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Brexit: No 10 does not rule out using fishing as bargaining chip in UK-EU trade talks – live news Brexit: No 10 does not rule out using fishing as bargaining chip in UK-EU trade talks – live news
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happenRolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen
Here is the Times’s Steven Swinford on the significant of the PMOS’s comments on fishing. From Boris Johnson
Here is the Times’s Steven Swinford on the significance of the PMOS’s comments on fishing.
The PMOS is not talking about some of the post-Brexit Whitehall arrangements.The PMOS is not talking about some of the post-Brexit Whitehall arrangements.
He says there will be 40 officials working in a government taskforce on the EU future partnership.He says there will be 40 officials working in a government taskforce on the EU future partnership.
He says after Friday the UK will no longer sit with the EU at international meetings.He says after Friday the UK will no longer sit with the EU at international meetings.
Our permanent representative to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, will become ambassador to the EU.Our permanent representative to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, will become ambassador to the EU.
And he says the ministers will be making visits abroad to promote the UK.And he says the ministers will be making visits abroad to promote the UK.
Q: Who is in charge of the taskforce on Europe?Q: Who is in charge of the taskforce on Europe?
The PM.The PM.
Q: So there will be no other minister in charge. Who will Michel Barnier speak to?Q: So there will be no other minister in charge. Who will Michel Barnier speak to?
The PMOS says Barnier will be able to speak to David Frost, the PM’s EU adviser.The PMOS says Barnier will be able to speak to David Frost, the PM’s EU adviser.
Q: Who will update parliament on Brexit?Q: Who will update parliament on Brexit?
The PMOS says Michael Gove will oversee the withdrawal agreement, but the PM will oversee the negotiation.The PMOS says Michael Gove will oversee the withdrawal agreement, but the PM will oversee the negotiation.
And that’s it. The briefing is over.And that’s it. The briefing is over.
The PMOS says after Friday night the Brexit department will not exist. Asked about Stephen Barclay’s position as Brexit secretary, he says that there will be no department, but that cabinet reshuffle decisions are a matter for the PM.The PMOS says after Friday night the Brexit department will not exist. Asked about Stephen Barclay’s position as Brexit secretary, he says that there will be no department, but that cabinet reshuffle decisions are a matter for the PM.
Yesterday Barclay said that his gut feeling was that HS2 would go ahead. Asked if the PM trusts Barclay’s gut, the PMOS says:Yesterday Barclay said that his gut feeling was that HS2 would go ahead. Asked if the PM trusts Barclay’s gut, the PMOS says:
Q: Leo Varadkar said this morning that British ignorance of Ireland was a problem. Does the PM agree?Q: Leo Varadkar said this morning that British ignorance of Ireland was a problem. Does the PM agree?
The PMOS says he has not seen those remarks.The PMOS says he has not seen those remarks.
Q: Does the PM accept, as Varadkar implied, that the UK would have to trade access to fishing waters for UK access to financial services in Europe?Q: Does the PM accept, as Varadkar implied, that the UK would have to trade access to fishing waters for UK access to financial services in Europe?
The PMOS says:The PMOS says:
He says this was made clear in the PM’s election manifesto.He says this was made clear in the PM’s election manifesto.
Asked if this means the government is ruling out linking the two issues in trade talks, the PMOS repeats the point about taking back control of fishing waters. He says the PM has left the EU in “no doubt of our determination on that issue”.Asked if this means the government is ruling out linking the two issues in trade talks, the PMOS repeats the point about taking back control of fishing waters. He says the PM has left the EU in “no doubt of our determination on that issue”.
He says the government will decide for itself who accesses its fishing waters.He says the government will decide for itself who accesses its fishing waters.
Q: We can determine that we are going to let the French into our waters?Q: We can determine that we are going to let the French into our waters?
The PMOS says the government has been very clear that the UK will determine who fishes in British waters.The PMOS says the government has been very clear that the UK will determine who fishes in British waters.
Q: Fishing leaders themselves have said that some EU boats will continue to fish in British waters after Brexit.Q: Fishing leaders themselves have said that some EU boats will continue to fish in British waters after Brexit.
The PMOS says he has not said anything that contradicts this.The PMOS says he has not said anything that contradicts this.
No 10 does not rule out using fishing as bargaining chip in wider UK-EU trade talks.No 10 does not rule out using fishing as bargaining chip in wider UK-EU trade talks.
Q: Why is there a delay in getting people out of Wuhan?Q: Why is there a delay in getting people out of Wuhan?
The PMOS says the Foreign Office has said this morning it is exploring its options. The safety of British nationals is its priority, it says.The PMOS says the Foreign Office has said this morning it is exploring its options. The safety of British nationals is its priority, it says.
Q: Is an airlift possible?Q: Is an airlift possible?
The PMOS says the government is exploring options.The PMOS says the government is exploring options.
Q: Why is the government announcing a visa scheme for highly skilled people now?Q: Why is the government announcing a visa scheme for highly skilled people now?
The PMOS says there are concerns that the government is not bringing in enough highly talented people. By announcing the scheme now, the government will be able to bring it in more quickly.The PMOS says there are concerns that the government is not bringing in enough highly talented people. By announcing the scheme now, the government will be able to bring it in more quickly.
Q: What is your reaction to the Scottish government’s visa plans announced today?Q: What is your reaction to the Scottish government’s visa plans announced today?
Immigration policy is a matter for the UK government, the PMOS says.Immigration policy is a matter for the UK government, the PMOS says.
Back to Harry Dunn.Back to Harry Dunn.
Q: Does the UK government think Anne Sacoolas was covered by diplomatic immunity?Q: Does the UK government think Anne Sacoolas was covered by diplomatic immunity?
The PMOS says the government’s view is that she should come back to face justice.The PMOS says the government’s view is that she should come back to face justice.
The PMOS says the government will consider the recommendations made by the migration advisory committee in a report coming this week, and then bring forward an immigration bill in due course.The PMOS says the government will consider the recommendations made by the migration advisory committee in a report coming this week, and then bring forward an immigration bill in due course.
Asked about the US refusal to extradite the US diplomat’s wife accused of killing Harry Dunn in a road accident, the PMOS says the PM sees this as a denial of justice.Asked about the US refusal to extradite the US diplomat’s wife accused of killing Harry Dunn in a road accident, the PMOS says the PM sees this as a denial of justice.
What more will the government do?What more will the government do?
We said on Friday that we were urgently looking at our options, the PMOS says. He says this point will be made to Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, when he visits the UK this week.We said on Friday that we were urgently looking at our options, the PMOS says. He says this point will be made to Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, when he visits the UK this week.
The PM will be speaking shortly at the UK’s commemorative ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day, the PMOS says.The PM will be speaking shortly at the UK’s commemorative ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day, the PMOS says.
The briefing is taking place in 9 Downing Street. These briefings used to be held in the Commons, but No 10 changed the arrangements this year, ostensibly to make it easier for officials to brief journalists, as well as the PMOS (prime minister’s official spokesman).The briefing is taking place in 9 Downing Street. These briefings used to be held in the Commons, but No 10 changed the arrangements this year, ostensibly to make it easier for officials to brief journalists, as well as the PMOS (prime minister’s official spokesman).
The spokesman starts by reading out a list of what the PM and other ministers are doing today.The spokesman starts by reading out a list of what the PM and other ministers are doing today.
I am at the No 10 lobby briefing, where the prime minister’s spokesman, James Slack, is briefing journalists.I am at the No 10 lobby briefing, where the prime minister’s spokesman, James Slack, is briefing journalists.
In the past these briefings were embargoed until they were over. But the rules were changed last week, and so now I can live blog from the meeting.In the past these briefings were embargoed until they were over. But the rules were changed last week, and so now I can live blog from the meeting.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, and Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, have been holding a press conference in Dublin. Varadkar said that, if Brexit does not work out and the UK wants to rejoin the EU, it would be welcome back.Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, and Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, have been holding a press conference in Dublin. Varadkar said that, if Brexit does not work out and the UK wants to rejoin the EU, it would be welcome back.
These are from Sky’s Stephen Murphy, the BBC’s Chris Page and the Irish government (aka Merrion Street).These are from Sky’s Stephen Murphy, the BBC’s Chris Page and the Irish government (aka Merrion Street).
The BBC’s interview with Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, was thorough and candid. Laura Kuenssberg has written a blog about what Varadkar told her that you can read here, and I’ve already posted some quotes. Here is a fuller summary.The BBC’s interview with Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, was thorough and candid. Laura Kuenssberg has written a blog about what Varadkar told her that you can read here, and I’ve already posted some quotes. Here is a fuller summary.
Varadkar suggested that the UK would fail to get a trade deal allowing its banks access to the EU’s financial services market unless it agree to let EU boats carry on fishing in its waters. (See 9.02am.)Varadkar suggested that the UK would fail to get a trade deal allowing its banks access to the EU’s financial services market unless it agree to let EU boats carry on fishing in its waters. (See 9.02am.)
He said he thought the EU would be in a stronger position than the UK in the forthcoming trade negotiation. Asked if the EU would have the upper hands in the talks, he said:He said he thought the EU would be in a stronger position than the UK in the forthcoming trade negotiation. Asked if the EU would have the upper hands in the talks, he said:
He said the British did not understand Ireland very well, and this was a problem for London during the first round of the Brexit talks. He said:He said the British did not understand Ireland very well, and this was a problem for London during the first round of the Brexit talks. He said:
There is plenty of evidence to support what Varadkar is saying, and the Atlantic’s Tom McTague came up with a new anecdote last week which supports the claim that the cabinet underestimated Ireland. In an article about how the UK could emulate Canada after Brexit, he says:There is plenty of evidence to support what Varadkar is saying, and the Atlantic’s Tom McTague came up with a new anecdote last week which supports the claim that the cabinet underestimated Ireland. In an article about how the UK could emulate Canada after Brexit, he says:
Varadkar said he did not know if Brexit would increase the chances of Ireland reuniting.Varadkar said he did not know if Brexit would increase the chances of Ireland reuniting.
He said he thought it would be “possible” but “difficult” to conclude a UK-EU trade deal before the end of this year.He said he thought it would be “possible” but “difficult” to conclude a UK-EU trade deal before the end of this year.
He said Johnson had personally assured him that he did not want the UK to undercut EU standards after Brexit.He said Johnson had personally assured him that he did not want the UK to undercut EU standards after Brexit.
He said:He said:
Varadakar insisted that there would be a need for some checks on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland after Brexit. Johnson has repeatedly played down the need for these checks, telling a news conference in Belfast recently that these checks would only apply in the absence of a zero-tariff, zero-quota trade deal. But Varadkar said:Varadakar insisted that there would be a need for some checks on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland after Brexit. Johnson has repeatedly played down the need for these checks, telling a news conference in Belfast recently that these checks would only apply in the absence of a zero-tariff, zero-quota trade deal. But Varadkar said:
This week Boris Johnson is due to take a decision on whether or not to allow the Chinese firm Huawei to play a part in constructing the UK’s 5G network. He is expected to say it should be allowed to play a role, subject to certain conditions.This week Boris Johnson is due to take a decision on whether or not to allow the Chinese firm Huawei to play a part in constructing the UK’s 5G network. He is expected to say it should be allowed to play a role, subject to certain conditions.
On the Today programme this morning Jeremy Hunt, the former foreign secretary and Johnson’s main rival in the Tory leadership contest last summer, said that when he was in government he was sceptical about allowing Huawei to take on this role. He explained:On the Today programme this morning Jeremy Hunt, the former foreign secretary and Johnson’s main rival in the Tory leadership contest last summer, said that when he was in government he was sceptical about allowing Huawei to take on this role. He explained:
Hunt also said that, even if the intelligences services thought they could contain any risk, he was worried about how the situation might develop in the future. He said:Hunt also said that, even if the intelligences services thought they could contain any risk, he was worried about how the situation might develop in the future. He said:
According to the Financial Times, Johnson is expected to say that Huawei can play a role in building the 5G network, subject to a market cap. In their story (paywall) George Parker and Nic Fildes say:According to the Financial Times, Johnson is expected to say that Huawei can play a role in building the 5G network, subject to a market cap. In their story (paywall) George Parker and Nic Fildes say:
As the Guardian reports, yesterday Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, claimed that choosing Huawei would amount to a threat to UK sovereignty.As the Guardian reports, yesterday Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, claimed that choosing Huawei would amount to a threat to UK sovereignty.
Good morning. At the end of this week the UK will leave the European Union. But if Boris Johnson thinks that this will amount to getting Brexit done, he’s wrong, according to his Irish opposite number, Leo Varadkar. “We’re only at halftime on Brexit, it’s not done yet,” he told the BBC, in an interview with its political editor Laura Kuenssberg. Good morning. At the end of this week the UK will leave the European Union. But if Boris Johnson thinks that this will amount to getting Brexit done, he’s wrong, according to his Irish opposite number, Leo Varadkar. “We’re only at halftime on Brexit. It’s not done yet,” he told the BBC, in an interview with its political editor, Laura Kuenssberg.
In the interview Varadkar more or less explicitly said that, if the UK wants British banks to be able to continue to have access to the EU financial services market after Brexit, it is going to have to let EU boats continue to fish in British waters. Asked if the proposed UK-EU trade deal would end up being limited or piecemeal, Varadkar, who is of course in the middle of a general election campaign, replied: In the interview Varadkar more or less explicitly said that if the UK wanted British banks to be able to continue to have access to the EU financial services market after Brexit, it was going to have to let EU boats continue to fish in British waters. Asked if the proposed UK-EU trade deal would end up being limited or piecemeal, Varadkar, who is of course in the middle of a general election campaign, replied:
This has always been implicit in the EU negotiating position, but generally EU leaders have not up to now been as blunt as this in saying: Let us keep fishing in your waters, or your banks will take a hit. This has always been implicit in the EU negotiating position, but generally EU leaders have not up to now been as blunt as this in saying: “Let us keep fishing in your waters, or your banks will take a hit.”
There is a lot more in the BBC interview, and I will post further extracts soon.There is a lot more in the BBC interview, and I will post further extracts soon.
Here is the agenda for the day.Here is the agenda for the day.
8.45am: Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, meets Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, in Dublin.8.45am: Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, meets Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, in Dublin.
11am: Downing Street lobby briefing.11am: Downing Street lobby briefing.
2.30pm: Therese Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, takes questions in the Commons.2.30pm: Therese Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, takes questions in the Commons.
3pm: Barnier meets ministers from the Northern Ireland executive in Belfast.3pm: Barnier meets ministers from the Northern Ireland executive in Belfast.
5.30pm: Barnier gives a speech at Queen’s University Belfast.5.30pm: Barnier gives a speech at Queen’s University Belfast.
As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I plan to post a summary when I wrap up.As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I plan to post a summary when I wrap up.
You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.
If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.
I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.
If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.