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Brexit: Britain's most senior EU official resigns after UK vote to leave – live Brexit: Britain's most senior EU official resigns after UK vote to leave – live
(35 minutes later)
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Ben Quinn
Holding a referendum on the question of Irish unification while the British government is negotiating the UK’s exit from the European Union would only lead to divisions, according to Ireland’s Foreign Minister, Charlie Flanagan.
The comments by Flanagan, who also said that the unification of Ireland would be in the best interests of its citizens, come after calls from Irish Republicans for the question to be put to voters in the wake of the UK referendum result.
“I share the view that at some stage in the future that the unification would be in the best interests of the people but only when there is a majority consent of the people in Northern Ireland,” he told the Irish national broadcaster RTE.
“We now have a situation following the referendum, where the UK is leaving the European Union. Any further referendums in Northern Ireland would cause a greater level of division than we have now and is therefore in my view particularly unhelpful.”
Under the 1999 Belfast Agreement, the UK’s Secretary of State for Northern Ireland can call a referendum if it appears likely a majority of those voting would seek to form part of a united Ireland.
However, Theresa Villiers, the Northern Ireland secretary and a leave supporter, has rejected calls for a referendum on Northern Ireland position inside the UK.
The calls have been led by senior Sinn Fein leader, including Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, who said the British government had no democratic mandate to represent the views of those in Northern Ireland after 56 percent of voters there sought to remain in the EU compared to the 52 percent of the UK as a whole who voted to leave.
Opinion polls have consistently shown little appetite from voters on either side of the border for unification. A BBC/RTE survey in November found that 30 percent of voters in Northern Ireland would like to see a united Ireland in their lifetime.
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Lisa O’Carroll is at Glastonbury, where she’s keeping an eye out for post referendum chat amid the mud and music:
This little tent in Green Futures field is where Ed Miliband is about to talk. Not many here .. #glasto pic.twitter.com/IllY1NEuHf
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George Osborne, the chancellor, has popped up to congratulate Justine Greening after largely keeping his head down since the referendum result, which he appears to make a reference to:
Congrats Justine. Best news in last 48 hours! MT "@JustineGreening: Today a good day to say I'm in a happy same sex relationship #Pride2016"
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Mark Townsend
The referendum result has been greeted with dismay from residents of the French port of Calais, reports Mark Townsend for the Observer, and there are now calls for a nearby refugee camp to be moved across the channel.
Many of the port’s residents paraphrased a central slogan from the defeated remain camp, as if repeating it might undo an unwelcome development. “We’re stronger together, it’s obvious,” said 45-year-old taxi driver Frank.
Xavier Chauberi, 42, who works at the Eurotunnel terminal at nearby Coquelles, admitted to being horrified at the venom of the referendum debate in the British media. “It’s crazy that this has happened. Maybe it’s an island mentality thing. Great Britain is one of the biggest members of Europe and what does it mean for us now?”
Inevitably, talk turned quickly to the border. Less than 12 hours after the news came that Britain had voted to leave, the mayor of Calais urged the scrapping of a deal that allows the UK to carry out immigration checks in France.
Natacha Bouchart said it was now the moment to renegotiate the Le Touquet agreement, which places border controls – and with them the hopeful refugees aspiring to settle in Britain – on the French side of the Channel. Bouchart, stipulating that Britain must “take the consequences” of its vote, wants the Jungle, the sprawling refugee camp on the outskirts of Calais, to be moved across the Strait of Dover.
For many Calais residents, the Jungle is the hottest issue in town. Standing in the central Place d’Armes, architect Nico Cousineau, 34, said: “I am very curious about what they will do with the border now. We want it moved to Dover.
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Justine Greening, the Secretary of State for International Development, might have been on the losing side in the referendum campaign but has been receiving congratulations today after telling Twitter followers that she is in a same-sex relationship. Justine Greening, the secretary of state for international development, might have been on the losing side in the referendum campaign, but she has been receiving congratulations today after telling her Twitter followers that she is in a same-sex relationship.
Today's a good day to say I'm in a happy same sex relationship, I campaigned for Stronger In but sometimes you're better off out! #Pride2016Today's a good day to say I'm in a happy same sex relationship, I campaigned for Stronger In but sometimes you're better off out! #Pride2016
The Conservative MP sent out her tweet as Pride 2016 was celebrated across the UK.The Conservative MP sent out her tweet as Pride 2016 was celebrated across the UK.
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Lisa O'CarrollLisa O'Carroll
Jeremy Corbyn continues to enjoy support from young voters in particular, if a straw poll of under-25s at Glastonbury by Lisa O’Carroll is anything to go by:Jeremy Corbyn continues to enjoy support from young voters in particular, if a straw poll of under-25s at Glastonbury by Lisa O’Carroll is anything to go by:
The mere mention of his name in the The Left Field tent, home of political discussions at the festival, raised an enormous cheer on Saturday lunchtime.The mere mention of his name in the The Left Field tent, home of political discussions at the festival, raised an enormous cheer on Saturday lunchtime.
Another enormous cheer rang out when Clive Lewis, MP for Norfolk South, who was one of the first to support Corbyn, took a shot at the Blairites in the party.Another enormous cheer rang out when Clive Lewis, MP for Norfolk South, who was one of the first to support Corbyn, took a shot at the Blairites in the party.
“I’m not going to stand back and hand my party back to the neoliberals who got us here in the first place.“I’m not going to stand back and hand my party back to the neoliberals who got us here in the first place.
“They are not the future of the party, you are the future of the party,” he told the crowd urging them to join the party and ensure a “progressive Brexit”.“They are not the future of the party, you are the future of the party,” he told the crowd urging them to join the party and ensure a “progressive Brexit”.
“I do not want to take my party back. I want to take it forward,” he added.“I do not want to take my party back. I want to take it forward,” he added.
Green party MEP Molly Scott Cato went further, calling for both the Labour party and Conservative party to “split” into the opposing sides exposed during the referendum.Green party MEP Molly Scott Cato went further, calling for both the Labour party and Conservative party to “split” into the opposing sides exposed during the referendum.
She warned that the Tories had “no domestic mandate” as those supporting the left and the right had voted for Brexit.She warned that the Tories had “no domestic mandate” as those supporting the left and the right had voted for Brexit.
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A number of Labour frontbenchers will threaten to quit next week in a bid to topple Jeremy Corbyn as party leader, according to a report by PoliticsHome.A number of Labour frontbenchers will threaten to quit next week in a bid to topple Jeremy Corbyn as party leader, according to a report by PoliticsHome.
Two backbench MPs – Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey – tabled a vote of no confidence in Corbyn on Friday in the aftermath of the shock referendum result, blaming what they saw as his lacklustre campaigning for a remain vote.Two backbench MPs – Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey – tabled a vote of no confidence in Corbyn on Friday in the aftermath of the shock referendum result, blaming what they saw as his lacklustre campaigning for a remain vote.
However, it appears he may be facing a more concerted heave to unseat him than initial reports suggested.However, it appears he may be facing a more concerted heave to unseat him than initial reports suggested.
PoliticsHome says that a number of frontbench MPs - including members of the shadow cabinet - will threaten to resign unless he agrees to step down within days:PoliticsHome says that a number of frontbench MPs - including members of the shadow cabinet - will threaten to resign unless he agrees to step down within days:
One senior MP told PoliticsHome: “It will be bloody and messy, but has to be done. The alternative is that we slowly bleed to death.”One senior MP told PoliticsHome: “It will be bloody and messy, but has to be done. The alternative is that we slowly bleed to death.”
The Labour rebels fear that the new Tory leader will call a snap election - and that a Corbyn-led Labour party would suffer a “meltdown”.The Labour rebels fear that the new Tory leader will call a snap election - and that a Corbyn-led Labour party would suffer a “meltdown”.
One backbencher said: “The groundswell now is that he’s got to go. If we go into a general election in the autumn with him in charge we are screwed.One backbencher said: “The groundswell now is that he’s got to go. If we go into a general election in the autumn with him in charge we are screwed.
“What’s got to happen now is that the shadow cabinet has got to have some balls and go to him and say ‘you’ve got to go’.”“What’s got to happen now is that the shadow cabinet has got to have some balls and go to him and say ‘you’ve got to go’.”
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Sadiq Khan has told the one million Europeans who live in London that they remain welcome despite Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.Sadiq Khan has told the one million Europeans who live in London that they remain welcome despite Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.
The mayor, speaking at the capital’s Pride festival on Saturday afternoon, said the city was grateful for the enormous contribution made by Europeans and said that would not change despite the referendum result.The mayor, speaking at the capital’s Pride festival on Saturday afternoon, said the city was grateful for the enormous contribution made by Europeans and said that would not change despite the referendum result.
Khan said he was “exploring every avenue” to ensure London could remain in the single market following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, in order to protect jobs and investment.Khan said he was “exploring every avenue” to ensure London could remain in the single market following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, in order to protect jobs and investment.
“London needs to be represented at the negotiating table when it comes to any deal with the EU,” he said.“London needs to be represented at the negotiating table when it comes to any deal with the EU,” he said.
The Labour mayor urged his party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to recognise that the country had been left divided in the wake of the EU vote and that he must help “heal those rifts”.The Labour mayor urged his party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to recognise that the country had been left divided in the wake of the EU vote and that he must help “heal those rifts”.
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David Cameron is sorry that Britain’s most senior EU officials, Jonathan Hill, has decided to step down, a Downing Street spokesman said.David Cameron is sorry that Britain’s most senior EU officials, Jonathan Hill, has decided to step down, a Downing Street spokesman said.
The spokesman added:The spokesman added:
He is extremely grateful to Lord Hill for his service at the European commission in the crucial portfolio of financial stability, financial services and capital markets union.He is extremely grateful to Lord Hill for his service at the European commission in the crucial portfolio of financial stability, financial services and capital markets union.
He has done an excellent job as a commissioner - helping to focus the European commission on measures to promote growth and jobs, in particular his proposals to increase the flow of affordable investment capital across the EU and for giving the UK a strong voice in the European commission. The prime minister wishes Lord Hill well for the future.He has done an excellent job as a commissioner - helping to focus the European commission on measures to promote growth and jobs, in particular his proposals to increase the flow of affordable investment capital across the EU and for giving the UK a strong voice in the European commission. The prime minister wishes Lord Hill well for the future.
Meanwhile, analysis from Twitter has shown that David Cameron’s resignation was the most tweeted-about event surrounding the EU referendum.Meanwhile, analysis from Twitter has shown that David Cameron’s resignation was the most tweeted-about event surrounding the EU referendum.
Approximately 13,300 tweets were sent per minute as the PM made his speech following the historic decision to leave, according to the social network.Approximately 13,300 tweets were sent per minute as the PM made his speech following the historic decision to leave, according to the social network.
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A petition calling for a new EU referendum has no chance of reversing this week’s historic vote to leave, according to one of Britain’s foremost elections expert.A petition calling for a new EU referendum has no chance of reversing this week’s historic vote to leave, according to one of Britain’s foremost elections expert.
Professor John Curtice, whose exit poll was the only one to predict the Conservatives would win last year’s general election and who has earned a near sage-like reputation among journalists, said the subject was so divisive within mainstream political parties and their supporters that it would be unlikely to form a campaigning issue for some time, let alone spark another public vote.Professor John Curtice, whose exit poll was the only one to predict the Conservatives would win last year’s general election and who has earned a near sage-like reputation among journalists, said the subject was so divisive within mainstream political parties and their supporters that it would be unlikely to form a campaigning issue for some time, let alone spark another public vote.
Thursday’s referendum saw 17.4 million (51.9%) votes cast to leave the EU, compared with 16.1 million (48.1%) for remaining part of the bloc, with a turnout of 72.2%, according to the Electoral Commission.Thursday’s referendum saw 17.4 million (51.9%) votes cast to leave the EU, compared with 16.1 million (48.1%) for remaining part of the bloc, with a turnout of 72.2%, according to the Electoral Commission.
In response, nearly 1.5 million people have signed an online petition calling for the government to implement a rule that “if the Remain or Leave vote is less than 60% based on a turnout less than 75%, there should be another referendum”.In response, nearly 1.5 million people have signed an online petition calling for the government to implement a rule that “if the Remain or Leave vote is less than 60% based on a turnout less than 75%, there should be another referendum”.
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If you’re wondering why article 50 of the Lisbon treaty seems to be on the lips of every politician then you may want to take a look at this piece by the Guardian’s Jennifer Rankin, Julian Borger and Mark Rice-Oxley.If you’re wondering why article 50 of the Lisbon treaty seems to be on the lips of every politician then you may want to take a look at this piece by the Guardian’s Jennifer Rankin, Julian Borger and Mark Rice-Oxley.
The clause sets out how an EU country might voluntarily leave the union. The wording is vague, almost as if the drafters thought it unlikely it would ever come into play.The clause sets out how an EU country might voluntarily leave the union. The wording is vague, almost as if the drafters thought it unlikely it would ever come into play.
Now, it is the subject of a dispute between EU leaders desperate for certainty in the wake of the Brexit vote, and Brexiters in the UK playing for time.Now, it is the subject of a dispute between EU leaders desperate for certainty in the wake of the Brexit vote, and Brexiters in the UK playing for time.
Article 50 says: “Any member state may decide to withdraw from the union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.”Article 50 says: “Any member state may decide to withdraw from the union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.”
It specifies that a leaver should notify the European council of its intention, negotiate a deal on its withdrawal and establish legal grounds for a future relationship with the EU. On the European side, the agreement needs a qualified majority of member states and consent of the European parliament.It specifies that a leaver should notify the European council of its intention, negotiate a deal on its withdrawal and establish legal grounds for a future relationship with the EU. On the European side, the agreement needs a qualified majority of member states and consent of the European parliament.
The only real quantifiable detail in the article is a provision that gives negotiators two years from the date of article 50 notification to conclude new arrangements. Failure to do so results in the exiting state falling out of the EU with no new provisions in place, unless every one of the remaining EU states agrees to extend the negotiations.The only real quantifiable detail in the article is a provision that gives negotiators two years from the date of article 50 notification to conclude new arrangements. Failure to do so results in the exiting state falling out of the EU with no new provisions in place, unless every one of the remaining EU states agrees to extend the negotiations.
No country has ever invoked article 50 – yet.No country has ever invoked article 50 – yet.
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Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
The Irish Times has pulled no punches in its editorial on Brexit today, calling it a “Bewildering act of self harm.”The Irish Times has pulled no punches in its editorial on Brexit today, calling it a “Bewildering act of self harm.”
The paper believes there will be an “inevitable” return to “lamentable border controls”.The paper believes there will be an “inevitable” return to “lamentable border controls”.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist grandee and former MP Lord Kilclooney (aka John Taylor) has some advice for the Irish Republic.Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist grandee and former MP Lord Kilclooney (aka John Taylor) has some advice for the Irish Republic.
The peer writes: “The exit of the UK from the EU will damage the Republic more than any of the other 26 EU nations. In order to secure Irish beef, lamb and dairy exports into the UK, as well as ensure there will be no barriers along the border, it would be helpful for the Republic to hold a referendum about its future with the EU.”The peer writes: “The exit of the UK from the EU will damage the Republic more than any of the other 26 EU nations. In order to secure Irish beef, lamb and dairy exports into the UK, as well as ensure there will be no barriers along the border, it would be helpful for the Republic to hold a referendum about its future with the EU.”
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David Cameron was greeted with muted applause when he made an appearance at an armed forces event in Lincolnshire earlier, and was shouted at by at least one person in the crowd, according to the Guardian’s Rowena Mason.David Cameron was greeted with muted applause when he made an appearance at an armed forces event in Lincolnshire earlier, and was shouted at by at least one person in the crowd, according to the Guardian’s Rowena Mason.
Appearing alongside military chiefs and the Duke of Kent, the prime minister was smiling but did not make any public statement.Appearing alongside military chiefs and the Duke of Kent, the prime minister was smiling but did not make any public statement.
Earlier he released a video in support of Pride celebrations, saying Britain was a great country where people of all backgrounds live and work together in harmony.Earlier he released a video in support of Pride celebrations, saying Britain was a great country where people of all backgrounds live and work together in harmony.
He also spoke of the Orlando atrocity that was a “direct attack on the LGBT community”.He also spoke of the Orlando atrocity that was a “direct attack on the LGBT community”.
Cameron did not mention the EU referendum, but added: “Our values - of openness, tolerance, equality and solidarity - is what makes Britain so special.”Cameron did not mention the EU referendum, but added: “Our values - of openness, tolerance, equality and solidarity - is what makes Britain so special.”
PM: Pride says to Londoners, Britain and the world: be yourself. #NoFilter #Pride2016https://t.co/65Bk4IAAVkPM: Pride says to Londoners, Britain and the world: be yourself. #NoFilter #Pride2016https://t.co/65Bk4IAAVk
Ciaran Jenkins meanwhile picks up on one of the tunes which may not entirely have been to Cameron’s liking at the Armed Forces event:Ciaran Jenkins meanwhile picks up on one of the tunes which may not entirely have been to Cameron’s liking at the Armed Forces event:
Scotland the Brave. That's just rubbing it in. pic.twitter.com/89bVOcbeygScotland the Brave. That's just rubbing it in. pic.twitter.com/89bVOcbeyg
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Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
Ireland’s parliament, the Dáil, is to be recalled on Monday to discuss the implications of Brexit on the Republic, the Irish prime minister has announced.Ireland’s parliament, the Dáil, is to be recalled on Monday to discuss the implications of Brexit on the Republic, the Irish prime minister has announced.
Enda Kenny also assured the Irish people that the government in Dublin has laid down plans to cope with the UK leaving the EU and to lessen its impact on Ireland.Enda Kenny also assured the Irish people that the government in Dublin has laid down plans to cope with the UK leaving the EU and to lessen its impact on Ireland.
The taoiseach told RTÉ on Saturday: “There will be no immediate change to the free flow of people, goods and services between our islands.”The taoiseach told RTÉ on Saturday: “There will be no immediate change to the free flow of people, goods and services between our islands.”
Kenny said the government had a contingency plan for Brexit in placeand revealed that he had had a telephone conversation with David Cameron in which the prime minister thanked his Irish counterpart for his support during the referendum campaign.Kenny said the government had a contingency plan for Brexit in placeand revealed that he had had a telephone conversation with David Cameron in which the prime minister thanked his Irish counterpart for his support during the referendum campaign.
While Ireland remained solidly neutral during the Scottish Independence referendum of 2014, a number of Irish ministers – includingKenny – actively encouraged Irish citizens living in the UK to vote to temain.While Ireland remained solidly neutral during the Scottish Independence referendum of 2014, a number of Irish ministers – includingKenny – actively encouraged Irish citizens living in the UK to vote to temain.
Cameron and Kenny agreed that work must continue between Irish and UK ministers to maintain the stability of the Northern Ireland peace process and power-sharing settlement.Cameron and Kenny agreed that work must continue between Irish and UK ministers to maintain the stability of the Northern Ireland peace process and power-sharing settlement.
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