Brexit news- live: Boris Johnson accused of 'abrogation of responsibility' over no-deal as Arcuri 'admits affair'

Brexit negotiations

Boris Johnson has told the UK to prepare for Australian-style arrangements – which looks like a no-deal outcome, given Australia has no trade deal with Europe. 

So, what’s happening with negotiations?

• Boris Johnson accused European leaders of having “abandoned the idea of a free trade deal” and told the UK to “get ready” for a no-deal outcome on Friday.
• He said negotiations were over unless Brussels adopted a “fundamental change of approach”
• Ursula von der Leyen vowed the EU would carry on working towards a deal, with a team going to London next week “to intensify these negotiations”
• The UK rebuffed Brussels’ offer of intensified trade talks, with No10 saying there was “no basis for negotiations”
• Lord Frost, the UK’s chief negotiator, told Michel Barnier not to make the trip to London for planned talks on Monday given the EU’s position
• The two chief negotiators plan to speak early next week, according to No10

‘Not fit to lead’

Here’s a reminder of the SNP Westminster leader’s scathing tweet over Boris Johnson’s no-deal comments:

Australian-style arrangements

Boris Johnson has been accused of an “abrogation of responsibility” after telling the UK to prepare for post-Brexit arrangements more like Australia’s. 

But, what exactly does this mean? 

Find out with this helpful video:

Greater Manchester restrictions

A spokesman for Andy Burnham, the  Greater Manchester mayor, has denied that talks to resolve the row over the region entering the highest level of coronavirus restrictions have been arranged with No 10.

Downing Street indicated a call had been arranged for Sunday morning but this was denied by the mayor’s camp.

His spokesman said: “Nothing has yet been arranged.”

‘Two cliff edges coming’

Gordon Brown has warned the UK has “two cliff edges coming” with Brexit and the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The former PM said the end of the furlough scheme on 31 October and the end of Brexit negotiations were “two critical points were at each of them, jobs are at risk”. 

“I think we’ve got two cliff edges coming, if it is possible to go over two cliff edges at once,” he told a Welsh Labour Party event.

Mr Brown – the longest serving chancellor of the exchequer in modern times – said Rishi Sunak would have to introduce further measures to limit the impact of rising unemployment, as his replacement for the costly furlough scheme was “very limited”.

Additional reporting by PA

‘The gaffe man’

As Jacinda Ardern secured an election victory in New Zealand, an old tweet of hers mocking Boris Johnson’s fitness to be prime minister has resurfaced.

Tom Embury-Dennis writes about her post here:

Near-total ban for using phones at wheel

In completely separate news, drivers face a near-total ban on touching their mobile phones while behind the wheel, as the government plans to close a loophole.

Full story:

Jennifer Arcuri

In case you missed it earlier, here is our story on Jennifer Arcuri reportedly admitting to having an affair with Boris Johnson when he was London mayor:

Here is a reminder of what happened yesterday, when the PM threatened to walk away from talks on a free trade agreement with the EU:

‘Australia-style arrangement’

Boris Johnson is under fire after telling the UK to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. 

He said it was time for the UK to prepare for “arrangements that are more like Australia’s”, which effectively means a no-deal Brexit as Australia has no trade deal with Europe.

You can watch his speech where he made the comments below: