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| Brexit: Boris Johnson refuses to rule out UK and EU failing to strike trade deal by end of 2020 - live news | Brexit: Boris Johnson refuses to rule out UK and EU failing to strike trade deal by end of 2020 - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Follow all today’s political developments as they happen | Follow all today’s political developments as they happen |
| A slightly curious feud between No 10 and Good Morning Britain (GMB), ITV’s breakfast programme, has escalated after host Piers Morgan rang Boris Johnson’s head of communications to protest at the PM giving an interview to the BBC rather than them. | |
| The tension dates back to the election, when GMB sent a camera crew to Pudsey in West Yorkshire to ambush Johnson on an early-morning campaign visit to a dairy company after being denied an interview. Johnson escaped into a fridge, although Downing Street aides insisted he was not hiding. | |
| The PM gave his first post-New Year TV interview to BBC1’s Breakfast. Morgan appeared to learn this live on air, and decided to phone Lee Cain, the No 10 communications chief. | |
| “I’m just going to call Lee Cain. He’s the Downing Street press officer that keep betraying us,” Morgan said. | |
| Cain did not answer, so Morgan left him a message: | |
| Saying that he enjoyed “a good feud”, Morgan also called for action from Johnson’s press secretary, Robert Oxley, who shielded the PM during the dairy company visit: “Mr Oxley, what’s his name? He’s the one who was jostling our reporter.” | |
| Before Christmas Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, formally wrote to Boris Johnson requesting a section 30 order - permission under section 30 of the Scotland Act for Scotland to hold a referendum on independence. She enclosed with her letter a 38-page report (pdf) published by the Scottish government explaining why the Scottish government believes a second referendum is justified. | |
| In his letter Johnson rejects the request - not just for now (which was the line used by Theresa May when she rejected Sturgeon first request for a second independence referendum after the Brexit vote), or until the next Holyrood elections in 2021 (the line used by Jeremy Corbyn in the general election). He rejects it for the foreseeable future, on the grounds that Scotland settled this matter in the 2104 referendum. | |
| He says: | |
| This is not unexpected. During the election campaign Johnson repeatedly said he would not allow a second independence referendum, claiming that if Labour were elected the UK would end up having two further referendums, on Brexit and on Scottish independence. | |
| These are from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll on Boris Johnson’s interview, and what he said about Brexit. (See 10.03am.) | These are from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll on Boris Johnson’s interview, and what he said about Brexit. (See 10.03am.) |
| John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has said that it would be a mistake for the government to cut air passenger duty to help the regional airline Flybe. This option is being considered. But McDonnell said in a statement: | John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has said that it would be a mistake for the government to cut air passenger duty to help the regional airline Flybe. This option is being considered. But McDonnell said in a statement: |
| That was Boris Johnson’s first interview of 2020, and his first extensive broadcast interview since the general election. It wasn’t one for the history books, it wasn’t over-forensic, and perhaps the main takeaway is that Johnson has just as prone to using bluster, evasion and hyperbole when faced with difficult questions as he was before he went on his New Year holiday. Still, he was not untruthful in the way that he was yesterday, when talking about post-Brexit GB/NI trade in his press conference in Northern Ireland, and he covered quite a lot of ground, giving sometimes interesting answers. | That was Boris Johnson’s first interview of 2020, and his first extensive broadcast interview since the general election. It wasn’t one for the history books, it wasn’t over-forensic, and perhaps the main takeaway is that Johnson has just as prone to using bluster, evasion and hyperbole when faced with difficult questions as he was before he went on his New Year holiday. Still, he was not untruthful in the way that he was yesterday, when talking about post-Brexit GB/NI trade in his press conference in Northern Ireland, and he covered quite a lot of ground, giving sometimes interesting answers. |
| Here are the main points. | Here are the main points. |
| Johnson said that he wanted to see county lines drug gangs “totally wound up”. He said: | Johnson said that he wanted to see county lines drug gangs “totally wound up”. He said: |
| This is a fine ambition, but Johnson did not give details of any how this might happen and, as a goal, it may not be realistic. But perhaps people won’t mind if they believe that at least he is trying. | This is a fine ambition, but Johnson did not give details of any how this might happen and, as a goal, it may not be realistic. But perhaps people won’t mind if they believe that at least he is trying. |
| He described Brexit as one of his “least favourite subjects”. When the presenter, Dan Walker, turned to Brexit, saying it was one of Johnson’s favourite subjects, Johnson replied: | He described Brexit as one of his “least favourite subjects”. When the presenter, Dan Walker, turned to Brexit, saying it was one of Johnson’s favourite subjects, Johnson replied: |
| This is not the first time that Johnson has made this point, but it does reinforce suggestions that the man who led the Vote Leave campaign in 2016 is not convinced that the whole project has been an undiluted triumph. | This is not the first time that Johnson has made this point, but it does reinforce suggestions that the man who led the Vote Leave campaign in 2016 is not convinced that the whole project has been an undiluted triumph. |
| He refused to rule out the UK and the EU failing to reach a trade deal by the end of this year. Asked what the chances were of the two sides achieving a comprehensive trade deal by the end of this year, he replied: | He refused to rule out the UK and the EU failing to reach a trade deal by the end of this year. Asked what the chances were of the two sides achieving a comprehensive trade deal by the end of this year, he replied: |
| When Walker put it to him that in the past he had sounded more confident than this, Johnson revised his language. He said: | When Walker put it to him that in the past he had sounded more confident than this, Johnson revised his language. He said: |
| In the past other ministers, like Michael Gove (here), have categorically ruled out the UK and the EU failing to agree a trade deal by the end of 2020. Perhaps Johnson’s relative reticence was explained by Walker’s inclusion of the word “comprehensive” in his question. Most experts think a basic “bare bones” trade deal could be negotiated before the end of this year, but not a comprehensive one. Ursula Von der Leyen, the European commission president, has said there won’t be time to negotiate a full deal before the end of this year. | In the past other ministers, like Michael Gove (here), have categorically ruled out the UK and the EU failing to agree a trade deal by the end of 2020. Perhaps Johnson’s relative reticence was explained by Walker’s inclusion of the word “comprehensive” in his question. Most experts think a basic “bare bones” trade deal could be negotiated before the end of this year, but not a comprehensive one. Ursula Von der Leyen, the European commission president, has said there won’t be time to negotiate a full deal before the end of this year. |
| He refused to give a firm commitment to saving the regional airline Flybe, but said the government was strongly committed to regional connectivity. Asked if the government would step in to help the firm, he replied: | He refused to give a firm commitment to saving the regional airline Flybe, but said the government was strongly committed to regional connectivity. Asked if the government would step in to help the firm, he replied: |
| When pressed on what the government might do, he replied: | When pressed on what the government might do, he replied: |
| He refused to say whether the Chinese company Huawei would be allowed a role in constructing the UK’s 5G infrastructure network. Asked about this, he said: | He refused to say whether the Chinese company Huawei would be allowed a role in constructing the UK’s 5G infrastructure network. Asked about this, he said: |
| The American government has been strongly urging the UK to boycott Huawei, claiming that it would pose a security threat (because in practice Huawei is under the control of the Chinese government). But there are also claims that the US opposition to Huawei is to a large extent driven by commercial considerations, as much as security ones, and the head of MI5 has said that he does not believe the US would cut off security cooperation with the UK, as it threatens to do, if the UK does award contracts to Huawei. It is impossible to tell what the UK will decide on the basis of Johnson’s answer, but he sounded less inclined to boycott Huawei than in previous answers he has given to this question. For example, compare today’s words with what he said on this at the Nato summit in December. | The American government has been strongly urging the UK to boycott Huawei, claiming that it would pose a security threat (because in practice Huawei is under the control of the Chinese government). But there are also claims that the US opposition to Huawei is to a large extent driven by commercial considerations, as much as security ones, and the head of MI5 has said that he does not believe the US would cut off security cooperation with the UK, as it threatens to do, if the UK does award contracts to Huawei. It is impossible to tell what the UK will decide on the basis of Johnson’s answer, but he sounded less inclined to boycott Huawei than in previous answers he has given to this question. For example, compare today’s words with what he said on this at the Nato summit in December. |
| Johnson said he expected the intelligence and security committee’s report on Russian interference in UK politics to be published within weeks, but claimed that it would not be as sensational as critics assumed. He said: | Johnson said he expected the intelligence and security committee’s report on Russian interference in UK politics to be published within weeks, but claimed that it would not be as sensational as critics assumed. He said: |
| As for when it would be published, he said that he thought that would be within weeks. But he admitted he did not know for sure. The report won’t be published until a new ISC has been set up, and that is not happening quickly. | As for when it would be published, he said that he thought that would be within weeks. But he admitted he did not know for sure. The report won’t be published until a new ISC has been set up, and that is not happening quickly. |
| Johnson said he would announce a plan for reforming social care this year, and implement it during this parliament. Asked why he had not done this already, he said: | Johnson said he would announce a plan for reforming social care this year, and implement it during this parliament. Asked why he had not done this already, he said: |
| Johnson was unable to explain to Walker why he was taking so long to publish his plan when he claimed in July last year, on the day be became PM, to already had a plan. In his first speech from No 10 Johnson said: “I am announcing now – on the steps of Downing Street – that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve.” | Johnson was unable to explain to Walker why he was taking so long to publish his plan when he claimed in July last year, on the day be became PM, to already had a plan. In his first speech from No 10 Johnson said: “I am announcing now – on the steps of Downing Street – that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve.” |
| He said the chances of the Americans extraditing Anne Sacoolas, the wife of an intelligence official accused of killing Harry Dunn in a road accident, were “very low”. Asked about this case, he said: | He said the chances of the Americans extraditing Anne Sacoolas, the wife of an intelligence official accused of killing Harry Dunn in a road accident, were “very low”. Asked about this case, he said: |
| He rejected claims that he should have ended his New Year holiday early to return to deal with the Iran crisis. Asked about this, he said: | He rejected claims that he should have ended his New Year holiday early to return to deal with the Iran crisis. Asked about this, he said: |
| He praised the Iranians for taking responsibility for shooting down the Ukrainian passenger airliner. He said | He praised the Iranians for taking responsibility for shooting down the Ukrainian passenger airliner. He said |
| Johnson urged President Trump to come up with a replacement for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the deal with Iran that ensured it abandoned work on acquiring a nuclear bomb. He said: | Johnson urged President Trump to come up with a replacement for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the deal with Iran that ensured it abandoned work on acquiring a nuclear bomb. He said: |
| Johnson played down reports that he intends to keep a relatively low media profile as PM. At the weekend there were reports that he decision to let Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, take the lead in briefing MPs on the Iran crisis was part of a plan not to hog the limelight on all issues facing government. Asked if this meant he would be a “submarine” PM, he replied: | Johnson played down reports that he intends to keep a relatively low media profile as PM. At the weekend there were reports that he decision to let Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, take the lead in briefing MPs on the Iran crisis was part of a plan not to hog the limelight on all issues facing government. Asked if this meant he would be a “submarine” PM, he replied: |
| Since the general election Johnson has kept a relatively low media profile. It remains to be seen whether this will continue, but this probably is a deliberate strategy. Prime ministers often define themselves in contrast to their predecessors, and Johnson may well be keen to show that he is not like David Cameron, who was very keen on recording short clips for broadcasters giving his views on the story of the day. | Since the general election Johnson has kept a relatively low media profile. It remains to be seen whether this will continue, but this probably is a deliberate strategy. Prime ministers often define themselves in contrast to their predecessors, and Johnson may well be keen to show that he is not like David Cameron, who was very keen on recording short clips for broadcasters giving his views on the story of the day. |
| Johnson said he was confident that the royal family would resolve the Harry/Meghan crisis. But he refused to comment on the story in detail, saying it was best for politicians not to interfere. He said: | Johnson said he was confident that the royal family would resolve the Harry/Meghan crisis. But he refused to comment on the story in detail, saying it was best for politicians not to interfere. He said: |
| He suggested that the government was working on a plan to allow people to contribute to the cost of allowing Ben Ben to chime on 31 January to mark Brexit. The Commons authorities have ruled this out because interfering with the Big Ben restoration project to allow the bell to be rung at the end of the month would cost £500,000. Asked about this, Johnson said: | He suggested that the government was working on a plan to allow people to contribute to the cost of allowing Ben Ben to chime on 31 January to mark Brexit. The Commons authorities have ruled this out because interfering with the Big Ben restoration project to allow the bell to be rung at the end of the month would cost £500,000. Asked about this, Johnson said: |
| It was not clear whether or not Johnson was joking. | It was not clear whether or not Johnson was joking. |
| He said that he had considered doing veganuary, but he said that giving up cheese was “just a crime”. But he did also say that he hoped to lose some weight in 2020. | He said that he had considered doing veganuary, but he said that giving up cheese was “just a crime”. But he did also say that he hoped to lose some weight in 2020. |
| There were various news lines in that interview, but perhaps the most surprising line came when Johnson announced that he wanted to end county lines drug dealing. No one will question the merits of his ambition, but he is making a promise that will be very hard to deliver. | There were various news lines in that interview, but perhaps the most surprising line came when Johnson announced that he wanted to end county lines drug dealing. No one will question the merits of his ambition, but he is making a promise that will be very hard to deliver. |
| This is what he said on the topic. | This is what he said on the topic. |
| Q: Will Ann Secoulas, the US diplomat accused of killing Harry Dunn in a road accident, face justice? | Q: Will Ann Secoulas, the US diplomat accused of killing Harry Dunn in a road accident, face justice? |
| Johnson says the US are unlikely to send her back to the UK. That is not what they do. | Johnson says the US are unlikely to send her back to the UK. That is not what they do. |
| Q: Will Huawei be allowed a role in building the 5G infrastructure? | Q: Will Huawei be allowed a role in building the 5G infrastructure? |
| Johnson says Britons deserve the best infrastructure available. But he will not jeopardise security. | Johnson says Britons deserve the best infrastructure available. But he will not jeopardise security. |
| Q: When will we see the ISC report on Russia and UK elections? | Q: When will we see the ISC report on Russia and UK elections? |
| Johnson says it could be out in weeks. But he has read it, he says. He says he thinks people will be disappointed. | Johnson says it could be out in weeks. But he has read it, he says. He says he thinks people will be disappointed. |
| Q: Would you go vegan for January? | Q: Would you go vegan for January? |
| Johnson says he has considered it, but does not see how you could give up cheese. | Johnson says he has considered it, but does not see how you could give up cheese. |
| And that’s it. The interview is over. | And that’s it. The interview is over. |
| I will post a summary soon. | I will post a summary soon. |
| Q: Will you save Flybe? | Q: Will you save Flybe? |
| Johnson says it is not for government to save companies that run into trouble. | Johnson says it is not for government to save companies that run into trouble. |
| But he says he understands the importance of Flybe for regional connectivity. | But he says he understands the importance of Flybe for regional connectivity. |
| He says the government is working hard to see what it can do. | He says the government is working hard to see what it can do. |
| But there are limits to what can be done to save companies, he says. | But there are limits to what can be done to save companies, he says. |
| But he stresses the importance of regional connectivity. He wants to level up, he says. | But he stresses the importance of regional connectivity. He wants to level up, he says. |
| Johnson says the national living wage has been increased. | Johnson says the national living wage has been increased. |
| Q: After the election you said you would work around the clock to retain the trust of people who voted Tory, especially in the north. What are you doing? | Q: After the election you said you would work around the clock to retain the trust of people who voted Tory, especially in the north. What are you doing? |
| Johnson says there will be dramatic change in investment in the NHS. | Johnson says there will be dramatic change in investment in the NHS. |
| He says he is hiring 20,000 more police officers. | He says he is hiring 20,000 more police officers. |
| He says he wants to see county lines drug dealing rolled up, wound up. | He says he wants to see county lines drug dealing rolled up, wound up. |
| Johnson says he wants to end county lines drug dealing. | Johnson says he wants to end county lines drug dealing. |
| Q: When you became PM, you said you had a plan for social care. Where is it? | Q: When you became PM, you said you had a plan for social care. Where is it? |
| Johnson says he is working on it. | Johnson says he is working on it. |
| Q: You said you had a plan. Where is it? | Q: You said you had a plan. Where is it? |
| Johnson says he will do it during this parliament. | Johnson says he will do it during this parliament. |
| Q: When will we see your plan? | Q: When will we see your plan? |
| Johnson says he will bring forward a plan this year, and implement it this parliament. | Johnson says he will bring forward a plan this year, and implement it this parliament. |
| Johnson commits to announcing plans to reform social care this year. | Johnson commits to announcing plans to reform social care this year. |
| Q: When will people see a difference to the NHS? | Q: When will people see a difference to the NHS? |
| Johnson says this is his number one priority. | Johnson says this is his number one priority. |
| This is a new government, with a different approach. | This is a new government, with a different approach. |
| The NHS is getting its biggest ever cash injection, he says. | The NHS is getting its biggest ever cash injection, he says. |
| He says he will be working on this flat out. | He says he will be working on this flat out. |
| Only recently they announced that parking charges for patients would go, he says. | Only recently they announced that parking charges for patients would go, he says. |
| He says this is a massive project that will require a revolution in how they provide, not just medical care but social care. | He says this is a massive project that will require a revolution in how they provide, not just medical care but social care. |
| Q: There were stories in the papers at the weekend about you being a submarine PM - not hogging the limelight all the time. | Q: There were stories in the papers at the weekend about you being a submarine PM - not hogging the limelight all the time. |
| Johnson dismisses the stories. | Johnson dismisses the stories. |
| As for changing this year, he wants to lose weight, he says. | As for changing this year, he wants to lose weight, he says. |
| He says he gave two press conferences. As for being a submarine, he will be crashing through the ice. | He says he gave two press conferences. As for being a submarine, he will be crashing through the ice. |
| But he does believe in cabinet government, he says. | But he does believe in cabinet government, he says. |
| Q: Do you think Big Ben should bong for Brexit? | Q: Do you think Big Ben should bong for Brexit? |
| Johnson says that would cost £500,000. | Johnson says that would cost £500,000. |
| But the government is developing a plan to enable people to celebrate Brexit, he says. | But the government is developing a plan to enable people to celebrate Brexit, he says. |
| He says, because Big Ben is being refurbished, the clapper has been taken away. | He says, because Big Ben is being refurbished, the clapper has been taken away. |
| Walker turns to Brexit. | Walker turns to Brexit. |
| Johnson says that is one of his least favourite subjects. | Johnson says that is one of his least favourite subjects. |
| Q: What is the chance of a comprehensive trade deal by the end of this year? | Q: What is the chance of a comprehensive trade deal by the end of this year? |
| Johnson says it is very likely. | Johnson says it is very likely. |
| Q: You do not sound very confident. | Q: You do not sound very confident. |
| Johnson says he it is enormously likely, epically likely. | Johnson says he it is enormously likely, epically likely. |
| He says he is very, very, very confident about getting a deal. | He says he is very, very, very confident about getting a deal. |
| Q: Is there an issue with media intrusion in this country? | Q: Is there an issue with media intrusion in this country? |
| Johnson reverts to his answer about not wanting to interfer in the Harry/Meghan story. | Johnson reverts to his answer about not wanting to interfer in the Harry/Meghan story. |
| He says the royal family is not helped by politicians wading in. | He says the royal family is not helped by politicians wading in. |
| The royal family is a fantastic institution, he says. | The royal family is a fantastic institution, he says. |
| And so is the media, he says. | And so is the media, he says. |
| Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Ben Quinn. | Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Ben Quinn. |
| Boris Johnson is being interviewed now on BBC Breakfast by Dan Walker. | Boris Johnson is being interviewed now on BBC Breakfast by Dan Walker. |
| After some questions about Iran, Walker asks about Harry and Meghan. | After some questions about Iran, Walker asks about Harry and Meghan. |
| Johnson says he is confident the royal family will be able to sort this out. | Johnson says he is confident the royal family will be able to sort this out. |
| But they will be able to sort it out more easily without interference from politicians. | But they will be able to sort it out more easily without interference from politicians. |
| Good morning. British political life in 2020 continues to pick up a new pace today, starting later this morning with the first sit-down interview by the prime minister since the general election. | Good morning. British political life in 2020 continues to pick up a new pace today, starting later this morning with the first sit-down interview by the prime minister since the general election. |
| Fresh from his appearance in Northern Ireland where he basked in the feel-good moment of generated by deal paving the way for the resumption of power sharing at Storming, Boris Johnson will take questions from the BBC at Downing Street in a short while. | Fresh from his appearance in Northern Ireland where he basked in the feel-good moment of generated by deal paving the way for the resumption of power sharing at Storming, Boris Johnson will take questions from the BBC at Downing Street in a short while. |
| While he sidestepped questions about funding to shore up the historic deal in Belfast, he pledged the government’s support for Northern Ireland’s revived power-sharing executive. | While he sidestepped questions about funding to shore up the historic deal in Belfast, he pledged the government’s support for Northern Ireland’s revived power-sharing executive. |
| Not all is settled however, as the Sinn Féin Northern Ireland assembly member and Stormont finance minister, Conor Murphy, has warned that the government’s offer for extra money as part of the deal to restore the executive “falls way short” of what was promised | Not all is settled however, as the Sinn Féin Northern Ireland assembly member and Stormont finance minister, Conor Murphy, has warned that the government’s offer for extra money as part of the deal to restore the executive “falls way short” of what was promised |
| Perhaps even more pressingly, with 17 days to go before Brexit he’s also going to face questions about the type of dealmaking which the UK is prepared to engage in on that front. | Perhaps even more pressingly, with 17 days to go before Brexit he’s also going to face questions about the type of dealmaking which the UK is prepared to engage in on that front. |
| In a pointed intervention last night during Gavin Barwell’s maiden speech in the House of Lords, Theresa May’s former chief of staff warned there was no chance of the government agreeing a new trade deal with the EU by the end of the year. | In a pointed intervention last night during Gavin Barwell’s maiden speech in the House of Lords, Theresa May’s former chief of staff warned there was no chance of the government agreeing a new trade deal with the EU by the end of the year. |
| The Labour leadership race also meanwhile rolls on today after candidates made it through to the next round of the contest – Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry. | The Labour leadership race also meanwhile rolls on today after candidates made it through to the next round of the contest – Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry. |