Boris Johnson news: DUP dismisses Brexit breakthrough ‘nonsense’ as government braces for humiliating extension request letter
Follow all the latest developments
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
As if all the drama in Brussels wasn’t exciting enough, Jeremy Corbyn is thought to be heading there tomorrow for the Party of European Socialists (PES) conference.
Controversial plans for a ‘porn block’ to stop children viewing adult material online have been dropped, the government has announced.
The long-delayed measure – first promised in 2015 and first due to come into effect last year – “will not be commencing” after running into trouble and after repeated delays.
“The government’s commitment to protecting children online is unwavering,” Nicky Morgan, the digital secretary, insisted, in a statement revealing the climbdown.
The policy would have required all adult internet users wanting to watch legal pornography to prove they are over 18 by providing some form of identification.
Editorial: "If Brexit is a price worth paying for the (mostly illusory) benefits of “taking back control”, then it is important to know exactly what that price is.
"The latest estimate is that it has cost, over a three-year period, some 2.9 per cent of GDP. Less abstractly, that means about £69bn less in output of goods and services than would have been the case had we voted to remain in the European Union. It amounts, rather neatly, to about £1,000 for every man, woman and child in the British population – even before Brexit has actually happened (if it ever happens)."
Leaving No.10 after a meeting of Boris Johnson's cabinet, the transport secretary Grant Shapps, said: "It's getting pretty close to the wire isn't it. We're getting very close to being able to resolve this."
He added: "There's nothing I can really tell you that you don't already know. We're just hopeful - we don't know but either way we'll be absolutely ready, deal or no deal."
Theresa May has criticised Boris Johnson's immigration policy, warning that introducing a points-based system for prospective migrants is "not an answer to controlling immigration".
In her first public attack on her successor, the former prime minister said Mr Johnson's plans for such a system could "allow abuse to take place".
She also voiced concerns about the government's approach to imprisoning foreign criminals and considering regional visas for people to come to specific parts of the UK after Brexit.
Mr Johnson's official spokesman has just told journalists that the prime minister gave cabinet an update on the progress of Brexit talks and received their "full support".
The spokesman added: "He said there was a chance of securing a good deal but that we are not there yet, and there remain outstanding issues.
“Following a positive discussion, cabinet gave the PM its full support to the government's continuing efforts to secure a deal ahead of European Council.”
Breaking: The government has confirmed it will table a motion today for both Houses of Parliament to sit on Saturday. It is envisaged Parliament will sit from 9.30am to noon, subject to a approval by MPs in the Commons on Thursday.
Mark Francois has denounced an “idiot” anti-Brexit activist after two live television interviews were disrupted by his repeated shouting.
The Tory Brexiteer became visibly irked in an interview with BBC News when a man yelled “Stop Brexit!” and “Revoke Article 50!” during his attempts to explain his stance on exit negotiations.
“If we leave [the EU], it will be delightful that this idiot will shut up,” Mr Francois said, controlling his tone while unable to conceal the frustration in his face.
Boris Johnson has left the 1922 committee of Conservative MPs at Westminster – and now gets back to work in attempting to secure a Brexit agreement before the EU summit kicks off tomorrow.
Speaking outside the committee room, the Tory MP Bim Afolami said: “To use a mountaineering metaphor, we are at Hillary Steppe. The summit, you can see it but it’s shrouded in cloud. But we can see it, we will get there.”
Brexiteer Bernard Jenkin said Tory MPs have been “vindicated” for voting against Theresa May’s deal, as he believed Boris Johnson had “got a different deal”.
“They (the EU) reopened the withdrawal agreement, which under Theresa May they never said they would.”
There is great support for the PM in the party, he claimed, but added it would be difficult to back a deal in parliament without seeing the legal text
Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt has said it would be "pretty blooming amazing" if anyone voted against the motion for parliament to sit on Saturday.
"Given the last few weeks and the battles to ensure parliament can sit and do its job, it would be pretty blooming amazing if anyone voted against this," she tweeted.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments