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As it happenedended

Brexit - as it happened: David Davis accuses EU of 'shooting itself in the foot' over security cooperation

All the latest updates from Westminster as they happened

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Wednesday 06 June 2018 10:00 EDT
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David Davis wants post-Brexit relationship with Europe that 'recognises the history' and 'stands the test of time'

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David Davis has accused the EU of "shooting itself in the foot to see if the gun works" by weakening security ties with the UK after Brexit.

In a speech in London, the Brexit secretary criticised the European Commission for putting legal precedents ahead of practical considerations, after it emerged that Brussels has threatened to kick Britain out of its Galileo satellite navigation programme, which it helped to fund.

He also revealed the cabinet was still split over the "backstop" proposals, which would keep the whole of the UK in the customs union until a permanent solution is found to the Irish border issue.

It comes as Jeremy Corbyn criticised Theresa May over the government's delay in laying out its Brexit plans in more detail, demanding when the government will publish its white paper on the UK's future relationship with the EU.

Labour is facing its own Brexit troubles as splits emerged over plans to shift its approach to leaving the EU.

Ahead of a Commons showdown on the government's flagship legislation, the Labour leadership has sought to quell pro-EU rebels in the ranks, by tabling a bid for a Norway-style deal where Britain retains full access to the single market.

However critics said the efforts were "nowhere near enough", and called for support for a cross-party amendment from the Lords, which could effectively keep Britain in the single market.

See below for live updates

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Jo Swinson is launching a cross-party bid to force business to publish information about their parental leave and pay policies.

Speaking ahead of her private members bill this afternoon, Ms Swinson said: "Greater transparency will incentivise employers to offer more generous parental pay benefits, it would also reduce the risk of discrimination at interview as candidates would no longer have to ask for information about parental leave and pay.

"Each year 54,000 women lose their jobs because of pregnancy and maternity discrimination, while fathers are worried that taking shared parental leave will negatively affect their careers.

"This is unacceptable. If we are serious about building fairer and more family-friendly workplaces, then employers must be transparent about how they support parents in the workplace through their parental leave and pay policies.”

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 15:05

Theresa May has told Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu she is concerned about the shooting of Palestinians during a wave of protests at the Gaza border.

The prime minister stressed she recognised Israel's right to self-defence but called on Mr Netanyahu to take action to alleviate the situation.

The Israeli prime minister insisted that the protests were driven by militant group Hamas and the response was aimed at minimising causalities.

The pair are also at odds over the Iran nuclear deal, with Mrs May restating the UK's commitment to the agreement, which Israel opposes and US President Donald Trump has pulled out from.

Rival groups of protesters gathered outside Downing Street waving Palestinian and Israeli flags ahead of Mr Netanyahu's arrival.

Ms May told him the UK was "concerned about the loss of Palestinian lives" in the recent Gaza protests.

She said the UK "absolutely recognises" the right that Israel has for self-defence against the activities of "extremists and terrorists".

"But with 100 Palestinian lives lost and a deteriorating situation in Gaza I hope we can talk about how we can alleviate that situation and how we can ensure that we can get back to a position where we are able to find a way through to talk about a two-state solution."

Mr Netanyahu insisted protesters were being "paid for and pushed by Hamas" to try to break through the border and kill Israelis.

"This is not a non-violent protest, quite the contrary," he said.

"We are doing everything we can to both minimise casualties and at the same time protect Israeli lives."

Mr Netanyahu has lobbied for European leaders to follow Mr Trump's example and pull out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran deal.

But Ms May said: "Along with France and Germany the UK continues to believe that is the best route to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

"We will remain committed to it as long as Iran meets its obligations.

"But we do recognise that there are other issues that need to be addressed in relation to Iran - its destabilising regional activity in countries like Syria and Yemen and also the the proliferation of ballistic missiles."

Mr Netanyahu told the prime minister he was focused on making sure Iran did not get a nuclear weapon and "how to roll back Iran's aggression in the region".

"I think we can find ways to work together to achieve both goals," he said.

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 15:15

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 15:46

David Davis is making a speech about security cooperation after Brexit at RUSI in Westminster.

Here's the livestream:

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 16:14

My colleague Ben Kentish is watching David Davis' speech on security. He's talking about security but the question on many people's minds is about the customs row, which is brewing in the cabinet. 

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 16:16

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 16:18

Davis says no European ministers want to see a reduction in security cooperation - similar comments to his cabinet colleague Sajid Javid earlier this week.

Davis says the EU security offer from Britain was unconditional.

He's now talking about Galileo satellite navigation system, which the EU is reportedly planning to cut Britain out of after Brexit.

He says the EU Commission risks "shooting itself it the foot just to prove the gun works" if it goes ahead with the plan.

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 16:19

Britain should be able to get an agreement to allow information to be shared as a "trusted friend and partner" of Europe, Davis says.

The new white paper will say there should be full, operational dialogues on security. There will also be protocols for sharing information, he adds.

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 16:25

Davis has now moved onto his hopes for a new economic partnership model.

He says there is no need for an 'off the shelf model'. It is about recognising 'centuries-old ties' between the UK and the EU.

The upcoming white paper will also set out plans for trade, and will 'tackle the heavily propagated myths that Britain doesn't know what it wants'.

Britain is not any old 'third country', he says.

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 16:29

Those who say Britain must be harmed by Brexit will realise it is counterproductive as the whole of Europe will be harmed too, Davis says.

He says he understands why Brexit is not popular in Europe but says Britain will remain the same open and tolerant place it always was.

Lizzy Buchan6 June 2018 16:31

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