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Brexit: Barnier says backstop is 'only operational solution' to Irish border issue – Politics live Brexit: Barnier says backstop is 'only operational solution' to Irish border issue – as it happened
(35 minutes later)
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, has said that the backstop is “the only operational solution” to the Irish border issue. (See 5.50pm.) Other senior EU officials have also played down the prospect of Theresa May being offered significant changes to the backstop plan. Barnier’s deputy, Sabine Weyand, said accepting an alternative to the backstop would be a “dereliction of duty” (see 9.20am) and Martin Selmayr, the European commission’s secretary general, said that even if the EU were to offer the UK new assurances on the backstop, he did not think that would be enough to persuade MPs to back the deal. (See 1.26pm.)
Greg Clark, the business secretary, has told MPs that Nissan will have to reapply for financial help it was promised in return for building Qashqai and X-Trail models at its Sunderland plant. He published correspondence saying the firm had been promised £61m on that basis. But, in an oral statement to MPs, following Nissan’s announcement that the X-Trail will not be built at the factory, he said:
So, given yesterday’s announcement, if the company seeks to participate in these industry funding schemes, as I hope and expect that it will, the company will submit new applications in the standard way and undergo a process of independent assessment.
In response to a question from the Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable, Clark revealed that just £2.6m of the £61m promised has already been paid.
European countries including the UK, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden and Denmark have recognised Juan Guaidó as the interim president of Venezuela in a coordinated move made after a deadline for Nicolás Maduro to call presidential elections expired.
That’s all from me for today.
Thanks for the comments.
And this is from Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, after his meeting with the Dutch PM, Mark Rutte.And this is from Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, after his meeting with the Dutch PM, Mark Rutte.
Dialogue @EU27 continues #Brexit. Today in The Hague with @MinPres Mark Rutte: full agreement that Withdrawal Agreement cannot be reopened. Backstop = only operational solution to address Irish border issue today. EU ready to work on alternative solutions during transition. pic.twitter.com/YsCNI10K71Dialogue @EU27 continues #Brexit. Today in The Hague with @MinPres Mark Rutte: full agreement that Withdrawal Agreement cannot be reopened. Backstop = only operational solution to address Irish border issue today. EU ready to work on alternative solutions during transition. pic.twitter.com/YsCNI10K71
Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, says the decision not to build the X-Trail in Sunderland is a disappointment.Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, says the decision not to build the X-Trail in Sunderland is a disappointment.
She says the Clark letter to Nissan promised that the car industry would not be “adversely affected” by Brexit.She says the Clark letter to Nissan promised that the car industry would not be “adversely affected” by Brexit.
But the company clearly does not believe those assurances any more, she says.But the company clearly does not believe those assurances any more, she says.
She challenges Clark to rule out a no-deal Brexit.She challenges Clark to rule out a no-deal Brexit.
She says the Nissan announcement came just days after the EU’s trade deal with Japan came into force. She says over time this will lead to tariffs on cars from Japan falling to zero.She says the Nissan announcement came just days after the EU’s trade deal with Japan came into force. She says over time this will lead to tariffs on cars from Japan falling to zero.
She suggests that “managed decline” is now the government’s plan for the car industry.She suggests that “managed decline” is now the government’s plan for the car industry.
Clark says he is disappointed that the new jobs associated with the X-Trail will not come to Sunderland. But he is pleased the rest of the investment is going ahead.Clark says he is disappointed that the new jobs associated with the X-Trail will not come to Sunderland. But he is pleased the rest of the investment is going ahead.
Greg Clark, the business secretary, is making his Nissan statement now.Greg Clark, the business secretary, is making his Nissan statement now.
He says in July 2016 Nissan was about to announce that the Qashquai would be built elsewhere in Europe.He says in July 2016 Nissan was about to announce that the Qashquai would be built elsewhere in Europe.
He says, knowing what this would do to the Sunderland plant’s long-term future, the government set out to persuade the company to change its mind.He says, knowing what this would do to the Sunderland plant’s long-term future, the government set out to persuade the company to change its mind.
First, it stressed the measures in place to support the car in industry generally. The government eventually offered £61m to help.First, it stressed the measures in place to support the car in industry generally. The government eventually offered £61m to help.
Second, the government said it would help with the supply chain.Second, the government said it would help with the supply chain.
Third, it offered to help with R&D. In particularly, it is promoting self-drive cars.Third, it offered to help with R&D. In particularly, it is promoting self-drive cars.
And, fourth, it said it would prioritise the needs to the automative industry in the Brexit talks.And, fourth, it said it would prioritise the needs to the automative industry in the Brexit talks.
Clark says these offers were persuasive.Clark says these offers were persuasive.
Towards the end of the process Nissan said it would start producing the X-Trail at the plant too.Towards the end of the process Nissan said it would start producing the X-Trail at the plant too.
He says that at the end of last week Nissan said that, while the rest of its planned investment would go ahead, the X-Trail would not be built there. That meant 714 extra jobs that could have been created have been lost.He says that at the end of last week Nissan said that, while the rest of its planned investment would go ahead, the X-Trail would not be built there. That meant 714 extra jobs that could have been created have been lost.
This is from Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister.This is from Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister.
Just spoke with @MichelBarnier about #Brexit. The Withdrawal Agreement remains the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. We continue to urge the UK Government to clarify its intentions with respect to its next steps. pic.twitter.com/wbGHSz8wUYJust spoke with @MichelBarnier about #Brexit. The Withdrawal Agreement remains the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. We continue to urge the UK Government to clarify its intentions with respect to its next steps. pic.twitter.com/wbGHSz8wUY
The BBC’s business editor, Simon Jack, has more evidence of the government making comments in 2016 about Nissan not being paid for its Sunderland investment which are hard to square with what we know now. (See 4.11pm.)The BBC’s business editor, Simon Jack, has more evidence of the government making comments in 2016 about Nissan not being paid for its Sunderland investment which are hard to square with what we know now. (See 4.11pm.)
"no question of financial compensation" - Greg Clark Oct 2016 publicly on Nissan decision to build Qashqai and X-Trail in Sunderland. "As a demonstration of the UK Government’s commitment... a package of support...could amount to..up to £80m" same month in letter to Nissan."no question of financial compensation" - Greg Clark Oct 2016 publicly on Nissan decision to build Qashqai and X-Trail in Sunderland. "As a demonstration of the UK Government’s commitment... a package of support...could amount to..up to £80m" same month in letter to Nissan.
This is from Matthew O’Toole, who used to work on communications in Downing Street in the David Cameron era, on the David Trimble story. (See 4.38pm.)This is from Matthew O’Toole, who used to work on communications in Downing Street in the David Cameron era, on the David Trimble story. (See 4.38pm.)
Important top trumps rules when understanding how NI is covered from London:10 DUP MPs beats the majority of people in Northern Ireland.1 David Trimble beats the majority of people in Northern Ireland.Important top trumps rules when understanding how NI is covered from London:10 DUP MPs beats the majority of people in Northern Ireland.1 David Trimble beats the majority of people in Northern Ireland.
O’Toole is right. In an essay in Britain and Public Opinion 2019 (pdf), published by the UK in a Changing Europe project last month, Jamie Pow points out that even DUP supporters in Northern Ireland don’t support DUP policy on Brexit. A majority of them want a soft Brexit, even though the DUP has made it clear that it would be happy to see the UK leave both the single market and the customs union (ie, a hard Brexit, for the purposes of this survey).O’Toole is right. In an essay in Britain and Public Opinion 2019 (pdf), published by the UK in a Changing Europe project last month, Jamie Pow points out that even DUP supporters in Northern Ireland don’t support DUP policy on Brexit. A majority of them want a soft Brexit, even though the DUP has made it clear that it would be happy to see the UK leave both the single market and the customs union (ie, a hard Brexit, for the purposes of this survey).
Turning back to Marin Selmayr for a moment, Mina Andreeva, the European commission’s deputy chief spokeswoman has posted a tweet that seems intended to mollify Brexiters upset by the tone of his intervention earlier. She was responding to Fraser Nelson, editor of the pro-Brexit Spectator.Turning back to Marin Selmayr for a moment, Mina Andreeva, the European commission’s deputy chief spokeswoman has posted a tweet that seems intended to mollify Brexiters upset by the tone of his intervention earlier. She was responding to Fraser Nelson, editor of the pro-Brexit Spectator.
For the sake of completeness:1/ @MartinSelmayr made clear that @MichelBarnier is @EU_Commission’s chief negotiator. https://t.co/AILUEJwCit2/ @EU_Commission always open to listen - in full respect of national parliaments. Our position is expressed here: https://t.co/GKRKYR7pfMFor the sake of completeness:1/ @MartinSelmayr made clear that @MichelBarnier is @EU_Commission’s chief negotiator. https://t.co/AILUEJwCit2/ @EU_Commission always open to listen - in full respect of national parliaments. Our position is expressed here: https://t.co/GKRKYR7pfM
Lord Trimble, the former Ulster Unionist party leader who won a Nobel peace prize for his role in the Good Friday agreement, has announced that he and others “are planning to take the government to court over the protocol on Northern Ireland - which includes the so-called “backstop” - as it breaches the terms of the Good Friday agreement.”Lord Trimble, the former Ulster Unionist party leader who won a Nobel peace prize for his role in the Good Friday agreement, has announced that he and others “are planning to take the government to court over the protocol on Northern Ireland - which includes the so-called “backstop” - as it breaches the terms of the Good Friday agreement.”
The announcement came in a three sentence press statement from Global Britain, a pro-Brexit thinktank. It said:The announcement came in a three sentence press statement from Global Britain, a pro-Brexit thinktank. It said:
The Nobel peace prize winner and architect of the Good Friday agreement plans to initiate judicial review proceedings to ensure that the protocol is removed from the withdrawal agreement.The Nobel peace prize winner and architect of the Good Friday agreement plans to initiate judicial review proceedings to ensure that the protocol is removed from the withdrawal agreement.
Lord Trimble says that alternative arrangements - as outlined in A Better Deal And A Better Future - should be put in place instead.Lord Trimble says that alternative arrangements - as outlined in A Better Deal And A Better Future - should be put in place instead.
A Better Deal and a Better Future is an alternative Brexit plan published last month by Steve Baker, the deputy chairman of the European Research Group.A Better Deal and a Better Future is an alternative Brexit plan published last month by Steve Baker, the deputy chairman of the European Research Group.
Global Britain has not given any more detail about Trimble’s legal argument, and it is highly possible that this will turn out to be one of those legal challenges that will die an early death on its first encounter with a judge.Global Britain has not given any more detail about Trimble’s legal argument, and it is highly possible that this will turn out to be one of those legal challenges that will die an early death on its first encounter with a judge.
UPDATE: It is also worth pointing out that Global Britain is one of the most doctrinaire of the pro-Brexit thinktanks. One of its founders was Lord Pearson of Rannoch, who was the Ukip leader who admitted during the 2010 election campaign that he had not read the party’s manifesto. ITV’s Carl Dinnen sums up the Trimble legal argument quite well here.UPDATE: It is also worth pointing out that Global Britain is one of the most doctrinaire of the pro-Brexit thinktanks. One of its founders was Lord Pearson of Rannoch, who was the Ukip leader who admitted during the 2010 election campaign that he had not read the party’s manifesto. ITV’s Carl Dinnen sums up the Trimble legal argument quite well here.
Meanwhile Lord Trimble is suing the Government.He says the Irish backstop designed to protect the Good Friday Agreement within the Withdrawal Agreement (which hasn’t been agreed) actually breaches the Good Friday Agreement. Got that?Meanwhile Lord Trimble is suing the Government.He says the Irish backstop designed to protect the Good Friday Agreement within the Withdrawal Agreement (which hasn’t been agreed) actually breaches the Good Friday Agreement. Got that?
We now know that the government offered up to £80m to Nissan in 2016 in the form of support, in return for a decision to build the Qashqhai and X-Trail models at Sunderland. Subsequently that got revised down to £61m. (See 3.45pm.)We now know that the government offered up to £80m to Nissan in 2016 in the form of support, in return for a decision to build the Qashqhai and X-Trail models at Sunderland. Subsequently that got revised down to £61m. (See 3.45pm.)
But at the time Downing Street denied offering the company a special deal. Here is an extract from the story my colleague Rowena Mason wrote in October 2016.But at the time Downing Street denied offering the company a special deal. Here is an extract from the story my colleague Rowena Mason wrote in October 2016.
No 10 is refusing to disclose what state support has been given to Nissan to convince the car manufacturer to boost production at its Sunderland plant despite its worries about Brexit. Downing Street insisted there was no “sweetheart deal” with the Japanese company, but acknowledged that Theresa May had given some assurances to the wider industry that it would be protected from the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU ...No 10 is refusing to disclose what state support has been given to Nissan to convince the car manufacturer to boost production at its Sunderland plant despite its worries about Brexit. Downing Street insisted there was no “sweetheart deal” with the Japanese company, but acknowledged that Theresa May had given some assurances to the wider industry that it would be protected from the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU ...
No 10 refused to say what has been promised to the car industry or to say whether any public money was involved, although it signalled that it had not made any declaration to the EU about a proposal to offer state aid. “The assurances are that we will get the best possible deal from leaving the EU,” May’s deputy official spokesman said. “There was no special deal for Nissan.”No 10 refused to say what has been promised to the car industry or to say whether any public money was involved, although it signalled that it had not made any declaration to the EU about a proposal to offer state aid. “The assurances are that we will get the best possible deal from leaving the EU,” May’s deputy official spokesman said. “There was no special deal for Nissan.”
Thanks to ID499187 in the comments for prompting this line of enquiry.Thanks to ID499187 in the comments for prompting this line of enquiry.
No doubt Greg Clark, the business secretary, will be pressed on this when he makes his Commons statement, probably at around 5pm.No doubt Greg Clark, the business secretary, will be pressed on this when he makes his Commons statement, probably at around 5pm.
In 2016 the Commons Treasury committee, which was then chaired by the Conservative Andrew Tyrie, repeatedly tried to find out from the government whether the Greg Clark letter to Nissan, which at that point was confidential, contained any financial promises. The government repeatedly refused to say.In 2016 the Commons Treasury committee, which was then chaired by the Conservative Andrew Tyrie, repeatedly tried to find out from the government whether the Greg Clark letter to Nissan, which at that point was confidential, contained any financial promises. The government repeatedly refused to say.
(At the time there was speculation that there might have been a promise to ensure Nissan would not lose out if the UK left the customs union, leading to a loss in exports.)(At the time there was speculation that there might have been a promise to ensure Nissan would not lose out if the UK left the customs union, leading to a loss in exports.)
In a letter to Clark, Nicky Morgan, the current chair of the committee, has asked why the £61m eventually offered to Nissan (see 3.45pm) was not disclosed at the time. She also calls for the publication of the full text of the letter, although that request is now redundant because the business department were publishing the text around the time Morgan was releasing her letter.In a letter to Clark, Nicky Morgan, the current chair of the committee, has asked why the £61m eventually offered to Nissan (see 3.45pm) was not disclosed at the time. She also calls for the publication of the full text of the letter, although that request is now redundant because the business department were publishing the text around the time Morgan was releasing her letter.
Greg Clark, the business secretary, has released his letter to Nissan (pdf) partly in response to a long-standing request from the Commons business committee. He has published it today alongside a letter to Rachel Reeves, the committee chair.Greg Clark, the business secretary, has released his letter to Nissan (pdf) partly in response to a long-standing request from the Commons business committee. He has published it today alongside a letter to Rachel Reeves, the committee chair.
In his letter to Nissan in October 2016 Clark promised the company “a package of support in areas such as skills, R&D and innovation” worth up to £80m. That was contingent on the Qashqai and the X-Trail being built at Sunderland.In his letter to Nissan in October 2016 Clark promised the company “a package of support in areas such as skills, R&D and innovation” worth up to £80m. That was contingent on the Qashqai and the X-Trail being built at Sunderland.
But in his letter to Reeves Clark says that the company was actually offered £61m in June 2018.But in his letter to Reeves Clark says that the company was actually offered £61m in June 2018.