Boris Johnson news: DUP dismisses Brexit breakthrough ‘nonsense’ as government braces for humiliating extension request letter
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Brexit negotiations are continuing overnight Brussels today in a desperate bid to get a political agreement ready in time for a crucial EU leaders’ summit.
Despite progress, EU officials suggested any deal would still have to be delayed by around two months to “resolve technical issues”.
Boris Johnson’s hopes of an agreement before tomorrow’s summit are fading as new hurdles emerge.
DUP leader Arlene Foster dismissed reports of a breakthrough over the issue of consent on customs arrangements as “nonsense”.
But Nicky Morgan, the UK’s culture secretary, said there was a good chance that Britain and the EU could come to an agreement.
“I think there is a good chance of there being a deal,” she said in an interview with ITV’s Peston show.
“Nothing [has been] agreed or announced yet, and of course there is a chance that actually a deal is not agreed.
“So I think we have to wait.”
If you would like to see how the day’s news unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below.
Boris Johnson’s official spokesman has confirmed that the prime minister spoke by phone with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this morning, writes our political editor Andrew Woodcock.
The PM’s official spokesman told reporters: “The talks overnight were constructive but there remains work still to do. There certainly do remain issues to resolve.”
Asked if there had been any progress overnight, he said: “It is a fair summary to say that progress was made but also that there is more work to do.”
Cabinet, which was delayed from Tuesday because of the Brexit talks, is not due to meet until around 2.30pm on Wednesday.
The meeting had earlier been expected to take place at 4pm, and the spokesman said the change was due to diary issues.
Johnson was meeting with representatives of the DUP in No 10, and his team were also due to continue meetings with Tory MPs, including members of the eurosceptic European Research Group.
SNP MP Joanna Cherry has asked Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay about reports that the government’s intention is to send a letter requesting an extension followed by a second letter – undermining the terms of the first letter by asking for something other than a three-month extension.
She said: “I’m sure the attorney general will have advised you that to do that would be to frustrate the purpose of the Act [Benn Act], and therefore to breach the undertakings given to the court, that’s right isn’t it?”
Barclay said he does not think it is “right and proper” for him to get into “detailed analysis of the law”.
He added: “What I am very clear on as a member of the government is that it’s my duty to abide by the law, that we will do so, and the prime minister will stand by the commitments he has given to the court.”
Asked if there is a plan to send two letters, Barclay said: “I am not aware of any such plan.”
Jeremy Corbyn said he is “deeply concerned” about the ongoing Brexit negotiations. The Labour leader said: “I don’t know what the deal is going to be yet.
“What I heard from the talks which are going on leads me to be deeply concerned that, in reality, there’s going to be a border in the Irish sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK and that the loss of the regulatory power of the European Union on consumer rights, on workers’ rights and so on, will lead to a trade deal with the United States and a mega-loss of rights.
He added: “This is not a deal that we can support.”
Corbyn also played down speculation he could remove the whip from Labour MPs who back any deal Boris Johnson gets with the EU.
Boris Johnson has brought forward today's cabinet meeting to 2.30pm from 4pm. He will also be meeting with the Tories' 1922 committee after briefing his top team from No 10.
A Downing Street spokesman added: "The intention at cabinet is to provide an update on the progress of the talks."
He said it was a "fair summary to say progress was made" in the Brussels talks on Tuesday evening but added there was "more to do".
Caught unaware of the change in schedule, however, the international trade secretary Liz Truss said during a committee meeting just minutes ago: "It's the first I've heard of a meeting being brought forward and I've no idea why".
It is now too late for any Brexit deal Boris Johnson strikes with Brussels to be formally approved by leaders at this week's summit, EU member states have warned.
The news is a huge blow for the prime minister, who had hoped to be able to put a final agreement to MPs at a sitting of parliament on Saturday after coming back from the summit with a final deal.
European capitals say they need more time to properly look at a deal – assuming negotiators can strike one ahead of the meeting at all. Leaders are at best expected to give the deal "political" approval and words of encouragement – which may not be enough for MPs back in Westminster.
"I cannot imagine leaders tomorrow being able to say anything more than 'this doesn't look too bad, let's continue to work with the UK to finalise the details'," a senior EU diplomat said on Wednesday, less than 24 hours ahead of the meeting.
The former Labour MP Luciana Berger looks set to win Finchley & Golders Green for the Lib Dems. Respondents were asked about named candidates.
The former PM Theresa May has been speaking in the Commons as the Queen’s Speech debate continues. She has warned against headlines and oratory – some snark directed at Boris Johnson perhaps?
The BBC’s political editor has come up with a nicely surreal metaphor for the strange stand-off emerging over the special Saturday sitting in the Commons.
Sammy Wilson, the DUP’s Brexit spokesman, spoke in the Exiting the European Union Committee hearing earlier.
Although he asked about potential customs arrangements in the government’s prospective deal, his main concerns seemed to be about the issue of consent. He suggested removing a perceived DUP veto over those arrangements would a violation of the Good Friday agreement.
RTE’s Tony Connelly suggests those concerns have now been resolved. Full steam ahead for a deal today?
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