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.
"Brussels on Wednesday was like waiting for a horribly late train: every time the Brexit Express looked about to pull into the station, journalists, officials, and diplomats alike would glance up at the board and see that it was delayed by another few hours," reports long-suffering Brussels correspondent Jon Stone.
"The day was supposed to hinge around a 2pm meeting between Michel Barnier and EU27 ambassadors, who would get their first look at what the Commission had negotiated on their behalf.
"First the meeting was kicked back to 5pm; then 7pm. Then whoever was in charge of its timing stopped bothering to officially update the start time.
"Other planned briefings and updates that hinged on the contents of the great meeting shifted back with it, some pushed into Thursday and some disappearing altogether into the mists of the Brussels machine, never to be heard from again."
Read his account from the Berlaymont, where talks are taking place, here:
Reaction to Louise Ellman's explosive resignation is emerging.
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron tweeted: "I've known Louise for 30 years.
"She was a supremely competent leader of Lancashire County Council, a skilful opponent and utterly dedicated to the Labour movement.
"If there's no place for Louise Ellman in the 2019 Labour Party, they are finished as a serious force."
If you missed it earlier, our political correspondent Lizzy Buchan reports that ministers have run of time to prepare for "significant risks" at the UK border.
"Ministers have run out of time to prepare the UK border for a no-deal Brexit as resolving risks of organised crime and disruption may now be "out of the government's control", the spending watchdog has warned," she writes.
"With only two weeks until the Brexit deadline, the National Audit Office (NAO) found the "most significant risks" remain unresolved, despite concerted efforts to prepare for a chaotic departure.
"The critical report said the government had admitted the border would be "less than optimal" for a period of time, with potential disruption to the flow of goods and concerns that rogue operators could dodge tax and regulatory checks."
Read more here:
Chuka Umunna, who left the Labour Party in February this year, said Dame Louise's statement on leaving Labour "shames the party and its terrible leader".
"Louise is a wonderful parliamentarian, a great constituency MP and an all round lovely person," he tweeted.
"She has been treated in the most disgraceful way by [Labour]"
Abortion reforms in Northern Ireland risk being slowly unpicked by UK ministers, the House of Commons has heard.
In July, MPs passed the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act.
It placed a duty on the government to regulate access to abortion in Northern Ireland, with regulations required to be in place by the end of March 2020.
Northern Ireland minister Robin Walker confirmed Westminster is legally required to allow access to abortion and same-sex marriage unless the Northern Ireland executive is formed by 21 October.
But added the UK and Irish governments both believe there "remains an opportunity in the coming days" to reach an agreement over the executive by 21 October, with Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith remaining in Belfast to continue talks with the parties.
The announcement has angered progressives in the Commons.
If Stormont reopens by 21 October, the abortion law may not come into effect.
"Human rights that we pledged in July in this House to uphold, and now tonight the minister has shown what most of us feared might happen - the slow unpicking of the commitment this House made to make sure we treated all UK citizens equally when it came to their ability to make choices about their own body," said Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow.
Ms Creasy said women's rights have become a "bargaining chip in the Brexit process", and said there had been a lack of involvement between the Government and women's groups over the issue but claimed "it's very clear they're listening to the churches".
She added: "We cannot tell women next Tuesday, who might need an abortion in Northern Ireland, how they will access that service."
Ms Creasy also said: "I tell the minister now, just as I tell those protesters in my constituency, they won't stop us from standing up and fighting for the rights of women in Northern Ireland to be treated as equally and fairly."
Labour have responded to Louise Ellman's resignation.
A party spokesperson said: "Jeremy Corbyn thanks Louise Ellman for her service to the Labour Party over many years.
"Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party are fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and continue to take robust action to root out anti-Semitism in the party and wider society.
"Jeremy Corbyn has consistently supported struggles for human rights and justice around the world and made the right calls in the interests of security and peace."
In case you missed it earlier, Theresa May has attacked her successor's immigration plans.
"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”," reports Ben Kentish.
"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."
Read more here:
Nicky Morgan, the UK's culture minister, says there is a good chance of a Brexit deal emerging.
"I think there is a good chance of there being a deal," she said in an interview on ITV's Peston show.
"Nothing [is] 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."
"The latest damning no-deal Brexit report from the National Audit Office was a treat for the media – by which I mean that part of it still committed to reporting news, as opposed to pro-Brexit propaganda," argues opinion columnist James Moore.
"It offered a veritable smorgasbord of headline options. For the Financial Times the main issue was trade flows.
"They could be cut in half if it happens. The BBC went with the danger of criminals exploiting gaps in preparedness. Always a good one that. Here at The Independent, we focused on the issue of timing: ministers have run out of it, and now there's no chance of improving a pretty dire situation."
Read more here:
Activists have held a protest along the border dividing Ireland from Northern Ireland, amid ongoing efforts to reach a Brexit deal.
Hundreds of local people from both sides of the border came together along 38 of the 200 different border crossings holding candles and posters to indicate their opposition to the uncertainty created by Brexit.
The protests took place along a number of crossing points in Co Fermanagh, Co Louth, Co Donegal, Co Fermanagh, Co Cavan and Co Monaghan.
Protesters carried signs with slogans such as "No Boris Border" and "No to Borders in Ireland".
Group spokesman Damien McGenity, who lives a mile from the border in Co Armagh, says the protest aims to highlight border communities opposition to Brexit and any return of a hard border.
"What is happening at Westminster today is giving us cause for concern and too much uncertainty around the border issue remains," he said.
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