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UK and EU reach agreement on withdrawal agreement text
UK and EU negotiators have reached an agreement on a draft version of the EU withdrawal agreement, laying out the terms for Britain leaving the EU in March 2019.
Update – 8.00pm: Theresa May has won the backing of her cabinet for the Brexit withdrawal agreement, after a five-hour crunch meeting this afternoon. – See full story.
Theresa May’s cabinet were called in to be briefed on a draft of the withdrawal text on Tuesday afternoon, which is thought to involve a customs union remaining between the UK and the EU, along with details regarding the Irish border backstop.
Cabinet will gather in a special meeting at 2pm on Wednesday in order to agree on a final Brexit deal. Ministers will either support or oppose what has been agreed by negotiators, with the possibility of resignations from those who oppose the text of the withdrawal agreement.
A No 10 spokesman said on Tuesday: “Cabinet will meet at 2pm tomorrow to consider the draft agreement the negotiating teams have reached in Brussels, and to decide on next steps.”
The news came just hours before a deadline set by the government, which they said if missed would remove the possibility of a November summit to reach a final agreement with the EU.
Full story: Brexit deal: UK and EU agree on withdrawal agreement text
MPs react to withdrawal agreement
Jeremy Corbyn
The Labour leader responded by saying the agreement was “unlikely to be a good deal for the country”:
“We will look at the details of what has been agreed when they are available. But from what we know of the shambolic handling of these negotiations, this is unlikely to be a good deal for the country. Labour has been clear from the beginning that we need a deal to support jobs and the economy – and that guarantees standards and protections. If this deal doesn’t meet our six tests and work for the whole country, then we will vote against it.”
David Davis
David Davis, who resigned as Brexit secretary earlier this year protesting May’s proposals, said MPs should “stand up” and “be counted”:
“This is the moment of truth. This is the fork in the road.
“Do we pursue a future as an independent nation or accept EU domination, imprisonment in the customs union and second class status.
“Cabinet and all Conservative MPs should stand up, be counted and say no to this capitulation.”
Tony Blair
The former PM is due to give a speech later today, where he will say:
“Whatever the people voted for, they didn’t vote for this,”
“I know it is said a new vote of the people will also divide. But a reconsideration in the light of all we now know, accepted by all as the final word, especially if accompanied by a new willingness on the part of Europe’s leadership and Britain’s to deal with the reasons for the Brexit decision, is the only hope of unity in the future.
“It is frankly gut-wrenching that this call is not being led by Labour as it should be.”
Vince Cable
Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable issued the following statement:
“Any Brexit deal will leave the UK weakened and the public poorer. And before the ink is dry, the Conservative party will tear into what little Theresa May has been able to agree. The prime minister now faces a defeat in Parliament, as a majority will be hard or impossible to secure for what she has come up with. A People’s Vote is now the only way to escape from this mess.”
Keir Starmer
Labour’ shadow Brexit secretary gave the following interview:
Shadow #Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer on draft agreement: “Given the shambolic nature of the negotiations this is unlikely to be a good deal”- and MPs should not have to choose between “whatever is cobbled together and no deal”
More: https://t.co/O6t67ucsXP pic.twitter.com/qPyi7KwrQF
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 13, 2018
Boris Johnson
Johnson gave the following interview shortly after the announcement on Tuesday:
“It’s vassal state stuff”- former foreign secretary Boris Johnson says he will vote against draft #Brexit agreement
More: https://t.co/O6t67ucsXP pic.twitter.com/7LiGMVbww6
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 13, 2018
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Brexit deal: the Papers respond
The Times front page for Wednesday ‘May accused of betrayal’: https://t.co/bavsmbp5wW
— No Majesty (@nomajestyuk) November 14, 2018
Wednesday’s The Guardian front page- ‘May tells her cabinet, this is the deal – now back me’: https://t.co/bFKfKHD3YO
— No Majesty (@nomajestyuk) November 14, 2018
Wednesday’s Daily Mail front page ‘Judgement Day’: https://t.co/VkoXPv9fpr
— No Majesty (@nomajestyuk) November 14, 2018
Wednesday’s The Telegraph front page- ‘May faces moment of truth’: https://t.co/lgxwXUJQOd
— No Majesty (@nomajestyuk) November 14, 2018
Wednesday’s Metro front page ‘Brexit deal on the table’ (via @ukpapers ): https://t.co/P9VdCqVqoL
— No Majesty (@nomajestyuk) November 14, 2018
Robert Mueller seeking information about Nigel Farage
Former FBI director Robert Mueller is seeking information about Nigel Farage related to Russian interference in US politics, according to a man who believes he himself will be indicted by the same inquiry overseen by Mueller.
Jerome Corsi, a conservative author, told the Guardian newspaper that he was asked – by investigators for the special counsel – about Farage, a leading figure in the Brexit campaign, two weeks ago in Washington.
The claim comes at a time where Britain is asking questions about whether there was Russian interference in the EU referendum proceedings. Earlier this month, it was announced that Leave.EU founder Aaron Banks would face an inquiry by the National Crime Agency over claims they committed “a number of criminal offences” during the EU referendum.
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