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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/oct/21/brexit-johnson-to-push-for-deal-as-labour-woos-rebel-tories-eu-extension-live-news
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| Brexit: European commission confirms it is considering extension - live news | Brexit: European commission confirms it is considering extension - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| • Downing Street has insisted that MPs must be given “a straight-up-and-down amid speculation that the speaker, John Bercow, will not permit it to take place.The government also said that any attempt by MPs to add a customs union to the government’s Brexit deal would be “procedural tricks” intended to frustrate departure.The expectation is that Bercow will not permit such a vote given that the deal was debated by MPs on Saturday, and a backbench amendment attached, putting off final approval until the legislation surrounding the plan is agreed. | |
| • The unconventional “form” of Boris Johnson’s extension request is irrelevant to the EU, the European commission has confirmed, as Germany’s finance minister said “it goes without saying” that a further Brexit delay would be granted.Peter Altmaier, a key ally of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said he believed either a technical extension to allow extra-time for legislation to pass, or a longer period to accommodate a general election or second referendum would be offered. | |
| • Scotland’s most senior judge, Lord Carloway, has rejected a call by the UK government to end a case examining if Boris Johnson broke a promise that he would not try to sabotage the request for a Brexit extension.After losing a Commons vote on Saturday on delaying his deal, Johnson sent an unsigned copy of the letter required by the Benn act but also sent another, personal letter to Brussels that asked EU leaders not to agree to an extension. The judge said he would continue with the case until it was clear that Downing Street had complied with the act in full. | |
| • Northern Ireland’s unionist parties have recalled the Stormont assembly today in a last-minute attempt to stop the decriminalisation of abortion from coming into effect.The region’s restrictive abortion laws are set to change at midnight on Monday after the Commons voted last July to bring reproductive rights in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. | |
| This is Ben Quinn picking up the blog now from Frances Perraudin. | |
| Northern Ireland’s unionist parties have recalled the Stormont assembly today in a last-minute attempt to stop the decriminalisation of abortion from coming into effect, my colleague Daniel Avelar reports. | |
| The region’s restrictive abortion laws are set to change at midnight on Monday after the Commons voted last July to bring reproductive rights in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. | |
| This will be the first time in nearly three years that the parliament in Belfast has met, since legislators from the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) and Sinn Féin nationalists failed to reach a power-sharing agreement after the devolved government collapsed in January 2017. | |
| The recall follows a petition promoted by anti-abortion campaigners and signed by 31 members of the legislative assembly (MLAs), aiming to put abortion rights back in the hands of local politicians. | |
| MLAs would need to form an executive before the midnight deadline to block the abortion reform, but that is highly unlikely as nationalist parties said their members would not attend today’s session. | |
| Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, defended the recall, saying it would allow MLAs to “debate the issue” of abortion in Northern Ireland, while a Sinn Féin spokesperson called it a “pointless political stunt”. | |
| As well as the decriminalisation of abortion, same-sex marriage is also due to become legal on Tuesday after a separate Westminster vote in July. | |
| Here’s the full report from the Guardian’s Ireland correspondent Rory Carroll. | |
| DUP to return to Stormont to protest against abortion rights | |
| The Guardian’s Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, is in court in Edinburgh where Lord Carloway has rejected a call by the UK government to halt proceedings because the prime minister has met his legal requirements under the Benn act. (See my earlier post.) | |
| The judge said he would continue with the case until it was clear that Downing Street had complied with the act in full – ie sought and, if it is offered, accepted a Brexit extension from the EU. A date for the next hearing is yet to be fixed. | |
| David Johnston QC for @GOVUK says @BorisJohnson has met the legal requirements of #BennAct so the case needs to be dropped “It’s time to call a halt to these proceedings”. #courtofsession | David Johnston QC for @GOVUK says @BorisJohnson has met the legal requirements of #BennAct so the case needs to be dropped “It’s time to call a halt to these proceedings”. #courtofsession |
| That was fast: Johnston says throw it all out and sits down. Lord Carloway says the court will give its decision “shortly” https://t.co/csxyw1WAld | That was fast: Johnston says throw it all out and sits down. Lord Carloway says the court will give its decision “shortly” https://t.co/csxyw1WAld |
| BREAKING Lord Carloway continues #BennAct case - wants to check @BorisJohnson obeys the law in full | BREAKING Lord Carloway continues #BennAct case - wants to check @BorisJohnson obeys the law in full |
| Labour MP Lisa Nandy has said that she would support the withdrawal agreement bill (the WAB) at second reading. Speaking on the BBC’s Politics Live, she said MPs should be able to debate the substance of the bill and the terms on which we leave the EU before approving the deal (as per the Letwin amendment) and to do it the other way around (passing the meaningful vote before debating the WAB) was “holding the country to ransom” with the threat of no deal. | |
| She said she would support the bill at second reading but that the big question was what comes next. | She said she would support the bill at second reading but that the big question was what comes next. |
| Labour's Lisa Nandy says she will 'certainly support the (Brexit) Bill at second reading' - but hints she will also back a customs union #PoliticsLive | Labour's Lisa Nandy says she will 'certainly support the (Brexit) Bill at second reading' - but hints she will also back a customs union #PoliticsLive |
| She tweeted this this morning: | She tweeted this this morning: |
| How’s your morning going? pic.twitter.com/S6VjwRXtEO | How’s your morning going? pic.twitter.com/S6VjwRXtEO |
| The Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, is appearing at the Lords EU select committee, where he is talking about “scrutiny of Brexit negotiations”. | The Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, is appearing at the Lords EU select committee, where he is talking about “scrutiny of Brexit negotiations”. |
| “I think the deal is a win, not just for the UK, but for the EU as well, who want to see the UK leave in a smooth and orderly way. And it was obviously frustrating, I think, for many of us on Saturday that we were not able to have the meaningful vote,” he said. | |
| Barclay said MPs had already voted on a range of amendments through the indicative vote process and rejected them. He said the Letwin amendment represented a “moving of the goalposts” from the opposition claiming they were concerned about the prospect of no-deal Brexit to them saying the concern was now about wanting more time. | Barclay said MPs had already voted on a range of amendments through the indicative vote process and rejected them. He said the Letwin amendment represented a “moving of the goalposts” from the opposition claiming they were concerned about the prospect of no-deal Brexit to them saying the concern was now about wanting more time. |
| He keeps describing the withdrawal agreement as “the winding down arrangements” and stressing that there will be a lots of issues for MPs to debate when it comes to the “future arrangements”. | He keeps describing the withdrawal agreement as “the winding down arrangements” and stressing that there will be a lots of issues for MPs to debate when it comes to the “future arrangements”. |
| The Guardian’s Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, is in court in Edinburgh where Scotland’s most senior judge, Lord Carloway, and two other judges will hear allegations that the prime minister broke a promise he made to the court that he would not try to sabotage the request for an extension. | The Guardian’s Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, is in court in Edinburgh where Scotland’s most senior judge, Lord Carloway, and two other judges will hear allegations that the prime minister broke a promise he made to the court that he would not try to sabotage the request for an extension. |
| Latest #BennAct hearing about to start #courtofsession: Aidan O’Neill will ask for case to be continued but Lord Carloway et al invited to consider contempt of court vs @BorisJohnson for frustrating #BennAct #Brexit | Latest #BennAct hearing about to start #courtofsession: Aidan O’Neill will ask for case to be continued but Lord Carloway et al invited to consider contempt of court vs @BorisJohnson for frustrating #BennAct #Brexit |
| The UK government’s lawyers pledged in writing and in court this month that the prime minister would honour the provisions of the Benn act, seeking an extension to article 50 if he failed to get a Brexit deal passed by 19 October. | The UK government’s lawyers pledged in writing and in court this month that the prime minister would honour the provisions of the Benn act, seeking an extension to article 50 if he failed to get a Brexit deal passed by 19 October. |
| After losing a Commons vote on Saturday on delaying his deal, Johnson sent an unsigned copy of the letter required by the act but also sent another, personal letter to Brussels that asked EU leaders not to agree to an extension. | After losing a Commons vote on Saturday on delaying his deal, Johnson sent an unsigned copy of the letter required by the act but also sent another, personal letter to Brussels that asked EU leaders not to agree to an extension. |
| Lawyers for three anti-Brexit campaigners are expected to argue that these steps are a clear breach of the government’s promises to the court. If the three judges find Johnson is in contempt, he could theoretically face a fine or even jail. | Lawyers for three anti-Brexit campaigners are expected to argue that these steps are a clear breach of the government’s promises to the court. If the three judges find Johnson is in contempt, he could theoretically face a fine or even jail. |
| Here’s Severin’s curtain raiser article. He’ll also be tweeting from court. | Here’s Severin’s curtain raiser article. He’ll also be tweeting from court. |
| Boris Johnson could be held in contempt of court over Brexit letter | Boris Johnson could be held in contempt of court over Brexit letter |
| The Guardian’s deputy political editor, Rowena Mason, has this from the morning’s lobby briefing. | The Guardian’s deputy political editor, Rowena Mason, has this from the morning’s lobby briefing. |
| No 10 confirmed that the government will pull the meaningful vote if anyone tries to amend it with a “Letwin 2”-style change. This is all pretty hypothetical as John Bercow, the Speaker, seems likely to rule it out of order this afternoon. | No 10 confirmed that the government will pull the meaningful vote if anyone tries to amend it with a “Letwin 2”-style change. This is all pretty hypothetical as John Bercow, the Speaker, seems likely to rule it out of order this afternoon. |
| Why is the government so keen on a meaningful vote when it also needs to pass a withdrawal agreement bill? The theory is that if it passed, then Boris Johnson would try to rescind his request to the EU for an article 50 extension, arguing MPs have given their consent for a deal. This morning, No 10 refused to comment on whether this ruse could be tried. | Why is the government so keen on a meaningful vote when it also needs to pass a withdrawal agreement bill? The theory is that if it passed, then Boris Johnson would try to rescind his request to the EU for an article 50 extension, arguing MPs have given their consent for a deal. This morning, No 10 refused to comment on whether this ruse could be tried. |
| The European commission has confirmed that – despite the prime minister’s unconventional approach to requesting a further Brexit delay – Brussels is considering the terms of a further prolongation of the UK’s membership. | The European commission has confirmed that – despite the prime minister’s unconventional approach to requesting a further Brexit delay – Brussels is considering the terms of a further prolongation of the UK’s membership. |
| A European commission spokeswoman said: | A European commission spokeswoman said: |
| President Tusk is now consulting leaders of the EU27 on this and it is first and foremost for the UK to explain the next steps. We from our side, of course, follow all the events in London this week very closely. | President Tusk is now consulting leaders of the EU27 on this and it is first and foremost for the UK to explain the next steps. We from our side, of course, follow all the events in London this week very closely. |
| What I can also add, the ratification process has been launched on the EU side. Michel Barnier debriefed EU ambassadors of the EU27 yesterday and he will debrief the European parliament’s Brexit steering group this afternoon in Strasbourg. And as I mentioned, he will also debrief the college of commissioners. | What I can also add, the ratification process has been launched on the EU side. Michel Barnier debriefed EU ambassadors of the EU27 yesterday and he will debrief the European parliament’s Brexit steering group this afternoon in Strasbourg. And as I mentioned, he will also debrief the college of commissioners. |
| The request to extend article 50 was made by the UK’s permanent representative to the EU. President Tusk acknowledged receipt of the request on Saturday and stated that he’s now consulting with the EU27. So this form does not change anything. | The request to extend article 50 was made by the UK’s permanent representative to the EU. President Tusk acknowledged receipt of the request on Saturday and stated that he’s now consulting with the EU27. So this form does not change anything. |
| Lobby journalists are reporting that No 10 will pull the meaningful vote motion this afternoon if the Speaker allows amendments to it that render it “meaningless”. “There is no point in having a meaningless vote,” said the PM’s spokesman. | Lobby journalists are reporting that No 10 will pull the meaningful vote motion this afternoon if the Speaker allows amendments to it that render it “meaningless”. “There is no point in having a meaningless vote,” said the PM’s spokesman. |
| Strong suggestion from No10 that a customs union amendment would kill PM’s deal in the EU as well as UK’s eyes. In effect then, it’s a wrecking action. PMOS: “If the legislation steps too far away from what was agreed, that does bring ratification into question”. | Strong suggestion from No10 that a customs union amendment would kill PM’s deal in the EU as well as UK’s eyes. In effect then, it’s a wrecking action. PMOS: “If the legislation steps too far away from what was agreed, that does bring ratification into question”. |
| No10 also confirm Govt will pull the MV motion this afternoon if Speaker allows it to go ahead and he selects any amendments to it. PMOS: “There is no point in having a meaningless vote”. | No10 also confirm Govt will pull the MV motion this afternoon if Speaker allows it to go ahead and he selects any amendments to it. PMOS: “There is no point in having a meaningless vote”. |
| No10 Brexit latest: "The meaningful vote will go ahead if the Speaker allows it and if not and amendments are selected which wd render the vote pointless, there's no point having a meaningless vote. The Govt wd pull the motion." | No10 Brexit latest: "The meaningful vote will go ahead if the Speaker allows it and if not and amendments are selected which wd render the vote pointless, there's no point having a meaningless vote. The Govt wd pull the motion." |
| Another MP who previously backed a customs union is saying he would not support such an amendment this time. | Another MP who previously backed a customs union is saying he would not support such an amendment this time. |
| No. This argument is for future relationship discussions, not a tool to be used to try and derail the deal being agreed (and Parliament can't unilaterally amend WA anyway). What matters is the WAB contains the mechanisms for Parliamentary oversight on FR the PM promised on Sat https://t.co/hkc3wM4bE4 | No. This argument is for future relationship discussions, not a tool to be used to try and derail the deal being agreed (and Parliament can't unilaterally amend WA anyway). What matters is the WAB contains the mechanisms for Parliamentary oversight on FR the PM promised on Sat https://t.co/hkc3wM4bE4 |
| My colleague Kate Lyons has this round-up of today’s papers. Some are angry at what they see as Labour’s attempts to – as the Daily Mail puts it – “cancel Brexit by sabotaging withdrawal legislation”. | My colleague Kate Lyons has this round-up of today’s papers. Some are angry at what they see as Labour’s attempts to – as the Daily Mail puts it – “cancel Brexit by sabotaging withdrawal legislation”. |
| 'How dare they!': what the papers say about the battle over Johnson's Brexit deal | 'How dare they!': what the papers say about the battle over Johnson's Brexit deal |
| The FT’s Sebastian Payne has a little bit more on how the afternoon could unfold. | The FT’s Sebastian Payne has a little bit more on how the afternoon could unfold. |
| How the next 48 hours in Brexit *might* play out:Monday 3:30pm: Speaker Bercow announces whether government can hold MV4/5 on the deal. He's expected to say no, as it would be a repeat of Saturday. But if he did, paves the way for a straight up/down vote on Boris' deal. | How the next 48 hours in Brexit *might* play out:Monday 3:30pm: Speaker Bercow announces whether government can hold MV4/5 on the deal. He's expected to say no, as it would be a repeat of Saturday. But if he did, paves the way for a straight up/down vote on Boris' deal. |
| Monday afternoon: The Withdrawal Agreement Bill (aka the WAB) will be introduced the Commons. It's the crucial huge piece of legislation that implements Brexit in domestic law. Plenty for Eurosceptics and Remainers alike to dig into (h/t @PaulBrandITV) | Monday afternoon: The Withdrawal Agreement Bill (aka the WAB) will be introduced the Commons. It's the crucial huge piece of legislation that implements Brexit in domestic law. Plenty for Eurosceptics and Remainers alike to dig into (h/t @PaulBrandITV) |
| Monday 3:40pm: Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the Commons, will deliver a business statement for the WAB and lay the ground work for a second reading on Tuesday. Not sure what terms will be set out here, which may restrict length of debate etc. | Monday 3:40pm: Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the Commons, will deliver a business statement for the WAB and lay the ground work for a second reading on Tuesday. Not sure what terms will be set out here, which may restrict length of debate etc. |
| The most critical moment for the government this week is passing that business motion for the WAB. The odds are in its favour. But if it fails then delivering Brexit before an extension and a general election just ain't happening. | The most critical moment for the government this week is passing that business motion for the WAB. The odds are in its favour. But if it fails then delivering Brexit before an extension and a general election just ain't happening. |
| Buzzfeed’s Alex Wickham has been doing the maths on which MPs could back an amendment for a customs union. | Buzzfeed’s Alex Wickham has been doing the maths on which MPs could back an amendment for a customs union. |
| Does a customs union have the numbers? Last time it lost by 3. Lot of abstentions obviouslyMorgan, Buckland voted for it — they're in cabinet so won't this timeChalk, Mitchell, Brine, Benyon, Green, Costa, Masterton, Prentis, Pawsey voted for it — would they really this time? pic.twitter.com/35d3HYtjSt | Does a customs union have the numbers? Last time it lost by 3. Lot of abstentions obviouslyMorgan, Buckland voted for it — they're in cabinet so won't this timeChalk, Mitchell, Brine, Benyon, Green, Costa, Masterton, Prentis, Pawsey voted for it — would they really this time? pic.twitter.com/35d3HYtjSt |
| Damian Green, a Tory MP and former member of Theresa May’s cabinet, has said that he would not vote for such an amendment. | Damian Green, a Tory MP and former member of Theresa May’s cabinet, has said that he would not vote for such an amendment. |
| I won’t, partly because now we have a deal which should get through the Commons the time to discuss the CU is during the next stage of negotiations on the Trade Deal. https://t.co/T7hC9z2tr3 | I won’t, partly because now we have a deal which should get through the Commons the time to discuss the CU is during the next stage of negotiations on the Trade Deal. https://t.co/T7hC9z2tr3 |
| This is from the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg. We should find out around 2.30pm if Bercow is likely to allow the “meaningful vote” this afternoon. | This is from the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg. We should find out around 2.30pm if Bercow is likely to allow the “meaningful vote” this afternoon. |
| We should know sometime around 2.30ish if Bercow will let govt have the straight vote it craves on the Brexit deal today - it seems unlikely because govt didn't pull the vote on Saturday they walked away from it (negatived anyone?) | We should know sometime around 2.30ish if Bercow will let govt have the straight vote it craves on the Brexit deal today - it seems unlikely because govt didn't pull the vote on Saturday they walked away from it (negatived anyone?) |
| So theoretically Commons DID give a view on the issue, so can't be asked to give a different one today - let's see - govt is desperate to have a vote on the whole shebang asap to show momentum, before getting into days of scrutiny where MPs will try to make changes to the deal | So theoretically Commons DID give a view on the issue, so can't be asked to give a different one today - let's see - govt is desperate to have a vote on the whole shebang asap to show momentum, before getting into days of scrutiny where MPs will try to make changes to the deal |
| That's not just because they are worried about losing more votes, this govt has barely won any! But because if MP s make any major changes to the legislation, then it might mean PM would have to go back to EU + ask for a different deal - you can imagine how much No 10 wants that | That's not just because they are worried about losing more votes, this govt has barely won any! But because if MP s make any major changes to the legislation, then it might mean PM would have to go back to EU + ask for a different deal - you can imagine how much No 10 wants that |
| And, it of course eats up time, making it harder and harder and harder as the hours tick by for govt to be able to stick to Oct 31st deadline - still not impossible but looking increasingly unlikely | And, it of course eats up time, making it harder and harder and harder as the hours tick by for govt to be able to stick to Oct 31st deadline - still not impossible but looking increasingly unlikely |
| The government has confirmed that its Brexit bill, which enshrines the prime minister’s deal with the EU into UK law, will be published later today. | The government has confirmed that its Brexit bill, which enshrines the prime minister’s deal with the EU into UK law, will be published later today. |
| A press release from the Department for exiting the European Union reads: | A press release from the Department for exiting the European Union reads: |
| This deal abolishes the backstop in the old deal. The Government put forward a reasonable compromise, based on the key principles of consent for the people of Northern Ireland, and the UK leaving the EU Customs Union whole and entire, which was agreed at European Council last week. The EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill puts those internationally agreed obligations into domestic law. | This deal abolishes the backstop in the old deal. The Government put forward a reasonable compromise, based on the key principles of consent for the people of Northern Ireland, and the UK leaving the EU Customs Union whole and entire, which was agreed at European Council last week. The EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill puts those internationally agreed obligations into domestic law. |
| This week MPs will have the chance to pass this bill, to respect the result of the referendum and to leave with a deal on October 31 in an orderly and friendly way. MPs voted overwhelmingly to trigger Article 50 in 2017 to start the process of leaving the EU and supporting this bill is the final stage to make that happen. This will allow the country to move on and for the Government to return its focus to delivering on the people’s domestic priorities: investing in the NHS, tackling serious and violent crime, and levelling up funding on schools. | This week MPs will have the chance to pass this bill, to respect the result of the referendum and to leave with a deal on October 31 in an orderly and friendly way. MPs voted overwhelmingly to trigger Article 50 in 2017 to start the process of leaving the EU and supporting this bill is the final stage to make that happen. This will allow the country to move on and for the Government to return its focus to delivering on the people’s domestic priorities: investing in the NHS, tackling serious and violent crime, and levelling up funding on schools. |
| The Brexit secretary, Steve Barclay, is quoted: | The Brexit secretary, Steve Barclay, is quoted: |
| MPs and Peers will today have in front of them a bill that will get Brexit done by October 31, protect jobs and the integrity of the UK, and enable us to move onto the people’s priorities like health, education and crime. | MPs and Peers will today have in front of them a bill that will get Brexit done by October 31, protect jobs and the integrity of the UK, and enable us to move onto the people’s priorities like health, education and crime. |
| Hugo Dixon, an anti-Brexit campaigner, has written this piece of analysis, accusing Boris Johnson of “peddling untruths and spraying around promises”. | Hugo Dixon, an anti-Brexit campaigner, has written this piece of analysis, accusing Boris Johnson of “peddling untruths and spraying around promises”. |
| In Johnson's desperation to sell his deal, he is peddling untruths and spraying around promises. Here's our analysis of the latest 1/ | In Johnson's desperation to sell his deal, he is peddling untruths and spraying around promises. Here's our analysis of the latest 1/ |
| PM says his deal means no tariffs on goods going from GB to Northern Ireland. Not true. Article 5 of new protocol makes clear there are tariffs if goods are "at risk" of entering EU from NI - and the EU has a veto on deciding whether goods are at risk. 2/ | PM says his deal means no tariffs on goods going from GB to Northern Ireland. Not true. Article 5 of new protocol makes clear there are tariffs if goods are "at risk" of entering EU from NI - and the EU has a veto on deciding whether goods are at risk. 2/ |
| Johnson says NI arrangements will be "temporary". False. He nixed Article 1.4 from Theresa May's protocol that said the backstop was temporary. The new frontstop only ends if a majority of NI Assembly votes against it - and there's little chance of that. 3/ | Johnson says NI arrangements will be "temporary". False. He nixed Article 1.4 from Theresa May's protocol that said the backstop was temporary. The new frontstop only ends if a majority of NI Assembly votes against it - and there's little chance of that. 3/ |
| PM says NI arrangements will be "superseded" by an FTA with the EU. False again. His deal drops Article 2, para 1 from May's protocol which said UK and EU would use "best endeavours" to agree a deal which "supersedes" protocol. 4/ | PM says NI arrangements will be "superseded" by an FTA with the EU. False again. His deal drops Article 2, para 1 from May's protocol which said UK and EU would use "best endeavours" to agree a deal which "supersedes" protocol. 4/ |
| Now for the promises.. Johnson gave "absolute reassurance" he'd negotiate a "zero-tariff" FTA with the EU. But he can't give such a guarantee as trade deals require the agreement of both parties. 5/ | Now for the promises.. Johnson gave "absolute reassurance" he'd negotiate a "zero-tariff" FTA with the EU. But he can't give such a guarantee as trade deals require the agreement of both parties. 5/ |
| PM made commitment that workers rights would "never be inferior" to the EU, as well as to "very highest" environmental standards. How can anybody believe that when he's nixed legally-binding commitment to that from the previous divorce deal (Article 6 and Annexes 2 & 4)? 6/ | PM made commitment that workers rights would "never be inferior" to the EU, as well as to "very highest" environmental standards. How can anybody believe that when he's nixed legally-binding commitment to that from the previous divorce deal (Article 6 and Annexes 2 & 4)? 6/ |
| The SNP’s Joanna Cherry QC, who was involved in recent legal action aimed at forcing Boris Johnson to comply with the Benn act, has said she supports extending Brexit negotiations until the end of 2020 if needed for a second referendum. | The SNP’s Joanna Cherry QC, who was involved in recent legal action aimed at forcing Boris Johnson to comply with the Benn act, has said she supports extending Brexit negotiations until the end of 2020 if needed for a second referendum. |
| Appearing on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, she was asked if she would back an extension until the end of next year. “Yes, I would,” she replied. “Because the current deal that’s been negotiated by Boris Johnson is immensely damaging to the British economy and particularly for Scotland.” | Appearing on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, she was asked if she would back an extension until the end of next year. “Yes, I would,” she replied. “Because the current deal that’s been negotiated by Boris Johnson is immensely damaging to the British economy and particularly for Scotland.” |
| She pointed out that her party backed a second Brexit referendum at its autumn conference last year. “We need to get a government in place to deliver the referendum and I don’t see Boris Johnson’s government doing that,” she said. “The SNP has been very clear that Boris Johnson should be removed from office once an extension is obtained.” | She pointed out that her party backed a second Brexit referendum at its autumn conference last year. “We need to get a government in place to deliver the referendum and I don’t see Boris Johnson’s government doing that,” she said. “The SNP has been very clear that Boris Johnson should be removed from office once an extension is obtained.” |