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Brexit: Varadkar says new agreement 'possible' by end of October after talks with Johnson - live news Brexit: Varadkar says new agreement 'possible' by end of October after talks with Johnson - live news
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson cowardly for avoiding critics in Liverpool following Hillsborough remarks, says mayor
Boris Johnson cowardly for avoiding critics in Liverpool, says mayor
Michael Gove has claimed the Scottish Government has undermined the Brexit process so it can “smash up the United Kingdom”.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said he feels members of the Scottish Government are not working in the best interests of their citizens by failing to prepare for leaving the European Union.
The comments come after Scottish Brexit Secretary Mike Russell said the relationship between Westminster and the devolved administrations has deteriorated.
Speaking after the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) (JMCEN), Gove said: “The overriding policy of the SNP is to smash up the United Kingdom and separate families.
“I sometimes wonder if, not just in rhetoric but in policy, the SNP is not thinking in the interests of Scottish citizens first, but are thinking in the interest of their own agenda.
“These issues are far too important to be politicised in that way and I hope that the wiser voices in the Scottish Government prevail in order to ensure that people do act where they need to act, in order to make sure that the sovereign decision that the United Kingdom’s electorate came to is honoured.”
He added the SNP promised in 2014 there would not be another referendum on independence, saying he would “take them at their word”.
Brexit party MEPs vote against plans to address Russian propaganda
Brexit party MEPs vote against plans to tackle Russian propaganda https://t.co/ZP99X4GXrN
A few key dates for the diary:
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay will meet the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, in Brussels on Friday when they are expected to assess whether there are the grounds to move forward.
Boris Johnson almost certainly needs the EU leaders gathering in Brussels on October 17 and 18 to sign off on an agreement in order to be able to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 with a deal.
In what has been dubbed Super Saturday, The House of Commons will meet on October 19 for a debate on Brexit, the first time the Commons has met on a Saturday since April 3, 1982 at the start of the Falklands crisis.
Sky News is reporting that Downing Street has appealed to the bosses of FTSE-100 companies to publicly endorse Boris Johnson’s Brexit “compromise deal”.
Advisers to the prime minister have this week been canvassing support from business leaders for an open letter arguing that the uncertainty over Brexit “needs to end”.
Sources said “a substantial number” of Britain’s most prominent companies had been contacted during the last week to gauge their interest in signing the letter.
But they warned that it might not be published because of executives’ reluctance to back its contents amid concerns about its “overtly political” message.
Gove was also asked by the Guardian about remarks earlier by Gianluca de Ficchy, chairman of Nissan Europe, that a no deal Brexit would put the car firm’s entire European operation “in jeopardy” and would be unsustainable.Gove was also asked by the Guardian about remarks earlier by Gianluca de Ficchy, chairman of Nissan Europe, that a no deal Brexit would put the car firm’s entire European operation “in jeopardy” and would be unsustainable.
De Ficchy added his firm’s anxieties were increased by the lack of clarity from the UK government the “future evolution of the Brexit discussion.”De Ficchy added his firm’s anxieties were increased by the lack of clarity from the UK government the “future evolution of the Brexit discussion.”
Gove implied that he sympathised but said de Ficchy’s worries were unfounded:Gove implied that he sympathised but said de Ficchy’s worries were unfounded:
“Obviously all of us hope that the negotiations can come to a conclusion and the chairman of Nissan, like all of us, I’m sure will be heartened by the positive and constructive tone of the meeting between the prime and the Taoiseach today“Obviously all of us hope that the negotiations can come to a conclusion and the chairman of Nissan, like all of us, I’m sure will be heartened by the positive and constructive tone of the meeting between the prime and the Taoiseach today
“And again, more broadly, we know that unmitigated, a no deal Brexit poses particular challenges for particular sections of our economy. I have never hidden from that but it is my job to ensure that we can put the appropriate mitigations in place.“And again, more broadly, we know that unmitigated, a no deal Brexit poses particular challenges for particular sections of our economy. I have never hidden from that but it is my job to ensure that we can put the appropriate mitigations in place.
“And as I have said in the past, while there will be difficulties that we face if we do go down the road of no deal, there are greater difficulties if we say to the British people that we are not going to honour their request to leave the European Union.“And as I have said in the past, while there will be difficulties that we face if we do go down the road of no deal, there are greater difficulties if we say to the British people that we are not going to honour their request to leave the European Union.
“The best way to do that is to leave with a negotiated deal and that’s the prime minister’s principle aim and driving ambition.”“The best way to do that is to leave with a negotiated deal and that’s the prime minister’s principle aim and driving ambition.”
Michael Gove, the de facto deputy prime minister, said the apparent breakthrough following Boris Johnson’s talks with Leo Varadkar should allay fears from car maker Nissan about the potential crisis of a no deal Brexit.Michael Gove, the de facto deputy prime minister, said the apparent breakthrough following Boris Johnson’s talks with Leo Varadkar should allay fears from car maker Nissan about the potential crisis of a no deal Brexit.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Scottish and Welsh governments in Edinburgh, Gove said the Taoiseach’s optimistic assessment about the growing prospects by the end of this month were “very encouraging”.Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Scottish and Welsh governments in Edinburgh, Gove said the Taoiseach’s optimistic assessment about the growing prospects by the end of this month were “very encouraging”.
“I know the prime minister and the Taoiseach spoke privately for quite some time before bringing in their officials. I know the tone was positive from that meeting.“I know the prime minister and the Taoiseach spoke privately for quite some time before bringing in their officials. I know the tone was positive from that meeting.
“The Irish government will be briefing {EU chief negotiator] Michel Barnier and the [European Commission’s] Taskforce 50 team so I hope that the optimistic and constructive approach that both sides showed can result in more progress.”“The Irish government will be briefing {EU chief negotiator] Michel Barnier and the [European Commission’s] Taskforce 50 team so I hope that the optimistic and constructive approach that both sides showed can result in more progress.”
Audio of Varadkar’s press conference after his talks with the prime ministerAudio of Varadkar’s press conference after his talks with the prime minister
Here's recording of Leo Varadkar press conference following meeting with Boris Johnson https://t.co/fpJSEAAS3xHere's recording of Leo Varadkar press conference following meeting with Boris Johnson https://t.co/fpJSEAAS3x
Home Office minister Brandon Lewis has disclosed that the UK will deport EU citizens after Brexit if they fail to apply for the right to remain in time.Home Office minister Brandon Lewis has disclosed that the UK will deport EU citizens after Brexit if they fail to apply for the right to remain in time.
He told a German newspaper they would have to leave even if they met all the criteria for a residency permit.He told a German newspaper they would have to leave even if they met all the criteria for a residency permit.
Lewis told Die Welt: “If EU citizens until this point of time have not registered and have no adequate reason for it, then the valid immigration rules will be applied.”Lewis told Die Welt: “If EU citizens until this point of time have not registered and have no adequate reason for it, then the valid immigration rules will be applied.”
When pressed on whether that would include those who met the legal requirements for residence but did not apply in the next 14 months, he replied: “Theoretically yes. We will apply the rules.”When pressed on whether that would include those who met the legal requirements for residence but did not apply in the next 14 months, he replied: “Theoretically yes. We will apply the rules.”
Campaign group the3million, which represents EU citizens in the UK, said this was “no way to treat people”.Campaign group the3million, which represents EU citizens in the UK, said this was “no way to treat people”.
The Home Office said 1.8 million people had applied to the scheme and others have until “at least” December next year.The Home Office said 1.8 million people had applied to the scheme and others have until “at least” December next year.
It said those with “reasonable grounds” for missing the date would be granted an extension to apply for the right to live and work in the UK.It said those with “reasonable grounds” for missing the date would be granted an extension to apply for the right to live and work in the UK.
Here’s a recording of Leo Varadkar’s remarks after his meeting with Johnson today.Here’s a recording of Leo Varadkar’s remarks after his meeting with Johnson today.
Varadkar on today’s discussions and his objectives
More from Varadkar:He said that he always wanted to ensure all-island economy could continue to develop and north/south co-operation continue as envisaged in Good Friday Agreement. “This has always been about achieving those objectives and I think today they can be achieved".
Possible ramifications for DUP after today’s talks between Johnson and Varadkar
So over the @DUPleader @NigelDoddsDUP to see if they now also cave on a customs border in the Irish sea https://t.co/6y99j6Ze0d
Varadkar added if an agreement works for the people of Ireland it means avoiding a hard border between north and south.
“That’s always been our primary objective: ensuring the all island economy can continue to develop and that north south co-operation as envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement can resume and those are our objectives.
“This has always been about achieving those objectives and I think today they can be achieved,” he said.
More from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll who is at the Varadkar briefing:
He said he hoped there would be the outline of a deal next week and he believed the “objectives” of the backstop could be achieved after today’s talks.
“I can’t predict that with any certainty but I think all sides would like there to be an agreement next week at the council if possible and obviously there is a further deadline after that which is 31 October, so I would say a short pathway rather than a long pathway.”
He indicated a cautious optimism and a hope that talks could now take place away from the glare of the media and acrimony of anonymous briefings.
Varadkar said the two prime ministers had agreed not to disclose any new proposals that might have been put on the table but that talks would now move to Brussels where Brexit secretary Steve Barclay is meeting Michel Barnier tomorrow.
Speaking prior to a flight back home, a coy Taoiseach said it would be wrong to comment on whether one side or the other had made any concessions during the meeting.
He said: “In terms of concessions, I don’t think this should be seen in the context of who’s making concessions or who the winners or losers are, I don’t think that’s the game any of us want to play.
“What this is about is securing an agreement that works for the people of Ireland and for the people of Britain and Europe.”
Moving away from the Brexit drama for one moment, Labour MP Chris Williamson has lost his High Court bid to be reinstated to the party after he was suspended over allegations of anti-Semitism.
The Derby North MP was suspended in February after he claimed Labour had been “too apologetic” in response to criticism of its handling of anti-Semitism allegations.
He was readmitted to the party and issued with a formal warning following a hearing of a National Executive Committee (NEC) anti-Semitism panel in June.
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 last month over additional allegations of misconduct.
A Labour Party spokeswoman said: “The court has upheld Chris Williamson’s suspension from the party and has said his disciplinary case must run its course.”
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