Brexit secretary: EU and UK share common purpose - BBC News

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Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has said the UK and EU share a "common purpose" in reaching a new withdrawal deal, after a meeting in Brussels with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier.

He said they had had "serious detailed discussions" and things were "moving forward with momentum".

Mr Barnier said it had been a "cordial" meeting, but "lots of work has to be done in the next few days".

The deadline for the UK to exit the EU is 31 October.

On Thursday, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said a new Brexit deal could still be reached by then.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said some "progress" was being made, although it was important not to "exaggerate" this.

But Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told the BBC on Friday that there was a "wide gap" between the UK and the EU, with Brussels "still waiting for serious proposals" from London.

And a leaked memo from the European Commission said the UK had confirmed its proposals for replacing the Irish backstop "do not amount to legally operational solutions and would have to be developed during the transitional period".

The memo also said the UK's proposals did not avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, or preserve the integrity of the single market.

However, a UK government source insisted their proposals were "serious and workable" and would avoid a hard border.

"As for the Commission, two months ago they said we couldn't reopen the withdrawal agreement and there was absolutely no alternative to the backstop - now we are having detailed discussions.

"Leaks from Brussels on Twitter are par for the course, you can set your watch by them.

"What we're focused on is actually getting a deal in the room - we trust they'll do the same."

The backstop - the policy aimed at preventing the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit - has proved the biggest point of contention in EU-UK talks so far,

It was a major sticking point in former Prime Minister Theresa May's attempts to get Parliament to back her withdrawal agreement, which was rejected three times by MPs.

Enough oomph for a breakthrough?

Amid the white noise of Brexit, there has only ever been one question that really matters: is there any sign that things might be about to change?

Meetings get excitedly talked up in advance (I plead guilty). Anodyne statements follow shortly afterwards.

In short, the EU says the UK has not yet provided enough detail on a plan to replace the so-called backstop, to keep the border on the island of Ireland open under all circumstances.

The UK says it is dreaming up all sorts of ideas.

So what happens next? New York. A shindig at the United Nations next week - and with it the chance for the prime minister to have one-on-one chats with the likes of President Macron of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany.

Could they provide the oomph needed to knock together a deal?

It still looks less likely than likely, but who knows?

Mr Johnson, who has said he wants to leave the EU - preferably with a deal - by 31 October, has urged the EU to scrap the backstop.

But the EU has asked for detailed alternative proposals.

Following the latest meeting, which overran, Mr Barclay said: "There's a common purpose in Dublin, in London and here in Brussels to see a deal over the line."

He added that the two sides had been "getting into the detail" and that more "technical" discussions would happen next week.

Mr Johnson and European Council President Donald Tusk are also expected to hold talks when the United Nations General Assembly takes place in New York next week.

Mr Barclay said this "underscores the purpose there is on both sides to get a deal and that is what we are working very hard to secure".

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He added that "a clear message has been given both by President Juncker and the prime minister" and both sides were "working hard".

Also speaking after the meeting, Mr Barnier said he was not optimistic or pessimistic but "still determined".

"Brexit is a school of patience but we are still ready to reach an agreement," he said.

He said that any proposal from the UK to replace the backstop "must reach all the objectives of the backstop".

These were to "protect the peace in Ireland, to protect the all=Ireland economy, and also to protect the consumers and the businesses of the EU and the single market", Mr Barnier said.

The prime minister has said the UK needs to leave in a way that allows it to "do things differently" and "not remain under the control of the EU in terms of laws and trade policy".

But he also reiterated the need to ensure no hard border returned to Northern Ireland, and the Good Friday Agreement - which helped bring an end to the Troubles - was protected.

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On Thursday, the UK government said confidential documents that "reflect the ideas the UK has put forward" on Brexit had been shared with the EU.

This happened after Finland's prime minister said Mr Johnson had 12 days to set out his Brexit plans to the EU - although a government source said the development was not in response to those remarks.

Thursday saw the final day of the legal battle over Mr Johnson's decision to prorogue - suspend - Parliament at the UK's Supreme Court.

Its president, Lady Hale, promised a decision early next week.

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Brexit: UK has 12 days to set out plans - Finnish PM - BBC News

Boris Johnson has 12 days to set out his Brexit plans to the EU, according to Finland's prime minister.

Antti Rinne said he and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed the UK needed to produce the proposals in writing by the end of September, adding if not, "then it's over".

Finland currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

A Downing Street source said: "We will continue negotiating and put forward proposals at the appropriate time."

Mr Johnson has said a deal is possible at a crucial summit of EU leaders on 17 October, but he has insisted Brexit will happen by the 31 October deadline, even if a deal is not agreed.

• Brexit talks 'should not be a pretence' - Barnier
• Brexit solution must recognise NI status - Foster

The UK government said talks with the EU have been making progress since Mr Johnson came into No 10 in July.

It said it had put forward "a number of proposals" as alternatives to the Irish border backstop - the policy aimed at preventing the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland and a key sticking point in former PM Theresa May's Brexit deal.

But Mr Johnson has repeatedly refused to reveal details of the proposals in interviews, saying he did not want to negotiate in public.

The EU has continued to criticise the UK for not putting any plans in writing.

Earlier, the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, said a meeting with Mr Johnson on Monday had been "constructive".

But he said until proposals had been put forward, "I will not be able to tell you, looking you straight in the eye, that any real progress has been achieved".

• Johnson attacked by Luxembourg PM over Brexit
• Politics, not process, will make the difference

Mr Rinne spoke to reporters after a meeting with the French president in Paris on Wednesday.

He said: "We both agreed that it is now time for Boris Johnson to produce his own proposals in writing - if they exist.

"If no proposals are received by the end of September, then it's over."

The Finnish PM intends to discuss the new deadline with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and Mr Johnson in the coming days, but the position has not yet been agreed with other EU nations.

An official at the Elysee said the plan was "not at all a new proposal" and added: "If we don't get the proposals before the end of September, we will not have enough time to discuss them before the summit in October."

'Fundamentally different deal'

Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted the prime minister was on course to deliver a "fundamentally different" Brexit deal to ensure the UK leaves on October 31.

He told a Telegraph event that to achieve such an outcome the government had to "listen very carefully to what the DUP says".

On Wednesday, DUP leader Arlene Foster told business leaders in Dublin that she wanted a solution to Brexit that does not affect Northern Ireland's constitutional position.

Mrs Foster - whose party's support had until recently given the Conservatives a majority in Parliament - said a Brexit deal "will not be achieved that involves a backstop - whether it is UK-wide or Northern Ireland specific".

The whole of the UK had to leave the customs union and single market, she said.

But she added that the DUP was prepared to "look at Northern Ireland-specific solutions achieved with the support and consent of the representatives of the people of Northern Ireland".

It comes as the legal battle over the suspension of the UK Parliament is to go into a third day at the Supreme Court later.

The UK government is arguing the decision to prorogue Parliament was a political matter and not for the courts to "design a set of rules" around it.

But campaigners say the move was used "for an improper purpose" - to stop MPs scrutinising Mr Johnson's plans in the run up to Brexit on 31 October.

The prime minister prorogued Parliament earlier this month for five weeks, with MPs not scheduled to return until 14 October.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who travelled to Balmoral to seek the Queen's approval over the move, said it was "nonsense" to suggest she was misled over the decision.

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Brexit: UK has 12 days to set out plans - Finnish PM - BBC News

Boris Johnson has 12 days to set out his Brexit plans to the EU, according to Finland's prime minister.

Antti Rinne said he and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed the UK needed to produce the proposals in writing by the end of September, adding if not, "then it's over".

Finland currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

A Downing Street source said: "We will continue negotiating and put forward proposals at the appropriate time."

Mr Johnson has said a deal is possible at a crucial summit of EU leaders on 17 October, but he has insisted Brexit will happen by the 31 October deadline, even if a deal is not agreed.

• Brexit talks 'should not be a pretence' - Barnier
• Brexit solution must recognise NI status - Foster

The UK government said talks with the EU have been making progress since Mr Johnson came into No 10 in July.

It said it had put forward "a number of proposals" as alternatives to the Irish border backstop - the policy aimed at preventing the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland and a key sticking point in former PM Theresa May's Brexit deal.

But Mr Johnson has repeatedly refused to reveal details of the proposals in interviews, saying he did not want to negotiate in public.

The EU has continued to criticise the UK for not putting any plans in writing.

Earlier, the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, said a meeting with Mr Johnson on Monday had been "constructive".

But he said until proposals had been put forward, "I will not be able to tell you, looking you straight in the eye, that any real progress has been achieved".

• Johnson attacked by Luxembourg PM over Brexit
• Politics, not process, will make the difference

Mr Rinne spoke to reporters after a meeting with the French president in Paris on Wednesday.

He said: "We both agreed that it is now time for Boris Johnson to produce his own proposals in writing - if they exist.

"If no proposals are received by the end of September, then it's over."

The Finnish PM intends to discuss the new deadline with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and Mr Johnson in the coming days, but the position has not yet been agreed with other EU nations.

An official at the Elysee said the plan was "not at all a new proposal" and added: "If we don't get the proposals before the end of September, we will not have enough time to discuss them before the summit in October."

'Fundamentally different deal'

Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted the prime minister was on course to deliver a "fundamentally different" Brexit deal to ensure the UK leaves on October 31.

He told a Telegraph event that to achieve such an outcome the government had to "listen very carefully to what the DUP says".

On Wednesday, DUP leader Arlene Foster told business leaders in Dublin that she wanted a solution to Brexit that does not affect Northern Ireland's constitutional position.

Mrs Foster - whose party's support had until recently given the Conservatives a majority in Parliament - said a Brexit deal "will not be achieved that involves a backstop - whether it is UK-wide or Northern Ireland specific".

The whole of the UK had to leave the customs union and single market, she said.

But she added that the DUP was prepared to "look at Northern Ireland-specific solutions achieved with the support and consent of the representatives of the people of Northern Ireland".

It comes as the legal battle over the suspension of the UK Parliament is to go into a third day at the Supreme Court later.

The UK government is arguing the decision to prorogue Parliament was a political matter and not for the courts to "design a set of rules" around it.

But campaigners say the move was used "for an improper purpose" - to stop MPs scrutinising Mr Johnson's plans in the run up to Brexit on 31 October.

The prime minister prorogued Parliament earlier this month for five weeks, with MPs not scheduled to return until 14 October.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who travelled to Balmoral to seek the Queen's approval over the move, said it was "nonsense" to suggest she was misled over the decision.

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Japan's richest man fears Brexit could turn UK into 'sick man of Europe' - CNN

Tadashi Yanai, the billionaire founder and CEO of Fast Retailing (FRCOF), said the United Kingdom had benefited for many years from being an open economy. Brexit would change that, he said, and would prompt many talented people to look for employment elsewhere.

Leaving the European Union also presents huge challenges because of the need to preserve an open border between Ireland (an EU member state) and Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom), and because of calls for independence in Scotland, which voted by a clear margin against Brexit in the 2016 referendum.

"I think Brexit is practically impossible because the old borders will be shaky and the UK has a Northern Ireland issue and a Scotland issue," Yanai told CNN Business. "Therefore, I think Brexit is difficult to realize even if the UK wants to do it."

"If Brexit does happen, the UK could revert back to the former situation before the Margaret Thatcher era, when the UK was referred to as the sick man of Europe. I'm afraid that could happen again."

Former Prime Minister Thatcher won her first election in 1979 following years of low growth, high inflation and unemployment in the UK economy. In the 1980s, encouraged by Thatcher, Japanese companies began to view Britain as their gateway to Europe and they invested heavily in auto assembly plants, banking and other businesses.

Fast Retailing, the global clothing empire which owns Uniqlo, opened its first store outside Japan in London 18 years ago. Since then, it has expanded into every major market around the world. Fast Retailing recorded sales of 2.13 trillion yen ($19.2 billion) in 2018, and Yanai is worth around $30 billion, according to Bloomberg.

His warnings about Brexit echo fears expressed by other Japanese executives about the United Kingdom's future relationship with the European Union, and the country's preparedness to exit the bloc by October 31.

If Britain leaves without an agreement to protect trade, tariffs and other barriers will be imposed on UK-produced goods entering the EU market, including cars manufactured by Japanese-owned companies.

Nissan (NSANF), Toyota (TM) and Honda (HMC) together produce about half of the cars manufactured in the United Kingdom, and most of the finished products are sold in Europe. They are already scaling back their presence in Britain because of a slump in sales and uncertainty over the country's future relationship with its biggest and nearest trading partner.

Honda has announced that it will close its Swindon factory in 2022 and Nissan has abandoned plans to build its X-Trail model in the northern city of Sunderland. Nissan is also moving production of other luxury cars out of the country.

Earlier this month, Toyota said that it is planning to pause production at its factory in Derbyshire on November 1 in anticipation of possible disruption at UK ports that could affect the supply of parts.

As for Uniqlo, Yanai said his company remains committed to maintaining a presence in the United Kingdom in the long term, despite the economic and political challenges ahead.

He also spoke about his ambition to transform the company into a global leader when it comes to dealing with the climate crisis.

"Environmental issues are the most important current issue in the business world," he said. "And unless we can solve this issue, there is no meaning to run the business," he added.

Asked whether it was possible for Fast Retailing to achieve net zero carbon emissions, Yanai said: "I believe that should be doable in the future. And we have to do it in a hurry. Otherwise, the environment on earth is [in] imminent danger."

Yanai, 70, has begun talking about his successor, saying he wants a woman to take his place.

"Female leaders tend to be more talented individuals, female leaders are better suited to do apparel retail business, and I expect to see more female leaders in business management," he told CNN Business. Women have a better ability to adapt when getting into the global market."

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2019-09-19 09:07:00Z
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Brexit: UK has 12 days to set out plans - Finnish PM - BBC News

Boris Johnson has 12 days to set out his Brexit plans to the EU, according to Finland's prime minister.

Antti Rinne said he and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed the UK needed to produce the proposals in writing by the end of September, adding if not, "then it's over".

Finland currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

A Downing Street source said: "We will continue negotiating and put forward proposals at the appropriate time."

Mr Johnson has said a deal is possible at a crucial summit of EU leaders on 17 October, but he has insisted Brexit will happen by the 31 October deadline, even if a deal is not agreed.

• Brexit talks 'should not be a pretence' - Barnier
• Brexit solution must recognise NI status - Foster

The UK government said talks with the EU have been making progress since Mr Johnson came into No 10 in July.

It said it had put forward "a number of proposals" as alternatives to the Irish border backstop - the policy aimed at preventing the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland and a key sticking point in former PM Theresa May's Brexit deal.

But Mr Johnson has repeatedly refused to reveal details of the proposals in interviews, saying he did not want to negotiate in public.

The EU has continued to criticise the UK for not putting any plans in writing.

Earlier, the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, said a meeting with Mr Johnson on Monday had been "constructive".

But he said until proposals had been put forward, "I will not be able to tell you, looking you straight in the eye, that any real progress has been achieved".

• Johnson attacked by Luxembourg PM over Brexit
• Politics, not process, will make the difference

Mr Rinne spoke to reporters after a meeting with the French president in Paris on Wednesday.

He said: "We both agreed that it is now time for Boris Johnson to produce his own proposals in writing - if they exist.

"If no proposals are received by the end of September, then it's over."

The Finnish PM intends to discuss the new deadline with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and Mr Johnson in the coming days, but the position has not yet been agreed with other EU nations.

An official at the Elysee said the plan was "not at all a new proposal" and added: "If we don't get the proposals before the end of September, we will not have enough time to discuss them before the summit in October."

'Fundamentally different deal'

Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted the prime minister was on course to deliver a "fundamentally different" Brexit deal to ensure the UK leaves on October 31.

He told a Telegraph event that to achieve such an outcome the government had to "listen very carefully to what the DUP says".

On Wednesday, DUP leader Arlene Foster told business leaders in Dublin that she wanted a solution to Brexit that does not affect Northern Ireland's constitutional position.

Mrs Foster - whose party's support had until recently given the Conservatives a majority in Parliament - said a Brexit deal "will not be achieved that involves a backstop - whether it is UK-wide or Northern Ireland specific".

The whole of the UK had to leave the customs union and single market, she said.

But she added that the DUP was prepared to "look at Northern Ireland-specific solutions achieved with the support and consent of the representatives of the people of Northern Ireland".

It comes as the legal battle over the suspension of the UK Parliament is to go into a third day at the Supreme Court later.

The UK government is arguing the decision to prorogue Parliament was a political matter and not for the courts to "design a set of rules" around it.

But campaigners say the move was used "for an improper purpose" - to stop MPs scrutinising Mr Johnson's plans in the run up to Brexit on 31 October.

The prime minister prorogued Parliament earlier this month for five weeks, with MPs not scheduled to return until 14 October.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who travelled to Balmoral to seek the Queen's approval over the move, said it was "nonsense" to suggest she was misled over the decision.

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Brexit: UK has 12 days to set out plans - Finnish PM - BBC News

Boris Johnson has 12 days to set out his Brexit plans to the EU, according to Finland's prime minister.

Antti Rinne said he and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed the UK needed to produce the proposals in writing by the end of September, adding if not, "then it's over".

Finland currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

A Downing Street source said: "We will continue negotiating and put forward proposals at the appropriate time."

Mr Johnson has said a deal is possible at a crucial summit of EU leaders on 17 October, but he has insisted Brexit will happen by the 31 October deadline, even if a deal is not agreed.

• Brexit talks 'should not be a pretence' - Barnier
• Brexit solution must recognise NI status - Foster

The UK government said talks with the EU have been making progress since Mr Johnson came into No 10 in July.

It said it had put forward "a number of proposals" as alternatives to the Irish border backstop - the policy aimed at preventing the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland and a key sticking point in former PM Theresa May's Brexit deal.

But Mr Johnson has repeatedly refused to reveal details of the proposals in interviews, saying he did not want to negotiate in public.

The EU has continued to criticise the UK for not putting any plans in writing.

Earlier, the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, said a meeting with Mr Johnson on Monday had been "constructive".

But he said until proposals had been put forward, "I will not be able to tell you, looking you straight in the eye, that any real progress has been achieved".

• Johnson attacked by Luxembourg PM over Brexit
• Politics, not process, will make the difference

Mr Rinne spoke to reporters after a meeting with the French president in Paris on Wednesday.

He said: "We both agreed that it is now time for Boris Johnson to produce his own proposals in writing - if they exist.

"If no proposals are received by the end of September, then it's over."

The Finnish PM intends to discuss the new deadline with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and Mr Johnson in the coming days, but the position has not yet been agreed with other EU nations.

'Fundamentally different deal'

Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted the prime minister was on course to deliver a "fundamentally different" Brexit deal to ensure the UK leaves on October 31.

He told a Telegraph event that to achieve such an outcome the government had to "listen very carefully to what the DUP says".

On Wednesday, DUP leader Arlene Foster told business leaders in Dublin that she wanted a solution to Brexit that does not affect Northern Ireland's constitutional position.

Mrs Foster - whose party's support had until recently given the Conservatives a majority in Parliament - said a Brexit deal "will not be achieved that involves a backstop - whether it is UK-wide or Northern Ireland specific".

The whole of the UK had to leave the customs union and single market, she said.

But she added that the DUP was prepared to "look at Northern Ireland-specific solutions achieved with the support and consent of the representatives of the people of Northern Ireland".

It comes as the legal battle over the suspension of the UK Parliament is to go into a third day at the Supreme Court later.

The UK government is arguing the decision to prorogue Parliament was a political matter and not for the courts to "design a set of rules" around it.

But campaigners say the move was used "for an improper purpose" - to stop MPs scrutinising Mr Johnson's plans in the run up to Brexit on 31 October.

The prime minister prorogued Parliament earlier this month for five weeks, with MPs not scheduled to return until 14 October.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who travelled to Balmoral to seek the Queen's approval over the move, said it was "nonsense" to suggest she was misled over the decision.

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2019-09-19 06:18:29Z
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Brexit: UK has 12 days to set out plans - Finnish PM - BBC News

Boris Johnson has 12 days to set out his Brexit plans to the EU, according to Finland's prime minister.

Antti Rinne said he and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed the UK needed to produce the proposals in writing by the end of September, adding if not, "then it's over".

Finland currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

A Downing Street source said: "We will continue negotiating and put forward proposals at the appropriate time."

Mr Johnson has said a deal is possible at a crucial summit of EU leaders on 17 October, but he has insisted Brexit will happen by the 31 October deadline, even if a deal is not agreed.

• Brexit talks 'should not be a pretence' - Barnier
• Brexit solution must recognise NI status - Foster

The UK government said talks with the EU have been making progress since Mr Johnson came into No 10 in July.

It said it had put forward "a number of proposals" as alternatives to the Irish border backstop - the policy aimed at preventing the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland and a key sticking point in former PM Theresa May's Brexit deal.

But Mr Johnson has repeatedly refused to reveal details of the proposals in interviews, saying he did not want to negotiate in public.

The EU has continued to criticise the UK for not putting any plans in writing.

Earlier, the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, said a meeting with Mr Johnson on Monday had been "constructive".

But he said until proposals had been put forward, "I will not be able to tell you, looking you straight in the eye, that any real progress has been achieved".

• Johnson attacked by Luxembourg PM over Brexit
• Politics, not process, will make the difference

Mr Rinne spoke to reporters after a meeting with the French president in Paris on Wednesday.

He said: "We both agreed that it is now time for Boris Johnson to produce his own proposals in writing - if they exist.

"If no proposals are received by the end of September, then it's over."

The Finnish PM intends to discuss the new deadline with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and Mr Johnson in the coming days, but the position has not yet been agreed with other EU nations.

'Fundamentally different deal'

Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted the prime minister was on course to deliver a "fundamentally different" Brexit deal to ensure the UK leaves on October 31.

He told a Telegraph event that to achieve such an outcome the government had to "listen very carefully to what the DUP says".

On Wednesday, DUP leader Arlene Foster told business leaders in Dublin that she wanted a solution to Brexit that does not affect Northern Ireland's constitutional position.

Mrs Foster - whose party's support had until recently given the Conservatives a majority in Parliament - said a Brexit deal "will not be achieved that involves a backstop - whether it is UK-wide or Northern Ireland specific".

The whole of the UK had to leave the customs union and single market, she said.

But she added that the DUP was prepared to "look at Northern Ireland-specific solutions achieved with the support and consent of the representatives of the people of Northern Ireland".

It comes as the legal battle over the suspension of the UK Parliament is to go into a third day at the Supreme Court later.

The UK government is arguing the decision to prorogue Parliament was a political matter and not for the courts to "design a set of rules" around it.

But campaigners say the move was used "for an improper purpose" - to stop MPs scrutinising Mr Johnson's plans in the run up to Brexit on 31 October.

The prime minister prorogued Parliament earlier this month for five weeks, with MPs not scheduled to return until 14 October.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who travelled to Balmoral to seek the Queen's approval over the move, said it was "nonsense" to suggest she was misled over the decision.

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