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| Brexit: EU tells PM he must stick to customs rules for NI amid concerns about UK 'backsliding' - live news | Brexit: EU tells PM he must stick to customs rules for NI amid concerns about UK 'backsliding' - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen | Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen |
| Voting in the Labour leadership and deputy leadership contest opens today. But the party is advising members that they may not receive their ballot paper, or ballot email, immediately. It has circulated this note to journalists. | |
| Rebecca Long-Bailey, the Labour leadership candidate, has been campaigning in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd today. | Rebecca Long-Bailey, the Labour leadership candidate, has been campaigning in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd today. |
| These are from Sky’s Lewis Goodall. | These are from Sky’s Lewis Goodall. |
| The government has moved to ban membership of more rightwing terrorism groups, the Press Association reports. A proscription order has been put before parliament which would make joining the organisation Sonnenkrieg Division illegal in the UK, the Home Office said. The proposal has to be debated and is subject to parliament backing it. Laws coming into force on Tuesday will also recognise System Resistance Network as an alias of the already-proscribed group National Action. Anyone found to be a member of, or offering support to, the groups could now face up to 10 years in jail. | The government has moved to ban membership of more rightwing terrorism groups, the Press Association reports. A proscription order has been put before parliament which would make joining the organisation Sonnenkrieg Division illegal in the UK, the Home Office said. The proposal has to be debated and is subject to parliament backing it. Laws coming into force on Tuesday will also recognise System Resistance Network as an alias of the already-proscribed group National Action. Anyone found to be a member of, or offering support to, the groups could now face up to 10 years in jail. |
| On a visit to Derry, Brandon Lewis, the new Northern Ireland secretary, has said that the government will not impose a customs border down the Irish Sea. Asked about the issue, he said: | On a visit to Derry, Brandon Lewis, the new Northern Ireland secretary, has said that the government will not impose a customs border down the Irish Sea. Asked about the issue, he said: |
| There were cases last year of people threatening to leave the country if Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn became prime minister. But David Graeber, the anthropologist, radical author and anarchism advocate, may be the first person to threaten to leave the country if Keir Starmer becomes leader of the opposition. | There were cases last year of people threatening to leave the country if Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn became prime minister. But David Graeber, the anthropologist, radical author and anarchism advocate, may be the first person to threaten to leave the country if Keir Starmer becomes leader of the opposition. |
| The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has been advised to avoid becoming a “creature of No 10” at next month’s budget by steering clear of raising government spending to satisfy Boris Johnson’s demands. | The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has been advised to avoid becoming a “creature of No 10” at next month’s budget by steering clear of raising government spending to satisfy Boris Johnson’s demands. |
| David Gauke, the former justice secretary and Treasury minister who was expelled from the Conservatives for defying Johnson over Brexit, said Sunak was in danger of putting the public finances on an unsustainable path should he pump up government borrowing by too much to meet the prime minister’s spending demands. Gauke said: | David Gauke, the former justice secretary and Treasury minister who was expelled from the Conservatives for defying Johnson over Brexit, said Sunak was in danger of putting the public finances on an unsustainable path should he pump up government borrowing by too much to meet the prime minister’s spending demands. Gauke said: |
| Speaking at an event at the Resolution Foundation thinktank in London, Gauke said that the government’s plans to increase spending could result in the national debt as a proportion of GDP increasing, which could be dangerous before a potential economic downturn. | Speaking at an event at the Resolution Foundation thinktank in London, Gauke said that the government’s plans to increase spending could result in the national debt as a proportion of GDP increasing, which could be dangerous before a potential economic downturn. |
| Gauke also said that the Ministry of Justice had faced a funding settlement that was “essentially unsustainable”. He said prisoner numbers would increase as Boris Johnson’s government toughened up sentencing criteria, meaning more prison officers would be needed. “Those pressures are going to increase yet further,” he added. | Gauke also said that the Ministry of Justice had faced a funding settlement that was “essentially unsustainable”. He said prisoner numbers would increase as Boris Johnson’s government toughened up sentencing criteria, meaning more prison officers would be needed. “Those pressures are going to increase yet further,” he added. |
| The European Union has warned Boris Johnson against trying to water down the new customs rules for Northern Ireland that will apply under the withdrawal agreement from 2021. Speaking at the European commission’s regular briefing, Dana Spinant, deputy chief spokeswoman of the commission, said this issue was “very important” in maintaining trust between the two sides. She said: | The European Union has warned Boris Johnson against trying to water down the new customs rules for Northern Ireland that will apply under the withdrawal agreement from 2021. Speaking at the European commission’s regular briefing, Dana Spinant, deputy chief spokeswoman of the commission, said this issue was “very important” in maintaining trust between the two sides. She said: |
| Spinant was responding to reports claiming Johnson does want to “get around” the rules he has promised to apply. (See 12.08pm.) Leo Varadkar, the Irish PM, has also said there must be no “backsliding” from the UK. (See 12.08pm.) | Spinant was responding to reports claiming Johnson does want to “get around” the rules he has promised to apply. (See 12.08pm.) Leo Varadkar, the Irish PM, has also said there must be no “backsliding” from the UK. (See 12.08pm.) |
| Downing Street this morning rejected claims that the PM is planning to ignore the commitments he had made relating to the Northern Ireland border. But the spokesman also said that British ports had not been asked to prepare for any new checks or controls on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland – even though these would be required under the EU’s interpretation of the Northern Ireland protocol. (See 1.07pm.) | Downing Street this morning rejected claims that the PM is planning to ignore the commitments he had made relating to the Northern Ireland border. But the spokesman also said that British ports had not been asked to prepare for any new checks or controls on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland – even though these would be required under the EU’s interpretation of the Northern Ireland protocol. (See 1.07pm.) |
| Here are the main points from the No 10 lobby briefing. | Here are the main points from the No 10 lobby briefing. |
| Downing Street rejected a suggestion from the French Europe minister (see 10.39am) that the UK is trying to “blackmail” the EU into agreeing a trade deal by the end of 2020. When this notion was put to the prime minister’s spokesman, he rejected it firmly. But he confirmed that the government remained determined not to extend the post-Brexit transition beyond the end of 2020. | Downing Street rejected a suggestion from the French Europe minister (see 10.39am) that the UK is trying to “blackmail” the EU into agreeing a trade deal by the end of 2020. When this notion was put to the prime minister’s spokesman, he rejected it firmly. But he confirmed that the government remained determined not to extend the post-Brexit transition beyond the end of 2020. |
| The spokesman said that restoring independence would be the main goal for the UK in the trade talks with the EU. He said: | The spokesman said that restoring independence would be the main goal for the UK in the trade talks with the EU. He said: |
| This firms up the message given by David Frost, the PM’s Brexit negotiator, in his speech in Brussels last week. But it will also be seen as fresh evidence that a “no-deal” outcome at the end of 2020 is a real possibility. | This firms up the message given by David Frost, the PM’s Brexit negotiator, in his speech in Brussels last week. But it will also be seen as fresh evidence that a “no-deal” outcome at the end of 2020 is a real possibility. |
| The spokesman dismissed claims that the government was exploring ways of evading the commitments it has made for a customs border down the Irish Sea. (See 12.08pm.) Asked about this, the spokesman said: | The spokesman dismissed claims that the government was exploring ways of evading the commitments it has made for a customs border down the Irish Sea. (See 12.08pm.) Asked about this, the spokesman said: |
| The spokesman said British ports have not been asked to prepare for any new checks or controls on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland. Asked for details of the UK’s obligations under the protocol, the spokesman said: | The spokesman said British ports have not been asked to prepare for any new checks or controls on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland. Asked for details of the UK’s obligations under the protocol, the spokesman said: |
| As Peter Foster, the Telegraph’s Europe editor, explained in a Twitter thread yesterday, the EU believes that the protocol does oblige the UK to impose checks and controls. Here are two of his tweets. | As Peter Foster, the Telegraph’s Europe editor, explained in a Twitter thread yesterday, the EU believes that the protocol does oblige the UK to impose checks and controls. Here are two of his tweets. |
| And here are two slides from a European commission document (pdf) explaining how the withdrawal agreement works setting out the checks that will apply for GB/NI and NI/GB trade. | And here are two slides from a European commission document (pdf) explaining how the withdrawal agreement works setting out the checks that will apply for GB/NI and NI/GB trade. |
| The spokesman said the government will publish its negotiating mandate for the trade talks with the EU on Thursday. The mandate for trade talks with the US will then be published next week. | The spokesman said the government will publish its negotiating mandate for the trade talks with the EU on Thursday. The mandate for trade talks with the US will then be published next week. |
| The spokesman defended the PM’s decision to stay away from flooded areas last week, saying any such visits would have been a distraction. “It’s important not to distract from that ongoing effort,” the spokesman said. The spokesman did not have a clear explanation as to why the PM took a different approach when flooding happened during the election campaign. | The spokesman defended the PM’s decision to stay away from flooded areas last week, saying any such visits would have been a distraction. “It’s important not to distract from that ongoing effort,” the spokesman said. The spokesman did not have a clear explanation as to why the PM took a different approach when flooding happened during the election campaign. |
| The spokesman said there will be no inquiry into the leak of a claim that MI5 is withholding information from Priti Patel, the home secretary. But the claim was “baseless”, the spokesman said. | The spokesman said there will be no inquiry into the leak of a claim that MI5 is withholding information from Priti Patel, the home secretary. But the claim was “baseless”, the spokesman said. |
| The spokesman declined to say the PM had full confidence in Sir Philip Rutnam, permanent secretary at the Home Office. Asked if he did, the spokesman replied: | The spokesman declined to say the PM had full confidence in Sir Philip Rutnam, permanent secretary at the Home Office. Asked if he did, the spokesman replied: |
| Yesterday it was reported that Rutnam is one of three permanent secretaries on a Downing Street hitlist of officials whom the PM wants to remove. | Yesterday it was reported that Rutnam is one of three permanent secretaries on a Downing Street hitlist of officials whom the PM wants to remove. |
| The spokesman rejected claims that the PM was on holiday last week. The suggestion that Boris Johnson was on holiday was prompted by the fact that he was staying at Chevening, and that he was not doing public engagements. | The spokesman rejected claims that the PM was on holiday last week. The suggestion that Boris Johnson was on holiday was prompted by the fact that he was staying at Chevening, and that he was not doing public engagements. |
| The spokesman revealed that the UK has sent medical supplies to China to help it deal with the coronavirus. The UK has supplied 1,800 goggles, 43,000 disposable gloves, 194,000 sanitising wipes, 37,500 medical gowns and 2,500 face masks, the spokesman said. | The spokesman revealed that the UK has sent medical supplies to China to help it deal with the coronavirus. The UK has supplied 1,800 goggles, 43,000 disposable gloves, 194,000 sanitising wipes, 37,500 medical gowns and 2,500 face masks, the spokesman said. |
| There are two government statements in the Commons this afternoon. | There are two government statements in the Commons this afternoon. |
| This morning Leo Varadkar, who remains Ireland’s caretaker prime minister after the inconclusive general election, said there must be no “backsliding” from the UK on the terms of the Northern Ireland protocol, the deal that will keep Northern Ireland in the single market after Brexit, effectively putting a customs border down the Irish Sea. | This morning Leo Varadkar, who remains Ireland’s caretaker prime minister after the inconclusive general election, said there must be no “backsliding” from the UK on the terms of the Northern Ireland protocol, the deal that will keep Northern Ireland in the single market after Brexit, effectively putting a customs border down the Irish Sea. |
| Responding to a report in the Sunday Times (paywall) saying Boris Johnson intends to “get round” those requirements, Varadkar said: | Responding to a report in the Sunday Times (paywall) saying Boris Johnson intends to “get round” those requirements, Varadkar said: |
| According to Tim Shipman’s report in the Sunday Times, No 10 is determined to interpret the protocol differently. Shipman said: | According to Tim Shipman’s report in the Sunday Times, No 10 is determined to interpret the protocol differently. Shipman said: |
| Q: Is the UK trying to blackmail France into accepting a trade deal, as the French Europe minister implied this morning? (See 10.39am.) | Q: Is the UK trying to blackmail France into accepting a trade deal, as the French Europe minister implied this morning? (See 10.39am.) |
| No, says the spokesman. | No, says the spokesman. |
| Q: Is the PM concerned about suggestions that the UK is trying to wriggle out of the commitments it made in the Northern Ireland protocol on checks on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland. | Q: Is the PM concerned about suggestions that the UK is trying to wriggle out of the commitments it made in the Northern Ireland protocol on checks on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland. |
| The spokesman says there will be unfettered access from Northern Ireland to Britain. | The spokesman says there will be unfettered access from Northern Ireland to Britain. |
| He says the UK will comply with its obligations. | He says the UK will comply with its obligations. |
| Q: Can people trust the UK to keep its word? | Q: Can people trust the UK to keep its word? |
| The spokesman says the UK will comply with its obligations. | The spokesman says the UK will comply with its obligations. |
| Q: Can the UK comply with its obligations without having to impose checks on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland? | Q: Can the UK comply with its obligations without having to impose checks on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland? |
| The spokesman says the PM set out during the election campaign his understanding of the terms of the protocol. | The spokesman says the PM set out during the election campaign his understanding of the terms of the protocol. |
| He says the government has not asked ports to impose new checks or controls on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland. | He says the government has not asked ports to impose new checks or controls on goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland. |
| And that’s it. The briefing is over. | And that’s it. The briefing is over. |
| I will post a full summary soon. | I will post a full summary soon. |
| Q: If the threat is low, why is the government buying millions of face masks? | Q: If the threat is low, why is the government buying millions of face masks? |
| The spokesman says the UK government has been sending supplies to China, including 43,000 gloves, 37,000 medical gowns and 2,500 face masks. | The spokesman says the UK government has been sending supplies to China, including 43,000 gloves, 37,000 medical gowns and 2,500 face masks. |