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| Sturgeon tells PM his rejection of referendum will increase support for Scottish independence - live news | Sturgeon tells PM his rejection of referendum will increase support for Scottish independence - live news |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Follow all today’s political developments as they happen | Follow all today’s political developments as they happen |
| Scottish Labour has provided a suitably non-committal response to Boris Johnson’s refusal to grant Holyrood the powers to hold a second independence referendum. The party’s spokesperson for the constitution, Alex Rowley, said: | |
| Regular readers will know that these “conversations” lately have included the Scottish Labour executive rejecting last Saturday leader Richard Leonard’s proposals for a special conference on federalism. Leonard was proposing that the party consider supporting a multi-option referendum on independence, but the party instead decided to hold a private ‘away day’ to decide its future policy on the union. | |
| Since Scottish Labour’s disastrous election result, a number of senior Labour figures, including defeated Scottish MPs, have said the party needs to accept the case for a referendum, and also consider splitting away from the UK party. | |
| In his BBC interview Boris Johnson also spoke about the considerations he will take into account when deciding whether or not to allow the Chinese firm Huawei a role in building the UK’s 5G network. (See 10.03am.) Australia banned Huawei from its 5G networks in 2018 and, in an interview on the World at One, the former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said the UK would be potentially vulnerable if it used the Chinese firm for this work. He said: | |
| Turnbull said Chinese telecoms companies like Huawei were obliged to assist their intelligence services. And he claimed that the five eyes countries - the five English speaking countries that share intelligence (the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand) had been too complacent about the threat posed by the company. He said: | |
| In his BBC interview this morning Boris Johnson said President Trump should work on a replacement for the the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the deal with Iran that ensured it abandoned work on acquiring a nuclear bomb. (See 10.03am.) His comment coincided with the UK, France and Germany - the E3, the three individual EU states that were party to the JCPOA - issuing a statement accusing Iran of not meeting its obligations under the deal, and triggering the dispute mechanism. | |
| Here is the text of the statement from the E3. And here is my colleague Patrick Wintour’s story on this. | |
| In the Commons Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, has just delivered a statement explaining the reasons behind the E3 statement. According to the statement, the E3 are still committed to making the JCPOA work. | |
| Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, asked Raab why Boris Johnson was calling for a replacement to the JCPOA in his BBC interview if it was official government policy to maintain it. She told MPs: | |
| Responding to Thornberry, Raab said that Johnson fully supported the JCPOA, and that it was Iran that was threatening the agreement. He also said it was not just President Trump who had argued for a broader deal with Iran; President Macron was making that case too, Raab said. | |
| He said the UK government thought the JCPOA was “the best available deal for restraining Iran’s nuclear ambitions”. But he also said the UK was “fully open to a broader initiative which would address not just the nuclear concerns but the broader concerns around the destabilising activity that we have seen recently”. | |
| In the Commons the transport minister Paul Maynard is responding to an urgent question about Flybe. But he has not revealed much about the government’s intentions. He said the government was working hard on what it might do to support the company, but he refused to go into detail. And he said he would not comment on reports that air passenger duty could be cut to help the airline. APD was a matter for the Treasury, he said. | In the Commons the transport minister Paul Maynard is responding to an urgent question about Flybe. But he has not revealed much about the government’s intentions. He said the government was working hard on what it might do to support the company, but he refused to go into detail. And he said he would not comment on reports that air passenger duty could be cut to help the airline. APD was a matter for the Treasury, he said. |
| Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has issued this response to Boris Johnson’s decision to rule out allowing Scotland to hold another independence referendum. (See 11.22am.) | Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has issued this response to Boris Johnson’s decision to rule out allowing Scotland to hold another independence referendum. (See 11.22am.) |
| She accuses Johnson of showing “utter contempt for the votes, views and interest of the people of Scotland”. | She accuses Johnson of showing “utter contempt for the votes, views and interest of the people of Scotland”. |
| And she claims that the PM’s stance will end up being self-defeating. She explains: | And she claims that the PM’s stance will end up being self-defeating. She explains: |
| Ireland is to hold a general election on Saturday 8 February, RTE is reporting. RTE has full coverage on a live blog. | Ireland is to hold a general election on Saturday 8 February, RTE is reporting. RTE has full coverage on a live blog. |
| Labour leadership hopeful Jess Phillips is visiting Glasgow today where she’ll be meeting Labour activists later on. Scottish Labour is still smarting from the loss of all its Scottish MPs but one in last December’s general election, and at a meeting of the Scottish executive on Saturday rejected leader Richard Leonards proposals for a special conference on federalism, which could have seen the party support a multi-option referendum on independence. | Labour leadership hopeful Jess Phillips is visiting Glasgow today where she’ll be meeting Labour activists later on. Scottish Labour is still smarting from the loss of all its Scottish MPs but one in last December’s general election, and at a meeting of the Scottish executive on Saturday rejected leader Richard Leonards proposals for a special conference on federalism, which could have seen the party support a multi-option referendum on independence. |
| Phillips has been one of the few leadership candidates so far to take head-on the issue of Scotland and Scottish independence – yesterday she got involved in a Twitter spat with first minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, arguing that “the SNP’s abject failings on education and health show that it is your administration that remains a threat to opportunity and equality for working people in Scotland.” | Phillips has been one of the few leadership candidates so far to take head-on the issue of Scotland and Scottish independence – yesterday she got involved in a Twitter spat with first minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, arguing that “the SNP’s abject failings on education and health show that it is your administration that remains a threat to opportunity and equality for working people in Scotland.” |
| Today Phillips is expected to reinforce her message, pledging that a Labour party led by her would be “100 per cent committed to the union”. | Today Phillips is expected to reinforce her message, pledging that a Labour party led by her would be “100 per cent committed to the union”. |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. | “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: | 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.” | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. |