Brexit news - LIVE: Macron tells Boris Johnson backstop is 'indispensable' and says new Withdrawal Agreement 'cannot be found within 30 days'
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Your support makes all the difference.Emmanuel Macron has told Boris Johnson that the Irish border backstop is "indispensable" to any Brexit deal as the prime minister travelled to Paris for crucial talks on the shape of the UK's departure from the EU.
Speaking on the steps of the Elysee Palace, the French president poured cold water on the prospect of changes to the deal, saying: “We cannot find a new Withdrawal Agreement within 30 days.”
The exchange comes after German chancellor Angela Merkel suggested a solution to the Brexit crisis could be found if the PM came up with workable alternatives to the backstop “in the next 30 days”.
Ms Merkel later clarified her remarks to say it was not meant to be a firm deadline, only “an example” to show how little time was left before 31 October.
See below for live updates
England has large areas of “democracy deserts” and had the “wrong winners” in 17 local authorities, according to a new study of 2019 election results.
With speculation mounting in Westminster at the prospect of an early general election, the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) reiterated its call for the “warped” first-past-the-post system used in national elections to be scrapped.
The Denied Democracy report, auditing votes held in 2019, including the local elections and European elections, claims voters are eager to “shop around” at the ballot box but are prevented by the current system.
This is from my colleague Rob Merrick on Boris Johnson's trip to the Élysée Palace this afternoon...
Ending free movement on day one of a crash-out Brexit is impossible because it “can’t be enforced”, experts have warned the government.
The plan, confirmed by ministers on Monday, is dismissed by the respected Migration Observatory at Oxford University because employers will be unable to carry out the necessary checks.
The verdict will add to criticism that Priti Patel, the new hardline home secretary, will be risking “another Windrush” if she ploughs ahead with the momentous change in just 10 weeks’ time.
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Boris Johnson is ready to “declare no confidence in himself” as a trick to thwart MPs and carry out a no-deal Brexit, a senior MP is warning.
Nick Boles, who quit the Tory party over the threat of a hard Brexit, suggested the device could be used to suspend parliament for a general election – to be held after the UK has left the EU on 31 October.
Boris Johnson has tweeted a far more serious image of himself then the picture that has emerged of him putting his foot on Emmanuel Macron's table.
Emmanuel Macron tweeted a picture of himself talking with Boris Johnson, adding: "The relationship between the United Kingdom and France is, in my eyes, essential and unalterable.
"BorisJohnson, I see in your choice to come to Paris the need to maintain this privileged relationship. Let's work together!"
Sky News correspondent Tom Rayner suggests that Boris Johnson was only joking with Emmanuel Macron when he put his foot on a table at the Elysee Palace.
Pictures emerged earlier today of the PM with his right foot on a table, prompting criticism on social media.
Watch the clip for yourselves:
How a Brexit Day beach party in Dutch village started as joke – but became a reality after thousands signed up.
The Independent's Colin Drury has spoken to the organiser about the unexpected interest in the event.
Ministers have said they will no longer use gagging clauses for trade groups and businesses except when necessary to protect third parties.
The use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) has been criticised - particularly in preparing for Brexit - as some organisations say they restrict their ability to properly tell members how to prepare for the UK's departure from the EU.
Ahead of the 31 October deadline, ministers decided to scrap the use of NDAs in most circumstances, agreeing to the change at a no-deal planning meeting this week.
A government spokesperson said: As we continue our preparations for Brexit on October 31, it makes no sense to engage processes which hinder constructive debate, transparency and exchange of information.
"It is vital that trade groups and businesses can speak openly to one another about preparations and so we will no longer enter into such agreements unless absolutely necessary."
The Liberal Democrats have compared Boris Johnson's trip to the continent to "Groundhog Hog" and accused him of making "false promises" on Brexit.
The party's shadow Brexit secretary Tom Brake said: "Boris Johnson has had a disastrous and pointless trip to France and Germany, during which he has achieved precisely nothing.
"It feels like Groundhog Day. Mr Johnson has heard the simple facts of Brexit just as Theresa May before him.
"The backstop is not going anywhere. The reality is that the UK already has the best deal possible as members of the EU.
"People are tired of the chaos and false promises and need to be given the final say on Brexit with the option to remain in the EU."
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