Boris Johnson: 'The Incredible Sulk chickens out' of Brexit press conference amid noisy protests as EU decries lack of 'concrete proposals'
MPs warned of 'flaw' in legislation to block no-deal
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson was branded "The Incredible Sulk" after he cancelled a planned press conference because of noisy protests in Luxembourg following his meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker, as the European Commission president said the UK has still “not yet made” proposals to replace the Irish backstop.
It comes as Jolyon Maugham QC and rebel MPs warned that there is a “flaw” in the legislation demanding the prime minister asks Brussels for a three-month Brexit delay.
The Lib Dems’ foreign spokesperson Chuka Umunna said the party could win 200 seats at the next election, while leader Jo Swinson ruled out any electoral pact with Labour or forming a coalition with Jeremy Corbyn.
Here's how we covered developments as they happened:
No 10 said there had been an agreement to “intensify” talks following the big lunch. Here’s the response to today’s talks from a Downing Street spokesperson:
“The prime minister and president Juncker had a constructive meeting this lunchtime. The Brexit secretary and Michel Barnier were also in attendance.
“The leaders took stock of the ongoing talks between the UK’s team and Taskforce 50. The prime minister reconfirmed his commitment to the Good Friday / Belfast Agreement and his determination to reach a deal with the backstop removed, that UK parliamentarians could support. The prime minister also reiterated that he would not request an extension and would take the UK out of the EU on the 31st October.
“The leaders agreed that the discussions needed to intensify and that meetings would soon take place on a daily basis. It was agreed that talks should also take place at a political level between Michel Barnier and the Brexit Secretary, and conversations would also continue between president Juncker and the prime minister.”
Ireland’s finance minister Paschal Donohoe said he understands the fears that some people in the unionist community have about the divisive backstop.
In a move to reassure unionists, Donohoe said that the backstop should not be viewed as a challenge to their community.
Speaking at the Dublin City University (DCU) Brexit Institute, the minister said the measure provides certainty to businesses and communities on both sides of the border.
“Its purpose is to provide certainty to businesses and communities on both sides of the border that they will be able to continue to operate and go about their daily lives as they do today - nothing more.
“It represents a compromise - it is not the status quo. It is not the same as Northern Ireland staying in the EU.”
Our deputy editor Rob Merrick has more on the fiery reception for the PM in Luxembourg – and the outcome of the working lunch talks.
The Lib Dems’ foreign affairs spokesperson Chuka Umunna believes the party could win 200 seats at the next election. “We’re not shy,” he told conference delegates.
Boris Johnson tried to laugh off the yells, hisses and anti-Brexit cries of pro-EU demonstrators as he meets with Luxembourg’s prime minister Xavier Bettel this afternoon.
“Stop the coup. Tell the truth,” said one over a speaker. “Bog off Boris,” said another.
But Johnson laughed and smiled as he walked up to meet Bettel with a handshake and head into the Ministry of State for discussions.
Boris Johnson booed by crowds of anti-Brexit expats in Luxembourg, some of whom chanted: “Stop the coup.”
The Lib Dems’ London mayoral candidate Siobhan Benita could keep freedom of movement for EU citizens after Brexit if Liberal Democrats seize control of City Hall.
Our political editor has more details.
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