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| Brexit: Macron says deal 'being finalised' after Johnson tells Tory MPs it's getting closer – live news | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, who has been with with Macron today has also indicated that she is hopeful for a deal. | |
| Both leaders were keen to demonstrate the solidity of the French-German relationship at a meeting Toulouse, one day before a key EU summit that may approve what ever deal emerges (if it does) tonight. | |
| “The final sprint” was how Merkel put it, according to Andrew Connell, a Sky news producer. | |
| Merkel on chances of a Brexit deal: We believe it would be possible between the EU and the UK. From what I’ve been hearing in the past few days, I think it’s more and more possible.... We’re in the sprint final. | |
| Both leaders started with a visit to the headquarters of plane-maker Airbus, widely seen as a symbol of European industrial cooperation, near the city of Toulouse. | |
| The company, which is holding its 50th anniversary celebrations this year, has production and manufacturing facilities in countries including Germany, Spain and Britain. | |
| The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has been speaking and says that he “wants to believe” an agreement on Brexit is being “finalised” among negotiators in Brussels. | |
| Speaking in Toulouse, he said “I want to believe that a deal is being finalised and that we can approve it tomorrow (Thursday),” when EU leaders are meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. | |
| There are few things more pleasurable in politics than being able to say ‘I told you so’ and when Sir Ivan Rogers, the former UK ambassador to the EU who has become one of the most compelling critics of the Brexit process, gave evidence to the Commons European scrutiny this afternoon, he got the opportunity. | |
| Rogers said, in the autumn of 2016, soon after the vote to leave the EU, ministers told him that a free-trade agreement would be in place the day after Brexit. He said: | |
| I was preoccupied by ministers telling me ‘don’t worry Ivan, you don’t understand,’ and they did say to me repeatedly, ‘you don’t understand, we’re going to have a trade deal in place with the European Union on the day after exit’. And I said ‘with the greatest of respects, we’re not.’ And I think I’m proven right. | |
| Rogers does not seem to have named the credulous ministers (I’m just reading the Press Association copy), but it is a matter of public record that David Davis wrote a ConservativeHome article saying that “the new trade agreements will come into force at the point of exit from the EU” just before he was appointed Brexit secretary in July 2016. | |
| Rogers also criticised the decision of the Boris Johnson government to stop attending some meetings in Brussels even before the UK left. He said: | |
| After you leave, you are in this transition ... which may last a year or it may last two or three years. | |
| You are still hugely impacted by everything going on in those rooms. Why would you leave those rooms before you have to? | |
| The idea that they are liberated off that and go and work on exciting new trade deals. No, they’re not, they’re still living in Brussels and they’re either attending the working group that they used to be in or doing some other business. | |
| And some of the other business is finding out what the hell happened in the room when they weren’t there. It doesn’t strike me as a terribly sensible thing to do. | |
| That’s all from me for today. | |
| My colleague Ben Quinn is taking over now. | |
| From the Times’ Steven Swinford | From the Times’ Steven Swinford |
| More from Cabinet:Geoffrey Cox apparently pulled out his previous reference to Theresa May's backstop being akin to Dante's Seven Circles of Hell In an extended metaphor the AG assured colleagues that what is on the table now is relatively heavenly and light | More from Cabinet:Geoffrey Cox apparently pulled out his previous reference to Theresa May's backstop being akin to Dante's Seven Circles of Hell In an extended metaphor the AG assured colleagues that what is on the table now is relatively heavenly and light |
| The DUP are going back into Downing Street for further talks tonight, we’ve been told. | The DUP are going back into Downing Street for further talks tonight, we’ve been told. |
| From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg | From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg |
| Hearing the issues btw UK, EU and Ireland are now pretty much sorted, but still not clear on whether DUP are ready to sign up or not.. (Brexit watchers, remind you of anything?) | Hearing the issues btw UK, EU and Ireland are now pretty much sorted, but still not clear on whether DUP are ready to sign up or not.. (Brexit watchers, remind you of anything?) |
| Sammy Wilson, the DUP Brexit spokesman, argued this morning that abandoning the plan that would effectively give the DUP a veto over new arrangements would breach the Good Friday agreement and its commitment to the principle of “cross-community consent”. (See 12.39pm.) | Sammy Wilson, the DUP Brexit spokesman, argued this morning that abandoning the plan that would effectively give the DUP a veto over new arrangements would breach the Good Friday agreement and its commitment to the principle of “cross-community consent”. (See 12.39pm.) |
| In the Irish parliament today Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (PM), described this aspect of the Good Friday agreement as a “flaw”. He was not making a point about Brexit per se, but responding to a question from the Green party leader, Eamon Ryan, who complained that the system for cross-party consent involves members of the legislative assembly having to register themselves as unionist, nationalist or other. | In the Irish parliament today Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (PM), described this aspect of the Good Friday agreement as a “flaw”. He was not making a point about Brexit per se, but responding to a question from the Green party leader, Eamon Ryan, who complained that the system for cross-party consent involves members of the legislative assembly having to register themselves as unionist, nationalist or other. |
| Varadkar said the use of the category other in this context was pejorative because “it doesn’t describe that growing identity in Northern Ireland, that centre ground of people who see themselves as being both British and Irish”. He added: | Varadkar said the use of the category other in this context was pejorative because “it doesn’t describe that growing identity in Northern Ireland, that centre ground of people who see themselves as being both British and Irish”. He added: |
| One of the real flaws in double majorities in the system of cross community consent is not just that it allows one community or one party within that community to have a veto, it totally discounts and reduces to nothing the votes of those who designated as others. | One of the real flaws in double majorities in the system of cross community consent is not just that it allows one community or one party within that community to have a veto, it totally discounts and reduces to nothing the votes of those who designated as others. |
| That is something that has developed as a flaw and one that I am very aware of. | That is something that has developed as a flaw and one that I am very aware of. |
| From Reuters’ Andy Bruce | From Reuters’ Andy Bruce |
| LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, CUSTOMS ARRANGEMENTS, N. IRISH CONSENT ALL AGREED IN EU-UK TALKS - EU SOURCESVAT PROVISIONS NOT DONE YET, OVERALL AGREEMENT OF UK GOVERNMENT STILL NEEDED | LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, CUSTOMS ARRANGEMENTS, N. IRISH CONSENT ALL AGREED IN EU-UK TALKS - EU SOURCESVAT PROVISIONS NOT DONE YET, OVERALL AGREEMENT OF UK GOVERNMENT STILL NEEDED |
| This is what the prime minister’s spokesman told journalist about today’s cabinet. | This is what the prime minister’s spokesman told journalist about today’s cabinet. |
| The prime minister gave an update to cabinet on the progress in the ongoing Brexit talks. He said there was a chance of securing a good deal but we are not there yet and there remain outstanding issues. Following a positive discussion, cabinet gave the PM its full support in the government’s continuing efforts to secure a deal ahead of European council. | The prime minister gave an update to cabinet on the progress in the ongoing Brexit talks. He said there was a chance of securing a good deal but we are not there yet and there remain outstanding issues. Following a positive discussion, cabinet gave the PM its full support in the government’s continuing efforts to secure a deal ahead of European council. |
| Asked if the issue of consent was the main stumbling block to a Brexit deal, the spokesman said: “I think there are a number of outstanding issues.” | Asked if the issue of consent was the main stumbling block to a Brexit deal, the spokesman said: “I think there are a number of outstanding issues.” |
| Mark Francois, the Tory Brexiter and vice chair of the European Research Group (which represents Tories pushing for a harder Brexiter), told reporters after the 1922 Committee meeting that the ERG would take the views of the DUP “strongly into account” when deciding whether or not to back Boris Johnson’s deal. He said: | Mark Francois, the Tory Brexiter and vice chair of the European Research Group (which represents Tories pushing for a harder Brexiter), told reporters after the 1922 Committee meeting that the ERG would take the views of the DUP “strongly into account” when deciding whether or not to back Boris Johnson’s deal. He said: |
| What we have said consistently the ERG and DUP have always been strong allies. We’ve been friends throughout this process. We talk to each other all the time. It is not axiomatic we would follow whatever the DUP do but particularly on anything that relates to Northern Ireland we would take their views very strongly into account. | What we have said consistently the ERG and DUP have always been strong allies. We’ve been friends throughout this process. We talk to each other all the time. It is not axiomatic we would follow whatever the DUP do but particularly on anything that relates to Northern Ireland we would take their views very strongly into account. |
| Boris Johnson is fond of Mount Everest similes. He also called his close friend Jennifer Arcuri (who has refused to comment on speculation they had an affair when he was London mayor) “the Mount Everest every man wants to climb”, according to her account. | Boris Johnson is fond of Mount Everest similes. He also called his close friend Jennifer Arcuri (who has refused to comment on speculation they had an affair when he was London mayor) “the Mount Everest every man wants to climb”, according to her account. |
| Boris Johnson told Tory MPs that the government was “on the Hillary Step” in relation to the Brexit talks, referring to what was famous as the most perilous part of the route up Everest. | Boris Johnson told Tory MPs that the government was “on the Hillary Step” in relation to the Brexit talks, referring to what was famous as the most perilous part of the route up Everest. |
| But, according to Wikipedia, the Hillary Step was destroyed in an earthquake four years ago. | But, according to Wikipedia, the Hillary Step was destroyed in an earthquake four years ago. |
| And here are some tweets about Boris Johnson told the 1922 Committee from journalists in the corridor outside. | And here are some tweets about Boris Johnson told the 1922 Committee from journalists in the corridor outside. |
| Boris Johnson told the 1922 on Brexit deal that he was on the Hillary step of Everest but the summit was still “shrouded in mist”.... but hopeful he will get there | Boris Johnson told the 1922 on Brexit deal that he was on the Hillary step of Everest but the summit was still “shrouded in mist”.... but hopeful he will get there |
| Boris Johnson told the ‘22 ‘We’re on the Hillary Step going strong for the summit but it is shrouded in cloud’ | Boris Johnson told the ‘22 ‘We’re on the Hillary Step going strong for the summit but it is shrouded in cloud’ |
| There was also a Shawsank redemption joke about a tunnel that exceeds the limits of my cinematic knowledge | There was also a Shawsank redemption joke about a tunnel that exceeds the limits of my cinematic knowledge |
| Mark Francois of the ERG says Boris Johnson gave a “vintage” performance at the 1922 committee. PM told MPs “we’re not quite at the summit, it’s shrouded in mist, we’re at the Hilary step.” | Mark Francois of the ERG says Boris Johnson gave a “vintage” performance at the 1922 committee. PM told MPs “we’re not quite at the summit, it’s shrouded in mist, we’re at the Hilary step.” |
| Mark Francois says the PM was “crystal clear” in the 1922 meeting that the UK will leave the EU on Halloween if attempts to strike a deal are unsuccessful | Mark Francois says the PM was “crystal clear” in the 1922 meeting that the UK will leave the EU on Halloween if attempts to strike a deal are unsuccessful |
| ERG leader Steve Baker after hearing Boris Johnson’s address to 1922 says the deal in the works “could well be tolerable”. He adds there will be “further discussions with Number 10 shortly” with Brexieers including Mark Francois and Iain Duncan Smith. | ERG leader Steve Baker after hearing Boris Johnson’s address to 1922 says the deal in the works “could well be tolerable”. He adds there will be “further discussions with Number 10 shortly” with Brexieers including Mark Francois and Iain Duncan Smith. |
| Baker adds he won’t decide how to vote until a final deal is secured. “I do insist on reading the text of the deal I’m voting on.” | Baker adds he won’t decide how to vote until a final deal is secured. “I do insist on reading the text of the deal I’m voting on.” |
| Theresa May tight lipped as she leaves 22 | Theresa May tight lipped as she leaves 22 |
| Boris Johnson has been speaking to the backbench Conservative 1922 Committee. But he was not there for long. Only five minutes, or eight minutes, or 10 minutes - the lobby can’t agree. | Boris Johnson has been speaking to the backbench Conservative 1922 Committee. But he was not there for long. Only five minutes, or eight minutes, or 10 minutes - the lobby can’t agree. |
| PM leaves 1922 cttee after just 5mins | PM leaves 1922 cttee after just 5mins |
| Boris leaves 1922 committee after 8/9 minutes inside. Lots of banging and "hear hear" from inside | Boris leaves 1922 committee after 8/9 minutes inside. Lots of banging and "hear hear" from inside |
| Very rapid 22 with Boris Johnson, his appearance done in ten mins | Very rapid 22 with Boris Johnson, his appearance done in ten mins |
| Whatever, he wasn’t there for long. Normally when the PM attends a meeting of the 1922, the session lasts for around an hour. | Whatever, he wasn’t there for long. Normally when the PM attends a meeting of the 1922, the session lasts for around an hour. |
| Downing Street has announced that it has tabled a motion for the House of Commons and the House of Lords to sit on Saturday, from 9.30am until 2pm. | Downing Street has announced that it has tabled a motion for the House of Commons and the House of Lords to sit on Saturday, from 9.30am until 2pm. |
| MPs are due to vote on the motion tomorrow. But if the government decided at the last minute not to go ahead with the Saturday sitting (because the deal did not materialise), it could decide not to move the motion tomorrow (which would mean it did not get put to a vote). | MPs are due to vote on the motion tomorrow. But if the government decided at the last minute not to go ahead with the Saturday sitting (because the deal did not materialise), it could decide not to move the motion tomorrow (which would mean it did not get put to a vote). |
| From ITV’s Joe Pike | From ITV’s Joe Pike |
| NEW: The Government have tabled a motion calling for the House of Commons and House of Lords to sit this Saturday.It is possible they won’t move the motion tomorrow.#Brexit | NEW: The Government have tabled a motion calling for the House of Commons and House of Lords to sit this Saturday.It is possible they won’t move the motion tomorrow.#Brexit |
| When Theresa May was prime minister she told MPs that she was opposed to the EU’s original plan for a Northern Ireland-only backstop because no British prime minister could accept a customs border of that kind down the Irish Sea. The quote will come back to haunt her if Boris Johnson does negotiate a deal that would in practice keep Northern Ireland in the customs union. May told MPs in February 2018: | When Theresa May was prime minister she told MPs that she was opposed to the EU’s original plan for a Northern Ireland-only backstop because no British prime minister could accept a customs border of that kind down the Irish Sea. The quote will come back to haunt her if Boris Johnson does negotiate a deal that would in practice keep Northern Ireland in the customs union. May told MPs in February 2018: |
| The draft legal text the commission have published would, if implemented, undermine the UK common market and threaten the constitutional integrity of the UK by creating a customs and regulatory border down the Irish Sea, and no UK prime minster could ever agree to it. | The draft legal text the commission have published would, if implemented, undermine the UK common market and threaten the constitutional integrity of the UK by creating a customs and regulatory border down the Irish Sea, and no UK prime minster could ever agree to it. |
| Boris Johnson faces the same problem because, as the People’s Vote campaign points out, he also said that no Conservative government could sign up to a plan that would impose customs controls between Britain and Northern Ireland. What makes this particularly awkward for him is that he made this comment in a speech to the DUP annual conference in November 2018. He said: | Boris Johnson faces the same problem because, as the People’s Vote campaign points out, he also said that no Conservative government could sign up to a plan that would impose customs controls between Britain and Northern Ireland. What makes this particularly awkward for him is that he made this comment in a speech to the DUP annual conference in November 2018. He said: |
| If we wanted to do free trade deals, if we wanted to cut tariffs ... if we wanted to vary our regulation then we would have to leave Northern Ireland behind as an economic semi-colony of the EU and we would be damaging the fabric of the union with regulatory checks and even customs controls between Great Britain and Northern Ireland – on top of those extra regulatory checks down the Irish Sea that are already envisaged in the withdrawal agreement. | If we wanted to do free trade deals, if we wanted to cut tariffs ... if we wanted to vary our regulation then we would have to leave Northern Ireland behind as an economic semi-colony of the EU and we would be damaging the fabric of the union with regulatory checks and even customs controls between Great Britain and Northern Ireland – on top of those extra regulatory checks down the Irish Sea that are already envisaged in the withdrawal agreement. |
| Now I have to tell you, no British Conservative government could or should sign up to any such arrangement. | Now I have to tell you, no British Conservative government could or should sign up to any such arrangement. |
| Here is the clip. | Here is the clip. |
| REVEALED: In 2018 Boris Johnson admits that 'no Conservative government' could sign up to a border in the Irish Sea. But that's exactly what his hard Brexit proposal does. No one can trust Boris Johnson to solve the #Brexit crisis. Only the people can: https://t.co/Q3yda24SQF pic.twitter.com/RhffGzTWj8 | REVEALED: In 2018 Boris Johnson admits that 'no Conservative government' could sign up to a border in the Irish Sea. But that's exactly what his hard Brexit proposal does. No one can trust Boris Johnson to solve the #Brexit crisis. Only the people can: https://t.co/Q3yda24SQF pic.twitter.com/RhffGzTWj8 |
| You might be tempted to see this as another Boris Johnson Brexit lie (see 3.36pm), but breaking a promise is not the same as saying something you know to be untrue (although both are offences against trust). | You might be tempted to see this as another Boris Johnson Brexit lie (see 3.36pm), but breaking a promise is not the same as saying something you know to be untrue (although both are offences against trust). |