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As it happenedended

Boris Johnson news – live: Government to offer votes on ‘significant coronavirus measures’ after PM accused of ‘confusion’

Follow all the latest developments

Adam Forrest,Vincent Wood
Wednesday 30 September 2020 14:57 EDT
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Starmer accuses Johnson of creating 'widespread confusion' over coronavirus restrictions

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The government is set to offer a vote to MPs on any “significant national measures” introduced to stem the spread of the coronavirus in a bid to see off a Commons rebellion from backbench Tories.

Meanwhile Boris Johnson has been accused of creating mass confusion over coronavirus restrictions by Sir Keir Starmer. The Labour leader said at PMQs: “If the prime minister doesn’t understand the rules … How does [he] expect the rest of the country to follow?

And there has been a furious response to reports Priti Patel considering building a centre for asylum seekers on Ascension Island – a volcanic outcrop in the Atlantic Ocean. Labour said the idea was “inhumane”, while a UN official called it “extremely inappropriate”.

Tories among dissenters on coronavirus bill renewal

Jump back a little and you may recall that 24 MPs voted against the renewal of the Coronavirus bill. Turns out there were quite a few tories among that number.

Most notable in the list is Sir Desmond Swayne - who has previously accused the government of an Orwellian overreach in its virus restrictions - and Peter Bone, who has been a vocal proponent of parliamentary scrutiny against the bill.

Vincent Wood30 September 2020 18:40

Fishing industry urges Boris Johnson to stand firm as trade negotiations reach their endgame

Boris Johnson has been warned not to sell out the fishing industry in trade talks with the EU, as it emerged that the UK is offering a three-year transition period for European fleets in the hope of securing a trade deal.

Downing Street did not deny reports that a compromise offer put forward by London would allow EU catches in British waters to be “phased down” between 2021 and 2024 to allow time for continental coastal communities to adapt.

One EU diplomat was reported as saying that the proposals tabled by Mr Johnson’s chief negotiator, Lord Frost, meant “it doesn’t look like fisheries will stand in the way of an agreement”.

Fishing industry urges Boris Johnson to stand firm as Brexit trade negotiations reach their endgame

London offers three-year transition in hope of breakthrough in talks

Vincent Wood30 September 2020 19:00

‘More costly’ restrictions could be needed, warns Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson has warned that he is ready to impose tighter coronavirus restrictions, as he admitted it was too early to know if the latest controls were having an impact.

In a televised press conference from 10 Downing Street, the prime minster said that defeating the disease will require the people of the UK to show “collective forbearance, common sense and willingness to make sacrifices for the safety of others”.

But he insisted that he did not believe the British people want to “throw in the sponge” by returning to their normal lives and letting the virus rip through the community.

‘More costly’ Covid restrictions could be needed, warns Boris Johnson

PM insists the British public is not ready to ‘throw in the sponge’ in fight against disease

Vincent Wood30 September 2020 19:21

‘More costly’ restrictions could be needed, warns Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson has warned that he is ready to impose tighter coronavirus restrictions, as he admitted it was too early to know if the latest controls were having an impact.

In a televised press conference from 10 Downing Street, the prime minster said that defeating the disease will require the people of the UK to show “collective forbearance, common sense and willingness to make sacrifices for the safety of others”.

But he insisted that he did not believe the British people want to “throw in the sponge” by returning to their normal lives and letting the virus rip through the community.

‘More costly’ Covid restrictions could be needed, warns Boris Johnson

PM insists the British public is not ready to ‘throw in the sponge’ in fight against disease

Vincent Wood30 September 2020 19:21

That’s all from us, thanks for following

Vincent Wood30 September 2020 19:56

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