EU warns of Brexit 'consequences' amid backlash over PM's 'politically unsustainable' decision to rule out Indyref2
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has backed Donald Trump to come up with a new agreement to “replace” the existing Iran nuclear deal, describing the US president as “a great deal maker” in an interview with the BBC.
The PM also backed the royal family to “sort out” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s exit from full-time duties – and claimed he would consider a crowdfunding campaign to encourage the public to “bung a bob for a Big Ben bong” to mark Brexit on 31 January.
It comes as Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon claimed Mr Johnson was “fuelling support for independence” after he formally rejected her request to hand referendum powers from London to Edinburgh.
As it happened...
Bercow spent £1,000 on taxi journey as speaker
Former Commons speaker John Bercow splashed out £1,000 on a taxi for a 130-mile journey from Westminster to Nottingham back in April.
Aides say he was encouraged not to take public transport to Nottingham Trent University, where he was giving a speech to the Political Studies Association conference, because of “security concerns”.
The taxi, which waited for him during the talk and dropped his colleague off in Bicester on the way back, cost £836.50 before VAT was added, a Commons spokeswoman told the PA news agency.
She added: “Due to heightened security concerns for the safety of MPs, Mr Bercow was advised it was safer for him to travel to Nottingham Trent University by taxi, rather than by train.”
Bercow also enjoyed a £7,000 jaunt around the US during the end of his tenure, according to details from a freedom of information request submitted by the Mail Online.
The former Conservative MP also left the public with a £12,000 bill for leaving parties for senior Commons staff.
Before he left the Commons chair in October, Bercow used his official account to settle a £234 drinks bill at a reception for the Panel of Chairs - MPs who help him oversee Parliamentary debates - and £560 on lunch for his counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Former speaker John Bercow (PA)
NI nurses set to received pay rise, as minister hails ‘breakthrough’
Nurses will receive a pay rise in a “breakthrough” bid to end strike action which has paralysed the health service in Northern Ireland, the assembly’s new health minister said.
Robin Swann pledged to restore salary parity with England for this year and next in one of the first actions of the new powersharing administration – at an estimated cost an extra £109m.
Thousands of nurses walked out this month and last amid mounting anger over pay levels and understaffing.
Swann said: “The breakthrough we all wanted has been achieved. This is a good day after some very difficult days ... Additional funding has now been secured. Pay parity with England can be restored.”
First minister Arlene Foster said she was glad to support the health minister.
Deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Today the new executive has delivered on our promise, delivered on our commitment to the healthcare staff. I think this is a hugely significant first step for this executive.”
PM shouldn’t stop indyref2, says Labour’s former Welsh leader
Labour’s Carwyn Jones, the former first minister of Wales, has backed Nicola Sturgeon in her battle to win the power to hold another referendum on Scottish independence.
“If Boris Johnson says that it is entirely a matter for the UK if it chooses to leave the EU then it’s entirely matter for Scotland if it chooses to leave the UK,” he tweeted.
“As Brussels didn’t prevent the Brexit referendum so Westminster shouldn’t stop this one.”
Sturgeon said Jones was being “sensible”.
‘Majority of Scots don’t want indyref2’ says Scottish Lib Dem leader
More responses to Boris Johnson’s rejection of Nicola Sturgeon’s request for referendum powers to be given to transferred to Edinburgh.
Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the pro-independence Scottish Green Party, said: “It is absolutely appalling that we are to be ripped from the EU against our will and utterly undemocratic that we are being denied a say on our future.”
But not everyone is appalled.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said his party was “on the side of the majority of people in Scotland do not want another independence referendum”.
Scottish Labour constitution spokesman Alex Rowley said: “The immediate priority for both the prime minister and the first minister should be minimising the damage caused by Brexit.
“There are conversations to be had in the future about other issues but at the moment the focus should be on protecting Scotland’s interests in the face of our imminent exit from the EU.”
Pamela Nash, chief executive of the pro-UK campaign group Scotland in Union, called for Sturgeon to “focus exclusively on her devolved responsibilities”, adding: “The majority of people in Scotland don’t want a divisive second independence referendum.”
Separatist rallies have continued, despite the majority of Scots rejecting independence in 2014 (Reuters)
Phillips announces campaign team
Jess Phillips has just unveiled her Labour leadership campaign team - and it's full of figures from the more centrist wing of the Labour Party.
The campaign will be chaired by Melanie Onn, the former MP for Great Grimsby, and Wes Streeting, the current MP for Ilford North.
Phillips' campaign director will be Alicia Kennedy, a Labour peer who was previously deputy general secretary of the Labour Party and, more recently, chief of staff to Tom Watson.
Former Stoke North MP Ruth Smeeth will lead on stakeholder engagement, while Rachel Kinnock, daughter of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, will oversee visits and events.
Phillips will also be advised by Blair McDougall, who was chief strategist at Better Together during the Scottish independence campaign, and Will Straw, former executive director of the Remain campaign during the 2016 referendum.
Barnier warns of Irish Sea border after Brexit
Speaking at the European Parliament this afternoon, Michael Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, has said there will be "checks and controls" on goods entering the island of Ireland once Britain leaves the EU.
This directly contradicts what Boris Johnson has repeatedly said - including as recently as yesterday. The prime minister has diverged from comments by his own Brexit secretary and Northern Ireland secretary by insisting that no checks will be needed.
Labour peer suspended for harassing two women
Lord Lea has been suspended as a Labour peer after parliamentary authorities upheld two complaints about him harassing women.
The 82-year-old peer wrote to one woman around 60 years his junior inviting her to share a bottle of champagne with him and telling her that he kept a photo of her on his piano. He also admitted making up an explicit rhyme about another woman.
After an investigation by the House of Lords standards commissioner, he has agreed to take part in "behaviour change coaching".
Barnier warns of Brexit 'consequences'
A bit more from Michel Barnier's speech at the European Parliament this afternoon..
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator warned of "concrete consequences" once Britain leaves the EU and freedom of movement ends.
He said:
"After the transition period, the UK will be a third country and Brexit will mean changes to those who want to make their future life on either side of the Channel."
The full video can be found here.
Peers condemn Johnson over plans to give ministers new powers over interpretation of EU law after Brexit
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