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Boris Johnson news: PM faces fresh court action over Brexit ‘lies’, amid more jeers on UK tour as Irish leaders unite against him

PM faces unified anger over 'catastrophic' Brexit policy

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Chris Baynes
Wednesday 31 July 2019 12:04 EDT
Comments
Boris Johnson: The Brexit backstop is dead

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Boris Johnson has faced unified anger over his “catastrophic” Brexit policy as he met politicians at Stormont on the third day of his UK tour.

The new PM was also criticised for "wining and dining" the Democratic Unionist Party – whose MPs propped up Theresa May’s government – ahead of talks aimed at restoring powersharing in Northern Ireland.

Amid growing speculation over the prospect of an early general election, Mr Johnson was warned the Tories could be “annihilated” at the polls unless the UK leaves the EU by Halloween.

Elsewhere, video footage emerged of Mr Johnson’s top aide, Dominic Cummings, claiming that Tory MPs do not care about poorer people.

This live article has now ended. Recap how we covered developments as they happened below:

Housebuilders have voiced fears that the standard of new homes being built in the UK will deteriorate as 'uncertainty' over Brexit risks leading to construction firms laying off staff

Benjamin Kentish31 July 2019 13:25

"Let me be very clear we are not going to apologise for delivering an extra £1 billion for the people of Northern Ireland," she said.

"The fact we have been able to help the health service, the education system, the fact we are putting £150 million into a broadband system which has now been procured. The fact we have helped with roads infrastructure.

"Not any other party that has stood before you today has delivered one penny of money for the people of Northern Ireland, we have delivered that through our confidence and supply agreement and we will continue to work for the people of Northern Ireland, regardless of their background.

Benjamin Kentish31 July 2019 13:42
Benjamin Kentish31 July 2019 13:51

Boris Johnson is facing fresh legal action for allegedly “lying and misleading the British public” during the EU referendum campaign.

A man who crowdfunded a private prosecution against the prime minister is attempting to take the legal battle to the Supreme Court after losing the latest stage.

A judge initially summonsed Mr Johnson to appear in court over accusations of misconduct in public office, but the High Court overturned the ruling last month.

More here:

Lizzy Buchan31 July 2019 14:03

Lizzy Buchan31 July 2019 14:12

The UK’s Brexit negotiator is heading to Brussels for meetings with EU officials, despite a claim by Boris Johnson that the UK would stay away until the bloc scraps the controversial backstop.

The prime minister said last week that he and his team would only sit down with the EU if it agreed to reopen the withdrawal agreement and ditch the Irish border policy, which Brussels has repeatedly said it will not do.

But despite Mr Johnson’s tough public message, his new Brexit chief, David Frost, headed to Brussels on Wednesday for two days of meetings with EU officials in Michel Barnier’s team. 

Lizzy Buchan31 July 2019 14:32

DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds poured cold water on the prospect of a border poll on the island of Ireland.

He said: "Leo Varadkar is in breach of the Belfast agreement by talking that up.

"The reality is that the conditions are not met and those who create this hysteria about it are actually running contrary to the agreement.

"Let's get real here, the idea that many unionists will turn around and vote for a united Ireland on the basis of the current developments, I think, is something that is not reflected in the reality of people on the ground."

Lizzy Buchan31 July 2019 14:50

The Labour lord mayor of Liverpool has resigned after sharing a racist video on WhatsApp.

Councillor Peter Brennan is understood to have posted footage that contained material comparing a black person to a monkey.

Lord mayor is a ceremonial position. Joe Anderson, the directly-elected mayor of Liverpool, called the video “appalling”.

Lizzy Buchan31 July 2019 15:08

New trade secretary Liz Truss is clearly enjoying her new role after moving the department of international trade from the Treasury.

Lizzy Buchan31 July 2019 15:24

The BBC has been criticised for giving the far-right US political strategist Steve Bannon airtime to share his views.

Donald Trump’s former adviser – who has been trying to build a network of right-wing nationalists across Europe since leaving the White House in 2017 – was interviewed by the broadcaster’s North American editor Jon Sopel for Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday.

Listeners and media commentators condemned the decision to give Mr Bannon a platform, claiming it would help legitimise his extreme agenda.

Read more here: 

Lizzy Buchan31 July 2019 15:42

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