on the 3 issues & officials to take things forward, taskforce engaged now as a basis for renewed negotiations' |
| From the Irish Times’ Denis Staunton | From the Irish Times’ Denis Staunton |
| Irish side believes Varadkar/Johnson meeting has produced the basis for renewed negotiations between UK and EU. A tunnel could be in sight. | Irish side believes Varadkar/Johnson meeting has produced the basis for renewed negotiations between UK and EU. A tunnel could be in sight. |
| From the Irish Independent’s Hugh O’Connell | From the Irish Independent’s Hugh O’Connell |
| NEW: The meeting lasted three hours starting with just the Taoiseach and Prime Minister who were later joined by officials. Irish source reports good progress made on three issues with officials to take this forward. Brexit taskforce engaged as a basis for renewed negotiations | NEW: The meeting lasted three hours starting with just the Taoiseach and Prime Minister who were later joined by officials. Irish source reports good progress made on three issues with officials to take this forward. Brexit taskforce engaged as a basis for renewed negotiations |
| From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg | From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg |
| 1. Downing Street staying v tightlipped for now after the talks - hear the meeting was a constructive 2.5 hours, and at the end Varadkar and Johnson went for a walk round the grounds one on one | 1. Downing Street staying v tightlipped for now after the talks - hear the meeting was a constructive 2.5 hours, and at the end Varadkar and Johnson went for a walk round the grounds one on one |
| 2. From the tone of the statement seems there's been a bit of progress, but may well only have been stepping a few inches towards each other, when they started miles apart - but the process is rolling on, rather than coming crashing to a halt - Varadkar should be speaking soon | 2. From the tone of the statement seems there's been a bit of progress, but may well only have been stepping a few inches towards each other, when they started miles apart - but the process is rolling on, rather than coming crashing to a halt - Varadkar should be speaking soon |
| From the Irish Independent’s Hugh O’Connell (20 minutes ago) | From the Irish Independent’s Hugh O’Connell (20 minutes ago) |
| We're now being told it could be an hour before Taoiseach speaks to the media here at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. | We're now being told it could be an hour before Taoiseach speaks to the media here at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. |
| Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar have agreed they can see a “pathway to a possible Brexit deal” but warned there were still challenges ahead if an agreement was to be struck at next week’s EU summit, my colleagues Lisa O’Carroll and Rowena Mason report. | Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar have agreed they can see a “pathway to a possible Brexit deal” but warned there were still challenges ahead if an agreement was to be struck at next week’s EU summit, my colleagues Lisa O’Carroll and Rowena Mason report. |
| Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar say they 'see pathway' to Brexit deal | Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar say they 'see pathway' to Brexit deal |
| Since all we’ve got to go on at the moment is the joint statement from No 10 and the Irish government, let’s try and subject it to some analysis. | Since all we’ve got to go on at the moment is the joint statement from No 10 and the Irish government, let’s try and subject it to some analysis. |
| Each paragraph from the statement is in quotes. My take on each passage is below. | Each paragraph from the statement is in quotes. My take on each passage is below. |
| The prime minister and taoiseach have had a detailed and constructive discussion. | The prime minister and taoiseach have had a detailed and constructive discussion. |
| “Detailed” and “constructive” are the key words, and both are positive. | “Detailed” and “constructive” are the key words, and both are positive. |
| Both continue to believe that a deal is in everybody’s interest. They agreed that they could see a pathway to a possible deal. | Both continue to believe that a deal is in everybody’s interest. They agreed that they could see a pathway to a possible deal. |
| The first sentence does not amount to much, because it is what all sides have always said from the moment the Brexit talks started. The second sentence is the most significant, and the one that has sent the pound moving up. (See 3.25pm.) It is more positive than people were expecting, and it implies that the Brexit talks are now at least off their deathbed. | The first sentence does not amount to much, because it is what all sides have always said from the moment the Brexit talks started. The second sentence is the most significant, and the one that has sent the pound moving up. (See 3.25pm.) It is more positive than people were expecting, and it implies that the Brexit talks are now at least off their deathbed. |
| But does it mean much more than that? We don’t know. It is worth noting that there are two qualifiers in this sentence: “They agreed that they could see a pathway to a possible deal.” | But does it mean much more than that? We don’t know. It is worth noting that there are two qualifiers in this sentence: “They agreed that they could see a pathway to a possible deal.” |
| And does it mean they are both looking the same pathway? No one has ever had problems imagining a possible deal, or a pathway to it. The trouble has been finding one acceptable to all veto players in this process: the EU, Dublin, parliament, the Conservative party, the ERG and the DUP. | And does it mean they are both looking the same pathway? No one has ever had problems imagining a possible deal, or a pathway to it. The trouble has been finding one acceptable to all veto players in this process: the EU, Dublin, parliament, the Conservative party, the ERG and the DUP. |
| Their discussion concentrated on the challenges of customs and consent. | Their discussion concentrated on the challenges of customs and consent. |
| That is no surprise, because these are the two main features of Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan identified as unacceptable by Dublin and Brussels. | That is no surprise, because these are the two main features of Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan identified as unacceptable by Dublin and Brussels. |
| They also discussed the potential to strengthen bilateral relations, including on Northern Ireland. | They also discussed the potential to strengthen bilateral relations, including on Northern Ireland. |
| It is not clear what this refers to, although the UK government quite often talks about the desirability of improving bilateral relations with Dublin, particularly when they are under strain. | It is not clear what this refers to, although the UK government quite often talks about the desirability of improving bilateral relations with Dublin, particularly when they are under strain. |
| They agreed to reflect further on their discussions and that officials would continue to engage intensively on them. | They agreed to reflect further on their discussions and that officials would continue to engage intensively on them. |
| This sentence is moderately positive: “reflect further” means no one will be pulling the plug on the talks process today, and the reference to officials implies they have some new ideas to discuss. | This sentence is moderately positive: “reflect further” means no one will be pulling the plug on the talks process today, and the reference to officials implies they have some new ideas to discuss. |
| Following their discussions the taoiseach will consult with the taskforce 50 and the Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay will meet Michel Barnier tomorrow morning. | Following their discussions the taoiseach will consult with the taskforce 50 and the Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay will meet Michel Barnier tomorrow morning. |
| Originally Barclay and Barnier were due to meet today, but that meeting got put back until Friday. There were some suggestions that, if today went badly, it would get cancelled. The fact it is going ahead means neither side wants to give up yet. | Originally Barclay and Barnier were due to meet today, but that meeting got put back until Friday. There were some suggestions that, if today went badly, it would get cancelled. The fact it is going ahead means neither side wants to give up yet. |