Markus Andrews

The UK and the EU will step up their efforts to resolved their post-Brexit row over the Northern Ireland Protocol before Christmas after negotiators failed to reach agreement once again.After another week in the laboured talks on solving the issues thrown up by the deal signed by Boris Johnson, Brexit minister Lord Frost said he and EU Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic had still not reached agreement.The UK chief negotiator said “intensive talks” would continue next week, and he and Mr Sefcovic will double how often they meet “in the hope of making worthwhile progress towards agreed solutions before Christmas”.Reports suggested that Lord Frost’s team had watered down its demand that the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) must be removed from arbitration over protocol issues.But in his statement on Friday, Lord Frost insisted there needed to be “movement on all the difficult issues created by the protocol” – including on the Court of Justice.After Friday’s meeting Mr Sefcovic claimed it was now “crunch time for medicines, with the EU Commission ready to amend EU legislation”. He has previously claimed that Brussels is ready to make unilateral changes to allow medicines to move more easily into Northern Ireland, without any agreement with the UK.Both sides are trying to reach an agreement that would reduce customs paperwork and the number of checks required on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and ensure a continued free flow of medicines across the Irish Sea.In a statement on social media after Friday’s online meeting with Sefcovic, Lord Frost said they had made “further limited progress on medicines but we have not reached agreement”.He added: “I underlined the need for movement on all the difficult issues created by the protocol, including customs, agri-food rules, subsidy policy, VAT/excise, and governance including the [European] Court of Justice. We will not find a durable solution that does not deal with all these problems.”Earlier this week Mr Johnson again told MPs the protocol must be changes and reiterated his threat to suspend elements of the accord by triggering the Article 16 mechanism – which could spark an ugly trade war – if an agreement cannot be found.Meanwhile, France again threatened to push for EU legal action against Britain if it does not show a “sign of goodwill” in the post-Brexit fishing row by a Friday deadline set by the EU.France’s European affairs minister, Clement Beaune, echoed earlier threats to ask the Commission to launch legal proceedings against the UK if it failed to grant more licences to French fishermen.But he also suggested the talks could be extended past the deadline as long as the UK shows goodwill. “We won’t get all the licences that we have a right to by tonight,” he told France Info radio on Friday.“If the British say today ‘We’ll give you … a few dozen extra licences as a gesture of good faith to show that the dialogue is bearing fruit and we’re interested in continuing,’ we’ll take that into account and make an evaluation with the European Commission and perhaps we’ll continue.”But if Britain refuses to budge on the roughly 100 outstanding licences, France will ask the commission at the weekend to announce the launch of legal proceedings, Mr Beaune added. More

The Conservative Party has a reputation for ruthlessly disposing of its leaders when they are no longer viewed as electoral assets.Even former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, considered one of the party’s greatest-ever leaders, was ousted in 1990 amid concerns over her politically toxic poll tax.Conversations about Tory succession – and who might lead the troops into the next battle – have been taking place long before recent scandals sent Boris Johnson’s approval ratings and poll lead tumbling.For the early part of Johnson’s tenure in No 10 Downing Street, it was perceived wisdom in Westminster that Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, would be next to ascend the Tory throne.But who else is in the running?Lizz Truss, who has undergone somewhat of an epiphany over Brexit, has recently seen her approval ratings soar, with a Conservative Home poll published last month ranking her top among cabinet ministers. The survey is viewed as a good barometer of grassroots support and is keenly watched by those in government.The free-market Conservative, who talks tough on “woke” Britain, was promoted to foreign secretary in the PM’s September reshuffle. The 3 November ConHome poll put Ms Truss’s approval rating at +85.6 – more than 10 points higher than second-placed de-facto Brexit minister, Lord Frost.Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the current international trade secretary, and Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, also ranked in the top five of the survey but neither has been strongly linked to the Tory leadership role.Michael Gove, the new levelling up and housing secretary and Jeremy Hunt, the former health secretary and current chair of the Commons health committee, are invariably linked with the top job. Although both are viewed in Tory circles as competent and capable of successfully overseeing a brief, they have had tilts at the leadership and failed.Mr Gove famously stabbed Johnson in the back during the 2016 contest — subsequently won by Theresa May — a move he later described as “political suicide.”What do punters think?”Following the calamitous week that Boris Johnson has had, we have seen plenty of action on the Betfair Exchange’s next prime minister market,” Betfair spokesman Sam Rosbottom tells The Independent.”Rishi Sunak is the 11/4 favourite take over at Number 10 after Johnson, while Liz Truss has been the biggest mover in the market. The foreign secretary has been backed in from 33/1 earlier in the year to 11/2 now.”Betfair says, over the past few days, the odds on Mr Johnson leaving his job by the end of 2021 have shortened from 149/1 to as low as 15/1. Mr Johnson leaving no 10 in 2022 is proving to be a popular choice too, the firm said, with the odds being slashed from 21/1 to 7/5 in the past seven days.Next Conservative leader after Boris Johnson (latest odds, oddschecker.com)Rishi Sunak – 9/4Liz Truss – 7/2Michael Gove – 13/2Jeremy Hunt – 10Sajid Javid – 14Tom Tugendhat – 25Ben Wallace – 25Boris Johnson exit date2021 – 13/22022 or later – 1/252023 – 3/42024 or later – 15/8 More

Boris Johnson’s approval rating as prime minister has dropped to an all-time low, according to the pollsters YouGov, after a turbulent week for the government on multiple fronts.The pollsters said the prime minister’s net favourability rating now stood at -42 and had fallen 11 points since mid-November, with 66 per cent of the public having an unfavourable opinion of Mr Johnson.The finding comes after a series of self-inflicted wounds on the government’s authority, including the Owen Paterson scandal and outrage over a Christmas party held at No 10 in the winter of 2020 when the rest of the country faced severe Covid restrictions.According to YouGov, the episode appears to have hit the prime minister’s popularity, with just a quarter of respondents (24 per cent) having a positive opinion of him – giving him a net favourability rating of -42.Earlier this week a separate poll found more than half of voters believe Mr Johnson should resign as prime minister over the festive gathering after a cabinet secretary investigation was launched in response to a leaked video of No 10 officials joking about the event.Despite a boost in the Westminster voting intention polls for Labour, however, Sir Keir Starmer has been unable to make significant gains among the public with his own ratings, the pollsters added, with his net favourability changing slightly from -13 to -14.But speaking earlier, the Labour leader challenged Tory MPs to oust Mr Johnson — who he described as “not fit for office” — from No 10, adding: “Are they prepared to go through the degrading of themselves and their party, to go out to the media, have to defend the indefensible for months to come?“Or are they going to actually have the courage now to challenge him and say you’re not fit for office?”“He’s not fit for office and because he’s not fit for office, he won’t resign and the question really is for Tory members of the Cabinet, Tory MPs, to ask themselves are they prepared to put up with this?”Last week, another survey found the prime minister’s popularity among the Tory faithful had taken a hit after weeks of division over a myriad of issues, including scaled-back plans for social care reform, rows over sleaze, and accusations of betrayal over rail plans.The monthly ‘cabinet league table’ survey by Conservative Home showed the prime minister second from bottom in net satisfaction ratings, with -17. The same survey in October had Mr Johnson on +20. More

Tougher Covid restrictions will be imposed if the worst fears about the omicron variant are realised, No 10 says – but declined to say what they will be.Contingency plans, dubbed a ‘Plan C’, have been drawn up by officials which are thought to include the return of table service in pubs and mask-wearing in more settings, in England.Downing Street said it is not “aware” of any document listing the stricter measures being considered, just days after Boris Johnson triggered his Plan B to counter fast-rising omicron cases.But the prime minister’s spokesman said: “We need to keep the characteristics of this variant under review and we would act if necessary.“We have an array, already, of options available to us in terms of what measures we can take to mitigate a growth of any variant or virus,” he said – arguing that is expected of “a responsible government”.However, he added: “There are no plans to go beyond that currently.”The comments came as the spokesman revealed No 10 has scrapped plans for a Christmas party – just days after Mr Johnson said staff parties should go ahead.Downing Street remains rocked by evidence of “illegal” parties a year ago, but the spokesman said it was because of the increasing work on omicron and “the latest data that we’ve got”.No “final decision has been taken on whether to introduce a three-visitor rule in care homes, another move being considered.Meanwhile, Michael Gove, who remains in charge of intergovernmental relations, will chair a meeting of the emergency Cobr meeting later on Friday, to discuss the Covid situation.The first ministers and deputy first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will take part.more follows More

Boris Johnson’s ethics adviser has restarted an investigation into his lavish flat refurbishment and will be given any information he demands, No 10 says.Christopher Geidt contacted Downing Street after an Electoral Commission report appeared to show the prime minister “misled” the adviser’s own inquiry that cleared him of wrongdoing.“We are liaising with Lord Geidt to answer any further questions he may have,“ Mr Johnson’s spokesman said.The adviser “at all times has the ability to access information he needs to make decisions to come to a conclusion,” he added.The move comes after a former head of committee on standards in public life joined opposition parties in demanding fresh probes into the prime minister’s conduct over the £112,000 refit.The Commission’s report revealed Mr Johnson personally asked for more funds for the redecorations, despite claiming – three months later – that he knew nothing about donors funding the work.Lord Geidt’s report, in May, found the prime minister had acted “unwisely” in failing to ask proper questions, but ruled had been no breach of the ministerial code.Meanwhile, the Information Commissioner said the body is investigating why the Cabinet Office claimed WhatsApp messages at the centre of the controversy did not exist.A Freedom of Information request was denied – yet the Commission report revealed the messages were sent by Mr Johnson to Tory donor Lord Brownlow, who helped fund the refurbishment.It is unclear whether Lord Geidt saw the WhatsApp messages when he concluded there was “no evidence” the prime minister was told Lord Brownlow had paid the bills.However, The Independent understands the adviser has sought clarification about information he had already received – rather than seeking any new documentation.There is confidence in Downing Street that they will be able to satisfy the adviser that he was not misled and that he could announce that as early as today.The spokesman said: “I’m not getting into what evidence Lord Geidt specifically has access to,” – while insisting he can see “all relevant information he needs”.He declined to say whether or not Mr Johnson spoke with the adviser directly about his concerns, or whether he had asked him not to resign.The Commission report revealed that – in November 2020 – he “messaged Lord Brownlow via WhatsApp” to ask him to “authorise” further redecorations.Furthermore, in early December, “Lord Brownlow confirmed to the prime minister that he had approved further works”, the watchdog stated.No 10 has denied Mr Johnson lied to Lord Geidt – arguing he had known only that Lord Brownlow was handling the funding, not that he was the source of the money.He had contacted him, in November 2020, because he was the administrator of a blind trust to fund the works – despite the Commission report stating “the trust had not been formed”. More

Boris Johnson’s former senior adviser Dominic Cummings has claimed there are photos of the festive parties held at Downing Street in the run-up to Christmas last year.Pressure on the prime minister over the parties has stepped up after it emerged that his top communications adviser Jack Doyle handed out awards to staff at a gathering on 18 December.Mr Cummings claimed Mr Johnson was “lying” about the gatherings and said photo evidence of the events – as well as invitations sent to people who do not work at No 10 – would soon be revealed.“There’s lots of pictures of the parties which will inevitably get out. And invite lists beyond No 10, to other departments,” he tweeted on Friday.The former strategist also said he thought Mr Johnson probably knew about the 18 December event at the centre of the scandal, and predicted the PM would “be gone before the next election … probably summer”.In a question and answer event for subscribers to his blog, Mr Cummings also suggested that Mr Doyle would become the fall guy for the party scandal – claiming the press chief is a “gonner”.He claimed Mr Johnson “will be thinking ‘not now, gotta keep him as the sacrifice for Case’s inquiry then – I’m shocked, shocked I tell you to discover there was a party and I was misled’.”Mr Cummings also suggested the PM – facing accusations that he lied to his own ethics adviser about donations spent on Downing Street flat redecorations – would “do a deal with Jack to keep all the wallpaper horror buried”.Referring to the events of 18 December, Mr Cummings also suggested Mr Johnson may have known about the gathering of staff. “He knew but I think did not attend, though remember the geography – to get upstairs he has to walk past that area where he could see it – if he was not Chequers.”Mr Cummings also alleged that Mr Johnson, whom he refers to as the “trolley”, had been “lying” when answering questions about the alleged parties in recent days.He claimed: “There were invites sent across Whitehall, it was an organised party. The trolley knows this and tried to lie his way out but was fck (sic) by the video.”The former No 10 strategist also denied claims he was the source of the leaked video which showed adviser Allegra Stratton, who has since resigned, joking about a festive party. Asked if he obtained the clip and shared with ITV News, he replied: “No.”Asked by subscribers how and when the Tories might replace Mr Johnson, Mr Cummings said: “The polls will lead it, plus his inevitable continued flat spin, plus officials kicking him off the ice, plus rivals strategically intervening.”“He’s done, gone by this time next year, probably summer,” he said of Mr Johnson’s leadership – warning the 2019 intake of so-called red wall Tory MPs that they would be “toast” unless they replace him.But Mr Cummings would not be drawn on who would be the next PM. “Don’t want to get into personalities now – [Liz] Truss and [Sajid] Javid are not solutions.” Asked if his former Vote Leave campaign ally Michael Gove was the answer, he said: “No.”It comes as Tory peer Gavin Barwell said the party’s MPs are “definitely” having conversations on how to replace Mr Johnson. “His position depends on being seen as an electoral asset, and if over a period of time that goes then he really is in trouble.”Mr Johnson’s troubles were made worse on Friday when it emerged that his ethics adviser Lord Geidt has restarted an investigation into the funding of the lavish flat refurb.Lord Geidt contacted No 10 after Thursday’s Electoral Commission report appeared to show the prime minister “misled” the adviser own when exactly he knew about funding arrangements. More

Some Conservative MPs are “definitely” having conversations on how to replace Boris Johnson, a Tory peer has claimed amid a turbulent week for the prime minister on multiple fronts.Gavin Barwell, the former chief-of-staff to Theresa May, also described a number of issues, including the Owen Paterson scandal, allegations of parties in government buildings last winter, and questions over funding of the No 10 flat as “self-inflicted wounds”.“That’s why his MPs are so angry,” the former Conservative MP told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.Asked whether there “are now real conversations in the Conservative party, not about imminent change, but possibly change before the next election” in respect to Mr Johnson’s leadership, Lord Barwell replied: “The first thing is there are definitely those conversations happening – MPs have talked to me about it. That doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.“But my observation to you would be that Boris Johnson, more than any previous leader of the Conservative party – his position depends on being seen as an electoral asset and if over a period of time that goes then he really is in trouble.”Lord Barwell also said the issue of the Christmas party held at No 10 was “hugely toxic” for the government, suggesting the idea of one rule for those introducing further restrictions and a different set of rules for the others will “hugely cut through with voters”.He added: “It seems to me the government is in a really difficult position now where things are being dragged out of them – piece by piece, day after day – which is incredibly damaging to its authority.His remarks came as the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, used an interview with the Daily Telegraph to challenge Conservative MPs to act over the leadership of Mr Johnson, whom he described as “unfit for office”.Sir Keir said: “I’m confident we’re going to win the next general election, whether that’s in 2023 or 2024.“So the question – and this is really the question that I think is central now – for the Cabinet, for ministers and for all Tory MPs, frankly, is are they prepared to endure the next two years of increased degradation of themselves and their party, being put out to defend the indefensible and bringing themselves and their party into further disrepute?“Because this isn’t going to change – he’s unfit for office, it isn’t going to change. Or are they going to do something about it?”Elsewhere, foreign secretary Liz Truss – one of the favourites to replace Mr Johnson if a leadership contest emerges – has been “quietly wooing” fellow Conservatives in the event of a leadership contest, according to the i newspaper.One Tory MP told the newspaper she had been “having regular dinners with backbenchers”, but a spokesperson for Ms Truss said she was “focused on getting on with the job” and “she meets MPs regularly to discuss foreign policy, and previously trade policy”.Allies of chancellor Rishi Sunak are also reportedly sounding out fellow Tory MPs for support for a leadership bid if a contest were to take place.Meanwhile, a senior Conservative figure said Mr Johnson must come back after Christmas “refreshed”. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs, told LBC it was “really a very, very difficult time for the prime minister at the moment”.Mr Clifton-Brown said: “We’re all about to go for a Christmas break. If he comes back in the new year refreshed, able to differentiate between his private life and public life … we can really get onto that agenda away from these other, sort of, personal issues, then I think he’s fine.But the 1992 Committee member warned: “But if we go on having these – what I call personal issues, issues of judgment by the prime minister – then I think that’s a very different scenario.” More

Boris Johnson accused of double standard after video shows staff joking about alleged holiday partyTory MPs are having “conversations” about how to oust Boris Johnson amid a series of damaging government scandals, a Conservative peer has said.“There are definitely those conversations happening – MPs have talked to me about it,” Lord Barwell admitted.“That doesn’t mean it is going to happen. But Boris, more than anyone, his position depends on being seen as an electoral asset. If over time that goes, he really is in trouble,” Theresa May’s former chief of staff added.Lord Barwell’s comments come as the prime minister continues to struggle with the fallout caused by revelations about last year’s Downing Street Christmas parties. The growing controversy comes as an ex-standards chief joined opposition parties in calling for further investigations to be opened into Mr Johnson’s luxury revamp of his Downing Street flat.This follows accusations that the prime minister lied to his own ethics adviser, Christopher Geidt, about donations spent on the redecorations, with Tory MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown saying “the truth must come out”.Show latest update

1639147228‘Multiple people’ responsible for Downing Street leaks, says CummingsIn an Ask Me Anything session earlier today, Dominic Cummings was asked who leaked the footage which led to Allegra Stratton’s resignation as a government adviser this week.The architect of the Vote Leave campaign, who was sacked as Boris Johnson’s chief aide last year, replied: “There are multiple people leaking with multiple agendas & the video was not security footage.” More