Brexit trade talks stalled today as the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned the bloc will not ‘bargain away our values for the benefit of the British economy’. The third round of negotiations has now concluded but the chances of a deal by the end of the year appear to be slipping after each side … Read more
Boris Johnson was warned by his own Tory MPs today that prolonging the UK’s coronavirus lockdown could result in a ‘tidal wave of human misery’ as the Prime Minister was urged to ease restrictions ‘as quickly at possible’. The PM is expected on Thursday to renew the lockdown before using an address to the nation … Read more
Emma Thompson left new life in Venice after just four days and flew back to isolated home in Scotland when Italy’s lockdown took hold The actress moved to her Scotland home days after getting Italian citizenship She had said she felt European and moving to Venice was her dream after Brexit Emma Thompson has stayed … Read more
Britain will begin formal negotiations with the US on a trade deal next week via video conference after Boris Johnson promises to ‘drive a hard bargain’ International Trade Secretary Liz Truss will begin the talks by video conference More than 100 negotiators will be involved in the first round of negotiations These talks will be … Read more
Michael Gove says coronavirus crisis should ‘concentrate the minds’ of the EU on completing post-Brexit trade talks as Brussels’ negotiator Michel Barnier accuses the UK of failing to ‘commit seriously’ He reiterated UK belief that December 31 deadline for severing ties should stay This was despite the coronavirus crisis occupying politicians across Europe Mr Gove … Read more
The Prime Minister’s adviser Dominic Cummings is a member of the secretive scientific group that steered the Government’s response to coronavirus, it has been revealed. Mr Cummings’ name was on a leaked list of members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) as far back as February. The list, which was seen by The Guardian, … Read more
Philip Pullman says UK government should face ‘conspiracy to murder’ charges if it is found that MPs rejected EU deal for PPE ‘for Brexit reasons’ Philip Pullman, 73, made arguments as part of a series of essays from Penguin He said ‘entire front bench’ should resign if PPE deal was rejected due to Brexit Novelist … Read more
Boris Johnson was ‘driving’ the government’s coronavirus response despite ‘skipping’ five Cobra meetings at the start of the outbreak, Gavin Williamson insisted tonight. The Education Secretary defended the PM’s handling amid a mounting backlash at the slow action in gearing up to the looming crisis. Mr Johnson has been accused of taking a backseat role … Read more
Boris Johnson has come under renewed scrutiny for his lackluster coronavirus preparations after it was revealed he skipped five Cobra crisis meetings in the weeks leading up to Britain’s outbreak. The Prime Minister was accused of taking a backseat role in the early planning phase to shore up the country’s pandemic response, despite mounting concern … Read more
Where I live and write in Bath, heavy traffic shakes my building. Family, work deadlines, my bank account and, yes, Brexit all conspire to make me feel hemmed in. ‘The essential test of freedom asks how far in any direction we can move from where we now sit without deviating or meeting obstacles,’ wrote the … Read more