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| Sinn Fein accuses Theresa May of not honouring Good Friday agreement - politics live | Sinn Fein accuses Theresa May of not honouring Good Friday agreement - politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 5.36pm BST | |
| 17:36 | |
| Afternoon summary | |
| Theresa May has ordered a full public inquiry into the devastating fire in Grenfell Tower in west London, as the death toll continues to rise. She announced the inquiry as Labour said the government had some “very serious questions” to answer about how the fire was allowed to happen. | |
| May is pressing ahead with holding a Queen’s speech next Wednesday to set out her plans for government, while negotiations continue with the Democratic Unionist party about the nature of their support for a minority Conservative government. | |
| Sinn Fein has accused May of not honouring the Good Friday agreement. Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein president, made the claim after meeting May to discuss the resumption of power-sharing in Northern Ireland and his party’s concerns about the Tories’ proposed deal with the DUP. (See 5.18am.) Earlier, after his meeting with May, the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also expressed doubts about the Tory/DUP deal. He said: | |
| The prime minister will have to do a lot more, however, to convince us that the DUP tail isn’t wagging the Tory dog. | |
| Their influence on the British government is a cause for deep concern that must be addressed to assure the public and political parties of the independence of the talks process [intended to lead to the restoration of power sharing]. The Irish government will be critical to that and they should reassert their role as co-guarantors of our agreements. | |
| The annual Mansion House dinner for City grandees planned for Thursday night, which includes speeches by the chancellor and governor of the Bank of England, has been cancelled following the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower, west London. | |
| The Brexit department and the European Commission have announced that Brexit negotiations will start on Monday. | |
| Internal Conservative research used to road-test different cabinet ministers to decide how to deploy them in the general election campaign found that Boris Johnson was deeply divisive, the Guardian has been told. | |
| That’s all from me for today. | |
| Thanks for the comments. | |
| 5.18pm BST | 5.18pm BST |
| 17:18 | 17:18 |
| Sinn Fein accuses May of not honouring Good Friday agreement | Sinn Fein accuses May of not honouring Good Friday agreement |
| This is what Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein president, said as he left No 10. | This is what Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein president, said as he left No 10. |
| We have just finished a meeting with the British prime minister and her secretary of state. And we told her very directly that she was in breach of the Good Friday agreement and we itemised those matters in which she was dilatory or in default in relation to that agreement. | We have just finished a meeting with the British prime minister and her secretary of state. And we told her very directly that she was in breach of the Good Friday agreement and we itemised those matters in which she was dilatory or in default in relation to that agreement. |
| Adams also said that he and his colleagues handed over the resignation letter written by the late Martin McGuinness when he stood down as Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister. Adams said that set out the problems that were holding up the restoration of power-sharing in Northern Ireland. | Adams also said that he and his colleagues handed over the resignation letter written by the late Martin McGuinness when he stood down as Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister. Adams said that set out the problems that were holding up the restoration of power-sharing in Northern Ireland. |
| 5.03pm BST | 5.03pm BST |
| 17:03 | 17:03 |
| Sinn Fein says Tory/DUP deal would be in breach of Good Friday agreement | Sinn Fein says Tory/DUP deal would be in breach of Good Friday agreement |
| Gerry Adams, the Sinn Féin president, is speaking alongside his Sinn Féin colleagues after their meeting with Theresa May. | Gerry Adams, the Sinn Féin president, is speaking alongside his Sinn Féin colleagues after their meeting with Theresa May. |
| He says they told May that a deal with the DUP would be in breach of the Good Friday agreement. | He says they told May that a deal with the DUP would be in breach of the Good Friday agreement. |
| Adam says this is the first time he has been to No 10 without Martin McGuinness. | Adam says this is the first time he has been to No 10 without Martin McGuinness. |
| Michelle O’Neill, the Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland, is speaking now. She says the British government must continue its role as co-guarantor of the Good Friday agreement. | Michelle O’Neill, the Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland, is speaking now. She says the British government must continue its role as co-guarantor of the Good Friday agreement. |
| She says the British government has taken away £1bn from Northern Ireland. That has made making power-sharing work much harder, she says. | She says the British government has taken away £1bn from Northern Ireland. That has made making power-sharing work much harder, she says. |
| Adams makes the same point. The Northern Ireland institutions have been “undermined by austerity”, he says. | Adams makes the same point. The Northern Ireland institutions have been “undermined by austerity”, he says. |
| Q: Would you ever take your seats at Westminster? | Q: Would you ever take your seats at Westminster? |
| Adams says the Sinn Féin MPs are republicans. They were elected on a mandate not to get involved in British affairs. They will not swear allegiance to the Queen. The British can decide their own affairs and make their own mess of it, he says. | Adams says the Sinn Féin MPs are republicans. They were elected on a mandate not to get involved in British affairs. They will not swear allegiance to the Queen. The British can decide their own affairs and make their own mess of it, he says. |
| Gerry Adams and the Sinn Fein team coming out of No10. pic.twitter.com/V6AURq5yFl | Gerry Adams and the Sinn Fein team coming out of No10. pic.twitter.com/V6AURq5yFl |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.38pm BST | |
| 4.12pm BST | 4.12pm BST |
| 16:12 | 16:12 |
| The Ulster Unionists also raised the transparency of any Tory/DUP deal in their talks with Theresa May. As ITV’s Carl Dinnen reports, the UUP leader Robin Swann said he was assured the deal would be published. | The Ulster Unionists also raised the transparency of any Tory/DUP deal in their talks with Theresa May. As ITV’s Carl Dinnen reports, the UUP leader Robin Swann said he was assured the deal would be published. |
| NEW Robin Swann, Ulster Unionist Party leader, says the Prime Minister has promised to make the whole deal with the DUP public. | NEW Robin Swann, Ulster Unionist Party leader, says the Prime Minister has promised to make the whole deal with the DUP public. |
| 4.08pm BST | 4.08pm BST |
| 16:08 | 16:08 |
| At first minister’s questions in Edinburgh Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, criticised the prospective deal between the Tories and the DUP. She told MSPs: | At first minister’s questions in Edinburgh Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, criticised the prospective deal between the Tories and the DUP. She told MSPs: |
| I want to record my deep-seated concern and, I believe, the deep-seated concern of many, not just in Scotland but across the UK right now, at the prospect of some sort of grubby deal between the Tories and the DUP to allow Theresa May to cling to office. | I want to record my deep-seated concern and, I believe, the deep-seated concern of many, not just in Scotland but across the UK right now, at the prospect of some sort of grubby deal between the Tories and the DUP to allow Theresa May to cling to office. |
| I don’t think that kind of deal, particularly if it is not completely and utterly transparent, is in the national interest in any way, shape or form. | I don’t think that kind of deal, particularly if it is not completely and utterly transparent, is in the national interest in any way, shape or form. |
| I say that not just because of some of the views of the DUP that, perhaps not all of us, but many of us feel deeply uncomfortable about, but I also say that because of a real concern about the disregard that is being shown for the Northern Irish peace process. | I say that not just because of some of the views of the DUP that, perhaps not all of us, but many of us feel deeply uncomfortable about, but I also say that because of a real concern about the disregard that is being shown for the Northern Irish peace process. |
| I think one of the most shameful aspects of the whole Brexit process from the beginning to now has been the disregard shown by many for that peace process. | I think one of the most shameful aspects of the whole Brexit process from the beginning to now has been the disregard shown by many for that peace process. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.10pm BST | at 4.10pm BST |
| 4.05pm BST | 4.05pm BST |
| 16:05 | 16:05 |
| David Laws accuses Farron of having 'fundamentally illiberal and prejudiced views' | David Laws accuses Farron of having 'fundamentally illiberal and prejudiced views' |
| David Laws, the former Lib Dem minister, has welcomed Tim Farron’s decision to resign as party leader, saying that Farron’s views on homosexuality were “fundamentally illiberal and prejudiced”. In an article for the i, Laws said: | David Laws, the former Lib Dem minister, has welcomed Tim Farron’s decision to resign as party leader, saying that Farron’s views on homosexuality were “fundamentally illiberal and prejudiced”. In an article for the i, Laws said: |
| You cannot be a leader of a liberal party while holding fundamentally illiberal and prejudiced views which fail to respect our party’s great traditions of promoting equality for all our citizens. | You cannot be a leader of a liberal party while holding fundamentally illiberal and prejudiced views which fail to respect our party’s great traditions of promoting equality for all our citizens. |
| Many of us have despaired over the last few weeks in seeing all the good work of Liberal Democrats such as Lynne Featherstone, who drove through the equal marriage legislation under the coalition, undermined by Tim’s failure to be able to give direct and liberal responses on his own attitudes to homosexuality. | Many of us have despaired over the last few weeks in seeing all the good work of Liberal Democrats such as Lynne Featherstone, who drove through the equal marriage legislation under the coalition, undermined by Tim’s failure to be able to give direct and liberal responses on his own attitudes to homosexuality. |
| A Liberal Democrat election campaign, which should have appealed to liberal voters of all ages, has been undermined by the outdated opinions and views which Tim clearly holds … | A Liberal Democrat election campaign, which should have appealed to liberal voters of all ages, has been undermined by the outdated opinions and views which Tim clearly holds … |
| As a gay man, I do not wish to be ‘tolerated’. I wish to be respected for who I am. And I want a party leader whose respect for human equality comes before outdated and frankly offensive religious views. | As a gay man, I do not wish to be ‘tolerated’. I wish to be respected for who I am. And I want a party leader whose respect for human equality comes before outdated and frankly offensive religious views. |
| During the election campaign Farron, an evangelical Christian, was repeatedly asked if he regarded gay sex as a sin. Eventually he said that he did not, although later he was reluctant to make that statement again when pressed in an LBC phone-in. | During the election campaign Farron, an evangelical Christian, was repeatedly asked if he regarded gay sex as a sin. Eventually he said that he did not, although later he was reluctant to make that statement again when pressed in an LBC phone-in. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.43pm BST | at 4.43pm BST |
| 3.55pm BST | 3.55pm BST |
| 15:55 | 15:55 |
| Tories received more than twice as much as other parties combined in registrable election donations, Electoral Commission says | Tories received more than twice as much as other parties combined in registrable election donations, Electoral Commission says |
| The Conservatives enjoyed a significant financial advantage during the general election campaign, taking in more than £2 in large donations for every pound received by other parties, the Press Association reports. | The Conservatives enjoyed a significant financial advantage during the general election campaign, taking in more than £2 in large donations for every pound received by other parties, the Press Association reports. |
| Electoral Commission figures covering donations worth more than £7,500 for all but the last two days of the campaign showed that the Tories added almost £12.5m to their battle chest compared with £6.1m by all the others combined. | Electoral Commission figures covering donations worth more than £7,500 for all but the last two days of the campaign showed that the Tories added almost £12.5m to their battle chest compared with £6.1m by all the others combined. |
| The Conservatives took in £12,488,791, while Labour received £4,537,416, Liberal Democrats £1,215,594, the Women’s Equality party £152,960, Ukip £99,300, the Scottish National party £63,000, the Greens £52,866 and the Socialist party £10,000. | The Conservatives took in £12,488,791, while Labour received £4,537,416, Liberal Democrats £1,215,594, the Women’s Equality party £152,960, Ukip £99,300, the Scottish National party £63,000, the Greens £52,866 and the Socialist party £10,000. |
| These figures only cover registrable donations, the ones worth more than £7,500. Labour may have done better with small donations. During the campaign the party said it had received more than 100,000 online donations, worth £22 on average. | These figures only cover registrable donations, the ones worth more than £7,500. Labour may have done better with small donations. During the campaign the party said it had received more than 100,000 online donations, worth £22 on average. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.13pm BST | at 4.13pm BST |
| 3.40pm BST | 3.40pm BST |
| 15:40 | 15:40 |
| Henry McDonald | Henry McDonald |
| The Democratic Unionist leader and now Westminster kingmaker, Arlene Foster, will travel to Dublin tomorrow to meet Ireland’s new taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. | The Democratic Unionist leader and now Westminster kingmaker, Arlene Foster, will travel to Dublin tomorrow to meet Ireland’s new taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. |
| The Irish prime minister is hosting the leaders of all the main political parties in Northern Ireland as he weighs in on efforts to push them towards agreement to restore power sharing in the region by the end of this month. | The Irish prime minister is hosting the leaders of all the main political parties in Northern Ireland as he weighs in on efforts to push them towards agreement to restore power sharing in the region by the end of this month. |
| Senior Irish sources said they were optimistic that a deal on devolution was still possible and believe that today’s meetings between Theresa May and the Northern Irish parties is part of “choreography” designed to build trust before the main talks next week. | Senior Irish sources said they were optimistic that a deal on devolution was still possible and believe that today’s meetings between Theresa May and the Northern Irish parties is part of “choreography” designed to build trust before the main talks next week. |
| The Irish sources said they expected there would be some “transparency” about the looming deal between the DUP and the Conservatives over putting the Tories back into power. | The Irish sources said they expected there would be some “transparency” about the looming deal between the DUP and the Conservatives over putting the Tories back into power. |
| Crucially, they told the Guardian that, contrary to some reports, they expect the DUP will vote for the Queen’s speech next Wednesday rather than simply abstain. | Crucially, they told the Guardian that, contrary to some reports, they expect the DUP will vote for the Queen’s speech next Wednesday rather than simply abstain. |
| The Irish government believes May will stress in her meetings today that the British are still committed to the “rigorous impartiality” enshrined in the Good Friday agreement. | The Irish government believes May will stress in her meetings today that the British are still committed to the “rigorous impartiality” enshrined in the Good Friday agreement. |
| As for the delay in revealing the DUP-Tory deal, the Irish say that up to 90% of the agreement is probably finalised but that some of the economic dividends the DUP are seeking from the arrangement are currently being evaluated by the Treasury. | As for the delay in revealing the DUP-Tory deal, the Irish say that up to 90% of the agreement is probably finalised but that some of the economic dividends the DUP are seeking from the arrangement are currently being evaluated by the Treasury. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.15pm BST | at 4.15pm BST |
| 3.37pm BST | 3.37pm BST |
| 15:37 | 15:37 |
| Alliance party expresses concerns about Tory/DUP deal after talks with May | Alliance party expresses concerns about Tory/DUP deal after talks with May |
| Apologies for the lack of posts here while I have been covering the ministerial briefing for the Grenfell Tower fire blog. | Apologies for the lack of posts here while I have been covering the ministerial briefing for the Grenfell Tower fire blog. |
| Meanwhile, Theresa May has started her talks with the Northern Ireland parties. These are about restoring power-sharing at Stormont, not specifically about the Tory/DUP deal. | Meanwhile, Theresa May has started her talks with the Northern Ireland parties. These are about restoring power-sharing at Stormont, not specifically about the Tory/DUP deal. |
| First in were the Alliance party. And their leader, Naomi Long, came out saying she was concerned about the prospect of the DUP doing a deal with the Tories. These are from Sky’s Faisal Islam. | First in were the Alliance party. And their leader, Naomi Long, came out saying she was concerned about the prospect of the DUP doing a deal with the Tories. These are from Sky’s Faisal Islam. |
| Naomi Long of NI Alliance party has come out of No 10 after PM talks saying she's "not reassured" by UK Govt neutrality post DUP-Tory deal. | Naomi Long of NI Alliance party has come out of No 10 after PM talks saying she's "not reassured" by UK Govt neutrality post DUP-Tory deal. |
| Long: "its the DUP having leverage over the UK Government" not the other way round... and she raises the issue of party funding arrangements | Long: "its the DUP having leverage over the UK Government" not the other way round... and she raises the issue of party funding arrangements |
| 1.23pm BST | 1.23pm BST |
| 13:23 | 13:23 |
| Nick Hurd, the fire minister, is going to speak to MPs in Westminster Hall at 1.30pm about the Grenfell Tower fire. | Nick Hurd, the fire minister, is going to speak to MPs in Westminster Hall at 1.30pm about the Grenfell Tower fire. |
| But it is not a proceeding of parliament, and it will not be televised. I’m heading off there now to cover it in person. I will be blogging about it in the Grenfell Tower blog. | But it is not a proceeding of parliament, and it will not be televised. I’m heading off there now to cover it in person. I will be blogging about it in the Grenfell Tower blog. |