Varadkar to stress openness to 'realistic' backstop alternative with Johnson - but time for deal 'shrinking rapidly'
TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar is to stress Ireland's openness to "realistic" alternatives to the backstop to avoid a hard border in his meeting with UK prime minister Boris Johnson this week. But it comes against the backdrop of an Irish government warning the time to reach a deal is "shrinking rapidly". But it comes against the backdrop of an Irish government warning the time to reach a deal is "shrinking rapidly".
Speaking to the BBC, Johnson also defended his recent parliamentary language.
Johnson 's promise came as Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said he would once again run for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday he would not resign to avoid having to delay His comments came as he joined members of his Conservative Party at their annual conference
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson has said he would not resign to avoid having to delay Brexit beyond the end of October.
Johnson has continually vowed to take Britain out of the EU by 31 October, despite parliament passing the Benn Act which requires him to ask for an extension to the Brexit deadline if MPs fail to approve a deal.
Video: Jeremy Corbyn - Boris Johnson must resign after misleading country (Mirror)
Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty. Boris Johnson has ruled out resigning as prime minister to avoid having to seek a three-month delay to Brexit if he fails to reach a deal with Mr Johnson has faced criticism for describing the law drafted by Hilary Benn obliging him to delay Brexit as a “surrender Bill”.
PM says UK can still leave with no deal and fails to deny asking EU nations to block extension.
Speaking on BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show this morning, Johnson, who has previously said he’d rather be “dead in a ditch” than request a delay, said:
“No, I have undertaken to lead the party and my country at a difficult time and I am going to continue to do that. I believe it is my responsibility to do that.”
Johnson this morning also defended his use of language in Parliament and denied any wrongdoing in relation to his links with American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri.
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister was criticised in Parliament for saying that the best way to “honour the memory” of murdered MP Jo Cox would be “to get Brexit done”.
Johnson made the claim after a number of opposition MPs implored him to moderate his language so as not to ‘whip up’ threats and intimidation against members.
No-deal Brexit will be Britain's fault, says EU chief
Failure to reach a Brexit deal would be the sole responsibility of the UK, the president of the European Commission has said. Jean-Claude Juncker insisted he and the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier were doing all they could to secure an agreement because it would be a catastrophe for both Britain and Europe if there was no divorce settlement in place.He also warned that negotiating a future trade deal would not be easy in the event of a no-deal.
Boris Johnson has until 11pm to request an extension to Brexit from the EU after losing a vote on an amendment tabled by Oliver Letwin. The prime minister insisted he would “not negotiate a delay with the EU, and neither does the law compel me to do so”.
Boris Johnson will send a letter to the EU asking for a Brexit delay if no divorce deal has been Home Office minister claims Brexit plan is final offer. Rory Stewart quits Tory party, announces bid to be The Green Party also kicks off its conference today – it takes place in Newport in south Wales.
Labour MP Cox was murdered by a far-right extremist a week before the Brexit vote in 2016. She had been a remain supporter.
Johnson also used the terms ‘Surrender Act’ and ‘Capitulation Act’ when referring to the Benn Act, which seeks to force the government to seek a Brexit extension to avoid a no-deal.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the four-day Tory Party conference in Manchester today, Johnson defended his use of language.
He said: “I want to make a very important distinction between that issue of threats and abuse directed at MPs which is totally unacceptable and we have to prevent and what I think is the legitimate use of old tried and trusted metaphors to describe certain parliamentary acts or indeed events in politics.
“If you cannot use a metaphor like surrender to describe the ‘Surrender Act’ then in my view you are impoverishing the language and diminishing parliamentary debate,” he said.
Boris Johnson’s Ultimate Deceit
It is one of the ironies of the rise of authoritarian movements in Western democracies that politicians who claim to be strengthening the foundations of democracy work so assiduously to undermine those foundations.
Two days after being kicked out of a Tory conference , a disgraced Tory MP has asked UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to persist and get his Brexit deal done.
Boris Johnson has said that he will not ask the EU for a Brexit delay in any circumstances. But when anti-No Deal legislation makes it onto the statute book Yes, if Boris Johnson resigns MPs including opposition parties will have two weeks to form a government that can win a majority in the Commons.
In the Commons on Wednesday, Tracy Brabin, who succeeded Cox in her former constituency asked Johnson to be more careful in his use of language.
“As the woman who has taken over a seat that was left by our dear friend Jo Cox, can I ask him, in all honesty, as a human being, please, please. Will he, going forward, moderate his language so that we will all feel secure when we’re going about our jobs?”
In response, Johnson said that the act he refers to “greatly enfeebles the government’s ability to negotiate” and when taken to task on his use of language by MP Paula Sherriff, whose complaints he later dismissed as “humbug”.
Challenged by Marr on the issue, Johnson this morning said that he thought she was talking about the Benn Act and that he had committed a “total misunderstanding”.
“That was wrong, that was not my intention,” he says, adding he is “sorry for the misunderstanding”.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Johnson and American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri has grown, with The Sunday Times reporting Arcuri told friends she had an affair with him while he was mayor of London.
How Boris Johnson plans to escape from the Brexit quagmire
How Boris Johnson plans to escape from the Brexit quagmireThe British plan, weeks in gestation, was handed to Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission president, by David Frost, chief UK Brexit negotiator in Brussels. Early signs are that the EU will give the proposal a cautious but icy welcome.
On Friday, the Prime Minister was referred to the police complaints body to assess whether he should face a criminal investigation over his links with the former model.
The Sunday Times reported Arcuri was given £126,000 in public money and privileged access to three foreign trade missions led by Mr Johnson while he was mayor.
Johnson has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to his links with Ms Arcuri.
Appearing on the BBC this morning, Johnson said of the matter: “There was no interest to declare.”
‘Credible proposal’
Leave vs Remain: Brexit demonstrations around the UK (Photos)
With the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (EU) experiencing various political complications, having now been delayed up to October 31, 2019, the country has seen increasing public discontent from both Leave and Remain supporters alike. Amidst a general air of uncertainty and ongoing frustration at the government's inability to mobilize a smooth withdrawal from the European bloc, demonstrators on both sides of the political spectrum have taken to the streets to give voice to their discontent. We look at some of the recent protests in pictures.
(Pictured) Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on Aug. 28 in London, England.
EU 'open but unconvinced' by PM's new Brexit proposals
Brussels is not convinced by Boris Johnson's new proposals for a Brexit deal, the president of the European Council says. The prime minister launched a charm offensive aimed at rallying support for his Brexit plan, which involves abolishing the current backstop and replacing it with a mixture of checks at ports on the Irish Sea and away from the border in Ireland.Striking a notably conciliatory tone following recent angry exchanges, the prime minister told MPs yesterday that he had made a "genuine attempt to bridge the chasm" with Brussels by making compromises and secure a fresh divorce deal.
A pro-Brexit activist, with legs covered in sun cream on a scorching day in London, England, holds a 'We Voted Leave' board outside the Houses of Parliament on July 24.
A young British anti-Brexit protester advises his fellow supporters to disobey police attempts to remove them from Parliament Square in London, England on Aug. 28.
A pro-Brexit campaigner wears the Union flag colours and holds placards as he demonstrates near the Houses of Parliament in central London, England on April 3.
Boris Johnson’s attempts to secure Brexit deal win David Cameron’s backing
Mr Cameron, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, said he thought there was a ‘good chance’ of Mr Johnson’s efforts succeeding. He added: “It is difficult but I think it is far better than a no-deal outcome, which I don’t think is a good outcome and not something I would recommend.”He suggested British politics would be “stuck” until Brexit is resolved, telling the festival: “If I can be perfectly frank about this and we can’t get a deal and we can’t all be stuck and I recognise my fair share of the responsibility for that fact we are stuck.
British politician Nigel Farage takes the stage to speak at a rally at Parliament Square after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London on March 29.
Demonstrators participate in a Border Communities Against Brexit (BCAB) protest as part of their ongoing campaign against the return of a border to the island of Ireland March 30.
A young girl waves the European Flag in Green Park, London, during the Put It To The People March on March 23.
Johnson allies aim to ‘punish’ EU states that back Brexit delay
Boris Johnson’s allies are drawing up plans to supposedly punish EU member states that agree to extend the Article 50 Brexit process, in a further sign that Downing Street is preparing for exit negotiations in Brussels to end this week in an acrimonious breakdown. Mr Johnson’s aides admit there is little prospect of a breakthrough at an EU summit next week and that the EU will decide to push the prime minister into seeking a delay to Brexit, precipitating a general election.
People hold up placards and European Union flags as they pass Trafalgar Square on a march and rally organised by the pro-European People's Vote campaign for a second EU referendum in central London on March 23.
Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage addresses marchers from the top of a bus at the start of the 'March to Leave' walk from the village of Linby to Beeston, Nottinghamshire on March 23 in Mansfield.
EU supporters, calling on the government to give Britons a vote on the final Brexit deal, participate in the 'People's Vote' march in central London on March 23.
'March to Leave' protesters set off from Linby village in Nottinghamshire towards London, England. The 14-day march began in Sunderland on March 16 and will end in the capital on March 29, where a mass rally will take place on Parliament Square.
An anti-Brexit protester holds an EU flag as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London on March 14 as MPs debate a motion on whether to seek a delay to Britain's exit from the EU.
Pro-Brexit and anti-Brexit protesters hold flags as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London on March 14 as members debate a motion on whether to seek a delay to Britain's exit from the EU.
Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray stands holding placards draped in a composite if the EU and Union flag outside the Houses of Parliament in London on March 4.
A remain in the European Union supporter and member of the "Our Future, Our Choice" (OFOC) young people against Brexit organisation campaigning for a People's Vote second referendum on Britain's EU membership poses for photographs after taking part in a protest against a blindfold Brexit on Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament in London, England on Feb. 14.
A pro-Brexit activist (L) holding a placard and wearing a union flag-themed shirt talks with an anti-Brexit demonstrator holding an EU flagas they protest near the Houses of Parliament in London on Jan. 29.
The Border Communities Against Brexit group hold an anti-Brexit protest on Jan. 26 in Louth, Ireland.
With Britain due to leave the EU on the 31 October, a withdrawal agreement seems increasingly unlikely.
Johnson had previously said that despite parliament passing legislation to block a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, he would seek to leave anyway on that date even if no agreement had been reached with the EU.
Speaking today, Johnson said he believes a deal can still be struck.
“I do think there is a good chance and we’re working incredibly hard…we’ll continue to work tomorrow and in the course of the next few days right up until October 13th to see if we can get this thing over the line,” Johnson said.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Coveney told the Sunday Independent today that Johnson’s claim that he wants a deal will be tested this week and that a “credible proposal” must be put forward “if he is serious about getting a deal”.
“If there not a serious effort on the British side to put forward a proposal that’s credible, then I think we’re into a very difficult space,” Coveney said.
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Johnson allies aim to ‘punish’ EU states that back Brexit delay .
Boris Johnson’s allies are drawing up plans to supposedly punish EU member states that agree to extend the Article 50 Brexit process, in a further sign that Downing Street is preparing for exit negotiations in Brussels to end this week in an acrimonious breakdown. Mr Johnson’s aides admit there is little prospect of a breakthrough at an EU summit next week and that the EU will decide to push the prime minister into seeking a delay to Brexit, precipitating a general election.
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Boris Johnson has until 11pm to request an extension to Brexit from the EU after losing a vote on an amendment tabled by Oliver Letwin. The prime minister insisted he would “not negotiate a delay with the EU, and neither does the law compel me to do so”.
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Two days after being kicked out of a Tory conference , a disgraced Tory MP has asked UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to persist and get his Brexit deal done.
Can Boris Johnson refuse to delay Brexit even if LAW says he must?
Boris Johnson has said that he will not ask the EU for a Brexit delay in any circumstances. But when anti-No Deal legislation makes it onto the statute book Yes, if Boris Johnson resigns MPs including opposition parties will have two weeks to form a government that can win a majority in the Commons.
TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar is to stress Ireland's openness to "realistic" alternatives to the backstop to avoid a hard border in his meeting with UK prime minister Boris Johnson this week. But it comes against the backdrop of an Irish government warning the time to reach a deal is "shrinking rapidly". But it comes against the backdrop of an Irish government warning the time to reach a deal is "shrinking rapidly". 
Just when you thought British politics couldn’t get any more complicated - or exciting - the Supreme Court added another, major, twist in the tale. Related: Johnson 'strongly disagrees with Supreme Court ruling © PA Wire/PA Images Prime Minister Boris Johnson with his senior aid Dominic Cummings as they leave Downing Street, central London. 
Failure to reach a Brexit deal would be the sole responsibility of the UK, the president of the European Commission has said. Jean-Claude Juncker insisted he and the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier were doing all they could to secure an agreement because it would be a catastrophe for both Britain and Europe if there was no divorce settlement in place.He also warned that negotiating a future trade deal would not be easy in the event of a no-deal. 
It is one of the ironies of the rise of authoritarian movements in Western democracies that politicians who claim to be strengthening the foundations of democracy work so assiduously to undermine those foundations. 
How Boris Johnson plans to escape from the Brexit quagmireThe British plan, weeks in gestation, was handed to Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission president, by David Frost, chief UK Brexit negotiator in Brussels. Early signs are that the EU will give the proposal a cautious but icy welcome. 
Brussels is not convinced by Boris Johnson's new proposals for a Brexit deal, the president of the European Council says. The prime minister launched a charm offensive aimed at rallying support for his Brexit plan, which involves abolishing the current backstop and replacing it with a mixture of checks at ports on the Irish Sea and away from the border in Ireland.Striking a notably conciliatory tone following recent angry exchanges, the prime minister told MPs yesterday that he had made a "genuine attempt to bridge the chasm" with Brussels by making compromises and secure a fresh divorce deal.
Brussels is not convinced by Boris Johnson's new proposals for a Brexit deal, the president of the European Council says. The prime minister launched a charm offensive aimed at rallying support for his Brexit plan, which involves abolishing the current backstop and replacing it with a mixture of checks at ports on the Irish Sea and away from the border in Ireland.Striking a notably conciliatory tone following recent angry exchanges, the prime minister told MPs yesterday that he had made a "genuine attempt to bridge the chasm" with Brussels by making compromises and secure a fresh divorce deal. 
Mr Cameron, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, said he thought there was a ‘good chance’ of Mr Johnson’s efforts succeeding. He added: “It is difficult but I think it is far better than a no-deal outcome, which I don’t think is a good outcome and not something I would recommend.”He suggested British politics would be “stuck” until Brexit is resolved, telling the festival: “If I can be perfectly frank about this and we can’t get a deal and we can’t all be stuck and I recognise my fair share of the responsibility for that fact we are stuck. 
Boris Johnson’s allies are drawing up plans to supposedly punish EU member states that agree to extend the Article 50 Brexit process, in a further sign that Downing Street is preparing for exit negotiations in Brussels to end this week in an acrimonious breakdown. Mr Johnson’s aides admit there is little prospect of a breakthrough at an EU summit next week and that the EU will decide to push the prime minister into seeking a delay to Brexit, precipitating a general election. 
Varadkar to stress openness to 'realistic' backstop alternative with Johnson - 
What Does The Supreme Court Decision Mean? 
No-deal Brexit will be Britain's fault, says EU chief 
Boris Johnson’s Ultimate Deceit 
How Boris Johnson plans to escape from the Brexit quagmire 
EU 'open but unconvinced' by PM's new Brexit proposals 
Boris Johnson’s attempts to secure Brexit deal win David Cameron’s backing 
Johnson allies aim to ‘punish’ EU states that back Brexit delay 
