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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/oct/17/eu-leaders-gather-for-summit-as-boris-johnson-scrambles-to-get-backing-for-brexit-deal-politics-live
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Brexit: Tusk fails to back Juncker as he refuses to rule out granting further extension - live news | |
(32 minutes later) | |
The prime minister is saying that tying up the deal allows him to focus on other priorities, including putting 20,000 police officers on the streets. He has, of course, been accused of misleading the public over this policy. | |
He says Brexit has “been long, it’s been painful and divisive” and says he believes MPs will back it. | |
Johnson says he's "very confident" MPs will support his deal on Saturday. "Now is the time for parliamentarians to come together and get this done". | |
PM says there is a 'very good case' to back the deal and 'I don't think there is any case for a delay' | |
Boris Johnson is starting his press conference, claiming the deal allows the whole of the UK to leave the EU together. And he says it allows the “building” of a future relationship to begin. | |
Here is an important point flagged up by the political commentator and broadcaster Steve Richards. | |
Junker says talks on new trade deal would begin on Nov 1st inadvertently reminding us that the thorny bit of Brexit is still to come and exposing myth that leaving on 31st gets ‘Brexit done’ . Trade deal much harder and its trade that splits parties. Brexit has only just begun. | |
Boris Johnson is about to hold a press conference. | |
But I am finished for the day. My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over. | |
Q: What compromises has the EU made? And what will happen if the UK votes against the deal? | |
Tusk says the EU has been willing to consider compromises. | |
He says the EU intends to work towards ratification. This was a clear decision. | |
He says the EU is prepared for ratification, logistically and politically. | |
He has “no idea” what will happen in the debate. He goes on: | |
If there is a request for an extension, I will contact member states to see how to react. | |
„...but there will always be a place at our table, if the UK wants to join the EU again”, promises the Irish prime minister @LeoVaradkar in the most crowded press room ever. #Brexit pic.twitter.com/Alq3mZsuRJ | |
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, is speaking now. | |
He says, after the UK leaves, the work on a new partnership will have to start. | |
He thanks his team. He thanks his most senior officials by name. | |
He says this deal will provide legal certainty. | |
He says he worked on the unity of the EU27 and of the European parliament. | |
He says he very much regrets Brexit. But he respects it. It was a sovereign choice of the UK. | |
He says he has a Gaullist tendency. He has great respect for the UK, and he remembers what the UK did in Europe’s darkest hour. He has infinite respect for the UK. | |
In the future the UK will be there. | |
Varadkar says the transition will last “at least” until the end of 2020. It could get extended. | |
He says Ireland and the EU’s objectives have been met. Citizens’ rights have been protected. There will be a financial settlement. There will be no hard border. And the all-island economy will continue. | |
He says the European council has backed this agreement unanimously. He hopes the UK parliament will now back it. | |
Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (PM) is speaking now. | |
He says he has learnt two things about the EU in his two years as taoiseach. He has seen the unity of the EU, and what it can achieve if it stands together. This is a lesson for the future, he says. | |
And he says he has felt, as leader of a small country, “enormous solidarity” from the EU. Sometime small states like Ireland think they will be swallowed up by an organisation like the EU. But Ireland has felt respected. | |
He says he feels sad about Brexit. It is like an old friend going on a journey. He hopes it works out for them. But there will always be a place for the UK if it wants to come back. | |
Varadkar says the UK will always be welcome back in the EU. | |
Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European commission, is speaking now. | Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European commission, is speaking now. |
He says the agreement protects the rights of citizens. | He says the agreement protects the rights of citizens. |
The EU has always put people first, he says. | The EU has always put people first, he says. |
He says this agreement would not have been possible without the taoiseach. | He says this agreement would not have been possible without the taoiseach. |
He says the political declaration provides for a free trade agreement. | He says the political declaration provides for a free trade agreement. |
He says he is happy they have reached a deal, but sad Brexit is happening. | He says he is happy they have reached a deal, but sad Brexit is happening. |
Donald Tusk, president of the European council, is speaking at his press conference now. | Donald Tusk, president of the European council, is speaking at his press conference now. |
He says the EU has endorsed the deal and “it looks like we are very close to the final stretch”. | He says the EU has endorsed the deal and “it looks like we are very close to the final stretch”. |
Why has a deal that looked impossible yesterday been approved? First, because it has been positively assessed by Ireland. And, second, it has been positively assessed by the European commission. | Why has a deal that looked impossible yesterday been approved? First, because it has been positively assessed by Ireland. And, second, it has been positively assessed by the European commission. |
He says the main change has been Boris Johnson’s decision to allow customs checks between Britain and Ireland. | He says the main change has been Boris Johnson’s decision to allow customs checks between Britain and Ireland. |
Now we are waiting for the vote in parliament. | Now we are waiting for the vote in parliament. |
Tusk says he feels sadness. Personally he is a remainer, and he hopes that if the UK decides to rejoin, the EU’s door will be open. | Tusk says he feels sadness. Personally he is a remainer, and he hopes that if the UK decides to rejoin, the EU’s door will be open. |
Tusk says he hopes one day the UK will decide to rejoin the EU. | Tusk says he hopes one day the UK will decide to rejoin the EU. |
The division lists for the vote on the Letwin amendment earlier (see 1.49pm) are on the Commons website here. | The division lists for the vote on the Letwin amendment earlier (see 1.49pm) are on the Commons website here. |
Only one Tory MP rebelled and supported the amendment, Dame Caroline Spelman. But nine of the 21 Tory MPs who lost the whip over a Brexit rebellion last month and who now sit as independents also voted for the amendment. | Only one Tory MP rebelled and supported the amendment, Dame Caroline Spelman. But nine of the 21 Tory MPs who lost the whip over a Brexit rebellion last month and who now sit as independents also voted for the amendment. |
Only one DUP MP voted with the government. The other nine did not. We don’t know if that was a protest against the Brexit deal, but if the other nine DUP MPs had voted with the government would have lost by three, not nine. | Only one DUP MP voted with the government. The other nine did not. We don’t know if that was a protest against the Brexit deal, but if the other nine DUP MPs had voted with the government would have lost by three, not nine. |
The EU27 have finished their discussion on Brexit, according to Preben Aamann, a spokesman for Donald Tusk, the president of the European council. A draft of the conclusions was leaked earlier. (See 4.14pm.) | The EU27 have finished their discussion on Brexit, according to Preben Aamann, a spokesman for Donald Tusk, the president of the European council. A draft of the conclusions was leaked earlier. (See 4.14pm.) |
Brexit EU27 EUCO finished. Conclusions adopted. | Brexit EU27 EUCO finished. Conclusions adopted. |
Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker are due to hold a press conference within the next half an hour. | Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker are due to hold a press conference within the next half an hour. |
Here is one take on how the voting could go on Saturday, under various scenarios. | Here is one take on how the voting could go on Saturday, under various scenarios. |
This @ciceroglobal chart helpfulDUP rebel but ERG + Lab MPs who backed May + indy Cons support: Johnson loses -5DUP+ERG reject but Lab MPs who backed May+indy Cons: Johnson loses -55DUP rebel, ERG support+Leave Lab MPs+Lab MPs 4 deal + indy Cons = Johnson wins +29 pic.twitter.com/RJxsV7978R | This @ciceroglobal chart helpfulDUP rebel but ERG + Lab MPs who backed May + indy Cons support: Johnson loses -5DUP+ERG reject but Lab MPs who backed May+indy Cons: Johnson loses -55DUP rebel, ERG support+Leave Lab MPs+Lab MPs 4 deal + indy Cons = Johnson wins +29 pic.twitter.com/RJxsV7978R |