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Brexit: critical day for Boris Johnson as no-deal bill awaits royal assent – live news Brexit: Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar give press conference after meeting in Dublin – live news
(32 minutes later)
Varadkar quotes from something General Alan Brooke wrote about seeing Ireland when flying back after a visit to the US with Churchill during world war two.
Leo Varadkar is speaking now.
He says there will be no such thing as a “clean-break Brexit”. He says if there is no deal, the UK will have to renegotiate a new relationship with the EU anyway.
And he says that, even if there is a deal, they will have to negotiate a trade deal.
Varadkar says there can be no such thing as a “clean-break Brexit”.
He says he thinks a Brexit deal is possible.
And he says Ireland wants to be a friend to the UK in a future.
On the backstop, he says Ireland cannot replace a legal deal with a promise.
Varadkar he says is not willing to replace the backstop with a promise.
He says he and Boris Johnson have spoken twice by phone.
But the UK has still not proposed a legal, operative alternative to the backstop, he says.
Boris Johnson overheard mentioning “very well behaved press” in Dublin as he meets Leo Varadkar. pic.twitter.com/gSIruWP5dY
Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar have posed for a picture on the steps of Government Buildings.
But they just gone in without speaking to the media.
Er, what do we do now? Leo meets Boris pic.twitter.com/pr1PDnBjos
But they might come out again. Someone has been testing the microphones.
And the two podiums have been moved, so they are now near the door, and under shelter.
There is a live feed at the top of this blog.
Boris Johnson has repeatedly claimed that the talks with the EU intended to find an alternative to the backstop are advancing well. “We are making substantial progress,” he told MPs at PMQs on Wednesday.
But yesterday Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, said the opposite. As the FT reports in its splash (paywall), this is what he said when asked if he agreed that progress was being made in the talks.
If that is what’s being said, that’s a very optimistic assessment of where we stand.
We will hear from both leaders imminently.
Immediately after the Today programme’s interview with the former supreme court judge Lord Sumption (see 9.07am), for a counter view they put up the backbench Tory Brexiter Nigel Evans. He did not seem too bothered by Sumption’s argument that the strategy outlined in the Daily Telegraph would be unlawful. He said he and his colleagues had been discussing in the House of Commons tearoom on Thursday what Boris Johnson might do to circumvent the law requiring him to ask for a no-deal Brexit, and Evans said: “We whittled them down to about 20.”
He did not list all 20, but he referred to two: the government tabling a vote of no confidence in itself, or the government passing a one-line bill setting the date for an early election.
Evans also argued that, even though Johnson did not have the support of the Commons, he did have the backing of the public. Evans explained:
You have to remember, 400 MPs representing leave seats voted remain. You really do have parliament against the people. It’s not a great look. And I will be standing alongside the prime minister in trying to deliver what the people voted for.
The two ideas Evans did propose are problematic. The government could in theory try to pass a vote of no confidence in itself, but that would open up a 14-day period during which MPs could agree to support an alternative PM and government. And it could try to pass primary legislation requiring an election on 15 October, but that would require a majority, which Johnson does not have, and it could be amended in ways unacceptable to Number 10.
Another former lord chancellor, David Gauke, has also said that the plan to try to sabotage any letter sent to the EU requesting a Brexit delay with a second hostile letter would not work.Another former lord chancellor, David Gauke, has also said that the plan to try to sabotage any letter sent to the EU requesting a Brexit delay with a second hostile letter would not work.
Sending two letters to the EU "carries no weight" says former justice secretary David Gauke"The consensus view in the legal world is that it's pretty watertight," he says of the act passed by Parliament to prevent a no-deal #Brexithttps://t.co/jI6cvXd5nN pic.twitter.com/gwHUJmjJkBSending two letters to the EU "carries no weight" says former justice secretary David Gauke"The consensus view in the legal world is that it's pretty watertight," he says of the act passed by Parliament to prevent a no-deal #Brexithttps://t.co/jI6cvXd5nN pic.twitter.com/gwHUJmjJkB
Gauke, of course, is one of the 21 Tories who had the whip removed last week after voting against the government on this issue.Gauke, of course, is one of the 21 Tories who had the whip removed last week after voting against the government on this issue.
I’m sorry comments were not open earlier. They are open now.I’m sorry comments were not open earlier. They are open now.
When Boris Johnson was deciding whether to back remain or leave in the EU referendum in 2016, he famously wrote two versions of his column for the Telegraph, one making the case for remain and one making the case for leave, before finally making his mind up – and publishing the leave one. In other circumstances, and for other individuals, that might be seen as a reasonable approach to taking a difficult decision. But because of Johnson’s long record of inconsistency, the story has come to be seen as emblematic of his duplicity.When Boris Johnson was deciding whether to back remain or leave in the EU referendum in 2016, he famously wrote two versions of his column for the Telegraph, one making the case for remain and one making the case for leave, before finally making his mind up – and publishing the leave one. In other circumstances, and for other individuals, that might be seen as a reasonable approach to taking a difficult decision. But because of Johnson’s long record of inconsistency, the story has come to be seen as emblematic of his duplicity.
As referred to earlier, according to today’s Daily Telegraph splash (paywall), Johnson is considering a new version of the “two contradictory letters strategy” to try to confound the law passed by parliament requiring him to request an article 50 extension if he has failed to agree a Brexit deal by 19 October, and if MPs have not voted to agree no deal (which they won’t). Here is an extract from Owen Bennett and Harry Yorke’s story.As referred to earlier, according to today’s Daily Telegraph splash (paywall), Johnson is considering a new version of the “two contradictory letters strategy” to try to confound the law passed by parliament requiring him to request an article 50 extension if he has failed to agree a Brexit deal by 19 October, and if MPs have not voted to agree no deal (which they won’t). Here is an extract from Owen Bennett and Harry Yorke’s story.
Boris Johnson has drawn up plans to “sabotage” any Brexit extension without breaking the law, the Telegraph has learnt ...Boris Johnson has drawn up plans to “sabotage” any Brexit extension without breaking the law, the Telegraph has learnt ...
One plan under serious consideration would see the prime minister send an accompanying letter alongside the request to extend article 50 setting out that the government does not want any delay after Oct 31.One plan under serious consideration would see the prime minister send an accompanying letter alongside the request to extend article 50 setting out that the government does not want any delay after Oct 31.
On Sunday night, a cabinet source told The Telegraph: “There is a prescribed letter that has to be sent ... Does that stop the prime minister sending other documents to the EU? I don’t think it does.On Sunday night, a cabinet source told The Telegraph: “There is a prescribed letter that has to be sent ... Does that stop the prime minister sending other documents to the EU? I don’t think it does.
“A political explainer perhaps, as to where the government’s policy is. It has to make clear that the government is asking for an extension, but let’s not forget what the next step is.“A political explainer perhaps, as to where the government’s policy is. It has to make clear that the government is asking for an extension, but let’s not forget what the next step is.
“Once that is done, the Europeans are going to ask: ‘Why? What is the reason?’ [What] if the government said: ‘We don’t have any reasons for an extension’?“Once that is done, the Europeans are going to ask: ‘Why? What is the reason?’ [What] if the government said: ‘We don’t have any reasons for an extension’?
“There is a clear path now: the Europeans need to refuse an extension.”“There is a clear path now: the Europeans need to refuse an extension.”
Lord Sumption, a former supreme court judge, told the Today programme earlier this would be illegal. (See 8.09am.) This is what he said when asked if it would be legal for the PM to seek an article 50 extension while trying to sabotage the strategy at the same time.Lord Sumption, a former supreme court judge, told the Today programme earlier this would be illegal. (See 8.09am.) This is what he said when asked if it would be legal for the PM to seek an article 50 extension while trying to sabotage the strategy at the same time.
No, of course it wouldn’t. The bill, or act as it’s about to become, says that he’s got to apply for an extension. Not only has he got to send the letter, he’s got to apply for an extension.No, of course it wouldn’t. The bill, or act as it’s about to become, says that he’s got to apply for an extension. Not only has he got to send the letter, he’s got to apply for an extension.
To send the letter and then try to neutralise it seems to me, plainly, a breach of the act.To send the letter and then try to neutralise it seems to me, plainly, a breach of the act.
What you’ve got to realise is the courts are not very fond of loopholes.What you’ve got to realise is the courts are not very fond of loopholes.
Other lawyers have said the same thing. This is from Charlie Falconer, the former Labour lord chancellor.Other lawyers have said the same thing. This is from Charlie Falconer, the former Labour lord chancellor.
“One plan would see PM send accompanying letter alongside request to extend Article 50 setting out Government does not want any delay after Oct 31.” DTel, tonight. Statutory Purpose of request letter is to get extension. To seek to destroy statutory purpose is to break law.“One plan would see PM send accompanying letter alongside request to extend Article 50 setting out Government does not want any delay after Oct 31.” DTel, tonight. Statutory Purpose of request letter is to get extension. To seek to destroy statutory purpose is to break law.
And these are from Adam Wagner, the barrister and legal commentator.And these are from Adam Wagner, the barrister and legal commentator.
I don’t always agree with Jonathan Sumption but he’s absolutely right that attempting to circumvent the Benn Bill by sending a contradictory side letter would be unlawful as the Bill requires that the Govt “seek to obtain... an extension” https://t.co/NqNLsOTsGA pic.twitter.com/rBytxBuPuFI don’t always agree with Jonathan Sumption but he’s absolutely right that attempting to circumvent the Benn Bill by sending a contradictory side letter would be unlawful as the Bill requires that the Govt “seek to obtain... an extension” https://t.co/NqNLsOTsGA pic.twitter.com/rBytxBuPuF
And side letter would be contrary to the purpose of the Bill and therefore unlawful. The point is that the govt would not be complying with the Bill.And side letter would be contrary to the purpose of the Bill and therefore unlawful. The point is that the govt would not be complying with the Bill.
From the Irish Times’ Pat LeahyFrom the Irish Times’ Pat Leahy
Taoiseach arrives at govt buildings for meeting with Boris Johnson shortly pic.twitter.com/TnhXNpadnMTaoiseach arrives at govt buildings for meeting with Boris Johnson shortly pic.twitter.com/TnhXNpadnM
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Patrick Greenfield.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Patrick Greenfield.
Boris Johnson is in Dublin already for his talks with Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (prime minister). They are due to hold a mini press conference at about 9.15am.Boris Johnson is in Dublin already for his talks with Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (prime minister). They are due to hold a mini press conference at about 9.15am.
Journalists are already outside Government Buildings in Dublin, where Varadkar’s office is based, waiting for the leaders to arrive.Journalists are already outside Government Buildings in Dublin, where Varadkar’s office is based, waiting for the leaders to arrive.
Big media turnout at Government Buildings ahead of Boris Johnson’s much-anticipated arrival within the next hour. @VirginMediaNews pic.twitter.com/ibDsXSQMrDBig media turnout at Government Buildings ahead of Boris Johnson’s much-anticipated arrival within the next hour. @VirginMediaNews pic.twitter.com/ibDsXSQMrD
Julian Smith has indicated he will not resign from the government despite official papers released last week indicating the Northern Ireland secretary had clashed with No10 over suspending parliament.Julian Smith has indicated he will not resign from the government despite official papers released last week indicating the Northern Ireland secretary had clashed with No10 over suspending parliament.
Media speculation about me doing anything other than continuing to represent & work flat out for Northern Ireland is v wide of mark @NIOgovMedia speculation about me doing anything other than continuing to represent & work flat out for Northern Ireland is v wide of mark @NIOgov
Jeremy Corbyn and other opposition leaders working to stop a no-deal Brexit will meet again this morning to plan their next steps, according to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. The government is expected to lose another attempt to force an October election later today.Jeremy Corbyn and other opposition leaders working to stop a no-deal Brexit will meet again this morning to plan their next steps, according to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. The government is expected to lose another attempt to force an October election later today.
Morning-in no particular order1. Opposition leaders gathering again this morning to plan next steps2. Julian Smith not resigning (not yet) 3. No 10 is looking at different ploys so extension doesn't happen if no deal, aware it might end up in courtMorning-in no particular order1. Opposition leaders gathering again this morning to plan next steps2. Julian Smith not resigning (not yet) 3. No 10 is looking at different ploys so extension doesn't happen if no deal, aware it might end up in court
4. One option suggested by Cabinet minister privately is political side letter, as per Telegraph this morning5. Meanwhile Cabinet ministers pressing Number 10 to show more evidence of attempts to get a deal - Dublin visit today might be key4. One option suggested by Cabinet minister privately is political side letter, as per Telegraph this morning5. Meanwhile Cabinet ministers pressing Number 10 to show more evidence of attempts to get a deal - Dublin visit today might be key
Meanwhile, our Brexit correspondent, Lisa O’Carroll, is in Dublin waiting for the British prime minister to arrive.Meanwhile, our Brexit correspondent, Lisa O’Carroll, is in Dublin waiting for the British prime minister to arrive.
Press amassed for Boris Johnson’s arrival in Dublin where he will meet Leo Varadkar. Security was almost as tight as for Obama, roads closed around government buildings - no other EU premier got this treatment in last few years pic.twitter.com/Q1t4ZQGDRRPress amassed for Boris Johnson’s arrival in Dublin where he will meet Leo Varadkar. Security was almost as tight as for Obama, roads closed around government buildings - no other EU premier got this treatment in last few years pic.twitter.com/Q1t4ZQGDRR
The former supreme court judge Lord Sumption has told the BBC’s Today programme that simultaneously asking the EU for an extension while asking the bloc to reject the request would not be legal. This is how Boris Johnson’s government is planning to sabotage any Brexit extension without breaking the law, according to the Telegraph.The former supreme court judge Lord Sumption has told the BBC’s Today programme that simultaneously asking the EU for an extension while asking the bloc to reject the request would not be legal. This is how Boris Johnson’s government is planning to sabotage any Brexit extension without breaking the law, according to the Telegraph.
Lord Sumption on #today programme couldn’t be clearer that sending two letters with different intentions wouldn’t be complying with the lawLord Sumption on #today programme couldn’t be clearer that sending two letters with different intentions wouldn’t be complying with the law
Johnson and Varadkar are taking questions just after 9am as the prime minister arrives in Dublin. We’ll bring you the most important answers.Johnson and Varadkar are taking questions just after 9am as the prime minister arrives in Dublin. We’ll bring you the most important answers.
Paschal Donohoe, Ireland’s finance minister, has told the BBC’s Today programme that his government would support a further Brexit extension but said it needed the backing of all EU27 member states. Ahead of today’s meeting between Boris Johnson and the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Donohoe said the Irish were looking forward to further understanding the UK government’s Brexit views and discussing the political standoff in Northern Ireland. Direct rule from London under a no-deal Brexit would be “exceptionally serious”, according to the Irish finance minister.
Good morning readers. I’m taking over the live blogging reins until Andrew Sparrow is ready to guide you through another big day of Brexit developments.
Nobody from the government is doing any broadcast rounds this morning, it appears, but I will bring you the most important politics news lines as they happen.
Tweet me at @pgreenfielduk if you have any questions.
We’ve already heard this morning about the potential impact of Brexit on the economy, according to KPMG.
But for a real-time picture, we can see that the pound rose close to $1.23 earlier this morning before slipping back. It is now buying $1.227. It is worth €1.113.
The pound has benefited from the government’s recent calamities, which investors have seen as making no deal less likely, in turn pushing up sterling.
The other big story of the day so far is that British Airways has been forced to cancel “nearly 100% of our flights” after pilots went on strike for 48 hours over pay.
BA told passengers in a statement on its website:
We understand the frustration and disruption Balpa’s strike action has caused you. After many months of trying to resolve the pay dispute, we are extremely sorry that it has come to this.
The pilots are on strike for 48 hours and have further action planned on 27 September. The airline said it was offering all affected customers full refunds or the option to re-book to another date of travel or alternative airline. Flights on BA CityFlyer, SUN-AIR and Comair were not affected.
BA operates more than 800 flights a day, with most expected to be cancelled, affecting up to 145,000 passengers each day.
You can read our full story on the strike here.
The Labour MP John Mann, who quit the party on Saturday to become the government’s antisemitism tsar, has been speaking to the BBC about his new role and Brexit.
Taking Brexit first, Mann told the Today programme that activists knocking on the doors of Labour voters in the north of England heartlands “would find voters who voted Brexit and who reject the direction that Jeremy Corbyn was taking the party”.
He added:
The vast majority of Labour supporters in the heartlands voted Brexit. They are despairing about what they are seeing in parliament. They are scratching their heads, wondering what Labour is for.
An opponent of Jeremy Corbyn, Mann denied he would use his new role as the government’s “independent” antisemitism role as a way of attacking the Labour leader’s record on the issue.
“That would be dismissive of antisemitism … Labour has to get its act together and root out antisemitism,” he said.
We are likely to hear a great deal more about the government’s manoeuvres in the next few days.
But a reader’s letter raises an interesting argument that some of the farcical episodes in the Johnson administration’s short tenure – think the bungled police academy speech and even Jacob Rees-Mogg’s Commons slouch – are all part of the masterplan to distract voters from the serious defeats being inflicted on the government at Westminster.
You can read it here:
Dominic Cummings’ meme-generating media outrage strategy is working | Letters
Norman Smith, the BBC’s assistant political editor, has just been talking on Radio 4’s Today programme talking about some of the machinations we might expect at Westminster today.
He said if MPs do reject the government’s bid to force an election and then the no-deal bill is given royal assent, we can expect Downing Street to prorogue parliament. This is because the government has no other way of preventing rebel Tory MPs and opposition parties from seizing total control of the parliamentary timetable and holding debates on, for example, forcing the release of details of the no-deal Brexit planning document, Operation Yellowhammer.
Smith said Johnson had “lost control of parliament, his majority, control of election timing, and a no-deal Brexit. He can’t do much.”
He also adds that his sources maintain No 10 would “not break the law” by ignoring the no-deal bill. “It’s not an option,” he said.
The latest gloomy report about what will happen to the economy in the event of no deal comes from KPMG. The consultancy predicts Britain would lose 1.5% growth and fall into its first recession for a decade if we crash out. Consumer spending would be badly hit, it says. Yael Selfin, KPMG UK’s chief economist, said: “With the Brexit debate poised on a knife-edge, the UK economy is now at a crossroads.”
Here’s the full story:
KPMG predicts no-deal Brexit recession in 2020
A retail footfall survey today adds to the downbeat economic mood. It says visits to the high street were down 1.9% in the three months to the end of August as people preferred out-of-town centres or online shopping. My colleague Miles Brignall has the full story here:
UK retail footfall dips further as shoppers shun high street
Given the complexity of the political situation, it is not surprising that there is considerable divergence on way the papers have approached the Brexit turmoil today.
The Times’ splash headline says “Johnson in retreat over delay to Brexit” but the Telegraph reckons No 10 has a plan to thwart backbenchers’ no-deal bill, saying: “Johnson ‘can legally stop Brexit extension’”.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: Johnson 'can legally stop Brexit extension' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/ijl5PfHHFU
The Telegraph quotes a No 10 source as saying that, if the government is forced to request an extension to article 50 as the backbench no-deal bill will do, it could append a letter to the request saying that the UK does not have any reason to extend the deadline for Brexit from 31 October.
The source tells the Telegraph (whose star columnist used to be the PM):
Once that is done, the Europeans are going to ask: ‘Why? What is the reason?’ [What] if the Government said: ‘We don’t have any reasons for an extension’? There is a clear path now: the Europeans need to refuse an extension.”
The Scotsman reports “Johnson will ‘test to the limit’ no-deal legislation”. The Guardian throws it forward to focus on Johnson’s trip to Ireland: “PM heads to Dublin amid fears of more resignations”, on which subject the FT says: “Varadkar plays down prospects of progress on Brexit deadlock”.
Guardian front page, Monday 9 September 2019: PM heads to Dublin amid fears of more resignations pic.twitter.com/ke0JV7P3KI
The Mail has its own Brexit scoop from an interview with the culture secretary, Nicky Morgan, a remainer who nevertheless pledges to remain loyal to Johnson. But she demands of his approach to talks with the EU: “What is your plan, Boris?”. The Express proclaims “Britain is still backing Boris”. The Sun says the PM will fight the no-deal bill in court but leads with: “Little Mix Jesy: my suicide bid”.
Good morning and welcome to the politics live blog. This is Martin Farrer kicking off the blog before Andy Sparrow and my colleagues in London take over on what promises to be another momentous day at Westminster and beyond.
After the resignation of the work and pensions secretary, Amber Rudd, dealt another blow to Boris Johnson’s government, there is more fevered speculation about whether or not the prime minister will try to bypass the backbench bill blocking no deal if, as is likely, it becomes law today.
It seems probable that there will be more twists and turns than an Ashes series, but here are some of the fixed points, along with possible developments:
Boris Johnson heads to Dublin for talks with his Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, on how to break the stalemate over a solution to the Irish backstop. Read our splash story on this subject here.
Johnson will then fly back to London where he is expected to make another attempt to force a general election on 15 October by asking MPs to support a motion tabled under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.
The gambit is likely to fail, according to most calculations, because opposition parties still want to ensure that a no-deal Brexit is definitely off the table before they go to the country. This would enable them to portray Johnson as having broken his key promise of delivering Brexit “come what may” on 31 October, writes Michael Savage, in this very handy explainer about what’s been going on and what lies ahead.
Meanwhile, the backbench bill to block no deal is expected to receive royal assent today.
If that goes ahead, the key question will be whether Johnson is somehow able to circumvent the legislation and go ahead with Brexit. There are reports swirling around that No 10 believes it can go to court to get around the law, but an equal number saying the government won’t be able to. The latter point to a tweet by justice secretary Robert Buckland that he has spoken to the PM “regarding the importance of the rule of law”.
There is the possibility that the EU could prevent Britain from delaying its exit anyway, according to our Brussels correspondent Daniel Boffey.
And there is also the chance of further cabinet resignations following Rudd’s decision to stand down. We report that she has been contacted by three cabinet ministers and nine junior ministers worried about the government’s Brexit policy since tendering her resignation.
In all the chaos you might have missed the fact that Rudd was replaced as work and pensions secretary yesterday by Thérèse Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, a loyalist who was promoted from her role as environment minister.
And I liked this picture of Johnson and his latest nemesis at the Tory conference last year. She was a big fan of Jeremy Hunt’s bid for the leadership: