Senin, 09 November 2020

George Eustice hints at UK move on post-Brexit fishing access - Daily Mail

George Eustice hints at UK move on post-Brexit fishing access after Joe Biden's US election win sparks fresh push for trade deal

  • Prime Minister said the two sides were in sight of a deal during talks in London  
  • EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier arrived in London last night for new talks
  • He said this morning the two sides are 'redoubling our efforts' to reach a deal 
  • George Eustice today suggested the UK could move on crunch issue of fishing 

George Eustice today hinted at a UK move on post-Brexit fishing rights amid signs Joe Biden's US election win has sparked a fresh push for a Brexit trade deal with the EU.

The Environment Secretary suggested agreements setting the 'ground rules' on access for EU fleets could cover several years - an apparent shift from the demand that negotiations happen annually.

The remarks came as Michel Barnier arrived for the latest round of talks in London as he said the two sides are 'redoubling our efforts to reach agreement' and Boris Johnson insisted a trade pact with Brussels is 'there to be done'.

The PM has been warned that unlike Donald Trump, Mr Biden is a supporter of the EU and has criticised government legislation some claim risks undermining the Good Friday Agreement. 

With perhaps as little as a week left to get an agreement in time for the end of the transition period on January 1, the two sides are deadlocked on fishing rights and state aid rules.  

However, in a round of interviews this morning, Mr Eustice indicated there could be wriggle room on the government's fishing position.  

George Eustice suggested agreements setting the 'ground rules' on access for EU fleets could cover several years - an apparent shift from the demand that negotiations happen annually

George Eustice suggested agreements setting the 'ground rules' on access for EU fleets could cover several years - an apparent shift from the demand that negotiations happen annually

Boris Johnson, pictured arriving in Downing Street this morning, is under growing pressure to strike a trade accord with the EU as the transition period draws to a close in December

Boris Johnson, pictured arriving in Downing Street this morning, is under growing pressure to strike a trade accord with the EU as the transition period draws to a close in December

The PM has been warned that unlike Donald Trump, Joe Biden is a supporter of the EU and has criticised government legislation some claim risks undermining the Good Friday Agreement

Biden 'is an EU supporter' and UK could 'struggle' to show it is 'relevant' 

Joe Biden is a supporter of the EU and the UK could 'struggle for relevance' under his presidency, former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has warned.

The Remain campaigner said the Democrat would view Brexit developments in a 'completely different way' from beaten incumbent Donald Trump, given his strong Irish roots.

Mr Clegg, who was David Cameron's deputy in Downing Street during the coalition years, met regularly with Mr Biden when he was vice president under Barack Obama.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour, he described the 77-year-old as a 'classic warm, sort of back-slapping politician, full of bonhomie' but said he was 'still able to switch gear' when needed.

The UK and US have traditionally been strong allies but Mr Clegg, who lives in California as head of communications for Facebook, said Britain's influence was on the wane in the US.

He said: 'I think the great dilemma for the UK right now is just one of relevance, it's a struggle for relevance.

'I think the issue is why should a Joe Biden presidency care as much about the United Kingdom, as much as presidents have done in the past, when the United Kingdom is withdrawing from the European bloc, which I know, having spoken to him about it on so many occasions over the years, Joe Biden really cares about.'

The former Liberal Democrat leader predicted that Mr Biden and the Prime Minister would be 'able to strike up a personal relationship' but warned Boris Johnson – who has not met Mr Biden – about the way Brexit would be viewed through an Irish lens in future in the Oval Office.

'Joe Biden is immensely proud of his Irish roots – he did it publicly in his speech yesterday (after being announced president-elect), he does it privately as well, quotes Seamus Heaney at the drop of a hat,' said Mr Clegg.

Advertisement

He told Sky News: 'On fisheries, we've always been open to doing a sensible approach looking particularly at agreements that might span a couple, three years for instance.

'We're going to be sensible in how we approach this but making sure that we have control of our own waters again and controlled access to our waters has always been a red line for us in these negotiations.'

He added: 'The issue will become what are the sharing arrangements, how much mutual access do we allow in one another's waters and that's obviously a discussion that will happen annually, but there may also be a partnership agreement that sets out the ground rules as to how we will work on that.' 

Lord Frost has previously insisted that negotiations must happen annually, although he has suggested a framework for quotas could be separate. 

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Johnson said the two sides were in sight of a deal. 

'I've always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners,' he said.

'I think it's there to be done, the broad outlines are pretty clear.'

UK sources have dismissed speculation in Brussels that they have been dragging their heel in talks to see who won the US election. 

Mr Barnier arrived in London last night ahead of five days of 'intensive' talks with his British counterpart David Frost. 

There were claims today that Mr Barnier believes a post-Brexit deal with the UK is necessary because of the terror threat in Europe. 

In private meetings with Brussels officials last week, he also said he feels 'a weight of responsibility on my shoulders' to find a good agreement because of economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to The Sun

Mr Barnier tweeted this morning that he was 'happy to be back in London today, redoubling our efforts to reach agreement' as he said there are 'three keys to unlock a deal' with the UK. 

The first was 'respect of EU autonomy and UK sovereignty', with 'effective governance and enforcement mechanisms between international partners'.

The second was 'robust guarantees' of free and fair trade and competition based on 'shared high standards, evolving coherently over time'.

The third element was 'stable and reciprocal access to markets and fishing opportunities in the interest of both parties'.

Negotiators have been working to a 'final' deadline of November 15 but sources last night said that talks could continue beyond that for 'a few days' if a deal is close.

The resumption of formal negotiations came as peers prepare to vote down controversial parts of the Government's Internal Market Bill, which will enable ministers to override last year's Brexit divorce deal relating to Northern Ireland, in the Lords tonight.

If this happens ministers will ask MPs to reinstate them in the hope peers will then back down. 

The Lords could continue to reject them, using their power to delay legislation for a year, which could spark a major constitutional row.

The offending provisions within the draft legislation have also been criticised by Mr Biden who has warned that any move to undermine the peace process could also jeopardise hopes of a US-UK trade deal. 

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator pictured arriving for talks in London this morning, said there are 'three keys to unlock a deal'

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator pictured arriving for talks in London this morning, said there are 'three keys to unlock a deal'

Gordon Brown insists Joe Biden will be a 'great friend of Britain' but warns he hates Brexit

Gordon Brown today insisted Joe Biden will be a 'great friend of Britain' as he predicted the President-elect could visit the UK twice in his first year in the White House. 

Mr Brown said he believed Mr Biden will come to the UK in 2021 to attend a meeting of the G7 in the summer and then again in November to take part in a UN climate change conference set to be held in Glasgow. 

However, the Labour former prime minister warned the UK could have to wait to strike a post-Brexit trade deal with the new US administration. 

He said negotiating a trade accord with Downing Street would 'not immediately' be a priority for Mr Biden who he warned is no fan of Brexit and is likely to be heavily influenced by Dublin in his dealings with the UK. 

 

Mr Brown's intervention came amid fears that Mr Biden and Boris Johnson may not get along after Democratic sources questioned whether the latter is an 'ally'. 

Advertisement

But Mr Johnson yesterday denied reports the Government is on the brink of dropping the measures, which are designed to prevent the creation of a trade border down the Irish Sea in the event of there being no deal with the EU.

Asked if the legislation would go ahead as planned, Mr Johnson said: 'Yes... the parliamentary timetable goes ahead. 

'The whole point of that Bill and indeed the Finance Bill is to protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process in Northern Ireland.

'And again, that's one of the things that we're united on with our friends in the White House.'

Mr Eustice confirmed this morning that the Government will reinstate the controversial clauses if they are stripped out by the Lords.

He told Sky News: 'We will. The UK Internal Market Bill is not about undermining the Belfast Agreement, it's about standing behind it, making sure that it works and looking after the interests of Northern Ireland, making sure the peace and stability that's been hard-won there can carry on.

'The limited number of areas where we took a power subject to Parliament agreeing it, to be able to create legal clarity and legal certainty should there be areas of the joint-committee process in our negotiations with the EU, if there are areas that can't be agreed, we've got to provide that legal certainty and clarity.'

Ministers acknowledged that the Government will have to persuade Mr Biden, who has Irish heritage, that the legislation is necessary if trade talks with the EU collapse.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: 'I'm confident we will navigate all of those issues sensitively and correctly.' 

Mr Johnson said yesterday that there was a 'good chance' of a trade deal with the US and progress had already been made.

Sources in the Biden camp suggested the issue would not be an immediate priority for the president.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtODkyODU3My9HZW9yZ2UtRXVzdGljZS1oaW50cy1VSy1wb3N0LUJyZXhpdC1maXNoaW5nLWFjY2Vzcy5odG1s0gFsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFpbHltYWlsLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZS04OTI4NTczL2FtcC9HZW9yZ2UtRXVzdGljZS1oaW50cy1VSy1wb3N0LUJyZXhpdC1maXNoaW5nLWFjY2Vzcy5odG1s?oc=5

2020-11-09 08:59:00Z
52781172893453

Coronavirus UK: Boris Johnson feels 'bounced into second lockdown' - Metro.co.uk

PM feels he was bounced into lockdown 2 by dodgy data
Some of the figures backing up strict new measures this month have started falling apart in the last week (Picture: REX / Getty Images / NNP)

Boris Johnson felt pushed into a second lockdown by misleading data, a Government source has suggested.

It comes as some of the figures backing up strict new measures this month have started falling apart in the last week – particularly the 4,000 potential deaths a day warning.

The early leak of the lockdown plans may also have escalated the situation, the source claimed.

One Cabinet minister told the Daily Mail: ‘I think he is concerned that he may have been bounced into it.

Visit our live blog for the latest updates Coronavirus news live

‘He was really, really cross about the leak because at that point a different decision might still have been made.

Advertisement

Advertisement

‘There is also concern that some of the information used to inform the decision now seems to be crumbling. 

‘In fact the figures seem to be suggesting things were getting better before the lockdown began – we are being shut down for a month when we did not need to be.

‘It means a third or fourth lockdown is very unlikely. All of this goes against his political inclinations.’

Graph showing number of deaths a day in the UK
Graph showing number of deaths per day in the UK – and how it has dropped (Picture: MailOnline)
TOPSHOT - A woman wearing a protective face shield passes a billboard showing Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Manchester, north-west England on November 6, 2020, as the second lockdown comes into force in England. - A united effort to tackle spiking coronavirus infection rates has been called for as 56 million people in England went into a second lockdown but with the public weary of restrictions and fearing for their livelihoods. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
The second national lockdown came into force last Thursday (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
Graph showing number of infections per day in the UK
The number of infections per day has also dropped since last week (Picture: MailOnline)

Scientists predicted deaths could reach 4,000 deaths a day by December without further action – but Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, later admitted this was ‘unlikely’ and said a peak similar to the first wave was ‘entirely realistic’.

Then Government graphs predicting the number of coronavirus deaths in the second wave could massively surpass those in the first peak were ‘quietly corrected’ at the end of last week.

In addition to this, some figures have suggested the second wave may have levelled off, or even peaked, before the lockdown even started on Thursday.

Yesterday another 156 Covid deaths were reported across the UK, down from 162 a week earlier. 

Some 20,572 cases were recorded, which is a fall of 2,682 on the previous Sunday’s total of 23,254.

And the Office for National Statistics reported on Friday that the rate at which the virus is spreading also appears to be slowing down. 

Police stand in front of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square ahead of an anti-lockdown protest in central London, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. Britain joined large swathes of Europe in a coronavirus lockdown designed to save its health care system from being overwhelmed. Pubs, along with restaurants, hairdressers and shops selling non-essential items closed on Thursday until at least Dec. 2. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Police stand in front of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square ahead of an anti-lockdown protest in central London on Thursday (Picture: AP)
Police community support officers talk to a passer-by in Bath as the England begins a second national lockdown. PA Photo. Picture date: Thursday November 5, 2020. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
Scientists predicted deaths could reach 4,000 deaths a day by December – but this has now been retracted (Picture: PA)

Its estimate of new daily infections fell from 51,900 to 45,700 in the week to the end of October.

The Government source claims these events may ‘harden’ the PM’s attitude against any further restrictions after December 2.

But Downing Street last night denied that the PM felt he had been bounced into the lockdown.

A Government source said: ‘It is true that we were furious about the leak, but the PM is absolutely clear that the evidence showed these measures were necessary.

‘Even if you put the 4,000 figure to one side, there was plenty of other very concerning data, such as the hospitalisation figures, that made it very clear he had to act.’

But the claim the PM feels he was pushed into a second lockdown will fuel concern among rebel MPs who claimed the extra measures were unnecessary. 

Fifty Tory MPs voted against the lockdown legislation, and sources claim the revolt could top 100 if there is any attempt to extend it.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Johnson has however publicly stated the lockdown will ‘expire’ on December 2, with England then reverting back to the regional tiered system of lockdown.

Cases in Merseyside and the North East fell following the introduction of tough measures under tier 3 of the restrictions.

A study by King’s College London last week found the R-rate, which measures the speed at which the virus is spreading, had fallen to one. 

Professor Tim Spector, the scientist behind the study, said it was a ‘positive sign we have passed the peak of this second wave’, although he said the lockdown would help squeeze the virus further.

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

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaGh0dHBzOi8vbWV0cm8uY28udWsvMjAyMC8xMS8wOS9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy11ay1ib3Jpcy1qb2huc29uLWZlZWxzLWJvdW5jZWQtaW50by1zZWNvbmQtbG9ja2Rvd24tMTM1NjEwNTIv0gFsaHR0cHM6Ly9tZXRyby5jby51ay8yMDIwLzExLzA5L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXVrLWJvcmlzLWpvaG5zb24tZmVlbHMtYm91bmNlZC1pbnRvLXNlY29uZC1sb2NrZG93bi0xMzU2MTA1Mi9hbXAv?oc=5

2020-11-09 07:43:00Z
52781174849263

Minggu, 08 November 2020

Wales comes out of 'firebreak lockdown' after 17 days of 'hard work and sacrifices' - Sky News

Wales' 17-day firebreak lockdown has ended and new national measures to combat COVID-19 have come into effect.

The new national restrictions include:

  • Groups of up to four people from different households can meet in cafes, pubs and restaurants
  • Shops, gyms, hairdressers and places of worship can reopen
  • Supermarkets can sell non-essential items
  • People can meet inside homes with members of one other household if they are part of a "bubble"
  • 10pm curfew on alcohol sales will continue
  • No restrictions on travel within Wales, but people will only be allowed to leave the country for reasons such as work
  • Two-metre social distancing and wearing face masks in enclosed public places, including on public transport and taxis
  • People should work from home whenever possible
  • Up to 15 people can take part in an organised indoor activity and up to 30 in an organised activity outdoors, providing all social distancing, hand hygiene and other COVID-19 safety measures are followed
  • All schools and year groups will resume
CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 26: Kitchen products deemed 'non-essential' are seen covered up in a Tesco store on Western Avenue on October 26, 2020, in Cardiff, Wales. Pressure has mounted on the Welsh Government to reverse the decision to prohibit supermarkets from selling 'non-essential' items such as clothes and microwaves during the 'firebreak' lockdown period with a petition being submitted to the Senedd with over 65,000 signatures. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Image: There was anger in October after supermarkets taped off items deemed non-essential

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We all need to think about our own lives and what we can all do to keep our families safe. We need to stop thinking about the maximum limit of rules and regulations.

"Coronavirus is a highly infectious virus - it thrives on contact between people. To keep each other safe we need to reduce the number of people we have contact with and the amount of time we spend with them.

"There will be a new set of national measures from today, which will follow up all the hard work and sacrifices which have been made during the firebreak.

"We cannot go back to the way we were living our lives and throw away all that hard work."

The government has said 156 more people have died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19, bringing the UK total to 49,044.

As of 9am on Sunday, there had been a further 20,572 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to 1,192,013.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L3dhbGVzLWNvbWVzLW91dC1vZi1maXJlYnJlYWstbG9ja2Rvd24tYWZ0ZXItMTctZGF5cy1vZi1zYWNyaWZpY2UtMTIxMjgxODnSAWhodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvd2FsZXMtY29tZXMtb3V0LW9mLWZpcmVicmVhay1sb2NrZG93bi1hZnRlci0xNy1kYXlzLW9mLXNhY3JpZmljZS0xMjEyODE4OQ?oc=5

2020-11-09 02:54:50Z
52781176145221

PM Boris Johnson is well down the list of world leaders Biden will call - Daily Mail

Boris Johnson is braced for snub from Joe Biden: Prime Minister is well down the list of world leaders the next US President will call, sources say

  • Boris Johnson braced for an early snub from Joe Biden as he calls world leaders
  • The President-elect described him as a ‘physical and emotional clone’ of Trump
  • But Mr Johnson launched a concerted charm offensive designed to win him over 
  • The PM is said to be considering the offer of an early state visit to Mr Biden 

Joe Biden has begun calling world leaders but Boris Johnson is braced for an early snub from the President-elect.

Diplomatic sources acknowledged the Prime Minister was unlikely to be ‘top of the list’ for the man who described him last year as a ‘physical and emotional clone’ of Donald Trump.

British diplomats believe Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and Irish PM Micheal Martin are among the leaders likely to hear from Mr Biden first as he rebuilds relations with the EU following years of hostility from Mr Trump.

Joe Biden has begun calling world leaders but Boris Johnson is braced for an early snub from the President-elect

One source said: ‘Look, we’re probably not top of the list for the first phone call. Are some people in government fretting about that? Yes, but you can read too much into it. If we find ourselves being called after Papua New Guinea then we should probably start to worry.’

Mr Biden, who has described himself as Irish, is an opponent of Brexit. He has warned that a planned US-UK trade deal will be put in the deep freeze if the fallout from Britain’s departure from the EU undermines the Northern Ireland peace process.

Yesterday Mr Johnson launched a concerted charm offensive designed to win him over.

The Prime Minister said there were ‘many, many, many, many, many’ issues where the two men have shared aims, including climate change, trade and security.

He said he believed there was still a ‘good chance’ a trade deal would be struck with the US.

The PM is said to be considering the offer of an early state visit to Mr Biden as soon as the pandemic makes it practical.

Yesterday Mr Johnson launched a concerted charm offensive designed to win him over. The Prime Minister said there were ‘many, many, many, many, many’ issues where the two men have shared aims, including climate change, trade and security

Yesterday Mr Johnson launched a concerted charm offensive designed to win him over. The Prime Minister said there were ‘many, many, many, many, many’ issues where the two men have shared aims, including climate change, trade and security

Congratulating him and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, he added: ‘The United States is our closest and most important ally. And that’s been the case under president after president, prime minister after prime minister. It won’t change.

‘And I look forward to working with President Biden on a lot of crucial stuff.’

Asked about Mr Biden’s belief he is a Trump ‘clone’, Mr Johnson said there was ‘far more’ uniting the governments ‘than divides us’.

He added: ‘We have common values. We have common interests. We have a common global perspective.’

Some senior Democrats still bridle over Mr Johnson’s 2016 claim that Barack Obama’s ‘part-Kenyan’ heritage had soured his attitude towards the UK.

Former Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor described Mr Johnson as a ‘shape-shifting creep’ at the weekend.

But Senator Chris Coons played down the row, saying Mr Biden would not want to ‘re-litigate’ every past remark.

Britain has been here before. We can build bridges

By Sir Christopher Meyer, Former Ambassador to the U.S, for the Daily Mail

Whenever a US election delivers a radical change in President, anxieties, even panic, flare in Downing Street about what it will mean for the UK/US relationship.

Meanwhile, almost like clockwork, commentators compete to write gloomy obituaries for the ‘Special Relationship’. And this time, following the election of Joe Biden, is no different.

But for goodness sake, everybody, calm down. We have been here before. In 2000, I was Britain’s ambassador in Washington when the result of the US presidential election between the Republican George W. Bush and the Democrat Al Gore hung in the balance.

In the end, after a tense few weeks, the US Supreme Court settled it in Bush’s favour.

We have been here before. In 2000, I was Britain’s ambassador in Washington when the result of the US presidential election between the Republican George W. Bush and the Democrat Al Gore hung in the balance

We have been here before. In 2000, I was Britain’s ambassador in Washington when the result of the US presidential election between the Republican George W. Bush and the Democrat Al Gore hung in the balance

The New Labour Downing Street of prime minister Tony Blair had followed the race closely and anxiously. They had a lot of eggs in Gore’s basket. Blair had developed a close personal and political relationship with the previous Democrat president, Bill Clinton.

And so New Labour hoped and prayed that Gore, who had been Clinton’s vice-president, would pick up where Clinton had left off. It was not to be. Bush became president. 

Yet despite this, and despite the fact that Blair and Clinton were far closer than Boris Johnson and President Trump, that proved no barrier to Blair developing an equally close relationship with Bush. 

Indeed, when I asked one of Bush’s closest advisers whether Blair’s friendship with Clinton would be a problem for the new president, he replied: ‘By your works shall ye be known.’

Behind the typically Texan biblical style, there was a profound message: namely that if our national interests coincided, all would be fine. That was what happened – and there’s no reason to think that, this time round, things will be any different.

For ultimately, the notion that Johnson and Trump are politically joined at the hip is rooted in myth – one that seems to be based on Trump’s backing for Brexit and a free trade agreement with the UK. 

After a long career in the US Senate he is extremely well known to us, and to a succession of British ambassadors

After a long career in the US Senate he is extremely well known to us, and to a succession of British ambassadors

Yet this never translated into anything concrete. Though trade negotiations began, Trump has been reluctant to stand up to those in his own country, especially the US agriculture lobby, who were insisting on terms we could never accept.

Meanwhile, in the wider world we have consistently been at loggerheads with Trump’s worldview: his lukewarm support for Nato, his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and his withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord to name but three.

Certainly he was right to criticise the People’s Republic of China for its unfair trade practices, its threats to national security and its assertive expansion of global influence.

But, as our Foreign Office never ceases to say, this is a policy that needs to be handled with care, not in the impulsive and unpredictable way that was a trademark of Trump’s foreign policy. On the other hand, the raw materials for a close working relationship with President Biden are all there.

After a long career in the US Senate he is extremely well known to us, and to a succession of British ambassadors. 

So too are some of his closest foreign policy advisers who can expect high office in his administration, such as President Obama’s national security adviser, Susan Rice, and his deputy secretary of state, Tony Blinken, whom I got to know well some 20 years ago.

Crucially, judging by Biden’s record in the Senate, it is pretty clear that his position on international issues coincides almost exactly with the priorities of British foreign policy.

He will take a firm line with Russia and China. He supports international cooperation. 

He will also reset relations with America’s traditional friends and allies in Nato and the European Union, most of whom have been neglected or insulted by Trump. 

Even when we are outside the EU, it will be an important British interest that Europe and America enjoy the closest of relations.

And so we must not fall into the trap of thinking this is a zero-sum game. It does not, for example, matter a hoot whether Biden comes to London first before any other European capitals.

For ultimately, the notion that Johnson and Trump are politically joined at the hip is rooted in myth – one that seems to be based on Trump’s backing for Brexit and a free trade agreement with the UK

For ultimately, the notion that Johnson and Trump are politically joined at the hip is rooted in myth – one that seems to be based on Trump’s backing for Brexit and a free trade agreement with the UK

In any case he will come to the UK twice next year for the G7 summit and the Paris Climate Accord meeting. 

Of course, we still have a lot of work to do explaining Brexit to our American friends, who for decades have supported the idea of European unity without always fully understanding what it entails.

But after all, the US is second to none in cherishing its national sovereignty, which is why it is not a member of the International Criminal Court. 

So it should well understand the British people’s democratic decision in 2016 to repatriate sovereignty from Brussels.

As for Northern Ireland, it needs to be even more urgently and insistently explained that the British Government will do nothing to damage the Good Friday Agreement. 

It is in our interest, above all others, that there should be peace, not violence, in our own nation.

We must never forget that in many areas – from defence and intelligence cooperation to mutual investment – British-American relations have, for decades, been extraordinarily close. 

There is absolutely no reason why this should not continue under President Biden. It is so obviously in the national interest of both our countries.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtODkyNzYwNS9QTS1Cb3Jpcy1Kb2huc29uLWxpc3Qtd29ybGQtbGVhZGVycy1CaWRlbi1jYWxsLmh0bWzSAWhodHRwczovL3d3dy5kYWlseW1haWwuY28udWsvbmV3cy9hcnRpY2xlLTg5Mjc2MDUvYW1wL1BNLUJvcmlzLUpvaG5zb24tbGlzdC13b3JsZC1sZWFkZXJzLUJpZGVuLWNhbGwuaHRtbA?oc=5

2020-11-09 00:26:00Z
52781172893453

Boris Johnson congratulates Joe Biden but faces strained relations - BBC News - BBC News

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

  1. Boris Johnson congratulates Joe Biden but faces strained relations - BBC News  BBC News
  2. US election: What a Biden presidency means for the UK  BBC News
  3. Boris Johnson congratulates Biden and Harris: 'There is more that unites us than divides us'  Guardian News
  4. Sorry remainers - here's why Biden's win is NOT a victory for you, says MARCO GIANNANGELI  Express
  5. A Trump card for Boris Johnson: Stand up for the people who elect you  The Sun
  6. View Full coverage on Google News

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiK2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9a21OdktjMUstczjSAQA?oc=5

2020-11-08 23:04:17Z
52781172893453

‘Future Queen’ Kate receives gushing praise from royal fans - ‘We are so lucky’ - Express

Kate, 38, was among members of the Royal Family commemorating the nation's war dead at the service - which was scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic - at the Cenotaph in London. Royal fans took to Twitter to praise Prince William's wife, who watched the ceremony from a balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building alongside Camilla.

One Twitter user wrote: “This beautiful regal lady looked so proud as her husband lay his wreath, they are such a credit to the royal family and our country.”

Another gushed: “Beautiful elegant lady we are so lucky to have her as our future Queen.”

A third praised: “Regal. Dignified. Elegant.”

Another royal fan commented: “Kate looks stunning, her serenity, strength and empathy never falters, she is a true inspiration.”

A fifth said: “Kate Middleton looks phenomenal.”

One more added: “Stunning! Beautiful lady and will make a wonderful Queen.”

Kate looked typically stunning in a black military-style coat and fascinator, completing her outfit with three poppies.

She stood next to the Duchess of Cornwall for the service.

READ MORE:Queen leads the nation in two minutes silence in poignant ceremony

Prince Andrew did not make an appearance after stepping back from royal duties following his disastrous Newsnight interview about his association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are starting a new life in the US with their young son Archie after quitting as working royals.

Boris Johnson was joined by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and former prime ministers Sir John Major, Tony Blair, David Cameron and Theresa May at the ceremony.

Whitehall is usually packed but this year the public were unable to attend due to the second national lockdown.

People were encouraged to take part in the two-minute silence at 11am at home.

Thousands of veterans and hundreds of servicemen and women also usually attend.

But this year there were less than 30 veterans at the event.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV4cHJlc3MuY28udWsvbmV3cy9yb3lhbC8xMzU3NzYxL2thdGUtbWlkZGxldG9uLW5ld3MtcmVtZW1icmFuY2Utc3VuZGF5LWNlbm90YXBoLXBpY3R1cmVzLXJveWFsLW5ld3PSAXRodHRwczovL3d3dy5leHByZXNzLmNvLnVrL25ld3Mvcm95YWwvMTM1Nzc2MS9rYXRlLW1pZGRsZXRvbi1uZXdzLXJlbWVtYnJhbmNlLXN1bmRheS1jZW5vdGFwaC1waWN0dXJlcy1yb3lhbC1uZXdzL2FtcA?oc=5

2020-11-08 18:47:00Z
52781175928227

Covid: Senior ministers interviewed in lockdown leak probe - BBC News

The leaks prompted the PM to announce the lockdown at a hastily arranged press conference
PA Media

Senior cabinet ministers have been interviewed or had their phones checked as part of a Covid leak inquiry, the BBC understands.

The investigation was launched after briefings to the press led Boris Johnson to announce England's lockdown earlier than planned.

Sources close to a number of ministers who attended a key meeting 10 days ago have denied they had any involvement.

The Cabinet Office said it would not comment on an ongoing investigation.

The inquiry, conducted by officials, centres around a meeting held on Friday 30 October.

Senior ministers were among those to discuss new coronavirus data, with some details appearing in the media that night. The next day Mr Johnson announced England's lockdown in a press conference.

In a message to Tory MPs on 31 October, the prime minister insisted the briefing had not come from No 10 and that he had originally hoped to reveal the measures to Parliament on Monday.

He revealed an inquiry had been set up to "catch the culprit".

Sources close to the Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove have said he and his aides were "happy" to submit their phones for examination given they had nothing to hide.

A spokesman for Health Secretary Matt Hancock said any claims he was behind the leak were categorically untrue.

It is understood aides to Chancellor Rishi Sunak have also had their phones checked while he was interviewed last week at 11 Downing Street and that he has strongly denied any involvement.

Banner image reading 'more about coronavirus'
Banner
Presentational grey line

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0ODYyNzQ50gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0ODYyNzQ5?oc=5

2020-11-08 18:40:00Z
52781174849263