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Brexit deal: Tory ministers meet to decide fate of agreement – Politics live Brexit deal: Tory ministers meet to decide fate of agreement – Politics live
(35 minutes later)
Tom Newton Dunn, political editor of The Sun, reports that international development secretary Penny Mordaunt wants “further assurances” before she backs the Brexit deal.
Apparently she won’t unleash ‘fireworks’ at the cabinet meeting this afternoon, though.
I’m told Penny Mordaunt is awaiting further assurances before she puts her name to the Brexit deal, having now read it and seen PM. But allies warn “don't expect fireworks today” from her.
Here is the Evening Standard’s splash. The Standard, of course, is edited by George Osborne, the remain-voting Tory who was sacked as chancellor by Theresa May.
Today’s ⁦@EveningStandard⁩: EU takes back control pic.twitter.com/Vm558iP4tg
Five months after resigning from the government over Brexit, former justice minister Phillip Lee says he cannot vote for the deal when it comes before parliament.
Speaking on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show, Lee insists that it should go to a people’s vote, saying:
Where we’re going to end up is not where was promised. This is political fraud, and I’m not putting my name to it.
If the public, having read the deal, having understood that Northern Ireland is going to be treated differently, having understood that we’re going to be taking the obligations but not the benefits of EU membership...
If they understand all that and vote for it, then I’m a democrat and I’ll respect that. None of that appeared on the side of a bus in 2016.
‘This is political fraud and I am not putting my name to it,’ @DrPhillipLeeMPon why he is calling for a public vote on the final #Brexit deal.The Cabinet is set to discuss the draft agreement.https://t.co/BBWw9tnm6D pic.twitter.com/rREXX99mmW
Michel Barnier will not be the person briefing EU ambassadors today on behalf of the EU, Schinas says.
Q: If things happen in London, and through the EU meeting today, will there be further updates?
Schinas says yes. There could be announcements today or in the coming days.
Q: Does the text include a Northern Ireland-specific backstop plan?
Schinas says he is not able to comment at this point.
Q: If the UK cabinet or parliament reject this deal, is there the time or the willingness to reopen negotiations?
Schinas says he will not speculate on that.
Schinas is now taking questions.
Q: You did not mention Brexit in your opening remarks. Can you tell us what has been agreed, and what are the next steps?
Schinas says the negotiators have been working intensively on a withdrawal agreement and a future partnership document. Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, briefed ambassadors on this. The cabinet will meet this afternoon. And the EU will brief member states this afternoon.
He says the EU is not commenting on the moment. But it will brief when it is able to. “So stay tuned,” he concludes.
In Brussels the European commission’s chief spokesman, Margaritis Schinas, is holding his regular briefing. You can watch a live feed here.
I’m monitoring it for Brexit news.
This is from my colleague Jessica Elgot.This is from my colleague Jessica Elgot.
Dominic Grieve says he can't vote for the deal if it is as briefed in Sabine Weyand's briefing note. “I could not look my constituents in the eye and say this would be a better deal than the one we have as a member of the EU."Dominic Grieve says he can't vote for the deal if it is as briefed in Sabine Weyand's briefing note. “I could not look my constituents in the eye and say this would be a better deal than the one we have as a member of the EU."
Here are some random tweets on the deal.Here are some random tweets on the deal.
From the Sunday Times’ Tim ShipmanFrom the Sunday Times’ Tim Shipman
For 22 months Theresa May has argued that no deal is better than a bad deal. Today her argument is that a bad deal is better than no dealFor 22 months Theresa May has argued that no deal is better than a bad deal. Today her argument is that a bad deal is better than no deal
From Rupert Harrison, who was chief of staff to George Osborne when Osborne was chancellorFrom Rupert Harrison, who was chief of staff to George Osborne when Osborne was chancellor
Despite the furious ERG/DUP spin the reality is that TM has delivered a significant negotiating achievement over the last few weeks - holding out against a NI only backstop and effectively forcing the EU to concedeDespite the furious ERG/DUP spin the reality is that TM has delivered a significant negotiating achievement over the last few weeks - holding out against a NI only backstop and effectively forcing the EU to concede
From the Labour peer Stewart WoodFrom the Labour peer Stewart Wood
I have a hunch some Brexiteer Cabinet Ministers will come out of Cabinet today saying “The Cabinet decided today to put the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal to Parliament so that it can make the final decision” rather than “The Cabinet today backed the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal”.I have a hunch some Brexiteer Cabinet Ministers will come out of Cabinet today saying “The Cabinet decided today to put the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal to Parliament so that it can make the final decision” rather than “The Cabinet today backed the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal”.
Former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern has declared the Brexit agreement as a “good deal” for Ireland but a “hard sell” for Theresa May.Former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern has declared the Brexit agreement as a “good deal” for Ireland but a “hard sell” for Theresa May.
Ahern, who was taoiseach for 11 years and was one of the architects of the peace process in Northern Ireland, also said Theresa May could go to the cabinet today holding her head high.Ahern, who was taoiseach for 11 years and was one of the architects of the peace process in Northern Ireland, also said Theresa May could go to the cabinet today holding her head high.
He said the UK-wide customs arrangement, instead of an discrete backstop for the Irish border, was a “victory” for her. He said:He said the UK-wide customs arrangement, instead of an discrete backstop for the Irish border, was a “victory” for her. He said:
That has been achieved by [Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator] making a big concession. If I was addressing the British cabinet, I would remind them that it was Theresa May who asked for a temporary customs-arrangement.That has been achieved by [Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator] making a big concession. If I was addressing the British cabinet, I would remind them that it was Theresa May who asked for a temporary customs-arrangement.
In Greece, where Brexit negotiations have been closely watched - and bemoaned by officials - the state-run TV channel, ERT, has described the coming hours as a day for reckoning for Theresa May. “Today may prove to be one of the most difficult days of the British prime minister’s political career since, to great degree, it will also be decisive for the cohesion of the cabinet,” said the channel reporting developments.In Greece, where Brexit negotiations have been closely watched - and bemoaned by officials - the state-run TV channel, ERT, has described the coming hours as a day for reckoning for Theresa May. “Today may prove to be one of the most difficult days of the British prime minister’s political career since, to great degree, it will also be decisive for the cohesion of the cabinet,” said the channel reporting developments.
Given Greece’s status as the euro zone’s weakest link, politicians across the board frequently lament the prospect of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU fearing it will ultimately pave the way to a Teutonic takeover of the continent.Given Greece’s status as the euro zone’s weakest link, politicians across the board frequently lament the prospect of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU fearing it will ultimately pave the way to a Teutonic takeover of the continent.
Under the headline “Say a prayer for Great Britain,” the news portal, Postscript, has just declared: “The hours seem to be endless since [it was announced] on Tuesday evening that a [preliminary] deal was cut between the EU and Great Britain. More than anything it will be anguish for London, primarily, that will ensue. … say a prayer for Great Britain and perhaps also for Europe itself. The future is becoming darker.”Under the headline “Say a prayer for Great Britain,” the news portal, Postscript, has just declared: “The hours seem to be endless since [it was announced] on Tuesday evening that a [preliminary] deal was cut between the EU and Great Britain. More than anything it will be anguish for London, primarily, that will ensue. … say a prayer for Great Britain and perhaps also for Europe itself. The future is becoming darker.”
Here are pictures of Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, and Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, leaving Downing Street this morning. They are both prominent Brexiters. Neither of them spoke to journalists as they came out. You’ll have to decide for yourself by looking at the pictures (which is not always the worst way of working out what’s going on) whether they are:Here are pictures of Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, and Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, leaving Downing Street this morning. They are both prominent Brexiters. Neither of them spoke to journalists as they came out. You’ll have to decide for yourself by looking at the pictures (which is not always the worst way of working out what’s going on) whether they are:
a) Pleased as puncha) Pleased as punch
b) Reluctantly minded to okay May’s deal.b) Reluctantly minded to okay May’s deal.
c) Wondering what to include in the resignation letterc) Wondering what to include in the resignation letter
Chris Grayling, the Brexiter transport secretary, was “tight-lipped”, in the words of the Press Association, as he left Downing Street this morning.Chris Grayling, the Brexiter transport secretary, was “tight-lipped”, in the words of the Press Association, as he left Downing Street this morning.
He was also there last night, and did not look especially cheerful as he left.He was also there last night, and did not look especially cheerful as he left.
Here is the scene in Downing Street. Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, was the most recent person to arrive, going in about 40 minutes ago.Here is the scene in Downing Street. Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, was the most recent person to arrive, going in about 40 minutes ago.
Ireland’s taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected to make a statement at noon in the Irish parliament, sources say.Ireland’s taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected to make a statement at noon in the Irish parliament, sources say.
This is from Sarah Vine, the Daily Mail columnist who is married to Michael Gove, the Brexiter environment secretary.This is from Sarah Vine, the Daily Mail columnist who is married to Michael Gove, the Brexiter environment secretary.
On the whole quite a lot of willy waving going on this morning #BrexitDealOn the whole quite a lot of willy waving going on this morning #BrexitDeal
That seems to be a reference to people like Mark Francois. (See 9.42am.) Gove himself is reportedly backing the deal, although apparently with certain reservations.That seems to be a reference to people like Mark Francois. (See 9.42am.) Gove himself is reportedly backing the deal, although apparently with certain reservations.
Here’s more pressure from the European Research Group, via the BBC’s Norman Smith:Here’s more pressure from the European Research Group, via the BBC’s Norman Smith:
“If the officers won’t stop this then the poor bloody infantry will have to” - ERG bod on PMs Brexit deal“If the officers won’t stop this then the poor bloody infantry will have to” - ERG bod on PMs Brexit deal
Mark Francois, deputy chair of the European Research Group, the faction representing around 50 Tory MPs pushing for a harder Brexit, told the Today programme this morning that he thought there would be cabinet resignations today over the Brexit deal. But he would not predict how many.Mark Francois, deputy chair of the European Research Group, the faction representing around 50 Tory MPs pushing for a harder Brexit, told the Today programme this morning that he thought there would be cabinet resignations today over the Brexit deal. But he would not predict how many.
Cabinet ministers would have to make a choice, he said. He told the programme:Cabinet ministers would have to make a choice, he said. He told the programme:
People around the cabinet table, in their heart of hearts, know that.People around the cabinet table, in their heart of hearts, know that.
We and the rest of the country will be watching very carefully to see what happens at cabinet today, but there are a number of cabinet ministers who deep down very much oppose this.We and the rest of the country will be watching very carefully to see what happens at cabinet today, but there are a number of cabinet ministers who deep down very much oppose this.
They will have to look into their hearts and decide whether a Jaguar and a red box and a bunch of sycophantic civil servants calling you ‘Minister’ is more important that the destiny of your country.They will have to look into their hearts and decide whether a Jaguar and a red box and a bunch of sycophantic civil servants calling you ‘Minister’ is more important that the destiny of your country.