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Brexit: DUP says it cannot support customs terms in Boris Johnson's deal – live news Brexit: DUP says it cannot support customs terms in Boris Johnson's deal – live news
(32 minutes later)
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Nadeem Badshah.
Here is the full text of the DUP statement issued earlier. It was sent out as a statement from Arlene Foster, the party leader, and Nigel Dodds, her deputy. They said:
We have been involved in ongoing discussions with the government.
As things stand, we could not support what is being suggested on customs and consent issues and there is a lack of clarity on VAT.
We will continue to work with the government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said we knew the negotiations were going to be difficult and would go down to the line, but the government is “working very intensively... to try and secure a deal.”
Asked whether the prime minister would meet with the DUP today, Jenrick told BBC Breakfast:
I don’t know the exact arrangements for the next few hours, but be assured the prime minister and his team are in intensive negotiations with all parties, including with the DUP.
We want to provide sufficient comfort for the DUP and unionists in Northern Ireland to feel that the arrangements we would put in place with this deal are sufficient to give them comfort to support it.
We know there are clearly concerns on the part of the DUP and we want to try and work through these productively in the hours to come.
All sides in this do want to secure an orderly exit from the EU, and I think one is in sight, although there is clearly very significant issues to be hammered out.
Let’s wait and see.
More from Tom the painter in AthensMore from Tom the painter in Athens
“In the beginning there was Boris, then there was God. Gen II”: Not long after Greece’s own euro zone drama, graffitti appears in Athens, in the Plaka district beneath the Acropolis, immortalising the man who might save Britain from Brexit - described as a one-way street in the second picture.“In the beginning there was Boris, then there was God. Gen II”: Not long after Greece’s own euro zone drama, graffitti appears in Athens, in the Plaka district beneath the Acropolis, immortalising the man who might save Britain from Brexit - described as a one-way street in the second picture.
Greece, which adopted punishing austerity to remain in the euro zone (and by extension the EU) has been watching the Brexit drama with thinly-veiled dismay. The Guardian’s Greek correspondent Helena Smith can reveal that Tom, the painter of these works of art, is an Irishman who has long lived in the Plaka district.Greece, which adopted punishing austerity to remain in the euro zone (and by extension the EU) has been watching the Brexit drama with thinly-veiled dismay. The Guardian’s Greek correspondent Helena Smith can reveal that Tom, the painter of these works of art, is an Irishman who has long lived in the Plaka district.
The DUP’s statement makes clear the party cannot support the deal as it stands, but it is not closing the door completely so could be read as a final prod to Michel Barnier to compromise on the customs arrangements, consent and give more clarity on the very tricky issue of VAT.The DUP’s statement makes clear the party cannot support the deal as it stands, but it is not closing the door completely so could be read as a final prod to Michel Barnier to compromise on the customs arrangements, consent and give more clarity on the very tricky issue of VAT.
Three routes open up from this:Three routes open up from this:
1. Boris Johnson compromises more. However with three meetings in three days in Downing Street, it is unclear whether Downing Street can cede any more and ruins the prospect of a deal.1. Boris Johnson compromises more. However with three meetings in three days in Downing Street, it is unclear whether Downing Street can cede any more and ruins the prospect of a deal.
2. The EU yields to the DUP’s demands. Given the EU’s deep concern about how it can protect the single market from rogue goods on a border, with no border checks, it is difficult to see the EU cede further on customs.2. The EU yields to the DUP’s demands. Given the EU’s deep concern about how it can protect the single market from rogue goods on a border, with no border checks, it is difficult to see the EU cede further on customs.
3. The DUP folds at the last minute. Note its statement: “We will continue to work with the government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom”. This is leaving the door open to further changes today.3. The DUP folds at the last minute. Note its statement: “We will continue to work with the government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom”. This is leaving the door open to further changes today.
It is worth remembering that the DUP is the party that says no. “No surrender” was its slogan in its heyday when it was led by its bombastic founder, the now deceased Ian Paisley.It is worth remembering that the DUP is the party that says no. “No surrender” was its slogan in its heyday when it was led by its bombastic founder, the now deceased Ian Paisley.
It is also worth remembering that it did not support the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998. And we know what happened there.It is also worth remembering that it did not support the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998. And we know what happened there.
The pound fell 0.5 per cent against the dollar and the euro within minutes of the announcement by the DUP just before 7am that the party cannot support the Brexit deal as it currently stands.The pound fell 0.5 per cent against the dollar and the euro within minutes of the announcement by the DUP just before 7am that the party cannot support the Brexit deal as it currently stands.
A pound was worth 1.2759 dollars and 1.1525 euros.A pound was worth 1.2759 dollars and 1.1525 euros.
If you are wondering what exactly is in the deal, our Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin got a briefing last night.If you are wondering what exactly is in the deal, our Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin got a briefing last night.
The other big constraint is time. Several EU ambassadors are very unhappy there is no legal text they can share with their capitals. Not enough time to prepare the summit. Not enough time until 31 October. But tonight there was no talk of extension.To be continued...12.The other big constraint is time. Several EU ambassadors are very unhappy there is no legal text they can share with their capitals. Not enough time to prepare the summit. Not enough time until 31 October. But tonight there was no talk of extension.To be continued...12.
There is a potentially pivotal day ahead with the EU summit ahead of Saturday’s deadline to prevent a delay to Brexit.There is a potentially pivotal day ahead with the EU summit ahead of Saturday’s deadline to prevent a delay to Brexit.
Boris Johnson is on his way to Brussels this morning.Boris Johnson is on his way to Brussels this morning.
Our Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll on the DUP’s decision.Our Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll on the DUP’s decision.
Useful today to remember something about the DUP. It also said no and did not support the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. And we know what happened there. This is something Arlene Foster herself has referred to recently pointing out that they still work with the BGFAUseful today to remember something about the DUP. It also said no and did not support the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. And we know what happened there. This is something Arlene Foster herself has referred to recently pointing out that they still work with the BGFA
Good morning everyone. More reaction to the DUP’s statement.Good morning everyone. More reaction to the DUP’s statement.
Hmmm....oh dear..... https://t.co/lvsLD0RTqHHmmm....oh dear..... https://t.co/lvsLD0RTqH
That’s it from me, I’m handing over to my colleague Nadeem Badshah.That’s it from me, I’m handing over to my colleague Nadeem Badshah.
Brexit talks seem to have foundered - because as I mentioned yesterday - DUP cannot accept VAT proposals for Northern Ireland. No legal text for EU leaders to agree today therefore pic.twitter.com/1pvWqrl1fVBrexit talks seem to have foundered - because as I mentioned yesterday - DUP cannot accept VAT proposals for Northern Ireland. No legal text for EU leaders to agree today therefore pic.twitter.com/1pvWqrl1fV
The DUP has issued a statement fromArlene Foster and Nigel Dodds saying that “as things stand, we could not support what is being suggested on customs and consent issues and there is a lack of clarity on VAT.The DUP has issued a statement fromArlene Foster and Nigel Dodds saying that “as things stand, we could not support what is being suggested on customs and consent issues and there is a lack of clarity on VAT.
“We will continue to work with the Government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.”“We will continue to work with the Government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.”
⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/zpReVsavVu⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/zpReVsavVu
For those of you who missed this, late last night Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, announced she was leaving the Labour Party because she could “no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM”.For those of you who missed this, late last night Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, announced she was leaving the Labour Party because she could “no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM”.
Dame Louise, 73, who is Jewish, said she had been “deeply troubled” by the “growth of anti-Semitism” in Labour in recent years.Dame Louise, 73, who is Jewish, said she had been “deeply troubled” by the “growth of anti-Semitism” in Labour in recent years.
She told the Times newspaper that if he became prime minister “I believe that Jeremy Corbyn would be a danger to the country, a danger to the Jewish community as well, but a danger to the country too”.She told the Times newspaper that if he became prime minister “I believe that Jeremy Corbyn would be a danger to the country, a danger to the Jewish community as well, but a danger to the country too”.
I have made the truly agonising decision to leave the Labour Party after 55 years. I can no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM. I will continue to serve the people of Liverpool Riverside as I have had the honour to do since 1997. pic.twitter.com/3BTzUacZvoI have made the truly agonising decision to leave the Labour Party after 55 years. I can no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM. I will continue to serve the people of Liverpool Riverside as I have had the honour to do since 1997. pic.twitter.com/3BTzUacZvo
Lord Adonis is up and tweeting early, as he often does. He is reiterating his view that Johnson will end up being forced to ask the EU for an extension beyond 31 October.Lord Adonis is up and tweeting early, as he often does. He is reiterating his view that Johnson will end up being forced to ask the EU for an extension beyond 31 October.
Obviously Parliament cannot vote tomorrow on a deal which has not been agreed, let alone published, as a legal text. So he will still have to apply for an extension, which is the key operative fact todayObviously Parliament cannot vote tomorrow on a deal which has not been agreed, let alone published, as a legal text. So he will still have to apply for an extension, which is the key operative fact today
Brexit first on agenda which suggests EU council reckons there is deal to be done... might yet depend on the mood the DUP wakes up in or what assurances they got from No 10 last night or in the next few hours https://t.co/G7r5PpGK7rBrexit first on agenda which suggests EU council reckons there is deal to be done... might yet depend on the mood the DUP wakes up in or what assurances they got from No 10 last night or in the next few hours https://t.co/G7r5PpGK7r
How the papers covered itHow the papers covered it
A photograph of Boris Johnson walking behind a metal fence, which gives the unfortunate impression that the prime minster was behind bars, provided a visual metaphor too good for most publications to pass up and it is the lead image on most of the front pages.A photograph of Boris Johnson walking behind a metal fence, which gives the unfortunate impression that the prime minster was behind bars, provided a visual metaphor too good for most publications to pass up and it is the lead image on most of the front pages.
The Telegraph really pushes the image, its slightly baffling headline is: “Brexit is like the Shawshank Redemption... but now we can see the light”. The Daily Express has: “Against all odds, Boris closes in on Brexit deal”, the Times reports: “Brexit deal on knife edge as DUP blocks Johnson”, the Mail says: “In sight of the summit”, the Guardian has: “Johnson in last-minute scramble for DUP backing”, the Mirror goes with: “Brexit on a knife-edge”, the i’s splash is: “Deadlock on Brexit deal ahead of summit”.The Telegraph really pushes the image, its slightly baffling headline is: “Brexit is like the Shawshank Redemption... but now we can see the light”. The Daily Express has: “Against all odds, Boris closes in on Brexit deal”, the Times reports: “Brexit deal on knife edge as DUP blocks Johnson”, the Mail says: “In sight of the summit”, the Guardian has: “Johnson in last-minute scramble for DUP backing”, the Mirror goes with: “Brexit on a knife-edge”, the i’s splash is: “Deadlock on Brexit deal ahead of summit”.
The front page of tomorrow’s Daily Telegraph: ‘Brexit is like the Shawshank Redemption … but now we can see the light’ #TomorrowsPaperToday pic.twitter.com/TiLav6n4nJThe front page of tomorrow’s Daily Telegraph: ‘Brexit is like the Shawshank Redemption … but now we can see the light’ #TomorrowsPaperToday pic.twitter.com/TiLav6n4nJ
Tomorrow's front page: Brexit on a knife-edge #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/vQa6epnG11 pic.twitter.com/lwhGTkjz8CTomorrow's front page: Brexit on a knife-edge #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/vQa6epnG11 pic.twitter.com/lwhGTkjz8C
MAIL UPDATED: In sight of the Summit #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/4vokpDO1VZMAIL UPDATED: In sight of the Summit #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/4vokpDO1VZ
FT: Hargreaves Lansdown under fire as Woodford collapse traps clients #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/g1BLHRZUS3FT: Hargreaves Lansdown under fire as Woodford collapse traps clients #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/g1BLHRZUS3
Guardian front page, Thursday 17 October 2019: Johnson in last-minute scramble for DUP backing pic.twitter.com/ePEaDPnZlAGuardian front page, Thursday 17 October 2019: Johnson in last-minute scramble for DUP backing pic.twitter.com/ePEaDPnZlA
EXPRESS: Against all odds #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/3S69r2sXWoEXPRESS: Against all odds #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/3S69r2sXWo
TGE TIMES: Brexit deal on knife edge as DUP blocks Johnson / Culture Secretary opens door to making BBC subscription service #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/xlxf8Pt242TGE TIMES: Brexit deal on knife edge as DUP blocks Johnson / Culture Secretary opens door to making BBC subscription service #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/xlxf8Pt242
Boris Johnson is in a race against time to secure the Democratic Unionist party’s backing for his newly negotiated Brexit deal as EU leaders said they were ready to approve the agreement on Thursday if the prime minister succeeds.Boris Johnson is in a race against time to secure the Democratic Unionist party’s backing for his newly negotiated Brexit deal as EU leaders said they were ready to approve the agreement on Thursday if the prime minister succeeds.
Plans to publish a full legal text ahead of the leaders’ summit had to be put on hold to the frustration of EU officials after the DUP raised a series of objections to the tentative agreement.Plans to publish a full legal text ahead of the leaders’ summit had to be put on hold to the frustration of EU officials after the DUP raised a series of objections to the tentative agreement.
With time short, Johnson told a meeting of Conservative MPs he was hopeful of a deal but it felt like he was on the Hillary Step of Mount Everest while the summit was “shrouded in mist”.With time short, Johnson told a meeting of Conservative MPs he was hopeful of a deal but it felt like he was on the Hillary Step of Mount Everest while the summit was “shrouded in mist”.
The prime minister appeared to have the party’s hardline Eurosceptics onboard, including Steve Baker, who said Johnson had briefed them that the whole of the UK was leaving the customs union. But they also added a note of caution that they could not vote for any Brexit deal without seeing a legal text. The 21 former Tory MPs who have recently lost their whip could also rebel.The prime minister appeared to have the party’s hardline Eurosceptics onboard, including Steve Baker, who said Johnson had briefed them that the whole of the UK was leaving the customs union. But they also added a note of caution that they could not vote for any Brexit deal without seeing a legal text. The 21 former Tory MPs who have recently lost their whip could also rebel.
An issue over VAT was said by Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, to be a last-minute obstacle in the negotiations when he briefed European ambassadors on Wednesday night. But the British objection was described by EU diplomats as a “British smokescreen” to give Downing Street more time to win over the DUP’s leader, Arlene Foster.An issue over VAT was said by Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, to be a last-minute obstacle in the negotiations when he briefed European ambassadors on Wednesday night. But the British objection was described by EU diplomats as a “British smokescreen” to give Downing Street more time to win over the DUP’s leader, Arlene Foster.
Johnson seeks DUP backing in race against time over Brexit dealJohnson seeks DUP backing in race against time over Brexit deal
Good (very early!) morning to everyone.Good (very early!) morning to everyone.
We’re up with the sparrows because there is talk that Boris Johnson might make an early-morning dash to Brussels to get his Brexit deal done.We’re up with the sparrows because there is talk that Boris Johnson might make an early-morning dash to Brussels to get his Brexit deal done.
This would require the support of the Democratic Unionist Party, who have raised serious concerns with the deal. But, if the DUP come around and agree to support the deal, Johnson can then take it back to EU leaders who are meeting in Brussels today, who have said they will give political agreement to it during their summit. They will still need to have the text scrutinised before giving formal approval and it also remains to be seen whether the UK parliament will agree to the deal on Saturday, when they are sitting to vote on the potential deal.This would require the support of the Democratic Unionist Party, who have raised serious concerns with the deal. But, if the DUP come around and agree to support the deal, Johnson can then take it back to EU leaders who are meeting in Brussels today, who have said they will give political agreement to it during their summit. They will still need to have the text scrutinised before giving formal approval and it also remains to be seen whether the UK parliament will agree to the deal on Saturday, when they are sitting to vote on the potential deal.
No one knows what will happen and we’ve all been round the Brexit deal merry-go-round more times we care to remember, but there’s a sense that today could be a BIG MOMENT in this journey.No one knows what will happen and we’ve all been round the Brexit deal merry-go-round more times we care to remember, but there’s a sense that today could be a BIG MOMENT in this journey.
I will be shepherding us all through the Brexit news for the first few hours before I hand over to my colleagues, who will take you through the rest of the day.I will be shepherding us all through the Brexit news for the first few hours before I hand over to my colleagues, who will take you through the rest of the day.
Thanks for reading along, especially at such an outrageously early hour, please get in touch via Twitter or email (kate.lyons@theguardian.com).Thanks for reading along, especially at such an outrageously early hour, please get in touch via Twitter or email (kate.lyons@theguardian.com).