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Brexit: Boris Johnson to offer EU 'far-reaching' alternative backstop plan - live news Brexit: Boris Johnson to offer EU 'far-reaching' alternative backstop plan - live news
(about 1 hour later)
That’s it from us this evening. Thanks for reading and commenting. Here’s a summary of the day’s main events:
The prime minister was facing fresh questions over his links to Jennifer Arcuri after more damaging headlines this evening. The Guardian revealed that a Whitehall official who ran the scheme that granted Arcuri a coveted entrepreneur visa had worked for Boris Johnson when he was mayor. Johnson had earlier refused repeatedly to deny he had had an affair with Arcuri.
The UK will put forward “very constructive and far-reaching proposals” to the EU for an alternative to the backstop, the prime minister pledged. Boris Johnson made the claim after reports suggested the UK wanted to set up border checks a few miles either side of the Irish frontier, rather than on it. Johnson distanced himself from the proposals, though he said some checks being needing to be carried out was simply the “reality”. Dublin has made clear it considers the reported border proposals unacceptable.
The prime minister addressed those and a range of others issues during a host of broadcast interviews. You can see a comprehensive summary of those here.
Priti Patel promised to “end the free movement of people once and for all”. The home secretary delivered her conference speech in the early evening, promising an Australian-style points system to replace the principle.
The automatic early release of some prisoners is “madness”, according to the justice secretary. Robert Buckland told the Tory party conference he wants to end the system under which nearly all offenders sentenced to immediate custody are released at the midway point on licence in the community.
The Conservative MP, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, was asked to leave the conference after what the party described as a “totally unacceptable” incident. Police were called to deal with the issue on Tuesday afternoon.
Dover faces losing £1bn in trade per week under a no-deal Brexit, it was claimed. Despite extensive preparations, the port’s chief executive told a fringe event he still expects to see a huge downturn.
And, if you’d like to read more, my colleagues Simon Murphy and Matthew Weaver have our main story:
Revealed: Jennifer Arcuri got visa from scheme run by former Johnson official
Boris Johnson has arrived at a DUP reception at the Tory party conference, alongside the party’s leader, Arlene Foster.
Boris Johnson has arrived at DUP reception to chants of Boris, Boris and heckles of “no surrender”
Nigel Dodds of DUP praises Boris Johnson for “clarity and vision” over Brexit. “We must get a better deal out of the EU... and we believe we can get such a deal”
Arlene Foster, DUP leader, says people are “sick, sore and tired” of Brexit and want to see an agreement
Arlene: people want to get a Brexit deal done. No deal is not a final destination but i know not everyone in this room will agree with us but in terms of Northern Ireland we want to focus on a deal pic.twitter.com/TpmSfMssJr
Johnson says deal not easy but some progress and should become clear in next few days whether it can be done
Johnson says he wants to put Jeremy Corbyn into a “figurative rocket” and “send him into orbit where he belongs”
Here’s a clip of the home secretary, Priti Patel, setting out her desire to “end the free movement of people once and for all” during her party conference speech earlier this evening (see 5.04pm):Here’s a clip of the home secretary, Priti Patel, setting out her desire to “end the free movement of people once and for all” during her party conference speech earlier this evening (see 5.04pm):
The chancellor, Sajid Javid, has dropped the strongest hint yet that he may be about to scrap inheritance tax.The chancellor, Sajid Javid, has dropped the strongest hint yet that he may be about to scrap inheritance tax.
At a fringe event – and on the eve of Boris Johnson’s first conference speech as prime minister – he was asked by a party member if he would consider getting rid of the “most painful tax” to affect the public.At a fringe event – and on the eve of Boris Johnson’s first conference speech as prime minister – he was asked by a party member if he would consider getting rid of the “most painful tax” to affect the public.
Javid hinted there could be significant reform on the horizon, and he also confirmed a budget would be held this year. He said:Javid hinted there could be significant reform on the horizon, and he also confirmed a budget would be held this year. He said:
We’ve already made some sensible reforms in that tax but I hear what you’re saying and you’re not the only one.We’ve already made some sensible reforms in that tax but I hear what you’re saying and you’re not the only one.
I shouldn’t say too much now but I understand the arguments against that tax. I do think when people pay taxes already through work, or through investments and capital gains and other taxes, there’s a real issue with then asking them on that income to pay taxes all over again.I shouldn’t say too much now but I understand the arguments against that tax. I do think when people pay taxes already through work, or through investments and capital gains and other taxes, there’s a real issue with then asking them on that income to pay taxes all over again.
Sensible changes have already been made but it is something that is on my mind.Sensible changes have already been made but it is something that is on my mind.
Ireland’s deputy prime minister has rejected reports that a time-limited backstop could help solve the Brexit impasse. Simon Coveney has told RTÉ radio:Ireland’s deputy prime minister has rejected reports that a time-limited backstop could help solve the Brexit impasse. Simon Coveney has told RTÉ radio:
If we put an actual time limit on the backstop, well then there is no onus – particularly on the UK side, potentially – to find alternative solutions to the backstop that may be more permanent because it will simply fall after a certain period of time.If we put an actual time limit on the backstop, well then there is no onus – particularly on the UK side, potentially – to find alternative solutions to the backstop that may be more permanent because it will simply fall after a certain period of time.
So, if you’re talking about a backstop and, if you can’t credibly answer the question: What happens on the border question at the end of it, of that time limit? Well, then it’s not a backstop at all.So, if you’re talking about a backstop and, if you can’t credibly answer the question: What happens on the border question at the end of it, of that time limit? Well, then it’s not a backstop at all.
It was claimed earlier in the afternoon that EU27 governments had privately discussed offering the time limit. Bloomberg cited unnamed sources in the report and a European commission spokesman was quoted as saying:It was claimed earlier in the afternoon that EU27 governments had privately discussed offering the time limit. Bloomberg cited unnamed sources in the report and a European commission spokesman was quoted as saying:
The EU is not considering this option at all. We are waiting for the UK to come forward with a legally operational solution that meets all the objectives of the backstop.The EU is not considering this option at all. We are waiting for the UK to come forward with a legally operational solution that meets all the objectives of the backstop.
There are fresh questions for Boris Johnson this evening, after the Guardian reveals that a Whitehall official who ran the scheme that granted Jennifer Arcuri a coveted entrepreneur visa had worked for Johnson when he was mayor of London.There are fresh questions for Boris Johnson this evening, after the Guardian reveals that a Whitehall official who ran the scheme that granted Jennifer Arcuri a coveted entrepreneur visa had worked for Johnson when he was mayor of London.
My colleagues, Simon Murphy and Matthew Weaver, write that Arcuri – who is at the centre of a conflict of interest row over her friendship with Johnson – beat nearly 2,000 applicants to gain one of 200 sought-after tier 1 entrepreneur visas on the government’s Sirius programme after Johnson helped promote her firm, Innotech, by giving keynote speeches at her events. They add:My colleagues, Simon Murphy and Matthew Weaver, write that Arcuri – who is at the centre of a conflict of interest row over her friendship with Johnson – beat nearly 2,000 applicants to gain one of 200 sought-after tier 1 entrepreneur visas on the government’s Sirius programme after Johnson helped promote her firm, Innotech, by giving keynote speeches at her events. They add:
The Guardian has learned that Paola Cuneo, the then director of the Sirius programme, previously spent two-and-a-half years working in a senior post at London & Partners (L&P), the official mayoral promotional agency which Johnson had responsibility for while he was in City Hall.The Guardian has learned that Paola Cuneo, the then director of the Sirius programme, previously spent two-and-a-half years working in a senior post at London & Partners (L&P), the official mayoral promotional agency which Johnson had responsibility for while he was in City Hall.
Cuneo, Arcuri and Johnson attended the same Innotech event in October 2013, two months before the company joined the Sirius scheme.Cuneo, Arcuri and Johnson attended the same Innotech event in October 2013, two months before the company joined the Sirius scheme.
Revealed: Jennifer Arcuri got visa from scheme run by former Johnson officialRevealed: Jennifer Arcuri got visa from scheme run by former Johnson official
A whistleblower has told the Guardian:A whistleblower has told the Guardian:
Innotech stood out compared to other startups in the programme, which had a much higher potential to scale up … I could not understand why we were giving so much attention and extra funds to Innotech.Innotech stood out compared to other startups in the programme, which had a much higher potential to scale up … I could not understand why we were giving so much attention and extra funds to Innotech.
Earlier this evening, Johnson refused three times to deny having an affair with Arcuri during an interview with Sky News.Earlier this evening, Johnson refused three times to deny having an affair with Arcuri during an interview with Sky News.
Boris Johnson posted this on Twitter earlier, in a reference to the video showing an aide snatching a coffee cup from his hands because it was disposable.Boris Johnson posted this on Twitter earlier, in a reference to the video showing an aide snatching a coffee cup from his hands because it was disposable.
I got my coffee in the end. pic.twitter.com/F5cDVZHhHAI got my coffee in the end. pic.twitter.com/F5cDVZHhHA
Now there has been a run on those mugs, Sky’s Aubrey Allegretti reports.Now there has been a run on those mugs, Sky’s Aubrey Allegretti reports.
Turns out Boris Johnson is an #influencer. After his snap with the “Get Brexit done” mugs the Conservative conference shop had to place an emergency order. And now they’ve run out completely - although there’s more online. pic.twitter.com/7hQMJ1aVJpTurns out Boris Johnson is an #influencer. After his snap with the “Get Brexit done” mugs the Conservative conference shop had to place an emergency order. And now they’ve run out completely - although there’s more online. pic.twitter.com/7hQMJ1aVJp
That’s all from me for tonight.That’s all from me for tonight.
My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is now taking over.My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is now taking over.
Speaking at a debate about gang-related violence, Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, was asked about the effects of Conservative party voters’ “after-dinner activities” (aka taking cocaine) on rising violent crime rates.Speaking at a debate about gang-related violence, Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, was asked about the effects of Conservative party voters’ “after-dinner activities” (aka taking cocaine) on rising violent crime rates.
After it was clarified that “after-dinner activities” did not refer to the groping allegations against Boris Johnson, Duncan Smith said it needed to be pointed out that “the consequences of buying illegal drugs is that somebody dies”. He said:After it was clarified that “after-dinner activities” did not refer to the groping allegations against Boris Johnson, Duncan Smith said it needed to be pointed out that “the consequences of buying illegal drugs is that somebody dies”. He said:
You didn’t pull the trigger, you didn’t stab them, but the money you gave them has gone up the chain and has been used to buy the guns and knives and to pay off the kids that are doing the violent crime, so I think that’s a very simple message to give.You didn’t pull the trigger, you didn’t stab them, but the money you gave them has gone up the chain and has been used to buy the guns and knives and to pay off the kids that are doing the violent crime, so I think that’s a very simple message to give.
Yes of course we can crack down on the symptoms of that, which are criminal behaviour and violence, but the truth is you can crack down on your behaviour by saying: ‘I’m not going to do this any longer because I can’t bear the thought that somebody out there gets abused, killed or doesn’t make it to 22 because I was too busy indulging myself.’Yes of course we can crack down on the symptoms of that, which are criminal behaviour and violence, but the truth is you can crack down on your behaviour by saying: ‘I’m not going to do this any longer because I can’t bear the thought that somebody out there gets abused, killed or doesn’t make it to 22 because I was too busy indulging myself.’
Shaun Bailey, the Tory party’s London mayoral candidate, added that it was not just people in the Tory shires who used cocaine, but also in Labour-voting London. “Actually, most coke is sold in London,” he said. “It’s a bigger market and it’s sold in all the cool places. It isn’t just shire Tories [taking] coke. I’m sorry, it’s not who [takes] it. It’s the cool people who [take] it.”Shaun Bailey, the Tory party’s London mayoral candidate, added that it was not just people in the Tory shires who used cocaine, but also in Labour-voting London. “Actually, most coke is sold in London,” he said. “It’s a bigger market and it’s sold in all the cool places. It isn’t just shire Tories [taking] coke. I’m sorry, it’s not who [takes] it. It’s the cool people who [take] it.”
And in an interview with the BBC, Boris Johnson has said the UK will put forward some “very constructive and far-reaching proposals” to the EU for an alternative to the backstop.And in an interview with the BBC, Boris Johnson has said the UK will put forward some “very constructive and far-reaching proposals” to the EU for an alternative to the backstop.
Boris Johnson says the UK will have to accept the "reality" of customs checks on the island of Ireland as part of a #Brexit deal, telling @BBCLauraK ministers will submit "very constructive and far-reaching proposals" to the EU within days[tap to expand] https://t.co/fRb9e7JOlT pic.twitter.com/AIz3VpJF1IBoris Johnson says the UK will have to accept the "reality" of customs checks on the island of Ireland as part of a #Brexit deal, telling @BBCLauraK ministers will submit "very constructive and far-reaching proposals" to the EU within days[tap to expand] https://t.co/fRb9e7JOlT pic.twitter.com/AIz3VpJF1I
Johnson said there would have to be new customs checks on the island of Ireland, away from the border.Johnson said there would have to be new customs checks on the island of Ireland, away from the border.
If the EU is going to insist on on customs checks as we come out as it is, then we will have to accept that reality. And there will have to be a system for customs checks away from the border. Now, we think those checks can be absolutely minimal and non-intrusive and won’t involve new infrastructure.If the EU is going to insist on on customs checks as we come out as it is, then we will have to accept that reality. And there will have to be a system for customs checks away from the border. Now, we think those checks can be absolutely minimal and non-intrusive and won’t involve new infrastructure.
(The EU would say that it is the UK creating the need for customs checks, by leaving the customs union.)(The EU would say that it is the UK creating the need for customs checks, by leaving the customs union.)
Johnson said it was preferable to have customs checks on north/south trade (ie between Northern Ireland and Ireland) than on east/west trade (ie, between Northern Ireland and Great Britain). He explained:Johnson said it was preferable to have customs checks on north/south trade (ie between Northern Ireland and Ireland) than on east/west trade (ie, between Northern Ireland and Great Britain). He explained:
Just to set this in context for you, it’s important to understand that trade north/south of the border is dwarfed by trade east/west, ie from Northern Ireland to GB. So it would be wrong to, as it were, to keep Northern Ireland in a customs union with the EU and to create new checks down the Irish Sea for customs.Just to set this in context for you, it’s important to understand that trade north/south of the border is dwarfed by trade east/west, ie from Northern Ireland to GB. So it would be wrong to, as it were, to keep Northern Ireland in a customs union with the EU and to create new checks down the Irish Sea for customs.
But the UK is proposing to accept an all-island zone for agrifoods, which would mean sanitary and phytosanitary checks taking place in the Irish Sea, on goods travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland, not for goods crossing the Ireland/Northern Ireland border. There are some of these checks in place alredy, but Johnson acknowledged that under his plan there would be more. He said:But the UK is proposing to accept an all-island zone for agrifoods, which would mean sanitary and phytosanitary checks taking place in the Irish Sea, on goods travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland, not for goods crossing the Ireland/Northern Ireland border. There are some of these checks in place alredy, but Johnson acknowledged that under his plan there would be more. He said:
Insofar as we’ve made a big move on sanitary, which we have, then that will logically imply some more checks down the Irish Sea. But we think that’s liveable with, provided it’s done in the right way.Insofar as we’ve made a big move on sanitary, which we have, then that will logically imply some more checks down the Irish Sea. But we think that’s liveable with, provided it’s done in the right way.
The full transcript of the interview with Laura Kuenssberg is here.The full transcript of the interview with Laura Kuenssberg is here.
In an interview with Sky News, Boris Johnson has refused three times to deny having an affair with Jennifer Arcuri, the businesswoman whose company received sponsorship from a mayoral fund when Johnson was in City Hall.In an interview with Sky News, Boris Johnson has refused three times to deny having an affair with Jennifer Arcuri, the businesswoman whose company received sponsorship from a mayoral fund when Johnson was in City Hall.
Opposition parties might have won their battle to keep the Commons in session while the Conservative conference is taking place, but they can’t as yet agree on everything – particularly on the idea of a possible government of national unity.
All the parties believe that if Boris Johnson tried to force a no-deal Brexit then their tactic of last resort would be a no-confidence vote, replacing him with an interim PM. However, while the Liberal Democrats insist it cannot be Corbyn, Labour say he is the only choice.
Speaking to reporters at parliament, Labour’s shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said he hoped Jo Swinson could change her mind:
I was brought up a Catholic and I am a great believer in the powers of conversion.
But the Lib Dem leader argues that the Corbyn option is simply impossible, as he would not win the support of rebel former Conservative MPs and others whose votes would be needed.
A spokesman for Swinson said:
Jo is a great believer in the power of mathematics. Jeremy Corbyn does not have the numbers and needs to make clear who he would support if we need an emergency government.
There is wider disagreement. While the Lib Dems are seeking a cross-party temporary government led by a backbench grandee, such as Ken Clarke or Harriet Harman, Corbyn’s office have called for a “strictly time-limited caretaker administration”, a Labour-only government in office for a matter of days purely to extend the Brexit deadline and call an election.
The assumption is that if the alternative was no deal, one side would blink, but it remains to be seen who, and when.
That was the third most important speech at this conference. Technically Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and first secretary of state, outranks Priti Patel, the home secretary, in cabinet, but Raab was given a low-profile slot on Sunday and his speech was under-powered. Patel’s speech was probably the most rightwing by a Tory home secretary at least since Michael Howard’s “prison works” one in 1993.
In policy terms, it was relatively light. There were three main announcements, but they all have so little money attached they are virtually cost-free: a fund to allow up to 60% of officers to be equipped with tasers (£10m); more activity to tackle county line drugs gangs (£20m); and a safer streets fund (£10m).
But what it lacked in policy heft, it made up for in rhetorical overkill. It may not seem necessary to say that the Tories are against “gang leaders, drug barons, thugs and terrorists”, but Boris Johnson reportedly decided to make Patel home secretary because her no-nonsense authoritarianism makes her popular with party members. It remains to be seen if the public at large will react in the same way. More interesting were her constant references to the need to obey the will of the people. (See 4.01pm.) She sounded like someone who would be happy to see parliamentary democracy replaced with a more direct form of democracy, bypassing the need for parliamentarians exercising their judgment. If the Brexit party ever takes power, their ministers will give speeches like this.
Patel got her loudest applause when she invoked Margaret Thatcher.
Margaret Thatcher knew that if you made the British people your compass, if you took time to understand their lives and their priorities, then your direction would always be true.
This suited Patel’s “will of the people” agenda, but in historical terms it was totally wrong. Thatcher would probably have loved this speech. But she was a conviction politician who knew that, if you just use British people as your compass, you will be all over the place because people keep changing their minds. Patel’s vision – almost government-by-plebiscite – was certainly not hers.
And here is the peroration.
This party, our Conservative party, is backing those who put their lives on the line for our national security.
So as we renew our place as the party of law and order in Britain, let the message go out from this hall today:
To the British people - we hear you.
To the police service - we back you.
And to the criminals, I simply say this: We are coming after you.
Conservative party conference day three – as it happened
Patel praises Margaret Thacher.
Only the Conservative party is driven by the people’s priorities and that means backing our police, our communities and our great country.
That pragmatic approach, grounded in the good sense of the British people, keeps us focused on what truly matters today.
That’s the lesson I took from the person who inspired me to join our party.
A Conservative prime minister first elected 40 years ago, this year.
Margaret Thatcher knew that if you made the British people your compass, if you took time to understand their lives and their priorities, then your direction would always be true.
“My policies,” she said, “are based not on some economics theory, but on things I and millions like me were brought up with: an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay; live within your means; pay your bills on time; and support the police.”
That advice is as sound today as it was 40 years ago.
Patel criticises Labour.
This daughter of immigrants needs no lectures from the north London metropolitan liberal elite.
That’s what you get with a government that is driven by the people’s priorities.
Of course, there will be only two dissenting voices: Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn.
Because the choice isn’t just who the people want to be our next prime minister.
It’s also about who the people want to be their next home secretary.
Do we really want a Labour home secretary who would leave our communities and our country less safe?
Patel says the Brexit referendum result must be honoured.
She praises Boris Johnson’s role in the campaign.
And she turns to immigration.
As home secretary at this defining moment in our country’s history, I have a particular responsibility when it comes to taking back control.
It is to end the free movement of people once and for all.
Instead we will introduce an Australian-style points-based immigration system.
One that works in the best interests of Britain.
One that attracts and welcomes the brightest and the best.
One that supports brilliant scientists, the finest academics and leading people in their fields.
And one that is under the control of the British government.
Patel says the third reason for backing the police is because that is what people want.
This is a government driven by the people’s priorities.
Hardworking, honest, law-abiding people whose needs are humble, whose expectations are modest and whose demands of their government are simple.
They want us to listen.
They ask us to respond.
And they expect us to do what we say.
From crime, to immigration, to leaving the European Union, we are ready to listen and to do what they want.
It’s called democracy.
That shouldn’t really be a controversial statement.
They are the masters and we are their servants.
Patel says she is announcing a £20m fund to tackle county lines drug gangs and a £25m safer streets fund.
She says she will set up a fund to allow police chiefs to equip their officers with tasers.
She also says she is establishing a police covenant.
I have been humbled by the officers I have met and the experiences they have shared with me.
This is why I have personally accelerated work to establish the police covenant.
This is a pledge to do more as a nation to help those who serve our country.
To recognise the bravery, the commitment and the sacrifices of serving and former officers.
And we will enshrine this into law.
Second, says Patel, the police need support “to remove the grip gangs and organised criminals have on our communities”. She goes on:
They just don’t care who they hurt or abuse.
The kingpins of these criminal gangs are exploiting children.
Forcing them to carry crack cocaine and heroin across rural and coastal communities.
Threatening them into carrying guns and knives as “protection”.
Manipulating them into killing innocent people.
Faced with this new and growing danger, our police will know that I will back them to get this under control.
Patel says more officers are being recruited, and she has given the police more powers over stop and search.
There are three reasons:
Firstly, because backing the forces of law and order is central to our DNA as Conservatives.
Giving people the security they need to live their lives as they choose is an essential part of our freedom.
We recognise that freedom and security are not opposites, but equals.
And that ensuring people can live their lives free from fear is the essential foundation for a life of liberty.