This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/feb/19/eu-summit-all-night-negotiations-deal-cameron-live

The article has changed 37 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 21 Version 22
Cameron: 'no Cabinet meeting tonight' as EU talks continue – live Cameron: 'no cabinet meeting tonight' as EU talks continue – live
(35 minutes later)
6.23pm GMT
18:23
Struggling to keep track of which EU state is where? Here’s a Guardian graphic which might help.
A crucial question in it all of course: Will that Beatrix Potter box-set help swing things with Belgium’s Charles Michel?
6.16pm GMT
18:16
Hopes have been building in Brussels that a deal might be in the making this evening.
Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, said earlier that he believed all that the negotiators were close to a compromise this evening. Here’s the audio (via the BBC):
6.10pm GMT
18:10
David Cameron won’t be able to count on the support of his justice secretary, Michael Gove, in the coming referendum, according to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, backing up those earlier reports that this was the case.
Gove WILL back Brexit - his decision to campaign to leave has been taken sources tell me
Neither his team nor no 10 officially confirm or deny - spokesman says his position is still to back the renegotiation and rule nothing out
5.56pm GMT
17:56
Seems like as good a time as any.. Angela Merkel has just popped out for some chips.
Here’s the photographic evidence - guilty expression captured by James Mates of ITV:
Breakfast? Cancelled. Lunch? Abandoned. Dinner? Not till 8, if at all. So Angela Merkel heads out for chips #Brexit pic.twitter.com/dz2CRuAdYK
5.55pm GMT
17:55
Philip Oltermann
A poll published this morning may hint at a surprising amount of goodwill the German public has retained towards the British government: according to a new survey by public broadcaster ZDF.
The Guardian’s Berlin bureau chief, Philip Oltermann, reports that it finds that 73% of Germans think it is ‘important’ or ‘very important’ that Britain stays in the European Union.
But the slow pace of today’s negotiations seems to be testing many German commentators’ patience. On the website Der Spiegel, commentators Peter Müller and Christoph Pauly question why Cameron felt the need to go to war for such a “risible sum” of 25 million pounds a year – the maximum amount of money Britain could save by cutting child benefits.
In Frankfurter Rundschau, Green MEP Terry Reintke bemoans that Cameron has effectively brought EU policy to a standstill at a time at which the refugee crisis demanded action.
“For years, Cameron has done nothing but appease the populists in Great Britain, he even met them halfway, making the EU responsible for all sorts of ills. With little success. Now he is lying in an European grave of his own making, because he knows that Brexit would be an economic and political disaster for the UK (just as it would be for the EU).
5.48pm GMT5.48pm GMT
17:4817:48
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. The approach of the British Labour Party to the EU negotiations in Brussels is set to get an airing on Monday at one of Labour’s (now often fractious) Parliamentary Party meetings, 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.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”.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.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.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.
Updated
at 5.51pm GMT
5.36pm GMT5.36pm GMT
17:3617:36
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.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: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.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 GMT5.26pm GMT
17:2617:26
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 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.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: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.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.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 GMT
16:47
Nicholas 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:
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.
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.
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.
4.41pm GMT
16:41
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.
Latest consultation on #UKinEU with @David_Cameron @JunckerEU @fhollande. #EUCO pic.twitter.com/JKaJH67WLT
4.28pm GMT
16:28
Cameron: 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. 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.
Updated
at 4.29pm GMT
4.14pm GMT
16:14
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.
Cameron 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.
4.09pm GMT
16:09
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.
3.54pm GMT
15:54
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/GmOsXdGDCg
3.43pm GMT
15:43
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.
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:
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.
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:
Related: Four EU states reject Cameron's migrant benefits plan
3.31pm GMT
15:31
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.
Single 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 GMT
15:25
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”
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.
Updated
at 3.32pm GMT
3.16pm GMT
15:16
So now it’s an “English dinner” according to Donald Tusk’s spokesman:
Now "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.
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.
All clear? Good.
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.