Brexit: Tony Blair and John Major urge MPs to reject bill - BBC News

Former prime ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major have urged parliament to reject Boris Johnson's "shameful" attempt to override parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

The PM has said the European Union is threatening to impose a customs border in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

Mr Blair and Sir John have accused the government of "embarrassing" the UK.

The Internal Market Bill will be debated in the Commons on Monday.

The bill would go against the Withdrawal Agreement signed by the UK and EU.

It addresses the Northern Ireland Protocol - the part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland.

If the bill becomes law it would give UK ministers powers to modify or "disapply" rules relating to the movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland that will come into force from 1 January, if the UK and EU are unable to strike a trade deal.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Sir John and Mr Blair - former Conservative and Labour prime ministers respectively - said the government's actions were "irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice".

"It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and negotiations for a trade deal - crucial though they are. It questions the very integrity of our nation," they said.

The former leaders said that respecting treaty obligations was "just as important" as domestic law, and called for MPs to reject the legislation.

"As the world looks on aghast at the UK - the word of which was once accepted as inviolable - this government's action is shaming itself and embarrassing our nation," they added.

Analysis

By Leila Nathoo, political correspondent

Tony Blair and Sir John Major say Boris Johnson knew the full consequences of the Brexit divorce deal he struck it with Brussels last year - that new barriers to trade would arise between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

They say the government's plans to now override parts of the deal would imperil the Good Friday Agreement, undermine the UK's credibility in future trade deals and could prompt a damaging retaliation from the EU.

They accuse ministers of embarrassing the UK, by negotiating with what they call "cavalier bombast posing as serious diplomacy" - an approach they say questions the very integrity of the nation.

Their intervention is, however, unlikely to sway Mr Johnson, who's insisted the Internal Market Bill is a necessary safety net to protect the union and peace process - and has defied EU demands to withdraw the contentious clauses before the end of the month.

The prime minister's appealed to MPs to back the legislation - his predecessors say it's parliament's job to stop his plan going any further.

The PM urged Conservative MPs on Friday to back the bill during a Zoom call, following concerns about his proposals.

The EU has warned the UK it could face legal action if it does not ditch controversial elements of the Internal Market Bill by the end of the month.

Ministers have sought to defend the government's plans, with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove saying the proposals were a means of protecting the "integrity" of the UK.

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And Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis conceded the bill would break international law, but "in a very specific and limited way".

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has accused the PM of "reigniting old rows" by working to override his own Withdrawal Agreement.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the Labour leader said his party could back the Internal Market Bill if the government addressed "the substantial cross-party concerns that have been raised".

But in order to win Labour's support, the bill would need to no longer risk breaching international law and address devolved administrations' concerns of a "power grab".

"We should be getting on with defeating this virus, not banging on about Europe," Sir Keir said. "Get on with Brexit and defeat the virus. That should be the government's mantra."

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2020-09-13 01:09:19Z
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Brits flock to pubs to enjoy last Saturday before ‘rule of six’ hits - Metro.co.uk

Brits enjoy their last weekend before new restrictions come in (Pictures: Reuters)

Hot weather across much of England has brought crowds out into parks, cafes and bars as people made the most of the final opportunity to meet up in large groups before new rules come into place.

Temperatures climbed in the last weekend before the ‘rule of six’ is imposed on socialising in the UK, giving people a chance to enjoy a balmy weekend in the sun. 

The public has been urged to avoid a ‘one last blow out’ mentality but Brits followed up a boozy Friday night with a sun-drenched Saturday session.

In London’s Soho, outdoor eating areas were busy well into the evening and parks across the capital also attracted crowds.

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In Leicester Square, a large group was seen enjoying a spontaneous party as a busker played the keyboard and revellers sung along. 

The new rules restricting groups to no more than six people apply both indoors and outdoors In England and Scotland from Monday – just as temperatures are expected to rise to their highest levels since the early August heatwave. 

It’s not known how long the new restrictions will last but health officials have told the country to prepare to live under the rules for ‘months rather than weeks.’

Leicester Square in London’s West End was as busy as ever (Picture: PA)

A busker wins plaudits in Leicester Square (Picture: PA)

People sing on the street whilst enjoying a Saturday night out (Picture: PA)

People gather on the street amid the coronavirus disease outbreak in London (Picture: Reuters)

There was some dancing on the streets as nightclubs are still shut (Picture: Reuters)

People were in high spirits (Picture: Reuters)

Groups of more than six won’t be able to meet up from Monday (Picture: Reuters)

With travel abroad restricted, Brits have made the most of the UK’s best beach spots on sunny days this summer. This has led to concerns about overcrowding and difficulties with observing social distancing.

In Brighton today, crowds were pictured enjoying themselves on the seafront and sitting in outdoor restaurants although there was no repeat of the packed scenes seen in July and August.

The weather has not been quite so good in the north of England and Scotland. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for western Scotland where as much as 150mm of rain could fall in hilly areas on Sunday.

In Newcastle, one of the areas added to the Government’s watch list as an ‘area of concern’ on Friday, health officials have said they trust people to ‘behave sensibly’. 

Newcastle upon Tyne’s director of health Eugene Milne has dampened fears that people would be going all out this weekend.

People enjoy outdoor dining in Soho (Picture: Reuters)

Groups eat and drink in outdoor restaurants in Soho, London (Picture: PA)

The sunny weather is expected to continue (Picture: PA)

People ride through the sunny streets of London (Picture: Getty)

He told Tyne Tees TV News: ‘At the opening of lockdown there was a real fear that that might happen in the city, and that didn’t happen so I think we can trust people.

‘The idea of the rule of six is to make it easier for people to know how to stick with the guidance and I think one of the big problems has been the guidance has progressively got so complicated, so specific to particular areas that it becomes very confusing for everybody.’

Dave Stone, a director of the Wylam Brewery and one of the founders of the By The River Brew Co, a popular food and drink venue on the Quayside, was equally confident.

He said: ‘We agree with the director of public health and believe people will be sensible.’

A group of men sit at a rideable bar in London (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

Groups drink in Wandsworth Park, London (Picture: Splash News)

People enjoying the Autumn sunshine on the promenade in Brighton (Picture: PA)

A group of women sit in the sunshine on the beach in Brighton (Picture: Reuters)

A group of friends enjoy the Autumn sunshine at a bar in Brighton (Picture: PA)

Tim Robson, the North East’s representative on the national Pubwatch scheme, expected that police officers will strictly monitor bars over the weekend to ensure they are operating safely.

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He said: ‘There is an anticipation that everyone is going to have a big last binge, but people are starting to get fearful and a lot of licensed premises have already been clamped down on by the police.’

Mr Robson, a former police officer, said it will be up to licensees to manage their premises and break up large groups from gathering together unsafely.

He said a recent outbreak at a working men’s club that hosted a charity football match, leading to more than 60 people testing positive and around 300 people self-isolating, had concentrated minds.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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2020-09-12 22:08:00Z
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Meddling Tony Blair and John Major wade in to Boris row - 'irresponsible and dangerous' - Daily Express

The two former prime minister’s accused Mr Johnson of imperilling the Irish peace process, trade negotiations and Britain’s integrity with his UK internal trading Bill which overrides some key aspects of the Brexit Withdrawal agreement, including the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Related articles

Irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice

Tony Blair and John Major

Writing in The Sunday Times, they said: "It puts the Good Friday Agreement at risk, because it negates the predictability, political stability and legal clarity that are integral to the delicate balance between the north and south of Ireland that is at the core of the peace process.

"This has wide-ranging ramifications. It will not only make negotiation with the EU more difficult, but also any trade negotiations with other nations, including the United States.

"Once trust is undermined, distrust becomes prevalent."

Tony Blair and John Major have teamed up to condemn Boris Johnson (Image: PA)

They continued: "We both opposed Brexit. We both accept it is now happening. But this way of negotiating, with reason cast aside in pursuit of ideology and cavalier bombast posing as serious diplomacy, is irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice.

"It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and negotiations for a trade deal - crucial though they are. It questions the very integrity of our nation."

The former leaders weighed in to the argument as senior Conservatives refused to back down on their rebellion against Mr Johnson's controversial Brexit legislation despite his warning Brussels could "carve up our country" without it.

READ MORE:Brexit LIVE: Boris faces tough battle as Tory rebels reject appeal

The former prime ministers have branded Mr Johnson's moves 'irresponsible and dangerous' (Image: PA)

The Prime Minister's bid to win support for the Bill was joined by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove warning it is needed to protect the "integrity" of the UK.

They insist the legislation that could breach international law and has prompted the EU to threaten legal action during trade negotiations is needed to prevent a trade border in the Irish Sea.

But a growing number of Tory rebels suggested opposition to the UK Internal Market Bill had stiffened after Mr Johnson's held a conference call with backbenchers.

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood said on Saturday that "unamended I cannot support this Bill".

Boris Johnson insists his UK Internal Market Bill is in Britain's national interest (Image: PA)

Mr Ellwood, who chairs the Commons defence committee, said: "Already this Bill is damaging brand UK, diminishing our role-model status as defender of global standards.

"As we go to the wire, let's see more British statecraft - less Nixonian Madman Theory."

Commons justice committee chairman Sir Bob Neill, who has tabled an amendment which he said would impose a "parliamentary lock" on any changes to the withdrawal agreement, said he still contends it contains "objectionable" elements.

He said: "He set out his case but it hasn't changed anything that I think. I'm confident that our amendment is still getting support."

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Katya Adler explains how EU think they have uncovered Boris’ plan[VIDEO]
'What the f*** is going on?' Tory MPs create new Whatsapp group[SPOTLIGHT]

Damian Green, who was Theresa May's deputy when she was prime minister and is backing the amendment, was also understood to not have been won over by Mr Johnson's argument.

Sir Roger Gale also remained a vehement critic, telling Times Radio: "If anybody is responsible, if it happens, for bringing the union down, it will be Cummings and Mr Johnson."

The Prime Minister spoke with around 250 MPs last night to try to secure backing for the Bill, and warned them against a return to the "miserable, squabbling days of last autumn" over Brexit.

Boris Johnson is coming under pressure from politicians from all sides (Image: PA)

And, in an incendiary article for The Telegraph, Mr Johnson said Brussels was threatening to use an "extreme interpretation" of the Northern Ireland Protocol to impose "a full-scale trade border down the Irish Sea" that could stop the transport of food from Britain to Northern Ireland.

Both Ireland and the EU have warned that Mr Johnson's plans pose a serious risk to the peace process rather than protecting the Good Friday Agreement.

But he argued it is "crucial for peace and for the Union itself" and said voting the Bill down would reduce the chances of a trade deal with the EU, which is hanging in the balance.

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2020-09-12 23:26:43Z
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Meddling Tony Blair and John Major wade in to Boris row - 'irresponsible and dangerous' - Daily Express

The two former prime minister’s accused Mr Johnson of imperilling the Irish peace process, trade negotiations and Britain’s integrity with his UK internal trading Bill which overrides some key aspects of the Brexit Withdrawal agreement, including the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Related articles

Irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice

Tony Blair and John Major

Writing in The Sunday Times, they said: "It puts the Good Friday Agreement at risk, because it negates the predictability, political stability and legal clarity that are integral to the delicate balance between the north and south of Ireland that is at the core of the peace process.

"This has wide-ranging ramifications. It will not only make negotiation with the EU more difficult, but also any trade negotiations with other nations, including the United States.

"Once trust is undermined, distrust becomes prevalent."

Tony Blair and John Major have teamed up to condemn Boris Johnson (Image: PA)

They continued: "We both opposed Brexit. We both accept it is now happening. But this way of negotiating, with reason cast aside in pursuit of ideology and cavalier bombast posing as serious diplomacy, is irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice.

"It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and negotiations for a trade deal - crucial though they are. It questions the very integrity of our nation."

The former leaders weighed in to the argument as senior Conservatives refused to back down on their rebellion against Mr Johnson's controversial Brexit legislation despite his warning Brussels could "carve up our country" without it.

READ MORE:Brexit LIVE: Boris faces tough battle as Tory rebels reject appeal

The former prime ministers have branded Mr Johnson's moves 'irresponsible and dangerous' (Image: PA)

The Prime Minister's bid to win support for the Bill was joined by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove warning it is needed to protect the "integrity" of the UK.

They insist the legislation that could breach international law and has prompted the EU to threaten legal action during trade negotiations is needed to prevent a trade border in the Irish Sea.

But a growing number of Tory rebels suggested opposition to the UK Internal Market Bill had stiffened after Mr Johnson's held a conference call with backbenchers.

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood said on Saturday that "unamended I cannot support this Bill".

Boris Johnson insists his UK Internal Market Bill is in Britain's national interest (Image: PA)

Mr Ellwood, who chairs the Commons defence committee, said: "Already this Bill is damaging brand UK, diminishing our role-model status as defender of global standards.

"As we go to the wire, let's see more British statecraft - less Nixonian Madman Theory."

Commons justice committee chairman Sir Bob Neill, who has tabled an amendment which he said would impose a "parliamentary lock" on any changes to the withdrawal agreement, said he still contends it contains "objectionable" elements.

He said: "He set out his case but it hasn't changed anything that I think. I'm confident that our amendment is still getting support."

DON'T MISS
'Sorry Barnier when it comes to OUR fish we have the UN on OUR side'[COMMENT]
Katya Adler explains how EU think they have uncovered Boris’ plan[VIDEO]
'What the f*** is going on?' Tory MPs create new Whatsapp group[SPOTLIGHT]

Damian Green, who was Theresa May's deputy when she was prime minister and is backing the amendment, was also understood to not have been won over by Mr Johnson's argument.

Sir Roger Gale also remained a vehement critic, telling Times Radio: "If anybody is responsible, if it happens, for bringing the union down, it will be Cummings and Mr Johnson."

The Prime Minister spoke with around 250 MPs last night to try to secure backing for the Bill, and warned them against a return to the "miserable, squabbling days of last autumn" over Brexit.

Boris Johnson is coming under pressure from politicians from all sides (Image: PA)

And, in an incendiary article for The Telegraph, Mr Johnson said Brussels was threatening to use an "extreme interpretation" of the Northern Ireland Protocol to impose "a full-scale trade border down the Irish Sea" that could stop the transport of food from Britain to Northern Ireland.

Both Ireland and the EU have warned that Mr Johnson's plans pose a serious risk to the peace process rather than protecting the Good Friday Agreement.

But he argued it is "crucial for peace and for the Union itself" and said voting the Bill down would reduce the chances of a trade deal with the EU, which is hanging in the balance.

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2020-09-12 20:18:00Z
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UK “on edge” of losing control of coronavirus warns leading scientist - BBC News - BBC News

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1. UK “on edge” of losing control of coronavirus warns leading scientist - BBC News  BBC News
2. Brits enjoy last Saturday night out despite warning not to have 'party weekend' ahead of new restrictions  Evening Standard
3. Drinkers ignore warning that UK is ‘losing control of Covid’ as they hit bars on last Saturday before new loc  The Sun
4. Brits warned against ‘party weekend’ before new lockdown rules as scientist says UK ‘on edge of losing contr  The Sun
5. View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-09-12 21:16:23Z
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RAF fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian planes in UK airspace - Express

Defence chiefs said the RAF Typhoons from were scrambled after the Russian aircraft "entered the UK's controlled zone of international airspace". The Russian planes were identified as TU-142 Bear F maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

An MoD spokesman said monitoring the zone ensures the safe passage for all other aircraft, including civilian transatlantic airliners that are under UK civilian air traffic control.

The Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons are currently based at former RAF Leuchars.

This is now the British Army's Leuchars Station, the home of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

These Typhoon Force units are responsible for QRA coverage across the northern sections of the UK and have been given an increasingly important role providing defensive cover for the RAF’s new P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Between them, the Typhoon and Poseidon are expected to provide a defensive shield for Britain's submarine-based nuclear deterrent and two new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

For QRA work, two Typhoons are held at high readiness around the clock, ready to scramble to meet any unidentified aircraft approaching from the north, over the North Atlantic and the North Sea.

Further jets are kept at a lower state of readiness, available to respond to any potential escalation.

The mid-air alert comes just a week after it emerged British fighter jets based in Cyprus as part of a mission to counter ISIS in Syria and Iraq have instead been flying in the Black Sea region amid soaring tensions with Russia.

A military source told Sky News Typhoons, supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker aircraft, were deployed during Russian military exercise in the region

The source said they were operating with a number of US B52 bombers, which flew from an airbase in the UK where they are stationed.

An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm RAF Typhoons have been operating in the Black Sea region.

"The sortie demonstrates the UK's ability to support ongoing cooperation with allies and partners in the region which deepens relationships and regional security."

Russia said it scrambled eight fighter jets to intercept three US B-52 strategic bombers flying over the Black Sea.

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2020-09-12 19:22:00Z
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John Major and Tony Blair: Johnson must drop shameful Brexit bill or be forced to by MPs - The Times

Last October, Britain concluded an international treaty with the European Union for the terms of our exit from the EU. This subsequently passed into British law. It contained a specific agreement for resolution of the terms of trade for Northern Ireland.

It was described by the government as a “negotiating triumph” that would lead to an “oven-ready” trade deal between the UK and Europe.

It was, of course, no such thing. Even so, a general election — with this agreement very much centre stage — was fought and won by the Conservative Party.

Last week, with the promise of a comprehensive trade deal with the EU long gone and the Brexit negotiations in disarray, the government published a bill that it openly admits

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2020-09-12 17:00:00Z
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