Boris Johnson news: PM’s ‘ludicrous’ plan for bridge to Northern Ireland attacked, as backlash builds over ‘mansion tax’ and HS2

Brexit briefing: How long until the end of the transition period?

Boris Johnson’s spokesman said government officials have begun a “proper piece of work” examining the potential for a bridge linking Scotland and Northern Ireland. The proposal was immediately criticised as “ludicrous”, “crazy” and “a vanity project” by opposition politicians.

The prime minister is also facing a backlash from Conservative MPs as he prepares to give the go-ahead to the controversial HS2 rail project, and mulls over a possible “mansion tax” on the owners of expensive homes to help fund a public spending boost.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer’s team claimed “factional” dirty tricks were behind allegations of membership database hacking after the Labour Party reported his campaign. Up to 40 MPs are thought to be considering quitting the party if Rebecca Long-Bailey succeeds Jeremy Corbyn.

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Key Points

• PM considers mansion tax despite criticism over 'half-baked' move
• Starmer's team reject hackling claims as 'factional attack'
• Up to 40 Labour MPs 'considering quitting' if Long-Bailey wins
• Tory minister defends 'reasonable' forced deportation flight to Jamaica
• PM steps up 'bonkers' plan for £20bn bridge

[10 February 2020 18:30 · Ashley Cowburn]

Michael Gove says post-Brexit border checks will be 'inevitable' 

The cabinet office minister Michael Gove has said post-Brexit border checks will be inevitable for "almost everybody" after the transition period next year.

Addressing a businesses on Monday, Mr Gove, according to The Guardian, said: “You have to accept we will need some friction. We will minimise it but it is an inevitability of our departure.

“I don’t underestimate the fact that this is a significant change, but we have time now to make that change.”

“The only way in which you could avoid those customs procedures and regulatory checks would be if you were to align with EU law and if you were to align with EU law we would be undermining the basis on which the prime minister secured the mandate at the general election to affirm our departure."

[10 February 2020 19:00 · Ashley Cowburn]

Brexit deal will place ‘huge unnecessary burdens’ on Scottish salmon, say producers