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Cameron: 'no Cabinet meeting tonight' as EU talks continue – live Cameron: 'no Cabinet meeting tonight' as EU talks continue – live
(35 minutes later)
5.48pm GMT
17:48
The approach of the British Labour Party to the EU negotiation is set to get an airing on Monday, according to Conor Pope of Labour List.
Hilary Benn and Alan Johnson will address the PLP on Monday, about Labour's reactions to EU negotiation and approach to referendum campaign.
As we reported yesterday, Jeremy Corbyn attacked David Cameron’s emergency brake on migrant benefits as ineffectual, as he branded the whole renegotiation a “theatrical sideshow”.
Corbyn’s comments were at odds with the cross-party Britain Stronger in Europe campaign to keep the UK in the EU, which supports the prime minister’s renegotiation and praised the “significant proposals which everyone should get behind” when they were announced in early February.
A shadow cabinet source said Corbyn’s position had been pre-agreed, but there had been some concern among parliamentary colleagues that he was not sending out the right message by failing to back a measure aimed at cutting immigration and also that being too critical of the proposals would help Eurosceptics who want to portray Cameron’s efforts as insignificant.
5.36pm GMT
17:36
Questions about Britain’s EU membership isn’t the only issue where there are tensions at the Brussels talks. Slovakia has signalled that it is prepared to take measures to protect its border with Austria following Vienna’s decision to cap the number of migrants travelling through its territory.
The Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico told a briefing earlier:
We are launching all technical measures for the protection of our border with Austria for the eventuality that larger groups stay at the Austrian border ... and try to get around and get to Germany via a different route.
5.26pm GMT
17:26
The Irish Government will use the common travel between Ireland and the UK area to try to exempt Irish citizens working in Britain from Britain’s proposed reduction in welfare payments to EU migrants during Brexit talks in Brussels, according to the Irish Times.
The common travel area, which predates both states’ entries into the Common Market, is recognised in Protocol 20 of the EU Treaty.
Denis Staunton, London Editor of the Irish Times, quotes the treaty, which says:
The UK and Ireland may continue to make arrangements between themselves relating to the movement of persons between their territories.
Nothing in Articles 26 and 77 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in any other provision of that Treaty or of the Treaty on European Union or in any measure adopted under them, shall affect any such arrangements.
5.13pm GMT5.13pm GMT
17:1317:13
Everyone should make compromises but those taking part in the talks “could be there” this evening, according to Bulgaria’s Deputy Foreign Minister.Everyone should make compromises but those taking part in the talks “could be there” this evening, according to Bulgaria’s Deputy Foreign Minister.
Rumen Alexandriv told the BBC that the “social part” of negotiations - and in particular proposed restrictions on benefits payments to the children of EU migrants working in the UK but who have offspring in their home countries - was an issue of sensitivityRumen Alexandriv told the BBC that the “social part” of negotiations - and in particular proposed restrictions on benefits payments to the children of EU migrants working in the UK but who have offspring in their home countries - was an issue of sensitivity
However, he signalled that a compromise might be possible in relation to the duration when such restrictions would apply after workers start receiving it.However, he signalled that a compromise might be possible in relation to the duration when such restrictions would apply after workers start receiving it.
5.10pm GMT5.10pm GMT
17:1017:10
One particular sticking point in talks surrounds welfare payments to EU migrant workers in Britain, according to details coming out of a briefing by Martin Schulz, the president of the European ParliamentOne particular sticking point in talks surrounds welfare payments to EU migrant workers in Britain, according to details coming out of a briefing by Martin Schulz, the president of the European Parliament
Poland is putting some serious points on the tables about its citizens in the UK, according to the BBC.Poland is putting some serious points on the tables about its citizens in the UK, according to the BBC.
5.06pm GMT5.06pm GMT
17:0617:06
The Union flag is out for some updates on the British side, although no deal is in sight.The Union flag is out for some updates on the British side, although no deal is in sight.
Flags out in the UK press briefing room. The stage is set but still no deal pic.twitter.com/cgwk49BN9NFlags out in the UK press briefing room. The stage is set but still no deal pic.twitter.com/cgwk49BN9N
4.58pm GMT4.58pm GMT
16:5816:58
More on that potentially important development in relation to Justice Secretary Michael Gove, who is now expected to back a UK departure from the European Union in the forthcoming referndum.More on that potentially important development in relation to Justice Secretary Michael Gove, who is now expected to back a UK departure from the European Union in the forthcoming referndum.
The Spectator’s James Forsyth writes:The Spectator’s James Forsyth writes:
If Gove has gone to Out, it will be a shot of pure adrenaline for the Out campaign. It will give it intellectual respectability and genuine Cabinet heft.If Gove has gone to Out, it will be a shot of pure adrenaline for the Out campaign. It will give it intellectual respectability and genuine Cabinet heft.
The move will also confirm Gove’s status as a conviction politician.The move will also confirm Gove’s status as a conviction politician.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.59pm GMTat 4.59pm GMT
4.47pm GMT4.47pm GMT
16:4716:47
Nicholas WattNicholas Watt
Two key hurdles remain to be cleared later in the Brussels talks, according to the Guardian’s chief political correspondent, Nick Watt, who has filed this analysis of where things stand:Two key hurdles remain to be cleared later in the Brussels talks, according to the Guardian’s chief political correspondent, Nick Watt, who has filed this analysis of where things stand:
First it was to be a full English breakfast, then an English lunch, then High Tea and now it is a plain old dinner. The full meeting of the European Council, suspended in the early hours of Friday morning, will reconvene for dinner at 7.00pm UK, to consider a text on the new settlement for the UK.First it was to be a full English breakfast, then an English lunch, then High Tea and now it is a plain old dinner. The full meeting of the European Council, suspended in the early hours of Friday morning, will reconvene for dinner at 7.00pm UK, to consider a text on the new settlement for the UK.
The moment the leaders sit down will mark the moment that a deal is in sight because Donald Tusk, the European Council president, has indicated that he will not hold the meeting until he gets the nod from all 28 European leaders.The moment the leaders sit down will mark the moment that a deal is in sight because Donald Tusk, the European Council president, has indicated that he will not hold the meeting until he gets the nod from all 28 European leaders.
But there will still be two hurdles to clear: the prime minister’s demand to embed the deal in a legally binding agreement has to be resolved and the formal conclusions of the European Council have to be agreed.But there will still be two hurdles to clear: the prime minister’s demand to embed the deal in a legally binding agreement has to be resolved and the formal conclusions of the European Council have to be agreed.
The delayed dinner means that the prime minister has now abandoned plans to hold a cabinet meeting on Friday night.The delayed dinner means that the prime minister has now abandoned plans to hold a cabinet meeting on Friday night.
This will be delayed until Saturday, assuming a deal is reached overnight. That cabinet meeting will mark the most perilous moment of the prime minister’s career. He will formally ask the cabinet to endorse the deal but will then lift collective responsibility and allow cabinet ministers to campaign on either side in the referendum.This will be delayed until Saturday, assuming a deal is reached overnight. That cabinet meeting will mark the most perilous moment of the prime minister’s career. He will formally ask the cabinet to endorse the deal but will then lift collective responsibility and allow cabinet ministers to campaign on either side in the referendum.
There is a growing expectation in No 10 that Cameron’s close personal friend and cabinet ally Michael Gove wil take a different view to the prime minister and campaign to leave the EU. The move by Gove will put immense pressure on Boris Johnson (below) to follow his lead.There is a growing expectation in No 10 that Cameron’s close personal friend and cabinet ally Michael Gove wil take a different view to the prime minister and campaign to leave the EU. The move by Gove will put immense pressure on Boris Johnson (below) to follow his lead.
4.41pm GMT4.41pm GMT
16:4116:41
Here’s what it looks like at the coalface, via a tweet from Donald Tusk’s office showing a tense looking David Cameron in talks with Tusk, Francois Hollande and Jean-Claude Juncker. Those flowers might be starting to wilt.Here’s what it looks like at the coalface, via a tweet from Donald Tusk’s office showing a tense looking David Cameron in talks with Tusk, Francois Hollande and Jean-Claude Juncker. Those flowers might be starting to wilt.
Latest consultation on #UKinEU with @David_Cameron @JunckerEU @fhollande. #EUCO pic.twitter.com/JKaJH67WLTLatest consultation on #UKinEU with @David_Cameron @JunckerEU @fhollande. #EUCO pic.twitter.com/JKaJH67WLT
4.28pm GMT4.28pm GMT
16:2816:28
Cameron: Talks to go on this eveningCameron: Talks to go on this evening
Negotiations are continuing into this evening, according to the prime minister. Is a deal on tonight?Negotiations are continuing into this evening, according to the prime minister. Is a deal on tonight?
Negotiations are continuing into this evening. A Cabinet meeting won't be possible tonight. One will be held if and when a deal is done.Negotiations are continuing into this evening. A Cabinet meeting won't be possible tonight. One will be held if and when a deal is done.
Among other effects, that’s a potential nightmare for newspapers and how headlines will be written when they go to press.Among other effects, that’s a potential nightmare for newspapers and how headlines will be written when they go to press.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.29pm GMTat 4.29pm GMT
4.14pm GMT4.14pm GMT
16:1416:14
Significant perhaps, although not entirely a shock: The prime minister is resigned to losing the justice secretary, Michael Gove, to the ranks of those who will campaign for a referendum vote in favour of the UK leaving the EU.Significant perhaps, although not entirely a shock: The prime minister is resigned to losing the justice secretary, Michael Gove, to the ranks of those who will campaign for a referendum vote in favour of the UK leaving the EU.
Cameron circle now pretty much resigned to losing Michael Gove to the Out campaign once the deal is done. More soon on @SpecCoffeeHouseCameron circle now pretty much resigned to losing Michael Gove to the Out campaign once the deal is done. More soon on @SpecCoffeeHouse
As recently as two weeks ago, Gove had been regarded as more likely to join Cameron, George Osborne, and the foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, in campaigning to keep Britain in the EU.As recently as two weeks ago, Gove had been regarded as more likely to join Cameron, George Osborne, and the foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, in campaigning to keep Britain in the EU.
4.09pm GMT4.09pm GMT
16:0916:09
There is confidence on the part of the Commission that a “conclusion” might be reached this evening at a working dinner (8pm local time), according to a commission spokesman who has been talking to journalists in Brussels in the last few minutes.There is confidence on the part of the Commission that a “conclusion” might be reached this evening at a working dinner (8pm local time), according to a commission spokesman who has been talking to journalists in Brussels in the last few minutes.
3.54pm GMT3.54pm GMT
15:5415:54
The British are briefing journalists. Fingers crossed for some movement..The British are briefing journalists. Fingers crossed for some movement..
Excited huddle taking place. We may actually get news shortly, and hopefully not just about food pic.twitter.com/GmOsXdGDCgExcited huddle taking place. We may actually get news shortly, and hopefully not just about food pic.twitter.com/GmOsXdGDCg
3.43pm GMT3.43pm GMT
15:4315:43
When it comes to the crunch, eastern European countries states who have been battling the UK over welfare payment restrictions will eventually give ground, predicts the director of the Budapest-based think-tank Political Capital.When it comes to the crunch, eastern European countries states who have been battling the UK over welfare payment restrictions will eventually give ground, predicts the director of the Budapest-based think-tank Political Capital.
It’s all about the “external legitimisation”- which the UK can give them apparently. Dan Nolan, for the Guardian, has been speaking to Péter Krekó.It’s all about the “external legitimisation”- which the UK can give them apparently. Dan Nolan, for the Guardian, has been speaking to Péter Krekó.
His analysis analysis of Cameron, Hungary and the Visegrad Four is interesting:His analysis analysis of Cameron, Hungary and the Visegrad Four is interesting:
While of course there are disagreements and some tensions in the talks, after David Cameron visited Budapest last month, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán talked about the new axis of Great Britain plus the Visegrad Four, who he said should set the direction of a less integrated Europe that is more built on economic cooperation than political cooperation.While of course there are disagreements and some tensions in the talks, after David Cameron visited Budapest last month, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán talked about the new axis of Great Britain plus the Visegrad Four, who he said should set the direction of a less integrated Europe that is more built on economic cooperation than political cooperation.
My feeling is the Eastern European countries are willing to give up some their current advantages, for example on the EU labour market, in return for external legitimisation from Cameron.My feeling is the Eastern European countries are willing to give up some their current advantages, for example on the EU labour market, in return for external legitimisation from Cameron.
For example it is very rare for Orbán to hold bilateral meetings with Western European politicians, and he is still quite isolated and very frequently criticised. But then Cameron, an unquestionably democratic Western leader comes to Hungary and is quite friendly.For example it is very rare for Orbán to hold bilateral meetings with Western European politicians, and he is still quite isolated and very frequently criticised. But then Cameron, an unquestionably democratic Western leader comes to Hungary and is quite friendly.
Here is some more background from earlier this week, by the Guardian’s Europe Editor, Ian Traynor:Here is some more background from earlier this week, by the Guardian’s Europe Editor, Ian Traynor:
Related: Four EU states reject Cameron's migrant benefits planRelated: Four EU states reject Cameron's migrant benefits plan
3.31pm GMT3.31pm GMT
15:3115:31
A good day to bury bad (or no) news? The Guardian’s Rowena Mason points out that Britain’s Department of Work and Pensions have chosen to publish a potentially key document which is supposed to describe its priority objectives for 2015 to 2020.A good day to bury bad (or no) news? The Guardian’s Rowena Mason points out that Britain’s Department of Work and Pensions have chosen to publish a potentially key document which is supposed to describe its priority objectives for 2015 to 2020.
Single departmental plans sneaked out on Friday in recess+ day of EU summit - little/no detail of where cuts to fall https://t.co/3xTXClyT5FSingle departmental plans sneaked out on Friday in recess+ day of EU summit - little/no detail of where cuts to fall https://t.co/3xTXClyT5F
3.25pm GMT3.25pm GMT
15:2515:25
An ominous sign perhaps. The Czech State Secretary for European Affairs says he’s becoming “more and more perplexed” by the British approach to “non-negotiation”An ominous sign perhaps. The Czech State Secretary for European Affairs says he’s becoming “more and more perplexed” by the British approach to “non-negotiation”
As the time passes, I am more and more perplexed by the #British approach of non-negotiation. Quite unorthodox, to say the least.As the time passes, I am more and more perplexed by the #British approach of non-negotiation. Quite unorthodox, to say the least.
The Czechs are among those leading central European countries that demand limits on proposed cuts in benefits for EU workers in Britain.The Czechs are among those leading central European countries that demand limits on proposed cuts in benefits for EU workers in Britain.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.32pm GMTat 3.32pm GMT
3.16pm GMT3.16pm GMT
15:1615:16
So now it’s an “English dinner” according to Donald Tusk’s spokesman:So now it’s an “English dinner” according to Donald Tusk’s spokesman:
Now "English dinner" with time tbc. Bilateral consultations continue. #EUCO #UKinEUNow "English dinner" with time tbc. Bilateral consultations continue. #EUCO #UKinEU
At this rate it’s going to be a Sunday roast with all the trimmings.At this rate it’s going to be a Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
A little recap might be in order. As we reported earlier, officials in Brussels had originally referred to the final session as “the English breakfast”, summoning up visions of hungry leaders tucking into a hearty fry-up as they handed the PM his deal.A little recap might be in order. As we reported earlier, officials in Brussels had originally referred to the final session as “the English breakfast”, summoning up visions of hungry leaders tucking into a hearty fry-up as they handed the PM his deal.
As rumours of dissent around the table began to emerge on Thursday, however, the schedule began to slip and word in the Council’s Justus Lipsius building was that the meeting was turning into an “English brunch”. Then it was a lunch. Now it’s a dinner.As rumours of dissent around the table began to emerge on Thursday, however, the schedule began to slip and word in the Council’s Justus Lipsius building was that the meeting was turning into an “English brunch”. Then it was a lunch. Now it’s a dinner.
All clear? Good.All clear? Good.
Spare a thought for Poland’s foreign minister however:Spare a thought for Poland’s foreign minister however:
Polish European Minister asked if he's cancelled his weekend plans to stay in Brussels. "I had no weekend plans", he replies, meekly.Polish European Minister asked if he's cancelled his weekend plans to stay in Brussels. "I had no weekend plans", he replies, meekly.