Brussels shoots down plans for Brexit deal without backstop as PM blasted over 'spin'
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Your support makes all the difference.Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has met his EU counterpart Michel Barnier in Brussels today after Jean-Claude Juncker insisted “we can have a deal” before the 31 October deadline.
Mr Barclay had suggested the UK should be given until the end of 2020 to come up with a replacement for the Irish backstop policy – but has been told today the EU could not consider a deal without a backstop or replacement arrangement.
It comes as Irish deputy prime minister Simon Coveney poured cold water over Boris Johnson's tentative claims of progress, saying: "We are not close to a deal".
As it happened...
Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry has triggered a row after accusing the Liberal Democrats of becoming "kind of Taliban" over their demands to cancel Brexit.
The shadow foreign secretary accused the approach of being anti-democratic, as she expressed her hope that Labour would campaign to Remain in another vote.
Ms Thornberry told The House magazine: "The Lib Dems have gotten kind of Taliban, haven't they? They've said they're just going to revoke, there's not going to be another referendum.
"I don't think it's very democratic to seek to overturn a referendum without asking the people first.
"I really think the only democratic way to get through this and to break the logjam is to go back to the people and trust their good sense."
But Chuka Umunna, a former Labour MP who defected to the Lib Dems, condemned her comments.
He said: "Emily Thornberry should withdraw her inappropriate remarks.
"Language counts - comparing the Lib Dems to a murderous organisation is no laughing matter.
"It is also grossly insulting to over 23,000 of her constituents who signed the parliamentary petition for Article 50 to be revoked."
Ministers say they are working to "defuse" protests at a school teaching about LGBT relationships after the government was accused of being "too silent".
Dame Louise Casey, former integration tsar, said ministers have not intervened strongly enough against demonstrations outside the Anderton Park School in Sparkhill, Birmingham.
The protests against LGBT teaching were sparked earlier this year over some parents' concerns about elements of the teaching materials, including two books: one about two male penguins who raise an egg, and another about a boy who wears a dress.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Dame Louise said: "They have just been too silent on this, and I think that they need to be much clearer about upholding the laws of this country and the values that we hold."
Dame Louise said children need to be prepared for life in a "multicultural, multi-faith" country.
She added: "We are not fitting those kids for what the world is. And actually, this is a multicultural, multi-faith country that we are very proud of, but it shows you this picture of some families in some of these areas being very closed."
Schools minister Nick Gibb said the government is working to "defuse" protests at Anderton Park School.
He said it is "unacceptable" that people are protesting outside schools, saying it could "intimidate" children, teachers and parents.
He said: "We believe very strongly that young people should be taught about LGBT relationships."
He added: "We are fully behind the school, we are working as I said, officials are in Birmingham working with the school."
Boris Johnson has held talks with the Emir of Qatar, where they discussed their concern over Iran's destabilising behaviour and tensions in the region.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister met His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, this morning in Downing Street.
“The leaders welcomed the depth of our two countries’ relationship and the strength of our economic ties. The prime minister reiterated his congratulations to Qatar on hosting the upcoming 2022 World Cup.
“The prime minister told His Highness that the UK remains committed to Gulf unity and to Qatar’s national security. They agreed the war in Yemen must come to an end. They also discussed the recent attacks on the Aramco oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
“Additionally they shared concern over Iran’s destabilising behaviour and agreed the importance of negotiation in de-escalating regional tensions.”
A meeting between Michel Barnier and Brexit secretary Steve Barclay has taken place in Brussels, where both leaders agreed on the importance of finding a "legally operational solution" to the Irish border issues.
The European Commission said: "Michel Barnier met Steve Barclay in Brussels today where they had a discussion on the state of play of the ongoing Brexit talks, both in relation to the backstop to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and the Political Declaration on the Future Relationship.
"Michel Barnier and Steve Barclay agreed that technical talks will continue. These talks deal with a first set of concepts, principles and ideas that the United Kingdom has put forward in talks with TF50.
"It is essential that there is a fully workable and legally operational solution included in the Withdrawal Agreement. We remain willing and open to examine any such proposals that meet all the objectives of the backstop."
The European Union has rejected a request from the British government for a Brexit deal without an Irish backstop in.
Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay said on Thursday the UK should be given until the end of 2020 to come up with a replacement for the policy – but has been told today that the EU could not consider a deal without a backstop or replacement in.
Our Europe correspondent Jon Stone has the details.
The Liberal Democrats’ winning streak in council by-elections since the main council elections in England in May has been underlined with another gain in the latest local polls.
The Lib Dems took a seat from Conservatives in a contest at Somerset West and Taunton Council in Vivary ward following the resignation of a Tory councillor.
The result brings to 12 the number of council seats gained by the Lib Dems in by-elections since the May polls. The party has held 10 and won two (after boundary changes) while losing none.
Bad news for the Labour leader going into this weekend’s conference.
Ipsos MORI’s latest “political monitor” poll reveals Jeremy Corbyn now has the lowest net satisfaction ratings of any opposition leader since the survey began back in 1977.
Three quarters of voters – 76 per cent – say they are dissatisfied with the way he is doing his job as leader of the opposition.
Keiran Pedley, Research Director at Ipsos MORI, said: “Corbyn’s historically dire personal poll ratings will concern Labour supporters as the party heads into an expected general election.”
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