thedailyexpress--2020-09-06--BBC blow as two thirds say SCRAP licence fee in poll ‘only a matter of time’

Exclusive research by OnePoll for the Sunday Express reveals that only around one in five people still support the £157.50 fee that must be paid by any household with a colour television .
There is overwhelming backing for a major overhaul of the broadcaster .
When asked if the BBC should reform or change its ways significantly , nearly two-thirds ( 62.49 percent ) said it should with only 18.93 percent disagreeing .
These findings come in the wake of widespread anger at the axing of free TV licences for all but the poorest over-75s .
There was further embarrassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a decision not to have singers perform Rule , Britannia !
and Land of Hope and Glory at The Last Night of the Proms forced a u-turn .
The BBC has also come under intense criticism for announcing the axing of 450 jobs across regional TV news and current affairs in England .
These and other controversies have flared up just as it faces unprecedented competition from online streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon .
Against this backdrop , 66.33 percent of respondents backed the scrapping of the mandatory licence fee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept .
Conservative MP Philip Davies , one of Parliament ’ s highest profile critics of the BBC , said : “ It ’ s pretty clear that the BBC itself and the licence fee have completely lost the confidence of the British people .
It ’ s not only a matter of time before [ the fee ] is scrapped and the BBC has to go to a subscription model .
“ It would , I think , be in their best interests – before they lose even more support amongst the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and go down that route voluntarily rather than going down kicking and screaming , which is the only other possible outcome.
” The polling shows significant support for alternative models of funding the BBC .
The most popular option , backed by 38.81 percent , is that it should take advertising .
More than a third ( 35.81 percent ) say the BBC should accept sponsorship , while 27.02 percent support the present licence fee with “ tweaks and cost savings ” .
More than a quarter ( 25.82 percent ) would support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news and the World Service and 25.52 percent back a voluntary subscription model .
Only 15.53 percent support a pay-per-view model which would see people pay to see individual shows such as Blue Planet and Strictly Come Dancing .
The public are split on how well the broadcaster reflects British values .
When respondents were asked how well they thought the BBC and its pundits reflect the values of the majority of the British people , 42.31 percent said “ very well ” or “ quite well ” , with 40.91 percent saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorly ” .
Shipley MP Mr Davies hopes the BBC will reverse the axing of free licences for most over-75s , accusing it of making savings “ on the back of old age pensioners in order to protect Gary Lineker ’ s salary ” .
He said : “ They basically treat the people who fund them with utter contempt and so they shouldn ’ t wonder when the upshot of it is opinion polls like this.. “ When I was a kid growing up , if you wanted to watch the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best drama , you watched the BBC .
Now , if you want to watch the best sport you watch Sky , if you want to watch the best drama you watch Netflix , and if you want to watch the best comedy you try and find some channel showing comedy shows from about 30 years ago ... “ The last place you go is to the BBC for any of that stuff and yet people are having to pay more and more for the licence fee in effect for worse and worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our analysis of public opinion shows that the licence fee is the most popular way to fund the BBC .
Long-term polling shows 41 % of the public pick the licence fee as the best way to fund the BBC , above advertising ( 30 % ) and subscription ( 26 % ) .
“ The licence fee ensures the BBC is an independent , universal broadcaster , committed to serving everyone - not the interests of advertisers or shareholders - and to investing in British creativity .
”

BBC licence fee: Campaigner on way PM could 'approach' issue
Exclusive research by OnePoll for the Sunday Express reveals that only around one in five people still support the £157.50 fee that must be paid by any household with a colour television. There is overwhelming backing for a major overhaul of the broadcaster.
When asked if the BBC should reform or change its ways significantly, nearly two-thirds (62.49 percent) said it should with only 18.93 percent disagreeing.
These findings come in the wake of widespread anger at the axing of free TV licences for all but the poorest over-75s. There was further embarrassment for the embattled broadcaster when public outcry at a decision not to have singers perform Rule, Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory at The Last Night of the Proms forced a u-turn.
The BBC has also come under intense criticism for announcing the axing of 450 jobs across regional TV news and current affairs in England. These and other controversies have flared up just as it faces unprecedented competition from online streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon.
Against this backdrop, 66.33 percent of respondents backed the scrapping of the mandatory licence fee, with only 20.93 percent wanting it kept. Conservative MP Philip Davies, one of Parliament’s highest profile critics of the BBC, said: “It’s pretty clear that the BBC itself and the licence fee have completely lost the confidence of the British people. It’s not only a matter of time before [the fee] is scrapped and the BBC has to go to a subscription model.
BBC blow as two thirds say scrap licence fee in poll ‘only a matter of time’
More than two-thirds of the British public now believe the BBC licence fee should be abolished
“It would, I think, be in their best interests – before they lose even more support amongst the British people – if they embrace that and go down that route voluntarily rather than going down kicking and screaming, which is the only other possible outcome.” The polling shows significant support for alternative models of funding the BBC. The most popular option, backed by 38.81 percent, is that it should take advertising. More than a third (35.81 percent) say the BBC should accept sponsorship, while 27.02 percent support the present licence fee with “tweaks and cost savings”.
More than a quarter (25.82 percent) would support Government funding for elements such as the news and the World Service and 25.52 percent back a voluntary subscription model. Only 15.53 percent support a pay-per-view model which would see people pay to see individual shows such as Blue Planet and Strictly Come Dancing.
The public are split on how well the broadcaster reflects British values. When respondents were asked how well they thought the BBC and its pundits reflect the values of the majority of the British people, 42.31 percent said “very well” or “quite well”, with 40.91 percent saying “very poorly” or “quite poorly”.
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thedailyexpress--2020-09-06--Blackford shut down: PM hands Scotland 'significant' funds ‘something to complain about’

The SNP has said thousands of jobs could be lost unnecessarily if the Scottish Parliament is denied the financial powers needed to protect Scotland ’ s economy from the impact of COVID-19 .
Ian Blackford , leader of the SNP at Westminster warned a `` jobs disaster ’ '' was impending if the Tories scrap the furlough scheme in October and withhold the borrowing powers being sought by Holyrood to save jobs .
But a Government source told Express.co.uk on Saturday evening millions had been given to Scotland in support stressing the comments that the SNP were just playing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Boris Johnson and the UK Government are helping Scotland with significant amounts of funding due to COVID-19 , the SNP are just looking for something to complain about .
“ Scotland should be working together with Westminster to show the strength of the UK during this difficult time.
” The MP warned the growing threat to Scottish jobs demonstrated the need for independence , stressing that the Scottish Parliament would have extended the furlough scheme if Scotland had the normal powers of an independent country .
The latest Treasury figures reveal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third of Scotland 's workforce have been propped up by UK Government support .
Numbers salaried under the Job Retention Scheme soared by 43,000 to 779,500 between June and July as the country moved into the third stage of Nicola Sturgeon ’ s more cautious exit plan .
Over the same period a further 2,000 self-employed Scots were paid out of the public purse .
It takes the total number of non-staff claims to 157,000 , with Westminster backing entrepreneurs to the tune of £459 million .
Scotland 's Finance Secretary Kate Forbes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the flexibility to borrow more and to be able to move capital underspend over to day-to-day revenue spending .
During a visit to Edinburgh in July , Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay said that a further £1.9 billion in funding had been given to the Scottish Government to see out the year and fund initiatives to tackle the effects of COVID-19 in lieu of granting more fiscal flexibility for Scotland .
Mr Blackford , said : “ The UK faces a looming jobs disaster if the Tories cut the furlough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Scottish Parliament needs to save jobs and protect our economy .
`` Reckless Tory plans to cut support for jobs in the middle of a global pandemic could lead to mass unemployment - with thousands of unnecessary job losses and lasting social damage for communities across Scotland .
DO N'T MISS : New Tory leader launches election plan as Ross takes on ruling SNP [ REVEAL ] Nicola Sturgeon ’ s SNP government set to be sued over care home crisis [ INSIGHT ] Boris Johnson confronts Nicola Sturgeon as huge SNP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scottish Government is doing what it can with the limited financial powers it has to protect jobs - including vital policies like the youth guarantee .
“ But the hard reality is , without the normal powers of an independent country , Scotland is unable to extend the furlough scheme and deliver the scale of fiscal stimulus needed to properly protect our economy .
`` By withholding these powers and refusing to act , Westminster is leaving Scotland to tackle this unprecedented crisis with one hand tied behind our back - putting thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Scotland can make different choices to protect jobs but only if we have the powers that other normal countries have .
“ Our European neighbours in Ireland , France and Germany are already extending their furlough schemes just as Scotland would if we were independent .
`` Boris Johnson must perform an urgent U-turn , extend the furlough scheme , and devolve the powers Scotland needs .
`` Scotland should n't have to wait for Westminster to act .
It is clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become an independent country . ''
However , the latest economic figures from the Scottish Government reveal Scotland faces an eye-watering public spending gap of more than £40 billion this year .
The official figures showed Scotland 's fiscal deficit grew to 8.6 percent of GDP in the 2019/20 financial year , with government spending £15.1 billion more than is received in revenues .
Official figures this week showed Scotland ’ s economy suffered one of the deepest downticks in Europe during lockdown and has bounced back far more slowly than the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ The strength of the UK has never been more important than now , which is why the UK government is doing everything possible to support all parts of the UK as we recover from the pandemic .
“ The UK Government is currently supporting nearly 900,000 jobs in Scotland – a third of the workforce .

Indyref2: SNP sent fiscal deficit warning by Maurice Golden
The SNP has said thousands of jobs could be lost unnecessarily if the Scottish Parliament is denied the financial powers needed to protect Scotland’s economy from the impact of COVID-19. Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP at Westminster warned a "jobs disaster’" was impending if the Tories scrap the furlough scheme in October and withhold the borrowing powers being sought by Holyrood to save jobs.
Trending
But a Government source told Express.co.uk on Saturday evening millions had been given to Scotland in support stressing the comments that the SNP were just playing “party politics”. The source added: “Boris Johnson and the UK Government are helping Scotland with significant amounts of funding due to COVID-19, the SNP are just looking for something to complain about. “Scotland should be working together with Westminster to show the strength of the UK during this difficult time.” The MP warned the growing threat to Scottish jobs demonstrated the need for independence, stressing that the Scottish Parliament would have extended the furlough scheme if Scotland had the normal powers of an independent country.
Whitehall dismissed Ian Blackford's comments today
Ian Blackford called for further powers last night
The latest Treasury figures reveal that more than 936,000 jobs, a third of Scotland's workforce have been propped up by UK Government support. Numbers salaried under the Job Retention Scheme soared by 43,000 to 779,500 between June and July as the country moved into the third stage of Nicola Sturgeon’s more cautious exit plan. Over the same period a further 2,000 self-employed Scots were paid out of the public purse. It takes the total number of non-staff claims to 157,000, with Westminster backing entrepreneurs to the tune of £459 million. READ MORE: BBC joins backlash over SNP Hate Crime Bill - ‘serious threat '
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Kate Forbes previously wrote to Rishi Sunak to extend the furlough scheme
Scotland's Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and other Scottish ministers have repeatedly pushed for the flexibility to borrow more and to be able to move capital underspend over to day-to-day revenue spending. During a visit to Edinburgh in July, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay said that a further £1.9 billion in funding had been given to the Scottish Government to see out the year and fund initiatives to tackle the effects of COVID-19 in lieu of granting more fiscal flexibility for Scotland. Mr Blackford, said: “The UK faces a looming jobs disaster if the Tories cut the furlough scheme and withhold the crucial financial powers the Scottish Parliament needs to save jobs and protect our economy. "Reckless Tory plans to cut support for jobs in the middle of a global pandemic could lead to mass unemployment - with thousands of unnecessary job losses and lasting social damage for communities across Scotland. DON'T MISS:
New Tory leader launches election plan as Ross takes on ruling SNP [REVEAL]
Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP government set to be sued over care home crisis [INSIGHT]
Boris Johnson confronts Nicola Sturgeon as huge SNP row erupts [LATEST]
Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has called for more spending powers
"The Scottish Government is doing what it can with the limited financial powers it has to protect jobs - including vital policies like the youth guarantee. “But the hard reality is, without the normal powers of an independent country, Scotland is unable to extend the furlough scheme and deliver the scale of fiscal stimulus needed to properly protect our economy. "By withholding these powers and refusing to act, Westminster is leaving Scotland to tackle this unprecedented crisis with one hand tied behind our back - putting thousands of Scottish jobs on the line. "Scotland can make different choices to protect jobs but only if we have the powers that other normal countries have.
Nicola Sturgeon grilled on Scottish deficit by Richard Leonard
“Our European neighbours in Ireland, France and Germany are already extending their furlough schemes just as Scotland would if we were independent. "Boris Johnson must perform an urgent U-turn, extend the furlough scheme, and devolve the powers Scotland needs. "Scotland shouldn't have to wait for Westminster to act. It is clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect jobs and our economy is for Scotland to become an independent country." However, the latest economic figures from the Scottish Government reveal Scotland faces an eye-watering public spending gap of more than £40 billion this year.
Ian Blackford stressed the importance of the furlough scheme
The official figures showed Scotland's fiscal deficit grew to 8.6 percent of GDP in the 2019/20 financial year, with government spending £15.1 billion more than is received in revenues. Official figures this week showed Scotland’s economy suffered one of the deepest downticks in Europe during lockdown and has bounced back far more slowly than the UK’s. A UK government spokesperson added: “The strength of the UK has never been more important than now, which is why the UK government is doing everything possible to support all parts of the UK as we recover from the pandemic. “The UK Government is currently supporting nearly 900,000 jobs in Scotland – a third of the workforce.
Scotland: Kate Forbes grilled on unity with UK by BBC host


thedailyexpress--2020-09-05--Exasperated VDL set to push out Barnier and Frost to sort Brexit deal with Angela Merkel

Reports suggest the Commission president would attempt to take over the trade talks following her speech in a bid to @ @ @ @ @ would be joined in her efforts by German Chancellor Angela Merkel , whose country holds @ @ @ @ @ of the EU .
And Charles Michel , president of the European Council , is @ @ @ @ @ Ms von der Leyen ’ s side when she takes over the talks for the @ @ @ @ @ the Express.co.uk revealed on Friday Mr Barnier ’ s plea for leaders of the EU @ @ @ @ @ to intervene in the talks was slapped down .

Reports suggest the Commission president would attempt to take over the trade talks following her speech in a bid to find a breakthrough.
She would be joined in her efforts by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the six-month long rotating presidency of the EU.
And Charles Michel, president of the European Council, is also expected to be by Ms von der Leyen’s side when she takes over the talks for the bloc.
It comes after the Express.co.uk revealed on Friday Mr Barnier’s plea for leaders of the EU’s 27 member states to intervene in the talks was slapped down.


thedailyexpress--2020-09-05--Scotland to continue EU scheme after Brexit transition period ends, SNP announces

Holyrood has said farmers would continue to benefit from the £130 million Greening scheme after ties with Brussels have been completely severed .
The initiative has been in place since 2015 under the bloc ’ s Common Agricultural Policy ( CAP ) .
Rural communities are boosted by extra payments given to farmers for complying with certain regulations .
Scotland ’ s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing pointed out that Holyrood legislation included powers to continue the CAP after Brexit .
He said the Scottish Government would be able to `` make improvements that are tailored to suit Scotland 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Ewing , who serves in Nicola Sturgeon ’ s Cabinet , said the changes being introduced `` mark the first steps to implement simplifications and improvements to the administration of CAP schemes '' .
The SNP said it was making some minor tweaks to the scheme .
The announcement was welcomed by the president of the National Farmers Union ( NFU ) in Scotland .
The organisation represents around 10,000 farmers , crofters and other agricultural workers .
Andrew McCornick said the group had `` consistently argued that the EU 's blunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental issues '' .
He said the latest announcement from the Scottish Government was a `` significant step in the right direction '' .
Mr McCornick added : `` Scrapping the crop diversification requirement ( three crop rule ) makes for common sense , while the importance of permanent grassland and efficient input use should be explored in the context of both climate ambitions and business performance . ''
With Ecological Focus Areas ( EFAs ) being kept in the short term subject to a wider review , Mr McCornick said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more effective options that are also less onerous .
“ If the principle of EFAs is to be retained , then it 's right that farmer-led revisions are made to embrace climate change as well as biodiversity . ''
The move comes as fears of a no-deal Brexit this week stepped up a notch following a crunch meeting between Michel Barnier and David Frost in London .
DO N'T MISS EU 's disastrous policy is 'sending money to the rich , not the poor ' [ EXPLAINED ] Brexit boost : 'Pessimistic ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VIDEO ] Farmers slaughter 650,000 chicks as coronavirus crisis hits demand [ ANALYSIS ] The discussion on Tuesday failed to provide any breakthrough in the deadlocked post-Brexit trade talks .
Both sides are due to kick off the next round of negotiations on Tuesday .
This week a former NFU chief economist warned that one in three farms could collapse within five years if a free trade deal is not secured .
Sean Rickard said when the Government phased out direct payments to growers and livestock producers it would deal a heavy blow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already struggling .
He said half of all farms were already operating without a profit .
Mr Rickard said : “ It is very , very difficult to be precise , but I would be prepared to say that in the event of no deal , you would lose at least one-third of farmers and probably more .
”

Brexit: UK farming can see boost from right policies says expert
Holyrood has said farmers would continue to benefit from the £130 million Greening scheme after ties with Brussels have been completely severed. The initiative has been in place since 2015 under the bloc’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Trending
Rural communities are boosted by extra payments given to farmers for complying with certain regulations. Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing pointed out that Holyrood legislation included powers to continue the CAP after Brexit. He said the Scottish Government would be able to "make improvements that are tailored to suit Scotland's unique agricultural and rural needs". Mr Ewing, who serves in Nicola Sturgeon’s Cabinet, said the changes being introduced "mark the first steps to implement simplifications and improvements to the administration of CAP schemes".
Scottish farmers will see payments continued after the Brexit transition deadline
Boris Johnson has ruled out extending the Brexit transition period
The SNP said it was making some minor tweaks to the scheme. The announcement was welcomed by the president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) in Scotland. The organisation represents around 10,000 farmers, crofters and other agricultural workers. Andrew McCornick said the group had "consistently argued that the EU's blunt Greening rules were poorly targeted on Scottish environmental issues". He said the latest announcement from the Scottish Government was a "significant step in the right direction".
READ MORE: Brexit myth-busted: Farmer boss shuts down 'misleading' Remainer claim
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Under the CAP, farmers receive extra payment for complying with certain regulations
Mr McCornick added: "Scrapping the crop diversification requirement (three crop rule) makes for common sense, while the importance of permanent grassland and efficient input use should be explored in the context of both climate ambitions and business performance." With Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) being kept in the short term subject to a wider review, Mr McCornick said: "The Union has long advocated smarter, more effective options that are also less onerous. “If the principle of EFAs is to be retained, then it's right that farmer-led revisions are made to embrace climate change as well as biodiversity." The move comes as fears of a no-deal Brexit this week stepped up a notch following a crunch meeting between Michel Barnier and David Frost in London. DON'T MISS
EU's disastrous policy is 'sending money to the rich, not the poor' [EXPLAINED]
Brexit boost:'Pessimistic' Remainer farmers SILENCED with key point [VIDEO]
Farmers slaughter 650,000 chicks as coronavirus crisis hits demand [ANALYSIS]
Farmers in Scotland welcomed Holyrood's announcement
The discussion on Tuesday failed to provide any breakthrough in the deadlocked post-Brexit trade talks. Both sides are due to kick off the next round of negotiations on Tuesday. This week a former NFU chief economist warned that one in three farms could collapse within five years if a free trade deal is not secured.
Brexit timeline
Sean Rickard said when the Government phased out direct payments to growers and livestock producers it would deal a heavy blow to farmers, many of whom are already struggling. He said half of all farms were already operating without a profit. Mr Rickard said: “It is very, very difficult to be precise, but I would be prepared to say that in the event of no deal, you would lose at least one-third of farmers and probably more.”
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier


thedailyexpress--2020-09-05--Red Wall Tory says 'elitist' Labour lost Leave voters forever 'they'll never forgive them'

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Ashfield MP Lee Anderson warned it will be difficult for Labour to win back ex-voters who backed the Tories in last December ’ s election .
He added that the party , which Sir Keir Starmer took over as leader from Jeremy Corbyn in April , is a “ metropolitan elitist party ” .
Mr Anderson said : “ It is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seventies .
“ The Brexit argument is still in the back of people ’ s minds .
“ And I don ’ t think Labour voters , the Leave voters , will ever forgive them for continually ignoring them throughout the four years since the referendum .
“ And still bleating on about extending the transition period , about trade deals , instead of just saying ‘ get on with it , let ’ s make the best of it , we respect your decision , we ’ re leaving ’ .

Brexit: Boris Johnson says a ‘deal is there to be done’
Ashfield MP Lee Anderson warned it will be difficult for Labour to win back ex-voters who backed the Tories in last December’s election. He added that the party, which Sir Keir Starmer took over as leader from Jeremy Corbyn in April, is a “metropolitan elitist party”.
Mr Anderson said: “It is not the Labour Party of the fifties and sixties and seventies. “The Brexit argument is still in the back of people’s minds. “And I don’t think Labour voters, the Leave voters, will ever forgive them for continually ignoring them throughout the four years since the referendum. “And still bleating on about extending the transition period, about trade deals, instead of just saying ‘get on with it, let’s make the best of it, we respect your decision, we’re leaving’.
A Red Wall Conservative MP has warned Leave voters will “never forgive” Labour’s Brexit betrayal
Ashfield MP Lee Anderson warned it will be difficult for Labour to win back ex-voters who backed the Tories in last December’s election
“I speak to voters every day in their fifties and sixties that have voted Labour all their lives. “But once they’ve voted Tory, it’s going to be difficult for the Labour Party to win them back as they’ve taken that step. “They’ve had it up here, they’ve absolutely had it.” He added that Labour has “done nothing to apologise or to try and win the voters back”. READ MORE: Ex-Labour leader shamed as 'red wall' voters praise Sunak
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Mr Anderson said that Labour is a “metropolitan elitist party”
Mr Anderson branded Labour “completely out of touch” after Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle attacked Brexiteers in a recent tweet
Former coal miner and ex-Labour Party member Mr Anderson took the Ashfield seat in the 2019 general election, which saw the Tories win a landslide victory. He said: “Traditionally in the Labour heartlands they have been Labour because they were places with heavy industry. “Mining, textiles, manufacturing, heavily unionised, closed shop unions. “So the Labour Party had a captive audience and captive subscription really.
Trending


thedailyexpress--2020-09-06--Brexit LIVE: EU warned UK ‘serious’ about no deal threat – Boris prepared to WALK AWAY

Both sides want a deal agreed next month in order to have it signed off by politicians on both sides of the Channel by the end of the transition period on December 31 .
But UK government officials have warned today the UK will not budge , stressing the EU should allow Britain to approach things in its “ own way ” .
A Government source said : `` The EU must also realise that we are serious about leaving with an Australian-style trading relationship and reclaiming our independence as a sovereign nation if we can not find acceptable terms.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that it would “ continue to set out our reasonable arguments , which have remained the same since talks began in February ” .
Another Number 10 source stressed Brexit deal agreement is made “ based on precedent ” .
They said : “ It ’ s time the EU accepted that so we can move on . ''
The UK has repeatedly hit out at Brussels over demands it says have been not to other third-party nations .
Differences remain between the pair on issues such as fishing and the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to provide for businesses once it is an independent nation .
But Number 10 warned the EU needs to show “ more realism ” on the “ scale of the change that results from our departure ” .
12:30pm update : Sir Ed Davey - Failed Brexit outcome would be a `` disaster '' for the country Sir Ed Davey , leader of the Liberal Democrats , was critical of the David Frost 's approach and said a failed outcome would be a `` disaster '' for the country .
He told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do feel the Government is being very reckless and risky .
`` We are in a recession now .
It was n't foreseen when Brexit was first talked of and during the referendum and during the last election .
`` This recession due to Covid , some people say , may be the worst and the deepest recession for 300 years and , in that context , the idea of a no-deal Brexit on top of the Covid recession , I think , would be a disaster for people 's jobs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the country . ''
The former cabinet minister said he wants the country to have a close relationship with Europe but that talks of his party campaigning to rejoin the EU at the next election under his leadership is `` for the birds '' .
11am update : Rabb - Upcoming talks should be a `` wake-up call for EU '' Dominic Raab said the forthcoming negotiations this week should be a `` wake-up call '' for the EU .
Speaking on BBC One 's Andrew Marr Show , he said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acceptable to the UK .
`` On fisheries , let 's just look at this for a moment , '' he said .
`` Having seen UK fisheries and the fishing industry pretty much decimated as a result of EU membership , the EU 's argument is that we should keep control and access to our own fisheries permanently low - that ca n't be right . ''
Mr Raab said control over state aid rules , the other sticking point in the talks , was an `` absolutely critical element of policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be responsible for it in the future .
British `` emotional nationalism '' risks leaving the UK without a deal , Ireland 's foreign minister has warned .
Simon Coveney feared that both sides would fail to reach an agreement especially as Brexit is a now a low priority for the EU during this month 's leaders summit .
Mr Coveney said : `` Nobody wants to be paying tariffs or having unnecessary disruption to trade between the EU and the UK .
`` But I do think that the way in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is incredibly inward-looking .
`` It 's focused on British politics , it 's driven by pride , emotion , nationalism , as opposed to the detail of what 's required to get a trade deal and the compromises that are required to do that . ''
8am update : Lord Frost is not scared of walking away from EU talks The UK 's chief negotiator has said the Government is not `` scared '' of walking away from talks with the European Union without a deal and vowed not to blink in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Mail on Sunday , the Prime Minister 's Europe sherpa said the UK was preparing to leave the transition period `` come what may '' - even if that meant exiting with no deal , which officials have dubbed a so-called `` Australian-style '' arrangement .
Lord Frost told the newspaper the UK would not agree to being a `` client state '' to the EU and said Theresa May 's administration had allowed Brussels to believe there could be an eleventh hour concession on a trade deal .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government and negotiating team that had blinked and had its bluff called at critical moments and the EU had learned not to take our word seriously .
`` So a lot of what we are trying to do this year is to get them to realise that we mean what we say and they should take our position seriously . ''

Brexit: Raab discusses the 'moment of reckoning' in negotiations
A Brussels source has claimed negotiations will continue into November. This comes despite the EU’s chief negotiator warning an agreement must be struck by the "strict deadline" of the end of next month in order to have it in place for the close of the transition period on December 31. THIS BLOC IS NOW FINISHED: FOR LATEST UPDATES CLICK HERE
The source said: “The negotiations will will last three or four days into November, but they can’t go beyond that.” The eighth round of negotiations led by Mr Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost takes place next week in London. The pair met for informal talks earlier this week in a bid to break the deadlock. Little progress was made in the last round of formal negotiations in Brussels.
Trade talks could run into November despite Michel Barnier’s October deadline
6.00am update: Northern Ireland leader brands Government move 'treachery' on Brexit Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill wrote in a tweet that any plans to reverse the protocol would be a “treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy and the Good Friday Agreement”. 4.00am update: Dominic Rabb says UK nearing Brexit trade deal agreement Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK is close to reaching a trade deal with Brussels. Mr Raab said the UK and the EU had the negotiations "boiled down to two outstanding bones of contention" - control of UK fishing waters and taxpayer support for businesses. He added: “There is a good deal there for the EU; we’d love to do that free trade agreement – and if not, we’ll fall back on Australian-style rules. “I think this week is an important moment for the EU to really effectively recognise that those two point of principles are not something we can just haggle away – they are the very reasons we are leaving the EU, but we want a positive relationship and the arm of friendship and goodwill is extended.” 2.40am update: MPs to assess cross-border law enforcement post-Brexit MPs are set to scrutinise the effects of Brexit on cross-border criminal activity between Ireland and the UK. The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee also seeks to find ways to block co-operation after January 2021 and explore potential substitutes for the current EU agreements which allow cross-border co-operation.
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10.50pm update: UK planning legislation that would override key parts of Withdrawal Agreement The Government is planning new legislation that would override key parts of the Withdrawal Agreement, according to reports. The Financial Times reported that sections of the Internal Market Bill, due to be published this Wednesday, are expected to "eliminate" the legal force of the Withdrawal Agreement in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs. As part of the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the region is expected to continue to follow some EU rules after Brexit to ensure there is no hard border. The Government spokeswoman said it was working to "protect Northern Ireland's place in our United Kingdom". She said: "We are working hard to resolve outstanding issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol through the Joint Committee and will continue to approach these discussions in good faith. "As a responsible government, we are considering fall back options in the event this is not achieved to ensure the communities of Northern Ireland are protected."
Leaving the EU without a trade deal would still be a "good outcome" for the UK, the Prime Minister will say
10.40pm update: Boris Johnson NOT expected to reach deal with EU - poll Boris Johnson is not expected to strike a trade deal with the EU before the end of the transition period, according to the results of an Express.co.uk poll. Readers voted in our poll on whether they think the Prime Minister will secure an agreement with Brussels before the end of the year. Some 74 percent of respondents said no, while 17 percent replied yes. Eight percent said maybe and one percent did not know. Commenting on the poll, one reader fumed: “Any deal the EU would find acceptable is not a deal we would find acceptable. “Better to clear the decks, go WTO, re-establish our global presence as an independent, sovereign state and only then reopen initially-informal discussions from an unencumbered starting point. “The EU are STILL trapped in their groundless belief that we somehow remain a member or a client state and subject to their whims, rules and fancies. “Only when they disabuse themselves of those notions could we even begin to talk sensibly with them.” 10.30pm update: No deal would still be ‘good outcome’ for Britain - PM Leaving the EU without a trade deal would still be a "good outcome" for the UK, the Prime Minister will say. In comments due to be made on Monday, Boris Johnson will say: "We are now entering the final phase of our negotiations with the EU. "The EU have been very clear about the timetable. I am too. “There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on October 15 if it's going to be in force by the end of the year. "So there is no sense in thinking about timelines that go beyond that point. "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on."
Ex-MEP June Mummery has urged MPs to ‘fight’ for the fishing industry
9.05pm update: Ex-MEP urges MPs to ‘fight’ for fishing industry Former Brexit Party MEP June Mummery tweeted: “There are 186 Coastal MP’s whose job it is to serve their constituents. “Fishing is the natural industry in Coastal towns and villages, 40 years ago that resource was traded away by Ted Heath. “It is paramount these MP’s fight for its return.” 8.30pm update: EU will NOT welcome independent Scotland without 'severe restraints' Nicola Sturgeon has been warned an independent Scotland would not be accepted into the EU without severe constraints imposed on the country. Scottish Conservative Councillor for Cupar Tony Miklinski hit out at the current state of Scotland's economy as he highlighted the struggles the First Minister would face trying to join the EU. Mr Miklinski told Express.co.uk the United Kingdom is stronger together and Scotland's economy greatly benefits from being supported by the Westminster Government.
Dr Niall McCrae claimed that Ireland may be a country that looks to leave the bloc
7.15pm update: EU panic as surprise member teases exit from bloc Brussels could be blindsided by a desire to leave the EU by this surprising member state, according to an expert. Dr Niall McCrae, of the pro-Brexit Bruges Group think tank, argued that anti-EU sentiment is growing among member states. He claimed that Ireland may be a country that looks to leave the bloc. Dr McCrae noted that the current eurosceptic movement in Ireland is small but this will grow significantly after the UK officially cuts ties with the EU at the end of the transition period. 6.40pm update: Gibraltar can strike EU deal even if UK-EU trade talks fail Gibraltar can "easily" strike a deal with the EU mapping out their future relationship even if David Frost and Michel Barnier fail to reach an agreement, the Rock's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has insisted. Mr Picardo maintained the best result for everyone involved - the UK, Gibraltar, and the EU - was a deal "at all levels". However, he also insisted a "differentiated" agreement with Gibraltar was possible.
The eighth round of negotiations led by Mr Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost takes place next week in London
5.20pm update: Will Boris secure a trade deal with the EU before December 31? Poll Boris Johnson has vowed he will not extend the UK's transition period out of the EU further than the three-month deadline. But with the UK threatening to walk away as trade talks hit stalemate, will Boris secure a trade deal with the EU before December 31? Vote in Express.co.uk's poll here. 4pm update: Boris told to ditch deadlocked trade talks with EU - poll Boris Johnson should abandon deadlocked post-Brexit trade talks with the EU, according to an Express.co.uk poll. Readers voted in our poll on whether the Prime Minister should walk away from negotiations with Brussels. Some 93 percent of respondents said yes, with just seven percent disagreeing. Commenting on the poll, one reader wrote: “I can't understand what's taking so long, we will never give up our waters for them to plunder and we will never agree to abiding by their laws. “Just walk away and say you drop these bullying demands and we can talk but don't bother us unless you do.” Another fumed: “How many times you need telling Boris just walk away now and get it over with and start WTO.”
Mr Frost and Mr Barnier met for informal talks earlier this week in a bid to break the deadlock
Little progress was made in the last round of formal negotiations in Brussels
3.15pm update: Britain must leave EU ‘on our terms’ - Tory MP Britain must leave the EU "on our terms" as the Brexit vote was "all about taking back control", a Conservative MP has insisted. Tory MP Lee Anderson warned the UK should abandon negotiations if Brussels does not accept Britain’s demands. The Ashfield MP, who took the Red Wall seat from Labour in the 2019 general election, told Express.co.uk: “We should leave on our terms. “That’s what the vote was all about taking back control of everything. “We leave on our terms and if they don’t give in to the deal we want then we walk away.” 2pm update: Difference over DUP stance to Brexit deal A senior DUP MP has insisted his party will not accept the Brexit withdrawal deal, in comments apparently at odds with his leader's stance. Sammy Wilson said the deal that contains the contentious Northern Ireland protocol must be "scrapped" or at least significantly changed. The DUP consistently opposed the deal at Westminster, arguing that it creates an economic border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. On Friday, party leader and Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster reiterated that opposition but said she has to "recognise the reality" that it is now law and she has to be part of the process that saw it implemented.
Current Brexit talks have reached a stalemate
12:30pm update: Sir Ed Davey - Failed Brexit outcome would be a "disaster" for the country Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, was critical of the David Frost's approach and said a failed outcome would be a "disaster" for the country. He told Sky News' Sophy Ridge: "I do feel the Government is being very reckless and risky. "We are in a recession now. It wasn't foreseen when Brexit was first talked of and during the referendum and during the last election. "This recession due to Covid, some people say, may be the worst and the deepest recession for 300 years and, in that context, the idea of a no-deal Brexit on top of the Covid recession, I think, would be a disaster for people's jobs, for livelihoods, for businesses up and down the country." The former cabinet minister said he wants the country to have a close relationship with Europe but that talks of his party campaigning to rejoin the EU at the next election under his leadership is "for the birds". 11am update: Rabb - Upcoming talks should be a "wake-up call for EU" Dominic Raab said the forthcoming negotiations this week should be a "wake-up call" for the EU. Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, he said the EU's position on fisheries was not acceptable to the UK. "On fisheries, let's just look at this for a moment," he said. "Having seen UK fisheries and the fishing industry pretty much decimated as a result of EU membership, the EU's argument is that we should keep control and access to our own fisheries permanently low - that can't be right." Mr Raab said control over state aid rules, the other sticking point in the talks, was an "absolutely critical element of policy making" and that UK politicians should be responsible for it in the future.
Brexit timeline revealed
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thedailyexpress--2020-09-06--Sturgeon to face new pro-union team as 70 Tories hatch plan to stop Scottish independence

More than 70 MPs have formed the Conservative Union Research Group to work for the success and survival of the union in the decades ahead .
The move comes as Nicola Sturgeon prepares the ground for a new independence in Scotland and Sinn Fein predicts a majority in Northern Ireland will vote for Irish unification within 10 years .
The new group is chaired by Robin Millar , who last year won the Welsh seat of Aberconwy .
He says two-thirds of the group are newly elected MPs – many from former Labour seats – who can not be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that preserving the union is “ essential ” for the challenges ahead this century , he said : “ We have formed the Conservative Union Research Group with one aim : support the government in strengthening the union .
We believe the United Kingdom is no small matter , or marginal concern .
“ We believe its effects are evident in almost every part of life , that it is a potent force for good and it is fit for use in the 21st century .
“ This UK has deep and strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these islands gave its own , united in defence of liberty , to ensure a world free from Nazi tyranny .
“ The NHS – conceived in Wales , delivered in Manchester , free at the point of use – only survives with the support of the UK ’ s economic strength .
The language of our union dominates the globe because of our success in trading , powered by the combined strength of our union.
” Exclusive polling for the Sunday Express by OnePoll sheds new light on attitudes to the union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better or worse for everyone in the UK , including the Scots , if Scotland became an independent nation , only four out of 10 ( 39.61 percent ) thought it would be “ worse ” or “ much worse ” .
Just over a third ( 33.66 percent ) said it would be “ better ” or “ much better ” and more than a quarter ( 26.72 percent ) did not know or chose not to say .
Mr Millar and his colleagues want to strengthen the union at every opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not about “ bashing the SNP ” , saying they are “ entitled to a view ” .
He is more interested in reaching people who are “ trying to make their minds up ” .
He said : “ One of the strengths of the union has been to accommodate difference and I would hope that our vision for the union is big enough to include those who do not want to be part of the union.
” Comparing the different nations to one big family , he said : “ Families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the strength of the bonds that hold that family together and allow that kind of strong debate , so I ’ m confident that we will find a way through it.
” Mr Millar does not support a move to a “ federal ” United Kingdom in which England – like Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales – has its own government with a separate UK Government dealing with affairs for the entire UK .
“ I don ’ t think there is any appetite for more government , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set aside their opinions about what would happen to Scotland if the nation leaves the UK and consider whether this would make life better or worse for those in the remaining parts of the country .
More than a third ( 34.27 percent ) thought England , Northern Ireland and Wales would be “ better ” or “ much better ” off .
Close to four out of 10 ( 38.71 percent ) thought the remaining nations would be “ worse ” or “ much worse ” off – and 27.02 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .

Jacob Rees Mogg: SNP ’don’t have Scotland’s interests at heart’
More than 70 MPs have formed the Conservative Union Research Group to work for the success and survival of the union in the decades ahead. The move comes as Nicola Sturgeon prepares the ground for a new independence in Scotland and Sinn Fein predicts a majority in Northern Ireland will vote for Irish unification within 10 years.
The new group is chaired by Robin Millar, who last year won the Welsh seat of Aberconwy. He says two-thirds of the group are newly elected MPs – many from former Labour seats – who cannot be “dismissed as nostalgic flag-wavers”. Arguing that preserving the union is “essential” for the challenges ahead this century, he said: “We have formed the Conservative Union Research Group with one aim: support the government in strengthening the union. We believe the United Kingdom is no small matter, or marginal concern. “We believe its effects are evident in almost every part of life, that it is a potent force for good and it is fit for use in the 21st century. “This UK has deep and strong roots. Every corner and community of these islands gave its own, united in defence of liberty, to ensure a world free from Nazi tyranny. “The NHS – conceived in Wales, delivered in Manchester, free at the point of use – only survives with the support of the UK’s economic strength. The language of our union dominates the globe because of our success in trading, powered by the combined strength of our union.”
Sturgeon to face new pro-union team as 70 Tories hatch plan to stop Scottish independence
The move comes as Nicola Sturgeon prepares the ground for a new independence in Scotland
Exclusive polling for the Sunday Express by OnePoll sheds new light on attitudes to the union. When asked if it would be better or worse for everyone in the UK, including the Scots, if Scotland became an independent nation, only four out of 10 (39.61 percent) thought it would be “worse” or “much worse”. Just over a third (33.66 percent) said it would be “better” or “much better” and more than a quarter (26.72 percent) did not know or chose not to say. Mr Millar and his colleagues want to strengthen the union at every opportunity. He insists the new group is not about “bashing the SNP”, saying they are “entitled to a view”. He is more interested in reaching people who are “trying to make their minds up”. He said: “One of the strengths of the union has been to accommodate difference and I would hope that our vision for the union is big enough to include those who do not want to be part of the union.”
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thedailyexpress--2020-09-06--Royal Navy 'spread too thin' to do its job, warns former First Sea Lord

The peer believes a lack of available ships was directly responsible for the capture by Iran of the UK-flagged oil tanker the Stena Impero last year - and accused the Government of basing decisions on resources rather than the worldwide threats which the nation faces .
Baron West was First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 2002 to 2006 , and who also served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Security and Counter-Terrorism in then-Prime Minister Tony Blair 's Government from 2007 to 2010 .
He told Express.co.uk : `` This review was trumpeted by the Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War 2 , certainly since Suez .
`` It was going to be all things to all men , it was going to talk about our position in the world , the importance of foreign policy , what all the threats are , and come up with a defence and security plan that makes us safe , all of these things .
`` And what clearly is actually happening , not least because of this damn virus but other reasons as well , is that it is going to become a cuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` There wo n't be extra money for defence - I think that is highly unlikely .
`` And therefore , although they say they are getting what is required by this country for defence , the reality that they are not basing what forces we have on the threats that we face .
`` They are basing it on how much money we have got .
`` If that is necessary , if that is really what we have got to do , then they should be honest with that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it .
For example , things like the two percent of GDP on defence : well , actually the Government has not really managed that and they have clipped the figures to achieve that .
READ MORE Brexit alert - Gibraltar CAN strike EU deal if UK-EU trade talks fail '' And with the two percent , if GDP slumps , which it might well do , you have got less money . ''
Baron West added : `` I am extremely worried that we are looking at defence and saying `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than what do we actually require with the current threats there are in the world .
`` We are now leaving Europe , we want to be have global reach , we have got to trade globally and there is no doubt that for Britain to be wealthy and trading globally , you need a stable world .
`` And to have a stable world , you need military assets there , and the best military assets to stop wars actually are maritime powers vessels in these regions .
DO N'T MISS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he sends submarines to UK [ SPOTLIGHT ] World War 3 : British admiral warns of conflict [ COMMENT ] Fury as defence chiefs plan to shrink British Army [ FOCUS ] Baron West added : `` I am extremely worried that we are looking at defence and saying `` where can we make savings ? '
rather than what do we actually require with the current threats there are in the world .
`` We are now leaving Europe , we want to be have global reach , we have got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt that for Britain to be wealthy and trading globally , you need a stable world .
`` And to have a stable world , you need military assets there , and the best military assets to stop wars actually are maritime powers vessels in these regions .
`` We have done that over decades and centuries . ''
Baron West also suggested talk of redirecting resources to tackle emerging threats posed by cyberattacks , drones and AI was actually a smokescreen to enable cuts in other areas .
He said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing power , whether it is frigates , or carriers , of the aircraft off the carriers , you have got to have that hard killing power .
`` And the navy , more than anyone else , ca n't get there without a ship .
`` I am afraid successive Governments have cut the navy again and again - so instead of having 12 Type-45 destroyers , which we ere planning to have , we only need six of them .
`` We 've been promised by this Government that they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of the 2020s .
`` Well now it is quite clear that they wont .
`` If they do n't order the new ones then it is quite likely that the numbers will drop even further and that is not very clever , it is dangerous .
`` That will makes things being unstable because we have not got the defence capability we require , and that is very worrying , not just in that area but for example with attack submarines .
`` We have a very small number of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baron West warned : `` The Royal Navy can not do what the nation thinks it is capable of doing .
`` The business of that ship that got captured in the Gulf for example , the Stena Impero .
`` I was banging the drum for weeks before that saying we need more than one frigate destroyer out there .
`` They could n't get more than one because we 've got so few .
`` Lo and behold , a British ship gets captured - I do n't like saying I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did tell them so .
We are spread too thin . ''
An MoD spokesman told Express.co.uk : `` The Integrated Review is ongoing , and no conclusions have been made , therefore we will not be drawn into speculation . ''

Iran: HMS Montrose appears to have confrontation in the Gulf
The peer believes a lack of available ships was directly responsible for the capture by Iran of the UK-flagged oil tanker the Stena Impero last year - and accused the Government of basing decisions on resources rather than the worldwide threats which the nation faces. Baron West was First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 2002 to 2006, and who also served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Security and Counter-Terrorism in then-Prime Minister Tony Blair's Government from 2007 to 2010.
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He told Express.co.uk: "This review was trumpeted by the Prime Minister as being the biggest review since World War 2, certainly since Suez. "It was going to be all things to all men, it was going to talk about our position in the world, the importance of foreign policy, what all the threats are, and come up with a defence and security plan that makes us safe, all of these things. "And what clearly is actually happening, not least because of this damn virus but other reasons as well, is that it is going to become a cuts thing again." Baron West said: "There won't be extra money for defence - I think that is highly unlikely.
Baron West of Spithead believes Dominic Cummings' defence review is a cost-cutting exercise
HMS Argyll with USS McCampbell and USS Henry J Kaiser in the South China Sea
"And therefore, although they say they are getting what is required by this country for defence, the reality that they are not basing what forces we have on the threats that we face. "They are basing it on how much money we have got. "If that is necessary, if that is really what we have got to do, then they should be honest with that. "And they are not being honest about it. For example, things like the two percent of GDP on defence: well, actually the Government has not really managed that and they have clipped the figures to achieve that. READ MORE Brexit alert - Gibraltar CAN strike EU deal if UK-EU trade talks fail
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Iranian Revolutionary Guards board the Stena Impero last year
"And with the two percent, if GDP slumps, which it might well do, you have got less money." Baron West added: "I am extremely worried that we are looking at defence and saying "where can we make savings?' rather than what do we actually require with the current threats there are in the world. "We are now leaving Europe, we want to be have global reach, we have got to trade globally and there is no doubt that for Britain to be wealthy and trading globally, you need a stable world. "And to have a stable world, you need military assets there, and the best military assets to stop wars actually are maritime powers vessels in these regions. DON'T MISS
Military cuts put Putin on war path as he sends submarines to UK [SPOTLIGHT]
World War 3: British admiral warns of conflict [COMMENT]
Fury as defence chiefs plan to shrink British Army [FOCUS]
Boris Johnson's integrated defence review is ongoing, an MoD spokesman said
One of the Royal Navy's Vanguard-class nuclear submarine
Baron West added: "I am extremely worried that we are looking at defence and saying "where can we make savings?' rather than what do we actually require with the current threats there are in the world. "We are now leaving Europe, we want to be have global reach, we have got to trade globally and there is no doubt that for Britain to be wealthy and trading globally, you need a stable world. "And to have a stable world, you need military assets there, and the best military assets to stop wars actually are maritime powers vessels in these regions. "We have done that over decades and centuries."
HMS Ledbury and HMS Blyth in the Persian Gulf
Baron West also suggested talk of redirecting resources to tackle emerging threats posed by cyberattacks, drones and AI was actually a smokescreen to enable cuts in other areas. He said: "The reality is, we need hard killing power, whether it is frigates, or carriers, of the aircraft off the carriers, you have got to have that hard killing power. "And the navy, more than anyone else, can't get there without a ship. "I am afraid successive Governments have cut the navy again and again - so instead of having 12 Type-45 destroyers, which we ere planning to have, we only need six of them. "We've been promised by this Government that they would increase the number of frigates by the middle of the 2020s.
HMS Dauntless sails into Portsmouth port in 2014
"Well now it is quite clear that they wont. "If they don't order the new ones then it is quite likely that the numbers will drop even further and that is not very clever, it is dangerous. "That will makes things being unstable because we have not got the defence capability we require, and that is very worrying, not just in that area but for example with attack submarines. "We have a very small number of those. It's a disgrace." Baron West warned: "The Royal Navy cannot do what the nation thinks it is capable of doing.
HMS Ledbury, once again pictured in the Persian Gulf
I don't like saying I told you so but I bloody well did tell them so Baron West of Spithead


thedailyexpress--2020-09-06--Tories brand Extinction Rebellion ‘medieval group’ after bid to ‘silence free society’

More than 100 campaigners chained themselves to bamboo structures and used vehicles to block roads outside the Newsprinters works at Broxbourne , Hertfordshire , and Knowsley , near Liverpool , at 10pm on Friday .
Police and fire crews cleared the last of the groups at around 10.30am yesterday after making at least 72 arrests .
Mr Johnson joined criticism from across the political divide as the stunt appeared to backfire.The PM tweeted : `` A free press is vital in holding the Government and other powerful institutions to account on issues critical for the future of our country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is completely unacceptable to seek to limit the public 's access to news in this way . ''
Tory grassroots group Blue Collar Conservatism tweeted : `` This medieval group consistently threatens working people 's lives and livelihoods .
It 's a joke that XR has n't been outlawed . ''
Extinction Rebellion , known as XR , is currently holding 10 days of protests , including a `` die-in '' outside Buckingham Palace yesterday , despite gatherings of more than 30 people being banned under Covid-19 laws .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was exposing newspapers ' `` failure to report on the climate & ecological emergency , and their consistent manipulation of truth to suit their own agendas '' .
The Newsprinters presses publish the four Rupert Murdoch-owned titles - The Sun , The Times , The Sun on Sunday and The Sunday Times - as well as the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph , the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday , and the London Evening Standard .
Newsprinters said : `` Thanks to other industry partners , printing was transferred to other sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted that newspaper readers should expect some delays .
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted : `` This morning people across the country will be prevented from reading their newspaper because of the actions of Extinction Rebellion . ''
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick wrote : `` A free press matters to all of us who value a free society .
`` They must n't be silenced by an intolerant minority . ''
Labour 's shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry told Times Radio : `` This is very worrying and I do n't really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be achieved , and I know that for many older listeners it 's very much part of their daily life , getting their paper delivered in the morning , and I just think it 's wrong . ''
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood said XR had `` lost sight of how to campaign '' .
He told Times Radio : `` I fear the organisation itself has been hijacked .
`` Support for XR has plummeted during the pandemic , with 40 per cent of people saying they were less sympathetic to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more in a survey by OnePoll .
XR tweeted that it was `` sorry '' for disruption caused to newsagents but it was not apologising to Mr Murdoch for disrupting his `` agenda '' .
The Federation of Independent Retailers said the protests had hit newsagents as well as home delivery services for the elderly and vulnerable .
President Stuart Reddish said : `` This is not helpful at a time when every sale counts . ''

Extinction Rebellion: Blockade toppled outside printing works
More than 100 campaigners chained themselves to bamboo structures and used vehicles to block roads outside the Newsprinters works at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Knowsley, near Liverpool, at 10pm on Friday. Police and fire crews cleared the last of the groups at around 10.30am yesterday after making at least 72 arrests.
Mr Johnson joined criticism from across the political divide as the stunt appeared to backfire.The PM tweeted: "A free press is vital in holding the Government and other powerful institutions to account on issues critical for the future of our country, including the fight against climate change. "It is completely unacceptable to seek to limit the public's access to news in this way." Tory grassroots group Blue Collar Conservatism tweeted: "This medieval group consistently threatens working people's lives and livelihoods. It's a joke that XR hasn't been outlawed." Extinction Rebellion, known as XR, is currently holding 10 days of protests, including a "die-in" outside Buckingham Palace yesterday, despite gatherings of more than 30 people being banned under Covid-19 laws. Of the printing press protest, it claimed it was exposing newspapers' "failure to report on the climate & ecological emergency, and their consistent manipulation of truth to suit their own agendas".
Tories brand Extinction Rebellion ‘medieval group’ after bid to ‘silence free society’
Home Secretary Priti Patel condemned the move
The Newsprinters presses publish the four Rupert Murdoch-owned titles - The Sun, The Times, The Sun on Sunday and The Sunday Times - as well as the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, and the London Evening Standard. Newsprinters said: "Thanks to other industry partners, printing was transferred to other sites." ButThe Sun and The Times tweeted that newspaper readers should expect some delays. Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "This morning people across the country will be prevented from reading their newspaper because of the actions of Extinction Rebellion." Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick wrote: "A free press matters to all of us who value a free society. "They mustn't be silenced by an intolerant minority."
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thedailyexpress--2020-09-06--School attendance at 90 percent as Boris Johnson's strategy ‘huge success’

Boris Johnson took personal charge of the push to reopen schools in England for the new academic year making it a national priority for all children to be back in the classroom .
The Sunday Express has learnt that many schools are reporting a near 100 per cent attendance rate after teaching union opposition to reopening classrooms failed to make an impact .
A Downing Street source said : “ We are really pleased with the early figures on children getting back to school.
” However , despite the success of the back to school campaign , education secretary Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is looking increasingly fragile because of the fiasco around A-level results .
A senior source has told the Sunday Express that the Prime Minister is “ absolutely livid ” about the A-levels controversy which saw an algorithm initially used to predict the results of teenagers doing A-levels and GCSE with the exams cancelled .
This led to thousands of teacher predictions being overturned on the basis of where students lived rather than their individual ability or results .
After fury from parents and teenagers Mr Williamson was forced to cancel the downgrades in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the SNP in Scotland .
While the government has been criticised for a number of U-turns during the pandemic , it is understood that Mr Johnson thinks the one on A-levels was inexcusable because the Government had already seen the same crisis play out in Scotland with the SNP ending with the same U-turn .
While the two top civil servants in the Department for Education have paid for the scandal with their jobs , Mr Williamson , who had been allowed to lead on the issue , is also being blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and his future in the government is looking bleak .
Things were made worse for him last week when the exam boards said it was his decision against their advice to cancel the exams .
Backbench Tory MPs have also not let up this week in their demand for his sacking , especially those in the newly won red wall seats who saw more downgrades in their area .
One told the Sunday Express : “ There was no excuse .
We saw how it played out in Scotland and at that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have the same in England.
” A former minister said : “ Once the SNP had made their decision there was actually no choice but to do the same because Scottish kids would have had an unfair disadvantage .
It ’ s unbelievable that he just ploughed on into an unnecessary fight with our voters.
” The exams fiasco and the “ certainty ” that school closure is causing long term harm to children especially those from more deprived areas was behind the push to reopen schools even though the pandemic is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sunday Express revealed that 68 per cent believe children should return to school .

School attendance at 90 percent as Boris Johnson's strategy proves a ‘huge success’
Boris Johnson took personal charge of the push to reopen schools in England for the new academic year making it a national priority for all children to be back in the classroom. The Sunday Express has learnt that many schools are reporting a near 100 per cent attendance rate after teaching union opposition to reopening classrooms failed to make an impact.
A Downing Street source said: “We are really pleased with the early figures on children getting back to school.” However, despite the success of the back to school campaign, education secretary Gavin Williamson’s position in the cabinet is looking increasingly fragile because of the fiasco around A-level results. A senior source has told the Sunday Express that the Prime Minister is “absolutely livid” about the A-levels controversy which saw an algorithm initially used to predict the results of teenagers doing A-levels and GCSE with the exams cancelled. This led to thousands of teacher predictions being overturned on the basis of where students lived rather than their individual ability or results.
Boris Johnson took personal charge of the push to reopen schools in England
After fury from parents and teenagers Mr Williamson was forced to cancel the downgrades in a move which had already been forced on the SNP in Scotland. While the government has been criticised for a number of U-turns during the pandemic, it is understood that Mr Johnson thinks the one on A-levels was inexcusable because the Government had already seen the same crisis play out in Scotland with the SNP ending with the same U-turn. While the two top civil servants in the Department for Education have paid for the scandal with their jobs, Mr Williamson, who had been allowed to lead on the issue, is also being blamed for “not getting the politics right” and his future in the government is looking bleak. Things were made worse for him last week when the exam boards said it was his decision against their advice to cancel the exams.
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thedailyexpress--2020-09-06--Civil servants ‘wasting taxpayer cash’ being ‘brainwashed’ with unconscious bias training

The purpose of the controversial courses is to teach individuals that they are actually biassed either racially , sexually or in another form and how to change their behaviour .
The emergence of the courses followed a drop in responses to public attitudes surveys to people giving conscious biassed views .
According to written answers to Conservative MP Neil O ’ Brien 4,615 Cabinet Office mandarins have received the training over the last five years .
A further 975 received in since 2018 in the health and social care department while over the last five years a stunning 33,165 civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Home Office .
The MP is still waiting for replies from other departments .
According to Equality & Diversity UK , which provides courses for the private sector : “ Unconscious or unintentional bias is widespread in the workplace and usually unrecognised .
It is often based on outdated and irrational assumptions about the roles of BAME people , people with disabilities , men and women , peoples ' ages , sexuality , religion/belief at work .
“ It may manifest itself in language , behaviour and decisions that inhibit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It usually means businesses are not acting in their own best interests by failing to make the most of all available talent.
” Its website adds : “ This course is suitable for anyone , as everyone has biases.
” But the concept of unconscious or unintentional bias is controversial and , according to an article in the New Scientist , have been based on a questionable implicit association test .
The article noted : “ Unfortunately , the accuracy and reliability of this widely celebrated test isn ’ t what it once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of hidden bias is proving to be extraordinarily complicated.
” Mr O ’ Brien ’ s questions have come as MPs have also been asked to take part on similar courses in the wake of the Black Lives Matter furor .

Civil servants ‘wasting taxpayer cash’ being ‘brainwashed’ with unconscious bias training
The purpose of the controversial courses is to teach individuals that they are actually biassed either racially, sexually or in another form and how to change their behaviour. The emergence of the courses followed a drop in responses to public attitudes surveys to people giving conscious biassed views.
According to written answers to Conservative MP Neil O’Brien 4,615 Cabinet Office mandarins have received the training over the last five years. A further 975 received in since 2018 in the health and social care department while over the last five years a stunning 33,165 civil servants have been on unconscious bias courses in the Home Office. The MP is still waiting for replies from other departments. According to Equality & Diversity UK, which provides courses for the private sector: “Unconscious or unintentional bias is widespread in the workplace and usually unrecognised. It is often based on outdated and irrational assumptions about the roles of BAME people, people with disabilities, men and women, peoples' ages, sexuality, religion/belief at work.
Concerns have been raised that thousands of civil servants are 'being brainwashed'
“It may manifest itself in language, behaviour and decisions that inhibit the recruitment and progression of skilled individuals. It usually means businesses are not acting in their own best interests by failing to make the most of all available talent.” Its website adds: “This course is suitable for anyone, as everyone has biases.” But the concept of unconscious or unintentional bias is controversial and, according to an article in the New Scientist, have been based on a questionable implicit association test. The article noted: “Unfortunately, the accuracy and reliability of this widely celebrated test isn’t what it once seemed. Pinning down the nature and extent of hidden bias is proving to be extraordinarily complicated.” Mr O’Brien’s questions have come as MPs have also been asked to take part on similar courses in the wake of the Black Lives Matter furor.
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thedailyexpress--2020-09-07--Furious EU plans negotiation WALKOUT after Boris threat - 'UK's gone North Korea mode!'

In an furious outburst , top eurocrats signalled they were ready to quit the negotiations unless Boris Johnson univocally agreed to implement a series of checks on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said honouring the Withdrawal Agreement signed last year is a “ prerequisite ” for a free-trade agreement .
And Michel Barnier , her chief negotiator , was said to be ready to storm out of this week ’ s crunch round of talks unless he is given sufficient promises by No10 over the implementation of the Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , astonished European sources blasted the Prime Minister for pursuing a “ North Korea-style ” deal with the bloc .
In a warning to Britain , Mrs von der Leyen said : “ I trust the British Government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement , an obligation under international law and a prerequisite for any future partnership.
” Mr Barnier is in London this week for make-or-break talks with Lord Frost as wrangling over a trade deal enters its final stages .
Ahead of the talks , the Frenchman said : “ This protocol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for protecting the integrity of the single market .
It 's also a pre-condition for confidence between us because everything that has been signed in the past must be respected.
” The uproar came after it emerged Mr Johnson was planning to overwrite large chunks of the divorce deal he signed with Brussels last October in order to water down the number of checks between Britain and Northern Ireland .
Mr Barnier ’ s spokesman suggested the Brussels diplomat will walk away from talks if the UK doesn ’ t live up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined to reach an agreement with the UK , the EU will be ready in the event of a no-deal scenario to trade with the UK on World Trade Organisation terms as of January 1 , ” the spokesman said .
“ The full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement , and in particular the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland are essentially and are legal obligations under international law .
“ This is a matter of trust .
This is a prerequisite , a precondition for the negotiations on the future partnership.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Barnier ’ s walkout amid a move from Britain to row back on the divorce deal and claimed it would deal a significant blow to the country ’ s standing on the global stage .
One diplomat told the Daily Express : “ If they undermine the Withdrawal Agreement while we are still negotiating our future partnership it would be blatantly clear a contract signed by the UK Government is not worth the paper it is written on .
“ Undermining an international treaty would reverberate beyond the negotiations for years to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the UK and cripple them as a contracting partner .
“ If the UK is going full North Korea mode , into isolation , then this fits the pattern .
But I can not see global Britain pursuing this route , which is incomprehensible given the kind of country it is and aspires to be – let ’ s wait and see.
” Another EU diplomat branded the move “ desperate and ultimately a self-defeating strategy.
” In a bid to defuse the row , Mr Johnson ’ s spokesman said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ends ” .
The Prime Minister ’ s official spokesman said : “ We will continue to work with the EU in the Joint Committee to resolve outstanding issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol .
“ However , as a responsible Government , we can not allow the peace process or the UK ’ s internal market to inadvertently be compromised by unintended consequences of the protocol.
” DO N'T MISS Trade talks with major ally BEGIN - Boris eyes up HUGE deal [ FORECAST ] Laura Kuenssberg in worrying Brexit dejá vù @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out at Brussels on 'denial over independence ' [ INSIGHT ]

Brexit: EU ‘in denial’ over UK independence says George Eustice
In an furious outburst, top eurocrats signalled they were ready to quit the negotiations unless Boris Johnson univocally agreed to implement a series of checks on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said honouring the Withdrawal Agreement signed last year is a “prerequisite” for a free-trade agreement. And Michel Barnier, her chief negotiator, was said to be ready to storm out of this week’s crunch round of talks unless he is given sufficient promises by No10 over the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Trending
With tensions on a knife-edge, astonished European sources blasted the Prime Minister for pursuing a “North Korea-style” deal with the bloc. In a warning to Britain, Mrs von der Leyen said: “I trust the British Government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and a prerequisite for any future partnership.” Mr Barnier is in London this week for make-or-break talks with Lord Frost as wrangling over a trade deal enters its final stages. Ahead of the talks, the Frenchman said: “This protocol is a condition for preserving peace and for protecting the integrity of the single market. It's also a pre-condition for confidence between us because everything that has been signed in the past must be respected.”
Brussels has ordered Boris Johnson to respect divorce terms or face no-deal Brexit
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
The uproar came after it emerged Mr Johnson was planning to overwrite large chunks of the divorce deal he signed with Brussels last October in order to water down the number of checks between Britain and Northern Ireland. Mr Barnier’s spokesman suggested the Brussels diplomat will walk away from talks if the UK doesn’t live up to its commitments. “While we are determined to reach an agreement with the UK, the EU will be ready in the event of a no-deal scenario to trade with the UK on World Trade Organisation terms as of January 1,” the spokesman said. “The full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, and in particular the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland are essentially and are legal obligations under international law.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson
“This is a matter of trust. This is a prerequisite, a precondition for the negotiations on the future partnership.” Perplexed European diplomats claimed they would support Mr Barnier’s walkout amid a move from Britain to row back on the divorce deal and claimed it would deal a significant blow to the country’s standing on the global stage. One diplomat told the Daily Express: “If they undermine the Withdrawal Agreement while we are still negotiating our future partnership it would be blatantly clear a contract signed by the UK Government is not worth the paper it is written on. “Undermining an international treaty would reverberate beyond the negotiations for years to come. It would do undue damage to the UK and cripple them as a contracting partner. “If the UK is going full North Korea mode, into isolation, then this fits the pattern. But I cannot see global Britain pursuing this route, which is incomprehensible given the kind of country it is and aspires to be – let’s wait and see.” MUST READ: EU’s sinister agenda laid bare by French politician
Michel Barnier and David Frost will hold talks in London this week
Another EU diplomat branded the move “desperate and ultimately a self-defeating strategy.” In a bid to defuse the row, Mr Johnson’s spokesman said the strategy was simply “tidying up loose ends”. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We will continue to work with the EU in the Joint Committee to resolve outstanding issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol. “However, as a responsible Government, we cannot allow the peace process or the UK’s internal market to inadvertently be compromised by unintended consequences of the protocol.” DON'T MISS
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George Eustice hits out at Brussels on 'denial over independence' [INSIGHT]
Brexit: EU will ‘give way’ on fishing rights says Ann Widdecombe


thedailyexpress--2020-09-07--Careful Boris! Brexit gamble could DESTROY hopes of US deal - Irish-Americans stand firm

The Prime Minister is understood to be planning a controversial move that could jeopardise the EU treaty signed in January and stoke tension in Northern Ireland .
Sections of the internal market bill , due to be published on Wednesday , are expected to `` eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement '' in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs .
The reports have been met with outrage from politician on both sides of the Irish border but Alliance Party MP Stephen Farry warned the move could also hit a future trade relationship between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` This is the fatal flaw in the cunning plan of the Brexit extremists in Tories and DUP .
`` There is absolutely zero chance of this being ratified by a Democrat Congress or negotiated with a Biden presidency if the Good Friday Agreement is harmed . ''
US congressional leaders and diplomats have always warned any future US-UK trade deal would almost certainly be blocked if Brexit affects the Irish border and jeopardises peace in Northern Ireland .
Richard Neal , co-chair of the 54-strong Friends of Ireland caucus in Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and means committee , said last year : “ The American dimension to the Good Friday agreement is indispensable .
“ We oversee all trade agreements as part of our tax jurisdiction .
“ I would have little enthusiasm for entertaining a bilateral trade agreement with the UK , if they were to jeopardise the agreement.
” READ MORE : Brexit LIVE : Boris plans to RIP UP hated Withdrawal Agreement Pete King , the Republican co-chair of the Friends of Ireland group , said endangering Ireland 's open border was a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I would think anyone who has a strong belief in Northern Ireland and the Good Friday agreement the open border would certainly be willing to go against the president.
” The Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives , Nancy Pelosi , has said that a US-UK trade deal has “ no chance whatsoever ” of passing in Congress if the Good Friday Agreement is undermined in any way .
And an adhoc committee of former members of Congress and foreign policy officials warned : “ All of Irish America will support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' A Washington-based EU diplomat said : “ I think there is enough meat in the Irish-American lobby to stop a UK trade deal if the Good Friday Agreement is affected . ''
As part of the terms of the existing Northern Ireland Protocol contained within the withdrawal agreement , the region is expected to continue to follow some EU rules after the transition period ends in 2021 to ensure there is no hard border .
But there are fears this could be over-ruled under the new legislation proposed by Mr Johnson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported development would be `` a very unwise way to proceed '' .
And senior members of Northern Ireland 's Sinn Fein and SDLP parties , the region 's two largest Irish nationalist groups were also quick to condemn the plan .
Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill warned any threat of backtracking on the protocol would be a `` treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy and the Good Friday Agreement '' .
Ms O'Neill stressed the need for the protocol to be fully implemented as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border in Ireland '' .
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the Government would be undermining the Good Friday Agreement , risking the future of the UK and destroying its own credibility on the world stage if it proceeded with one of the most `` reckless '' acts concerning Ireland by a British government `` in a long long time '' .
DO N'T MISS Trade talks with major ally BEGIN - Boris eyes up HUGE deal [ SPOTLIGHT ] Brexit latest : What is going on with Brexit right now ?
[ ANALYSIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vù warning [ VIDEO ]

Brexit: Withdrawal Agreement shift ‘worrying’ says Irish TD
The Prime Minister is understood to be planning a controversial move that could jeopardise the EU treaty signed in January and stoke tension in Northern Ireland. Sections of the internal market bill, due to be published on Wednesday, are expected to "eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement" in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs.
This is the fatal flaw in the cunning plan of the Brexit extremists in Tories and DUP Stephen Farry
The reports have been met with outrage from politician on both sides of the Irish border but Alliance Party MP Stephen Farry warned the move could also hit a future trade relationship between the UK and USA. Mr Farry said: "This is the fatal flaw in the cunning plan of the Brexit extremists in Tories and DUP. "Their big dream is a comprehensive UK-US trade deal. "There is absolutely zero chance of this being ratified by a Democrat Congress or negotiated with a Biden presidency if the Good Friday Agreement is harmed."
Boris Johnson and Donald Trump
US congressional leaders and diplomats have always warned any future US-UK trade deal would almost certainly be blocked if Brexit affects the Irish border and jeopardises peace in Northern Ireland. Richard Neal, co-chair of the 54-strong Friends of Ireland caucus in Congress and chairman of the powerful House ways and means committee, said last year: “The American dimension to the Good Friday agreement is indispensable. “We oversee all trade agreements as part of our tax jurisdiction. “I would have little enthusiasm for entertaining a bilateral trade agreement with the UK, if they were to jeopardise the agreement.” READ MORE: Brexit LIVE: Boris plans to RIP UP hated Withdrawal Agreement
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Boris Johnson has been warned about a UK-US trade deal
Pete King, the Republican co-chair of the Friends of Ireland group, said endangering Ireland's open border was a “needless provocation”. He said: “I would think anyone who has a strong belief in Northern Ireland and the Good Friday agreement the open border would certainly be willing to go against the president.” The Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has said that a US-UK trade deal has “no chance whatsoever” of passing in Congress if the Good Friday Agreement is undermined in any way. And an adhoc committee of former members of Congress and foreign policy officials warned: “All of Irish America will support the Speaker right down the line."
Brexit timeline
A Washington-based EU diplomat said: “I think there is enough meat in the Irish-American lobby to stop a UK trade deal if the Good Friday Agreement is affected." As part of the terms of the existing Northern Ireland Protocol contained within the withdrawal agreement, the region is expected to continue to follow some EU rules after the transition period ends in 2021 to ensure there is no hard border. But there are fears this could be over-ruled under the new legislation proposed by Mr Johnson. Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said the reported development would be "a very unwise way to proceed".
Trending
And senior members of Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein and SDLP parties, the region's two largest Irish nationalist groups were also quick to condemn the plan. Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill warned any threat of backtracking on the protocol would be a "treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy and the Good Friday Agreement". Ms O'Neill stressed the need for the protocol to be fully implemented as soon as possible and to "avoid any border in Ireland". SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the Government would be undermining the Good Friday Agreement, risking the future of the UK and destroying its own credibility on the world stage if it proceeded with one of the most "reckless" acts concerning Ireland by a British government "in a long long time".
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Trade talks with major ally BEGIN - Boris eyes up HUGE deal[SPOTLIGHT]
Brexit latest: What is going on with Brexit right now?[ANALYSIS]
Laura Kuenssberg in worrying Brexit dejá vù warning[VIDEO]