Brexit secretary: New political declaration drafted
Brexit secretary Steve Barclay has this morning confirmed a new political declaration with the EU has been submitted, as the UK government attempts to secure an 11th-hour deal.
Speaking this morning before the Brexit committee, Barclay said changes to the Irish backstop meant it necessarily followed that “there would be changes to political declaration”.
The Cabinet minister, who yesterday held 11 bilateral meetings in Luxembourg as part of last-ditch talks, refused to be drawn on whether the new political declaration would be published alongside a draft Withdrawal Agreement, if one is agreed.
Barclay told committee chair Hilary Benn that the government “will comply with what is set out” in legislation named after the pro-Remain Labour MP.
Benn said he would take that as confirmation the Prime Minister will send a letter requiring an extension, however Barclay insisted the government was committed to leaving on 31 October.
Barclay stressed that the government was “absolutely committed” to Northern Ireland coming out of the EU’s customs union along with the rest of the UK, despite rumours that Downing Street has been toying with a Northern Ireland-only backstop as a route out of the impasse.
Yesterday hopes rose that a deal was in the works, after Boris Johnson held a series of meetings with potential rebels including representatives of the Democratic Unionist Party and Eurosceptic Conservative group the ERG.
But although talks ran late into the night, no conclusion was reached – meaning yet another deadline was passed.
European Council president Donald Tusk is expected to publish the agenda for tomorrow’s summit, which will give the clearest indication yet of whether a deal could still be struck, or whether discussions will focus on an extension instead.
More to follow
Main image: Getty