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| Donald Tusk says May's offer on EU citizens is 'below our expectations' - as it happened | Donald Tusk says May's offer on EU citizens is 'below our expectations' - as it happened |
| (5 months later) | |
| That’s your lot today. Here’s a summary: | That’s your lot today. Here’s a summary: |
| EU citizens | EU citizens |
| EU leaders have described the UK’s opening offer to protect EU citizens’ rights as vague and inadequate, suggesting the British government needs to go further. Donald Tusk, president of the European council, said the offer was “below our expectations” and would worsen the rights of the EU citizens. | EU leaders have described the UK’s opening offer to protect EU citizens’ rights as vague and inadequate, suggesting the British government needs to go further. Donald Tusk, president of the European council, said the offer was “below our expectations” and would worsen the rights of the EU citizens. |
| Theresa May has reaffirmed the importance of controlling migration to the UK from other EU countries as a central aim of Brexit. At a press conference in Brussels, she underlined the fact that once Britain formally leaves the EU, in 2019, controlling immigration will be a key priority, which she believes voters were demanding when they backed Brexit last year. | Theresa May has reaffirmed the importance of controlling migration to the UK from other EU countries as a central aim of Brexit. At a press conference in Brussels, she underlined the fact that once Britain formally leaves the EU, in 2019, controlling immigration will be a key priority, which she believes voters were demanding when they backed Brexit last year. |
| Representatives of EU citizens in Britain have branded May’s offer to guarantee their rights after Brexit pathetic. They say the offer is damaging for Britons in Europe to whom, a fortnight ago, the EU offered a lifetime guarantee of all their current rights, something that the British team in Brussels failed to acknowledge on Thursday night, instead talking of how the UK’s offer was only on the table if it was reciprocated by the EU. | Representatives of EU citizens in Britain have branded May’s offer to guarantee their rights after Brexit pathetic. They say the offer is damaging for Britons in Europe to whom, a fortnight ago, the EU offered a lifetime guarantee of all their current rights, something that the British team in Brussels failed to acknowledge on Thursday night, instead talking of how the UK’s offer was only on the table if it was reciprocated by the EU. |
| May was the sole cabinet minister to block a unilateral offer to EU citizens that they could remain in the days after the referendum, according to the London Evening Standard. The paper, edited by the former chancellor George Osborne, reports that David Cameron had prepared an offer to give EU citizens certainty but May insisted on “blocking it”. May said this was not her recollection. | May was the sole cabinet minister to block a unilateral offer to EU citizens that they could remain in the days after the referendum, according to the London Evening Standard. The paper, edited by the former chancellor George Osborne, reports that David Cameron had prepared an offer to give EU citizens certainty but May insisted on “blocking it”. May said this was not her recollection. |
| Grenfell Tower fire | Grenfell Tower fire |
| Police have said they are considering manslaughter charges in relation to the Grenfell Tower blaze as they revealed that the insulation and cladding tiles at the building had failed safety tests. Det Supt Fiona McCormack said officers had established the initial cause of the fire was a fridge-freezer and that it was not started deliberately. | Police have said they are considering manslaughter charges in relation to the Grenfell Tower blaze as they revealed that the insulation and cladding tiles at the building had failed safety tests. Det Supt Fiona McCormack said officers had established the initial cause of the fire was a fridge-freezer and that it was not started deliberately. |
| Hotpoint has urged owners of its fridge-freezers to check their model numbers for safety reasons after one of its models, the FF175BP, was identified as the initial cause of the Grenfell Tower fire. A spokesman urged consumers who believe they own that model or the FF175BG to contact the company on a freephone hotline or visit the website to register their details. | Hotpoint has urged owners of its fridge-freezers to check their model numbers for safety reasons after one of its models, the FF175BP, was identified as the initial cause of the Grenfell Tower fire. A spokesman urged consumers who believe they own that model or the FF175BG to contact the company on a freephone hotline or visit the website to register their details. |
| Officials at Kensington and Chelsea council are withdrawing documents sent to survivors that they feared could have waived their legal rights in return for receiving emergency payments. A spokesman for the fire response team at Westminster council said: “There was an original form that was issued to get information to residents as soon as possible. This is now in the process of being withdrawn.” | Officials at Kensington and Chelsea council are withdrawing documents sent to survivors that they feared could have waived their legal rights in return for receiving emergency payments. A spokesman for the fire response team at Westminster council said: “There was an original form that was issued to get information to residents as soon as possible. This is now in the process of being withdrawn.” |
| More councils and landlords have confirmed that they will be removing cladding as fire checks continue across the country. Residents in blocks in Hounslow, Portsmouth and Islington have become the latest to be told the cladding will be removed as a precaution. | More councils and landlords have confirmed that they will be removing cladding as fire checks continue across the country. Residents in blocks in Hounslow, Portsmouth and Islington have become the latest to be told the cladding will be removed as a precaution. |
| One year on from Britain’s vote to leave the EU, the anniversary of the referendum was overshadowed by fresh outbreaks of doubt. | One year on from Britain’s vote to leave the EU, the anniversary of the referendum was overshadowed by fresh outbreaks of doubt. |
| The problem – as both Brexiters and remainers unite in pointing out – is that once you start contemplating the need for a transition that is both half in and half out of Europe, the arguments in favour of staying put quickly mount. The lengthy transition phase desired by Hammond and others would retain many of the economic benefits of EU membership but with even less of the political freedoms said to motivate voters than the country enjoys now. | The problem – as both Brexiters and remainers unite in pointing out – is that once you start contemplating the need for a transition that is both half in and half out of Europe, the arguments in favour of staying put quickly mount. The lengthy transition phase desired by Hammond and others would retain many of the economic benefits of EU membership but with even less of the political freedoms said to motivate voters than the country enjoys now. |
| The path from hard Brexit to soft Brexit could become a slippery slope to no Brexit. | The path from hard Brexit to soft Brexit could become a slippery slope to no Brexit. |
| Portsmouth City Council is removing cladding from two high-rise buildings as a precautionary measure, it announced. | Portsmouth City Council is removing cladding from two high-rise buildings as a precautionary measure, it announced. |
| Following independent testing, cladding on Horatia House and Leamington House in the Somerstown area is being removed to ensure the highest safety standards, it said. | Following independent testing, cladding on Horatia House and Leamington House in the Somerstown area is being removed to ensure the highest safety standards, it said. |
| Luke Stubbs, deputy leader of the council said: “Like all councils, we have been working with the government and fire service to review our buildings. As a precaution we submitted some cladding for testing and the results that came back said the cladding on Horatia House and Leamington House was a fire risk. | Luke Stubbs, deputy leader of the council said: “Like all councils, we have been working with the government and fire service to review our buildings. As a precaution we submitted some cladding for testing and the results that came back said the cladding on Horatia House and Leamington House was a fire risk. |
| “As a result we are removing the cladding from those buildings. Protection of Portsmouth’s residents is our number one priority and we will not comprise on safety standards.“We will be removing the cladding as quickly as we can, in the meantime we would like to reassure residents we have conducted a full assessment of the buildings, with Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service, and the buildings are safe to stay in with all of the existing safety measures still in place. | “As a result we are removing the cladding from those buildings. Protection of Portsmouth’s residents is our number one priority and we will not comprise on safety standards.“We will be removing the cladding as quickly as we can, in the meantime we would like to reassure residents we have conducted a full assessment of the buildings, with Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service, and the buildings are safe to stay in with all of the existing safety measures still in place. |
| Theresa May has reaffirmed the importance of controlling migration to the UK from other EU countries as a central aim of Brexit, after a meeting with other EU leaders in Brussels. | Theresa May has reaffirmed the importance of controlling migration to the UK from other EU countries as a central aim of Brexit, after a meeting with other EU leaders in Brussels. |
| At a dinner with the other 27 EU leaders on Thursday night, the prime minister outlined the broad principles of what she called a “fair and serious offer” to protect the rights of EU citizens living in the UK – before leaving to allow them to continue discussions without her. | At a dinner with the other 27 EU leaders on Thursday night, the prime minister outlined the broad principles of what she called a “fair and serious offer” to protect the rights of EU citizens living in the UK – before leaving to allow them to continue discussions without her. |
| But at a press conference in Brussels on Friday, she underlined the fact that once Britain formally leaves the EU, in 2019, controlling immigration will be a key priority, which she believes voters were demanding when they backed Brexit last year. | But at a press conference in Brussels on Friday, she underlined the fact that once Britain formally leaves the EU, in 2019, controlling immigration will be a key priority, which she believes voters were demanding when they backed Brexit last year. |
| “I think what voters voted for when they voted to leave the EU was to ensure that outside the European Union the United Kingdom could establish our own rules on migration, from the EU into the UK, and that is exactly what we will be doing,” May said. | “I think what voters voted for when they voted to leave the EU was to ensure that outside the European Union the United Kingdom could establish our own rules on migration, from the EU into the UK, and that is exactly what we will be doing,” May said. |
| Theresa May’s proposals on the rights of EU citizens in the UK do not represent a “breakthrough” in the Brexit negotiations, Angela Merkel said. | Theresa May’s proposals on the rights of EU citizens in the UK do not represent a “breakthrough” in the Brexit negotiations, Angela Merkel said. |
| The German chancellor said the prime minister’s plan, set out at the European council summit in Brussels, was a “good beginning”. | The German chancellor said the prime minister’s plan, set out at the European council summit in Brussels, was a “good beginning”. |
| At a highly symbolic joint press conference with the new French president, Emmanuel Macron, the German leader said there was “a long way to go yet”. | At a highly symbolic joint press conference with the new French president, Emmanuel Macron, the German leader said there was “a long way to go yet”. |
| Merkel said: “That was a good beginning but - and I’m trying to word this very carefully - it was not a breakthrough. | Merkel said: “That was a good beginning but - and I’m trying to word this very carefully - it was not a breakthrough. |
| “We have said we want to pursue this matter in good co-operation but what has come out yesterday was also that we still have a long way to go yet.” | “We have said we want to pursue this matter in good co-operation but what has come out yesterday was also that we still have a long way to go yet.” |
| Here are the key points to emerge from May’s press conference: | Here are the key points to emerge from May’s press conference: |
| Do the plans on citizenship amount to taking back control? | Do the plans on citizenship amount to taking back control? |
| What voters voted for when they voted to leave the EU was to ensure that outside the EU, the UK could establish our own rules on migration, on movement of people from the EU into the UK. And that is exactly what we will be doing. | What voters voted for when they voted to leave the EU was to ensure that outside the EU, the UK could establish our own rules on migration, on movement of people from the EU into the UK. And that is exactly what we will be doing. |
| Are you going to have to go further to get a deal on EU citizens? | Are you going to have to go further to get a deal on EU citizens? |
| I remain of the view that it is a fair and serious offer. Those citizens from EU countries who have come to the UK … will be able to stay and we will guarantee their rights. I think that is a very serious offer. There are some differences between that and the proposals of the European commission. The matter will now go into the negotiations. I said all along that I wanted this issue of citizens’ rights to be one of the first issues addressed in the formal negotiations and indeed it will be. | I remain of the view that it is a fair and serious offer. Those citizens from EU countries who have come to the UK … will be able to stay and we will guarantee their rights. I think that is a very serious offer. There are some differences between that and the proposals of the European commission. The matter will now go into the negotiations. I said all along that I wanted this issue of citizens’ rights to be one of the first issues addressed in the formal negotiations and indeed it will be. |
| Did you block an otherwise united cabinet who wanted to offer a unilateral guarantee to EU citizens after the referendum? | Did you block an otherwise united cabinet who wanted to offer a unilateral guarantee to EU citizens after the referendum? |
| That is certainly not my recollection. I have been very clear it should be addressed at an early stage of the negotiations. We have made a fair and serious offer giving reassurance to all those EU citizens living in the UK. But I also want to see that certainty given to UK citizens living in the EU. | That is certainly not my recollection. I have been very clear it should be addressed at an early stage of the negotiations. We have made a fair and serious offer giving reassurance to all those EU citizens living in the UK. But I also want to see that certainty given to UK citizens living in the EU. |
| Do you have a mandate to leave the single market and customs union? | Do you have a mandate to leave the single market and customs union? |
| If you look at what happened in the general election, over 80% of British voters voted for parties who were committed to the UK leaving the EU and that’s exactly what we are going to do. | If you look at what happened in the general election, over 80% of British voters voted for parties who were committed to the UK leaving the EU and that’s exactly what we are going to do. |
| Will Brexit be good for Britain? | Will Brexit be good for Britain? |
| That’s exactly what we are working for. I have every intention of ensuring that we get a good deal for Britain and that not only will we be able to see a good, new, deep and special partnership with the EU, but we’ll also be able to take opportunities for global Britain to be out there trading across the globe, forming new trade agreements. | That’s exactly what we are working for. I have every intention of ensuring that we get a good deal for Britain and that not only will we be able to see a good, new, deep and special partnership with the EU, but we’ll also be able to take opportunities for global Britain to be out there trading across the globe, forming new trade agreements. |
| Is the issue of the European courts of justice crucial in the negotiations? | Is the issue of the European courts of justice crucial in the negotiations? |
| Leaders have reacted positively to me on the offer that we made. The question of enforcement is one that will be taken into the negotiations. From our point of view these [rights] will be enshrined in UK law. They will be enforced through the highly respected UK courts. | Leaders have reacted positively to me on the offer that we made. The question of enforcement is one that will be taken into the negotiations. From our point of view these [rights] will be enshrined in UK law. They will be enforced through the highly respected UK courts. |
| Have you protested about EU leaders issuing threats? | Have you protested about EU leaders issuing threats? |
| We have had a good, constructive start and we want to continue the negotiations in exactly that way. | We have had a good, constructive start and we want to continue the negotiations in exactly that way. |
| Will the UK have a closer relationship with the EU than envisaged in your Lancaster House speech? | Will the UK have a closer relationship with the EU than envisaged in your Lancaster House speech? |
| If you look at the election over 80% of people voted for parties that were committed to respecting the vote that took place a year ago, that the UK will leave the EU. I have always been very clear that the UK will be leaving the EU. We will not be leaving Europe. | If you look at the election over 80% of people voted for parties that were committed to respecting the vote that took place a year ago, that the UK will leave the EU. I have always been very clear that the UK will be leaving the EU. We will not be leaving Europe. |
| We want a deep and special partnership to continue with the EU. And we remain committed to playing our role in ensuring Europe’s security and defence. | We want a deep and special partnership to continue with the EU. And we remain committed to playing our role in ensuring Europe’s security and defence. |
| Here’s audio of May’s statement and brief press conference. | Here’s audio of May’s statement and brief press conference. |
| This is what she said in her statement on EU citizens: | This is what she said in her statement on EU citizens: |
| Last night I was able to update other leaders on the UK’s proposal to give reassurance and certainty to EU citizens who have made their homes and lives in our country. | Last night I was able to update other leaders on the UK’s proposal to give reassurance and certainty to EU citizens who have made their homes and lives in our country. |
| After the constructive start to our Brexit negotiations earlier this week, I wanted to briefly set out to my fellow European leaders the UK’s approach to giving reassurance and certainty to EU citizens living in the UK. I want all those EU citizens who are in the UK, who have made their lives and homes in our country, to know that no one will have to leave. We won’t be seeing families split apart. People will be able to go on living their lives as before. | After the constructive start to our Brexit negotiations earlier this week, I wanted to briefly set out to my fellow European leaders the UK’s approach to giving reassurance and certainty to EU citizens living in the UK. I want all those EU citizens who are in the UK, who have made their lives and homes in our country, to know that no one will have to leave. We won’t be seeing families split apart. People will be able to go on living their lives as before. |
| This is a fair and serious offer. It gives those 3 million EU citizens in the UK certainty about the future of their lives and we want the same certainty for the more than 1 million UK citizens who are living in the EU. | This is a fair and serious offer. It gives those 3 million EU citizens in the UK certainty about the future of their lives and we want the same certainty for the more than 1 million UK citizens who are living in the EU. |
| On Monday I will publish my proposals in full and look forward to reaching an agreement at the earliest possible date. | On Monday I will publish my proposals in full and look forward to reaching an agreement at the earliest possible date. |
| Q: Will Brexit be good for Britain? | Q: Will Brexit be good for Britain? |
| That is exactly what we’re working on, May said. | That is exactly what we’re working on, May said. |
| May says leaders, including Poland’s, have reacted positively to her offer on EU citizens. She said matters of enforcement would be subject to negotiation. | May says leaders, including Poland’s, have reacted positively to her offer on EU citizens. She said matters of enforcement would be subject to negotiation. |
| “We have had a good constructive start,” May said brushing off her spat with Jean-Claude Juncker after leaks about a Downing Street dinner. | “We have had a good constructive start,” May said brushing off her spat with Jean-Claude Juncker after leaks about a Downing Street dinner. |
| May is asked whether the UK would go further on EU citizens. She repeated that the she thinks the offer is “fair and serious”. | May is asked whether the UK would go further on EU citizens. She repeated that the she thinks the offer is “fair and serious”. |
| Asked about George Osborne’s claim that she blocked a guarantee to EU citizens after the referendum, May said: “That is not my recollection.” | Asked about George Osborne’s claim that she blocked a guarantee to EU citizens after the referendum, May said: “That is not my recollection.” |
| Theresa May is also giving a press conference in Brussels. On security, she said recent terrorist attacks in the UK and in Europe strengthened the need to work together to keep our citizens safe. | Theresa May is also giving a press conference in Brussels. On security, she said recent terrorist attacks in the UK and in Europe strengthened the need to work together to keep our citizens safe. |
| On defence, May said the UK would always be committed to the defence of Europe. | On defence, May said the UK would always be committed to the defence of Europe. |
| On the immigration crisis, she pledged £75m to help. | On the immigration crisis, she pledged £75m to help. |
| On EU citizens, she said the UK looked forward to reaching agreement at the earliest opportunity. She confirmed that full plans would be published on Monday. | On EU citizens, she said the UK looked forward to reaching agreement at the earliest opportunity. She confirmed that full plans would be published on Monday. |
| Tusk also said the remaining 27 countries agreed on the relocation of two EU agencies currently based in the UK. | Tusk also said the remaining 27 countries agreed on the relocation of two EU agencies currently based in the UK. |
| Here’s audio of his comments: | Here’s audio of his comments: |
| The European council president, Donald Tusk, is giving a press conference in Brussels. He said EU citizens’ rights is the number one priority of the EU. The UK’s offer was “below our expectations” and risked worsening the current situation for EU citizens. | The European council president, Donald Tusk, is giving a press conference in Brussels. He said EU citizens’ rights is the number one priority of the EU. The UK’s offer was “below our expectations” and risked worsening the current situation for EU citizens. |
| He said the EU would review the full details of the offer when they are released by the British government on Monday. He said Brexit did not take up much time during the summit. | He said the EU would review the full details of the offer when they are released by the British government on Monday. He said Brexit did not take up much time during the summit. |
| EU citizens | EU citizens |
| EU leaders have described the UK’s opening offer to protect EU citizens’ rights as vague and inadequate, suggesting the British government needs to go further. Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission, struck a dismissive note as he arrived at an EU leaders’ summit on Friday. “That is a first step but this step is not sufficient,” he said. | EU leaders have described the UK’s opening offer to protect EU citizens’ rights as vague and inadequate, suggesting the British government needs to go further. Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission, struck a dismissive note as he arrived at an EU leaders’ summit on Friday. “That is a first step but this step is not sufficient,” he said. |
| Representatives of EU citizens in Britain have branded Theresa May’s offer to guarantee their rights after Brexit pathetic. They say the offer is damaging for Britons in Europe to whom, a fortnight ago, the EU offered a lifetime guarantee of all their current rights, something that the British team in Brussels failed to acknowledge on Thursday night, instead talking of how the UK’s offer was only on the table if it was reciprocated by the EU. | Representatives of EU citizens in Britain have branded Theresa May’s offer to guarantee their rights after Brexit pathetic. They say the offer is damaging for Britons in Europe to whom, a fortnight ago, the EU offered a lifetime guarantee of all their current rights, something that the British team in Brussels failed to acknowledge on Thursday night, instead talking of how the UK’s offer was only on the table if it was reciprocated by the EU. |
| May was the sole cabinet minister to block a unilateral offer to EU citizens that they could remain in the days after the referendum, according to the London Evening Standard. The paper, edited by the former chancellor George Osborne, reports that David Cameron had prepared an offer to give EU citizens certainty but May insisted on “blocking it”. | May was the sole cabinet minister to block a unilateral offer to EU citizens that they could remain in the days after the referendum, according to the London Evening Standard. The paper, edited by the former chancellor George Osborne, reports that David Cameron had prepared an offer to give EU citizens certainty but May insisted on “blocking it”. |
| Grenfell Tower fire | Grenfell Tower fire |
| Police have said they are considering manslaughter charges in relation to the Grenfell Tower blaze as they revealed that the insulation and cladding tiles at the building had failed safety tests. Det Supt Fiona McCormack said officers had established the initial cause of the fire was a fridge-freezer and that it was not started deliberately. | Police have said they are considering manslaughter charges in relation to the Grenfell Tower blaze as they revealed that the insulation and cladding tiles at the building had failed safety tests. Det Supt Fiona McCormack said officers had established the initial cause of the fire was a fridge-freezer and that it was not started deliberately. |
| Hotpoint has urged owners of its fridge-freezers to check their model numbers for safety reasons after one of its models was identified as the initial cause of the Grenfell Tower fire. A spokesman urged consumers who believe they own that model or the FF175BG to contact the company on a freephone hotline or visit the website to register their details. | Hotpoint has urged owners of its fridge-freezers to check their model numbers for safety reasons after one of its models was identified as the initial cause of the Grenfell Tower fire. A spokesman urged consumers who believe they own that model or the FF175BG to contact the company on a freephone hotline or visit the website to register their details. |
| Officials at Kensington and Chelsea council are withdrawing documents sent to survivors that they feared could have waived their legal rights in return for receiving emergency payments. A spokesman for the fire response team at Westminster council said: “There was an original form that was issued to get information to residents as soon as possible. This is now in the process of being withdrawn.” | Officials at Kensington and Chelsea council are withdrawing documents sent to survivors that they feared could have waived their legal rights in return for receiving emergency payments. A spokesman for the fire response team at Westminster council said: “There was an original form that was issued to get information to residents as soon as possible. This is now in the process of being withdrawn.” |
| The Dutch MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld, who is at the vanguard of the European parliament’s campaign for EU citizens’ rights, described Theresa May’s offer as “possibly the least generous” the UK could have come up with. She said: | The Dutch MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld, who is at the vanguard of the European parliament’s campaign for EU citizens’ rights, described Theresa May’s offer as “possibly the least generous” the UK could have come up with. She said: |
| This is not a matter of May doing any special favours for people, but it is a matter of rights which cannot be taken away or restricted arbitrarily. The UK is still a member of the EU until Brexit, so citizens must still be able to exercise their right of free movement until Brexit day. It is difficult to see how this offer could be viewed as “generous” or even “fair”. It is probably the least generous proposal the UK government could have constructed within the confounds of international law. | This is not a matter of May doing any special favours for people, but it is a matter of rights which cannot be taken away or restricted arbitrarily. The UK is still a member of the EU until Brexit, so citizens must still be able to exercise their right of free movement until Brexit day. It is difficult to see how this offer could be viewed as “generous” or even “fair”. It is probably the least generous proposal the UK government could have constructed within the confounds of international law. |
| What May seems to propose is not granting rights to citizens, but actually retroactively restricting the rights they have acquired to date. These rights were acquired under EU law, so it is only natural that the ECJ [European court of justice] should remain competent. The retroactive restriction of rights is contrary to the democratic rule of law. Is this what Mrs May wishes to obtain for British citizens in Europe too? | What May seems to propose is not granting rights to citizens, but actually retroactively restricting the rights they have acquired to date. These rights were acquired under EU law, so it is only natural that the ECJ [European court of justice] should remain competent. The retroactive restriction of rights is contrary to the democratic rule of law. Is this what Mrs May wishes to obtain for British citizens in Europe too? |
| Nicola Sturgeon has strongly hinted again she is preparing to postpone a new Scottish independence referendum in favour of striking a far better Brexit deal, after the Scottish National party lost 21 Westminster seats at the election. | Nicola Sturgeon has strongly hinted again she is preparing to postpone a new Scottish independence referendum in favour of striking a far better Brexit deal, after the Scottish National party lost 21 Westminster seats at the election. |
| She told an audience of landowners and farmers at the Royal Highland Show on Friday that the increased instability presented by the election result meant she and Theresa May had a duty to reduce uncertainty, and find a consensus on Brexit. | She told an audience of landowners and farmers at the Royal Highland Show on Friday that the increased instability presented by the election result meant she and Theresa May had a duty to reduce uncertainty, and find a consensus on Brexit. |
| She implied that the hung parliament, which increases pressure on May to compromise with opposition parties on Brexit, could lead to a Brexit deal which lessened the case for a new referendum. | She implied that the hung parliament, which increases pressure on May to compromise with opposition parties on Brexit, could lead to a Brexit deal which lessened the case for a new referendum. |
| With popular support for a new referendum fading, Sturgeon substantially changed tack in the weeks before the snap election, dropping her demands in March for one by spring 2019. She told the Guardian in early June “none of us actually know” when the right time for that vote would be. | With popular support for a new referendum fading, Sturgeon substantially changed tack in the weeks before the snap election, dropping her demands in March for one by spring 2019. She told the Guardian in early June “none of us actually know” when the right time for that vote would be. |
| Questioned on Friday whether the lack of clarity about her referendum plans was undermining business confidence, by two property investment experts at the RHS event, Sturgeon said her “absolute priority” now was to build consensus on Brexit across the UK. | Questioned on Friday whether the lack of clarity about her referendum plans was undermining business confidence, by two property investment experts at the RHS event, Sturgeon said her “absolute priority” now was to build consensus on Brexit across the UK. |
| She said: “I think the outcome of the election UK wide opens possibilities that perhaps we thought were closed to us. I think there is, in particular, a possibility now of building a consensus across the UK against that hard form of Brexit that was being pursued previously. So that will be the priority of the Scottish government over the next number of months.” | She said: “I think the outcome of the election UK wide opens possibilities that perhaps we thought were closed to us. I think there is, in particular, a possibility now of building a consensus across the UK against that hard form of Brexit that was being pursued previously. So that will be the priority of the Scottish government over the next number of months.” |
| Pressed on the lack of clarity on her plans, she said: | Pressed on the lack of clarity on her plans, she said: |
| “The issue of a independence referendum is exactly as I have set out: it’s about not know, but when the time is right offering people a choice over whether when we know what Brexit looks like, whether that’s right for the country or whether an alternative path is right for the country. | “The issue of a independence referendum is exactly as I have set out: it’s about not know, but when the time is right offering people a choice over whether when we know what Brexit looks like, whether that’s right for the country or whether an alternative path is right for the country. |
| “But in everything we do, a year on from the Brexit referendum, in my view should be about trying to limit that sense of uncertainty. For example, if we can get to the position which I hope, but I’m not certain that we can, of clarity around the transitional arrangements when the UK leaves, I think that starts to help to give that certainty | “But in everything we do, a year on from the Brexit referendum, in my view should be about trying to limit that sense of uncertainty. For example, if we can get to the position which I hope, but I’m not certain that we can, of clarity around the transitional arrangements when the UK leaves, I think that starts to help to give that certainty |
| “So I appreciate and I’m not for a [moment] trying to suggest otherwise, of course people feel very uncertain and the Scottish government and the UK government have all got a responsibility to try to act in ways that limit that uncertainty and start to resolve it as quickly as possible.” | “So I appreciate and I’m not for a [moment] trying to suggest otherwise, of course people feel very uncertain and the Scottish government and the UK government have all got a responsibility to try to act in ways that limit that uncertainty and start to resolve it as quickly as possible.” |
| Jeremy Corbyn says Labour would offer a full rights guarantee to EU citizens living in the UK. | Jeremy Corbyn says Labour would offer a full rights guarantee to EU citizens living in the UK. |
| Speaking at Unison annual conference in Brighton he said: | Speaking at Unison annual conference in Brighton he said: |
| Yesterday the prime minister put down her first offer in Brussels on the rights of EU nationals after Brexit but as our shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, has said, people should not be used as bargaining chips in the Brexit negotiations. | Yesterday the prime minister put down her first offer in Brussels on the rights of EU nationals after Brexit but as our shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, has said, people should not be used as bargaining chips in the Brexit negotiations. |
| And what she has floated falls far short of the full guarantee Labour would make. That isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the best way to guarantee the rights of British nationals living in the EU. | And what she has floated falls far short of the full guarantee Labour would make. That isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the best way to guarantee the rights of British nationals living in the EU. |
| .@jeremycorbyn speech to UNISON annual conference https://t.co/dbGDBNPJyQ | .@jeremycorbyn speech to UNISON annual conference https://t.co/dbGDBNPJyQ |
| Corbyn got a rousing reception, according to the BBC. | Corbyn got a rousing reception, according to the BBC. |
| Chants of "Oh, Jeremy Corbyn!" greet the Labour leader on his arrival to @unisontweets conf in Brighton pic.twitter.com/I06yOANICL | Chants of "Oh, Jeremy Corbyn!" greet the Labour leader on his arrival to @unisontweets conf in Brighton pic.twitter.com/I06yOANICL |
| Officials at Kensington and Chelsea council are withdrawing documents sent to Grenfell Tower survivors that they feared could have waived their legal rights in return for receiving emergency payments, the Guardian has learned. | Officials at Kensington and Chelsea council are withdrawing documents sent to Grenfell Tower survivors that they feared could have waived their legal rights in return for receiving emergency payments, the Guardian has learned. |
| A letter sent from the council this week to families affected by the fire asked survivors to sign a form confirming receipt of the emergency “compensation” money. The form, which would release the £5,500 pledged by the government to each survivor, stated: “I confirm that this is required to compensate me for expenses I have incurred or need to incur as a consequence of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.” | A letter sent from the council this week to families affected by the fire asked survivors to sign a form confirming receipt of the emergency “compensation” money. The form, which would release the £5,500 pledged by the government to each survivor, stated: “I confirm that this is required to compensate me for expenses I have incurred or need to incur as a consequence of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.” |
| The document was in addition to the one sent by the Department for Work and Pensions after the prime minister announced the first £5,500 payments in the wake of the disaster, which killed at least 79 people in the west London tower block. | The document was in addition to the one sent by the Department for Work and Pensions after the prime minister announced the first £5,500 payments in the wake of the disaster, which killed at least 79 people in the west London tower block. |
| The European parliament’s Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt has become the latest senior European to dismiss Theresa May’s offer on EU citizens living in the UK. | The European parliament’s Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt has become the latest senior European to dismiss Theresa May’s offer on EU citizens living in the UK. |
| Mays "generous offer" does not fully guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK (1/2) | Mays "generous offer" does not fully guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK (1/2) |
| Hopefully the UK position paper, expected on Monday, will deliver what we are looking for (2/2) | Hopefully the UK position paper, expected on Monday, will deliver what we are looking for (2/2) |
| The Grenfell Tower refurbishment used Celotex RS5000 insulation which sits behind the cladding panels. | The Grenfell Tower refurbishment used Celotex RS5000 insulation which sits behind the cladding panels. |
| The material is made from polyisocyanurate (PIR) which is combustible and produces toxic fumes when it burns – notably hydrogen cyanide. | The material is made from polyisocyanurate (PIR) which is combustible and produces toxic fumes when it burns – notably hydrogen cyanide. |
| In a report published in 2011, Anna Stec and Richard Hull at the Centre for Fire and Hazard Science at the University of Central Lancashire found that one kilogram of polyisocyanurate burning in a badly-ventilated area can produce enough lethal gas to fill 100 cubic metres. | In a report published in 2011, Anna Stec and Richard Hull at the Centre for Fire and Hazard Science at the University of Central Lancashire found that one kilogram of polyisocyanurate burning in a badly-ventilated area can produce enough lethal gas to fill 100 cubic metres. |
| The insulation has been through a number of tests to check whether it is safe to use on buildings above 18 metres. The most important is known as BS 8414 and involves subjecting to fire an eight-metre-high section of the entire wall you plan to build with the insulation in place. | The insulation has been through a number of tests to check whether it is safe to use on buildings above 18 metres. The most important is known as BS 8414 and involves subjecting to fire an eight-metre-high section of the entire wall you plan to build with the insulation in place. |
| One wall made with RS5000 insulation passed this test, but the pass only applies to the specific wall construction involved. In the test, the insulation was sandwiched between a steel frame and fireproof magnesium oxide board on one side and an aluminium rail and concrete fibre panels on the other. Grenfell Tower had different external walls with flammable cladding panels. | One wall made with RS5000 insulation passed this test, but the pass only applies to the specific wall construction involved. In the test, the insulation was sandwiched between a steel frame and fireproof magnesium oxide board on one side and an aluminium rail and concrete fibre panels on the other. Grenfell Tower had different external walls with flammable cladding panels. |