Boris Johnson news – live: EU calls for Brexit talks to ‘intensify’ and Sturgeon urges Covid breach MP to quit

‘Reckless’ infected SNP MP faces calls to quit

The SNP’s Margaret Ferrier has had the party whip removed and is facing calls to resign as MP. She admitted getting a train down to Westminster despite Covid symptoms – and getting the train home after a positive result.  

The MP actually spoke in the Commons (about coronavirus!) on Monday evening – the very same evening she received a positive result. It’s not clear yet whether the result came before or after her speech.  

A team in parliament was last night helping NHS Test and Trace track down those she may have infected, and special cleaning measures are being carried out in the Commons. Ferrier potentially faces a big fine, with Police Scotland “looking into” her movements. 

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon called it “utterly indefensible”, train drivers’ union Aslef called her actions as “dangerous and disgraceful”, and Labour’s Ian Murray said she was guilty of “astonishing recklessness”.

SNP MPs call on Ferrier to quit

Many of Margaret Ferrier’s party colleagues have called on her to resign as MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. Glasgow East MP David Linden told Question Time: “I don’t think her position is tenable and she should resign.”  

Aberdeen North MP Kirsty Blackman tweeted: “I agree with David Linden. Margaret Ferrier must resign.” Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn added: “Impossible to disagree. The public will expect nothing less.”

Infected MP should ‘reflect on her position’, says SNP Westminster chief

We’ve heard calls from SNP MPs for Margaret Ferrier to quit over her 800-mile round trip with Covid symptoms. The SNP’s leader in Westminster Ian Blackford has now hinted she should go.

Blackford said he expected the suspended MP “to reflect on her position” and  “do the right thing”. He told the BBC: “People are making enormous sacrifices and MPs have to be judged at the highest standards. People will expect her to reflect on her position.”

“The only action that I can take as Westminster leader is what I’ve done - suspended the whip from Margaret,” Blackford told the BBC.

Johnson to discuss Brexit with Von der Leyen tomorrow

Signs of a Brexit breakthrough at last? Boris Johnson is to speak to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday to “take stock” of trade deal negotiations, a Downing Street spokesman has announced.

No 10 said the PM and EU Commission president will “discuss next steps”, with the ninth round of negotiations coming to an end today.

Brussels’ chief negotiator Michel Barnier has pulled plans to update EU leaders today on the latest negotiations, preferring to keep talking to the UK side throughout Friday – although a written statement is expected from him later.  

Johnson offers Trump speedy recovery from Covid

PM faces Tory revolt over ‘nanny state’ 10pm curfew

No 10 faces another Tory backbench rebellion – this time over the “nanny state” national 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants.

Rebels are debating whether they can “force a vote” on the issue in the Commons, according to The Telegraph this morning. Influential MP Greg Clark has written to health secretary Matt Hancock demanding to know the scientific advice behind the early closing time.  

It follows a fiery exchange between Hancock and Tory MP Philip Davies in the Commons on Thursday, with the backbencher accusing the government of an “arbitrary, nanny-state, socialist approach” which “erode our freedoms”.

Parliament ‘falling apart’, MPs warn

Vital plans to repair parliament are a shambles, MPs have warned – with the reconstruction costing taxpayers £100m a year, even though work has yet to begin.

“Parliament is literally falling apart,” said Meg Hillier, chair of the Commons public accounts committee. “It poses a very real risk to health and safety in its current state.”

Hillier suggested the quieter-than-usual period (due to the pandemic) was the idea chance to speed up the repair work.

Are we headed for the Brexit ‘tunnel’?

So what does the big Saturday discussion between Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen signify? The announcement has prompted speculation they could be considering a final, intensive round of talks between leaders – the stage known as “the tunnel”.  

Chief negotiators Michel Barnier and David Frost meet in Brussels today, and there are some good signs. Barnier has pulled plans to update EU leaders on Friday – preferring to keep talking.  There’s speculation the sides could agree to another formal round of talks.

Reports also suggest there has been significant movement by London this week, including a big concession on fishing and an improved offer on state aid. It’s going to be an interesting 24 hours.

Minister insists 10pm pub curfew is based on science

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has been doing the morning media round on behalf of the government. He said the government wants the “best possible relationship” with local leaders – trying to smooth over the dispute with Middlesbrough’s elected mayor (who has vowed to “defy” the latest local restrictions).

“I know there’s been some suggestion that the mayor of Middlesbrough didn’t want the measures but in fact Middlesbrough Council actually requested that further measures were put in place,” he told the BBC.

On mounting Tory anger over the 10pm pub curfew, Jenrick said: “The advice that I received, along with other ministers, was that, because the virus thrives on close contact between individuals. The longer one stays in pubs and restaurants and cafes, inevitably, the more likely it is that the virus will spread.”

Government considered ‘floating walls’ to block migrants, says report

More anti-asylum madness now. The government launched a secret consultation on building floating walls to block asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel, according to a leaked document.

The Financial Times reported the Home Office had approached trade group Maritime UK to explore the idea of erecting temporary “marine fencing” to stop sea crossings.  

An email from Maritime UK on September 17 showed that officials were looking into the idea of building floating barriers in the sea. A Home Office spokeswoman said the department “does not comment on leaks” when she asked about the latest.