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| Boris Johnson denies joking about Donald Trump at Nato reception and not taking him seriously – live news | Boris Johnson denies joking about Donald Trump at Nato reception and not taking him seriously – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| US president says he criticised Canada’s defence spending and suggests Trudeau was unhappy about that | US president says he criticised Canada’s defence spending and suggests Trudeau was unhappy about that |
| Donald Trump has concluded a two-day visit to the UK without doing anything likely to jeopardise the chances of his close ally Boris Johnson winning the general election a week tomorrow. Given Trump’s toxic reputation in the UK, Tory strategists had been concerned that any form of endorsement might be counter-productive. But yesterday Trump’s comments about the NHS and a trade deal were not unhelpful to the Conservatives and today the proceedings at the Nato summit were largely overshadowed by a puerile row about whether Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, were laughing at Trump behind his back at a reception last night. Johnson denied this (implausibly) and said it was nonsense to suggest that he did not take Trump seriously. But, at a news conference at the end of the summit, he was careful to distance himself from the man who once dubbed him “Britain[’s] Trump” because the two are supposedly ideologically aligned. Johnson sidestepped an invitation to say anything positive about Trump personally, and even avoided mentioning him by name. This might look like the start of a cooling in the relationship, but Trump understands perfectly well how elections work and, elsewhere in the press conference, there was a hint that behind the scenes the alliance is as strong as ever. That came when Johnson suggested that he might end up siding with US demands to exclude the Chinese firm Huawei from building Britain’s 5G networks. When Theresa May was prime minister she was reportedly planning a less Washington-friendly approach; according to a leak from the national security council, she was planning to give Huawei access to non-contentious parts of the 5G network. | |
| Trump denounced Trudeau as “two-faced” and left the summit venue earlier than expected, cancelling a planned press conference, after apparently being riled by the news that fellow leaders were having a joke at his expense last night. His abrupt departure dominated the headlines, overshadowing the otherwise modest achievements of a low-key meeting held to mark Nato’s 70th anniversary. At the meeting Turkey dropped its opposition to a plan to bolster the defences of Baltic states and Poland against Russia. As my colleague Patrick Wintour reports, Nato leaders also agreed to set up a committee of experts to analyse political decision-making after the French president Emmanuel Macron lamented the “brain death” of the military alliance. | |
| John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has said he does not accept Trump’s claim that the NHS would not be on the table in trade talks, saying the US president has a “passing relationship with reality and truth”. | |
| An Extinction Rebellion protester dressed as a bee glued himself to the Liberal Democrats’ battlebus this morning. | |
| John Longworth, a Brexit party MEP, has had the party whip removed after a row with the leadership over election strategy. | |
| The former Labour MP Ivan Lewis, who resigned from the party last year when he was suspended over sexual harassment allegations, has urged people in his Bury South constituency to vote Tory to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of Downing Street. | |
| Black and ethnic minority voters are backing Corbyn in far higher numbers than the overall electorate as the two main political parties vie for their votes in crucial swing seats. | |
| MPs would be banned from holding second jobs under reforms of the rules governing political donations and lobbying that have been proposed by the Labour party. | |
| That is all from me for tonight. My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is writing the blog now. | |
| But there is more to come tonight. Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, is being interviewed by Andrew Neil on BBC One at 7.30pm. And Johnson is being interviewed on ITV by Peston. (The programme goes out at 11.15pm, but the interview is broadcast on Twitter at 8pm.) | |
| EU leaders will call for swift action to negotiate a future relationship with the UK, according to a draft declaration likely to be agreed the day after the general election. | EU leaders will call for swift action to negotiate a future relationship with the UK, according to a draft declaration likely to be agreed the day after the general election. |
| EU leaders are holding one of their regular summits in Brussels on 11-12 December, just as British voters are going to the polls and getting the results | EU leaders are holding one of their regular summits in Brussels on 11-12 December, just as British voters are going to the polls and getting the results |
| While the EU is keen not take sides, officials read British election polls and see a Conservative Brexit on 31 January as the most likely outcome. This leaked document, seen by the Guardian, sets out the next steps in that scenario | While the EU is keen not take sides, officials read British election polls and see a Conservative Brexit on 31 January as the most likely outcome. This leaked document, seen by the Guardian, sets out the next steps in that scenario |
| EU leaders will call on the European commission to draw up “a comprehensive mandate for a future relationship with the UK immediately after its withdrawal”, while calling on ministers in the general affairs council to “swiftly” adopt that mandate and other relevant decisions. | EU leaders will call on the European commission to draw up “a comprehensive mandate for a future relationship with the UK immediately after its withdrawal”, while calling on ministers in the general affairs council to “swiftly” adopt that mandate and other relevant decisions. |
| The commission negotiates trade deals on behalf of the EU, after the 28 member states, soon to be 27, have drawn up a mandate for talks. | The commission negotiates trade deals on behalf of the EU, after the 28 member states, soon to be 27, have drawn up a mandate for talks. |
| “Negotiations should be organised in a way that makes the best possible use of the limited time available for negotiation and ratification by the end of the transition,” states the document. | “Negotiations should be organised in a way that makes the best possible use of the limited time available for negotiation and ratification by the end of the transition,” states the document. |
| That is an implicit recognition that not everything can be done in 11 months and the EU will have to prioritise, something EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said in a recent interview. | That is an implicit recognition that not everything can be done in 11 months and the EU will have to prioritise, something EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said in a recent interview. |
| Barnier has said a basic free trade agreement would be possible to negotiate in Johnson’s preferred timetable of 11 months, although some EU diplomats are more sceptical. | Barnier has said a basic free trade agreement would be possible to negotiate in Johnson’s preferred timetable of 11 months, although some EU diplomats are more sceptical. |
| The text also welcomes the continuing role for Barnier, who has won plaudits in Brussels for his coolness and diligence in keeping everyone informed. It says: | The text also welcomes the continuing role for Barnier, who has won plaudits in Brussels for his coolness and diligence in keeping everyone informed. It says: |
| That statement could be seen as a warning shot to the commission’s trade department not to try and run the British talks in secret, as well as assurance to small member states that their voices will be heard | That statement could be seen as a warning shot to the commission’s trade department not to try and run the British talks in secret, as well as assurance to small member states that their voices will be heard |
| The text also states: | The text also states: |
| The reference to “statements and declarations” is important: it is a message to EU member states that agreements on tricky issues, such as Gibraltar, will be carried over into the next phase on Brexit. In other words, the EU does not have to reopen these arguments again. | The reference to “statements and declarations” is important: it is a message to EU member states that agreements on tricky issues, such as Gibraltar, will be carried over into the next phase on Brexit. In other words, the EU does not have to reopen these arguments again. |
| The leaked document should be read as the EU getting its house in order to avoid any procedural snarl-ups in Brussels, thus avoiding blame if talks fail. | The leaked document should be read as the EU getting its house in order to avoid any procedural snarl-ups in Brussels, thus avoiding blame if talks fail. |
| Missing from the document is any mention of no-deal (the EU thinks this is less likely and that its plans are in order) or a renegotiation. If Jeremy Corbyn confounded expectations and moved into 10 Downing Street, the EU would once again open talks, but would await first a request for a Brexit extension. | Missing from the document is any mention of no-deal (the EU thinks this is less likely and that its plans are in order) or a renegotiation. If Jeremy Corbyn confounded expectations and moved into 10 Downing Street, the EU would once again open talks, but would await first a request for a Brexit extension. |
| Some of Boris Johnson’s campaign visits seem designed entirely to construct visual metaphors for TV reporters. That is certainly the case with his visit to Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes. (See 4.39pm.) Just in case any reporters missed the hint, Johnson declared: | Some of Boris Johnson’s campaign visits seem designed entirely to construct visual metaphors for TV reporters. That is certainly the case with his visit to Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes. (See 4.39pm.) Just in case any reporters missed the hint, Johnson declared: |
| This is from ITV’s Paul Brand. | This is from ITV’s Paul Brand. |
| These are from the BBC’s Ross Hawkins, who has spent more time on the road than most journalists this election. | These are from the BBC’s Ross Hawkins, who has spent more time on the road than most journalists this election. |
| The New Statesman has published its election leader article and it has said that it cannot back any of the three main parties. It does come quite close to backing the Green party, saying it would like to see more Green MPs in parliament, although it won’t endorse the Greens because it says they are not in a position to govern. | The New Statesman has published its election leader article and it has said that it cannot back any of the three main parties. It does come quite close to backing the Green party, saying it would like to see more Green MPs in parliament, although it won’t endorse the Greens because it says they are not in a position to govern. |
| The New Statesman is broadly on the left and in the past it has backed Labour. But it says it cannot do so because of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. It says: | The New Statesman is broadly on the left and in the past it has backed Labour. But it says it cannot do so because of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. It says: |
| Before becoming Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn described Nato as “a danger to world peace” and said it should have been disbanded at the end of the cold war. Channel 4 News has a roundup of some of his quotes on the topic here. | Before becoming Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn described Nato as “a danger to world peace” and said it should have been disbanded at the end of the cold war. Channel 4 News has a roundup of some of his quotes on the topic here. |
| Today, asked what had made him change his mind and commit to the UK remaining in Nato, Corbyn replied: | Today, asked what had made him change his mind and commit to the UK remaining in Nato, Corbyn replied: |
| Pressed on what had personally made him change his mind, he replied: | Pressed on what had personally made him change his mind, he replied: |
| Asked if he thought Nato now contributed to world peace, he replied: | Asked if he thought Nato now contributed to world peace, he replied: |
| Here are the main points from Boris Johnson’s press conference at the end of the Nato summit. | Here are the main points from Boris Johnson’s press conference at the end of the Nato summit. |
| Johnson denied laughing at President Trump at a reception last night and not taking him seriously. (See 2.36am) | Johnson denied laughing at President Trump at a reception last night and not taking him seriously. (See 2.36am) |
| Johnson sidestepped an opportunity to praise Trump personally. (See 2.50pm.) In fact, it was almost a case of “Donald who?” as Johnson got through the whole press conference without mentioning the president once by name. | Johnson sidestepped an opportunity to praise Trump personally. (See 2.50pm.) In fact, it was almost a case of “Donald who?” as Johnson got through the whole press conference without mentioning the president once by name. |
| Johnson claimed that Jeremy Corbyn wanted to “destroy Nato”. At times he used the press conference for blatant electioneering, and he ended it with what amounted to a version of his standard election stump speech. He said: | Johnson claimed that Jeremy Corbyn wanted to “destroy Nato”. At times he used the press conference for blatant electioneering, and he ended it with what amounted to a version of his standard election stump speech. He said: |
| In the past Corbyn did oppose Nato membership, but as Labour leader he has accepted party policy, and the majority view in the party, which is for the UK to remain a Nato member. And, although Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, signed a Commons early day motion in the 1980s opposing MI5, that is not a view that she has supported for years. | In the past Corbyn did oppose Nato membership, but as Labour leader he has accepted party policy, and the majority view in the party, which is for the UK to remain a Nato member. And, although Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, signed a Commons early day motion in the 1980s opposing MI5, that is not a view that she has supported for years. |
| Johnson said that “national security interests” would be a key issue when the government decided whether to let the Chinese firm Huawei play a role in building the UK’s 5G network. Asked about this, he replied: | Johnson said that “national security interests” would be a key issue when the government decided whether to let the Chinese firm Huawei play a role in building the UK’s 5G network. Asked about this, he replied: |
| HuffPost’s Paul Waugh took this as a hint that Huawei will be excluded from this work (a decision that would please the US, which has urged the UK not to allow the company to have a role in constructing the 5G network). | HuffPost’s Paul Waugh took this as a hint that Huawei will be excluded from this work (a decision that would please the US, which has urged the UK not to allow the company to have a role in constructing the 5G network). |
| Johnson also made a more general point about China posing a threat in the technology sector. Asked whether it should be seen as a strategic partner or an enemy, he replied: | Johnson also made a more general point about China posing a threat in the technology sector. Asked whether it should be seen as a strategic partner or an enemy, he replied: |
| Johnson implied that he was opposed to allowing Britons who fought for Islamic State to return to the country. Asked whether they should be allowed back, he replied: | Johnson implied that he was opposed to allowing Britons who fought for Islamic State to return to the country. Asked whether they should be allowed back, he replied: |
| Johnson said he was not worried about how a dossier about the UK-US trade talks was leaked. (See 2.18pm.) This is a rare example of Johnson snubbing his former employer the Daily Telegraph, which in its splash story on Monday suggested this might be part of a Russian plot. | Johnson said he was not worried about how a dossier about the UK-US trade talks was leaked. (See 2.18pm.) This is a rare example of Johnson snubbing his former employer the Daily Telegraph, which in its splash story on Monday suggested this might be part of a Russian plot. |
| The former Labour minister Ivan Lewis, who resigned from the party last year criticising Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of antisemitism, is now urging people in his constituency to vote Conservative. At the time he resigned, Lewis had been suspended from Labour over sexual harassment allegations, but he claimed the investigation was being prolonged for political reasons. | The former Labour minister Ivan Lewis, who resigned from the party last year criticising Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of antisemitism, is now urging people in his constituency to vote Conservative. At the time he resigned, Lewis had been suspended from Labour over sexual harassment allegations, but he claimed the investigation was being prolonged for political reasons. |
| Lewis is standing as an independent candidate in Bury South, where he had a majority of almost 6,000 over the Tories in 2017. But now he says people should vote for his Tory opponent because he thinks the priority is for Corbyn to lose. | Lewis is standing as an independent candidate in Bury South, where he had a majority of almost 6,000 over the Tories in 2017. But now he says people should vote for his Tory opponent because he thinks the priority is for Corbyn to lose. |
| In a post on Facebook he said: | In a post on Facebook he said: |
| A cold snap is expected to hit Britain just in time for election day on 12 December, the Press Association reports. Meteorologists at the Met Office have predicted that a wintry spell will arrive for election week, covering the UK in frost and seeing temperatures plunge to sub-zero in some areas. But pollsters say voters are unlikely to be deterred from going to the polls next week, with poor weather only having “a small effect on turnout”. | A cold snap is expected to hit Britain just in time for election day on 12 December, the Press Association reports. Meteorologists at the Met Office have predicted that a wintry spell will arrive for election week, covering the UK in frost and seeing temperatures plunge to sub-zero in some areas. But pollsters say voters are unlikely to be deterred from going to the polls next week, with poor weather only having “a small effect on turnout”. |
| The long-term forecast suggests snowfall in Scotland and the Pennines, with the rest of the UK to be hit by blustery winds and freezing fog, PA reports. Temperatures are predicted to drop throughout the week, dipping below normal towards election day, with a greater chance of frost developing across the country. But the election would go ahead, even in a blanket of snow, because it is written in law and cannot be postponed unless the law is changed. | The long-term forecast suggests snowfall in Scotland and the Pennines, with the rest of the UK to be hit by blustery winds and freezing fog, PA reports. Temperatures are predicted to drop throughout the week, dipping below normal towards election day, with a greater chance of frost developing across the country. But the election would go ahead, even in a blanket of snow, because it is written in law and cannot be postponed unless the law is changed. |
| The chair of campaign group Leave Means Leave has been axed as a Brexit party MEP over disloyalty, party officials have claimed. | The chair of campaign group Leave Means Leave has been axed as a Brexit party MEP over disloyalty, party officials have claimed. |
| John Longworth, who publicly differed on general election strategy with Nigel Farage, has had the whip removed and will no longer represent the party in Brussels. | John Longworth, who publicly differed on general election strategy with Nigel Farage, has had the whip removed and will no longer represent the party in Brussels. |
| Unease between Longworth and his party is understood to have stemmed from his insistence early in the election that the party operate a smaller campaign and not target Tory seats. Others wanted to contest 600-plus constituencies. | Unease between Longworth and his party is understood to have stemmed from his insistence early in the election that the party operate a smaller campaign and not target Tory seats. Others wanted to contest 600-plus constituencies. |
| The Brexit party’s chief whip and MEP, Brian Monteith, said: | The Brexit party’s chief whip and MEP, Brian Monteith, said: |
| Longworth spoke openly about how his then party should focus on 20 to 30 seats in Labour areas at the very start of the campaign. A few days later Farage announced it was standing down in 317 Tory-held seats, which in some areas has disappointed candidates and party supporters. Its campaign is now focused on Labour heartland areas in northern England, the Midlands and Wales and it is running 274 candidates. | Longworth spoke openly about how his then party should focus on 20 to 30 seats in Labour areas at the very start of the campaign. A few days later Farage announced it was standing down in 317 Tory-held seats, which in some areas has disappointed candidates and party supporters. Its campaign is now focused on Labour heartland areas in northern England, the Midlands and Wales and it is running 274 candidates. |
| Here is some reaction to the Boris Johnson press conference from political journalists. | Here is some reaction to the Boris Johnson press conference from political journalists. |
| From the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn | From the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn |
| From my colleague John Crace | From my colleague John Crace |
| From the Telegraph’s Gordon Rayner | From the Telegraph’s Gordon Rayner |
| From the Independent’s Benjamin Kentish | From the Independent’s Benjamin Kentish |
| From my colleague Dan Sabbagh | From my colleague Dan Sabbagh |
| President Trump has confirmed that he is not holding an end-of-summit press conference. | President Trump has confirmed that he is not holding an end-of-summit press conference. |
| Boris Johnson may have denied laughing at Donald Trump. But he was not prepared to praise him personally. This is what he said when he was asked if he thought that, “as a leader and as a man that Donald Trump is good for the west and good for Britain”. Johnson replied: | Boris Johnson may have denied laughing at Donald Trump. But he was not prepared to praise him personally. This is what he said when he was asked if he thought that, “as a leader and as a man that Donald Trump is good for the west and good for Britain”. Johnson replied: |
| At this point Johnson started comparing the US response to the Salisbury poisoning attack to Jeremy Corbyn’s. | At this point Johnson started comparing the US response to the Salisbury poisoning attack to Jeremy Corbyn’s. |
| When pressed again for his view on Trump personally, Johnson pointed out that the US response to Salisbury happened under the Trump administration. They were “shoulder to shoulder” with the UK, he said. They “could not have been more supportive”. | When pressed again for his view on Trump personally, Johnson pointed out that the US response to Salisbury happened under the Trump administration. They were “shoulder to shoulder” with the UK, he said. They “could not have been more supportive”. |
| But Johnson declined both opportunities to praise Trump personally as a leader. In contrast, Trump has repeatedly spoken of his admiration for Johnson. Yesterday he said Johnson was “very capable” and a few weeks ago he told LBC that Johnson was a “fantastic man and [the] exact right guy for the times”. | But Johnson declined both opportunities to praise Trump personally as a leader. In contrast, Trump has repeatedly spoken of his admiration for Johnson. Yesterday he said Johnson was “very capable” and a few weeks ago he told LBC that Johnson was a “fantastic man and [the] exact right guy for the times”. |
| This is what Boris Johnson said when he was asked about the footage apparently showing him laughing at Donald Trump at a reception last night. “Do you not take President Trump seriously,” he was asked. He replied: | This is what Boris Johnson said when he was asked about the footage apparently showing him laughing at Donald Trump at a reception last night. “Do you not take President Trump seriously,” he was asked. He replied: |
| My colleague Owen Gibson has the answer. | My colleague Owen Gibson has the answer. |
| Q: Did you make it clear to Trump that the NHS would not be on the table in trade talks? If so, does that mean this time next year the UK could be leaving the transition with no EU trade deal and no US trade deal? | Q: Did you make it clear to Trump that the NHS would not be on the table in trade talks? If so, does that mean this time next year the UK could be leaving the transition with no EU trade deal and no US trade deal? |
| Johnson says the questions are now scraping the bottom of the barrel. He will wrap up. He ends with a riff about the choice at the election: between getting Brexit done, and having two referendums. | Johnson says the questions are now scraping the bottom of the barrel. He will wrap up. He ends with a riff about the choice at the election: between getting Brexit done, and having two referendums. |
| There is also a choice about Nato. He wants to strengthen Nato. Corbyn wants to scrap it, he says. And Diane Abbott wants to disband MI5, he claims. | There is also a choice about Nato. He wants to strengthen Nato. Corbyn wants to scrap it, he says. And Diane Abbott wants to disband MI5, he claims. |
| (She doesn’t, although in the 1980s she signed an early day motion that implied that she did.) | (She doesn’t, although in the 1980s she signed an early day motion that implied that she did.) |
| And that’s it. The press conference is over. | And that’s it. The press conference is over. |
| I will post a summary soon. | I will post a summary soon. |
| Q: Trump said yesterday he did not know Prince Andrew. But there are lots of photographs of them together. Is Trump an amnesiac or a liar? | Q: Trump said yesterday he did not know Prince Andrew. But there are lots of photographs of them together. Is Trump an amnesiac or a liar? |
| Johnson says that is a good effort to get an answer on something that did not come up at the summit. | Johnson says that is a good effort to get an answer on something that did not come up at the summit. |