Sinister graffiti threatening Michael Gove, listing his address and warning 'we don't forget, we don't forgive' appears in loyalist area of Belfast
The menacing message which said 'we don't forget, we don't forgive' was scrawled across a line of building site hoarding boards in the Sandy Row area of Belfast.
EU ‘simply cannot trust’ UK Government after NI Protocol move, says Coveney
Ireland’s foreign affairs minister has said the EU is negotiating with a partner it “simply cannot trust” after the UK’s latest Brexit move. Simon Coveney described the UK’s Government’s unilateral decision to continue Irish Sea border grace periods until October as “very frustrating”.
Speaking on RTE Radio 1, Mr Coveney said the British Government is breaking the Northern Ireland Protocol and its own commitments.
“This is not the first time this has happened, that they are negotiating with a partner that they simply cannot trust,” he said.
“That is why the EU is now looking at legal options and legal actions which effectively means a much more formalised and rigid negotiation process as opposed to a process of partnership where you try to solve problems together, so this is really unwelcome.
Brexit fury as Sunak's freeport plan risks infuriating EU: 'They could block UK exports!'
Mr Murphy also warned that freeports are often associated with "illicit activity", and could result in more criminality in the UK.
He continued: "The second problem is freeports are associated with crime. Light touch regulation attracts those who want to undertake criminal activity because there are fewer checks, fewer barriers leading to more drug smuggling and counterfeit goods.
"There also tends to be tax abuses. Art works are regularly moved through freeports because they effectively become a mechanism for money laundering.
"This will be banned, but trading in precious metals, fine wine, high value cars - a lot of these are used for money laundering purposes.
"The chance that criminal activity will go up in the UK as a result of us having freeports is very high I'm afraid."
EU border disruption to cause economic hit - and Brexit deal to see '4% shrinkage in long-term'
They judged the terms of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's deal to be "broadly in line with the typical free trade agreement assumed in our previous forecasts", which they estimated would lead to "a long-run loss of productivity of around 4% compared with remaining in the EU".
"Instead of putting blind faith in freeports, the chancellor would be better served making sure the government's Brexit deal actually works for Britain's manufacturers, who now face more red-tape when they were promised less," Sir Keir said.
"For our financial services - still waiting for the chancellor to make good on his promises.
"For the small businesses and fishing communities whose goods and produce are now left unsold in warehouses.
"And for our artists and performers who just want to be able to tour."
BBC QT audience rages at Brexit grace period extension for trade 'not solving problem'
Business owner Tim appeared on Question Time and revealed the grace period extension - which reduces the number of checks at the Northern Irish border - does not help him or his company out. He explained that he has to pay new duties and change invoices which are causing complications for him. The BBC audience member added that he needs a solution "now" rather than kicking the can down the road.
Tim explained to host Fiona Bruce: "It's costing us as businesses money now, it needs solving now.
"We as an organisation found out today that goods that we'd already shipped to Ireland a few weeks ago, we now have to pay duty on those goods."
Ms Bruce explained Tim owned a bed and mattress company and asked: "Do you think the way of solving it now is for the Government to insist that, despite what's been agreed, it will unilaterally extend this grace period till October?"
Tim replied: "I think the problem with extending the grace period is that it doesn't really solve the problem.
The Union 'is over' as we know it and should become a 'voluntary association' of nations, claims Welsh Labour leader
In comments rejected by Downing Street, First Minister Mark Drakeford complained of a lack of interaction with Boris Johnson and claimed there was “no institutional architecture to make the United Kingdom work”.
Appearing before the Commons Welsh affairs committee, he added: “It is all ad hoc, random, and made up as we go along. And I’m afraid that really is not a satisfactory basis to sustain the future of the UK.”
Mr Drakeford also described his own relationship with Mr Johnson as “remote” and claimed that the limited number of meetings during the pandemic had made the “security of the future of the UK” more difficult.
The Sunday Telegraph leads on an interview with the new Cabinet office minister - and former Brexit negotiator - Lord Frost, who tells the paper it is time for Brussels to "stop sulking".
In what the paper describes as his first public intervention in the role, Lord Frost urges the EU to shake off any "ill will" directed at the UK.
It is time, he tells the paper, to "build a friendly relationship between sovereign nations".
His robust defence of the government's position wins praise from the European Research Group of Conservative MPs.
Its deputy chairman tells the paper that Brussels has shown "significant bad faith" - on the Northern Ireland protocol and vaccines - and the UK "can't be expected to stand by".
Brexit news – live: Minister stumbles in Commons over NI protocol as EU ‘poised to start legal action’ Commission chief Maroš Šefčovič presented legal options to member states at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday night
Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis has failed to explain the government's legal basis for taking unilateral action on the Brexit protocol governing Irish Sea border checks.
Ministers last week extended grace periods for NI businesses adjusting to new checks on some goods coming from Great Britain as set out in the withdrawal agreement.
Labour’s Hilary Benn questioned Mr Lewis on which Brexit deal clause the government had considered before making the move. “Is it Article 16, which allows the UK to unilaterally take appropriate safeguard measures? And, if not, which other article is he citing?” Mr Benn asked in the Commons.
But – despite repeatedly insisting the government is acting “lawfully” – Mr Lewis was unable to point to any part of the protocol that allows it.
The exchange came after EU Commission chief Maroš Šefčovič set out a number of legal options to member states at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday night. The commission is expected to issue a letter of formal notice to the UK in the coming days, Irish broadcaster RTE reported.
Elsewhere, the two sides are embroiled in a fresh vaccine row after the bloc accused Britain of imposing export restrictions on Covid-19 shots. In a newsletter sent to some 20,000 subscribers, EU Council president Charles Michel claimed the UK had imposed an “outright ban” on the movement of vaccine supplies.
Getting a bit sick and tired of the EU using NI as a political pawn. The UK has made it quite clear that it will not put a hard border on the island of Ireland. The EU are effectively attempting a land grab.
What really gets my goat though are the likes of the Welsh First Minister who conveniently forgets Westminster bankrolls the Welsh economy. So by all means Wales, go it alone, just rember there'll be no Barnet formula dividend and do you really think the EU wants yet another economy that would be a net beneficiary rather than a net contributer?
Getting a bit sick and tired of the EU using NI as a political pawn. The UK has made it quite clear that it will not put a hard border on the island of Ireland. The EU are effectively attempting a land grab.
What really gets my goat though are the likes of the Welsh First Minister who conveniently forgets Westminster bankrolls the Welsh economy. So by all means Wales, go it alone, just rember there'll be no Barnet formula dividend and do you really think the EU wants yet another economy that would be a net beneficiary rather than a net contributer?
Brexit has very probably brought an end of the UK.
Getting a bit sick and tired of the EU using NI as a political pawn. The UK has made it quite clear that it will not put a hard border on the island of Ireland. The EU are effectively attempting a land grab.
Getting a bit sick and tired of the EU using NI as a political pawn. The UK has made it quite clear that it will not put a hard border on the island of Ireland. The EU are effectively attempting a land grab.
The Irish Sea border story goes something like this.
There is not one example anywhere in the world where two different customs territories meet and there is no border. We knew prior to leaving the EU that there would have to be a border between the UK and EU. Had we not done a deal with the EU, and traded on WTO rules, the WTO would have insisted on a border. There were a small number of checks that had to be carried out between GB and NI while we were still members. These were carried out on ferries, which meant that no border was required.
The obvious place for a UK/EU border is on the island of Ireland. That would be the case if it wasnt for The Good Friday Agreement. The EU accepted that a land border in Ireland was not possible. Even though it would have made things much easier for them.
Theresa May said that no British Prime Minister would ever agree to a border in the Irish Sea. Boris wholeheartedly agreed with this. This was immediately before he signed an agreement to put one there. He then denied he had done it. Then said even though there was a border there, we would ignore it, and there would be no checks. Suggesting that businesses could bin the additional paperwork.
This effectively left NI in the UK and the EU. All the difficulties have emanated from what he has agreed. He said that NI have got the best of both worlds. Nobody in NI seems to agree with this.
‘It’s a bit rich’: Emily Maitlis tells DUP MP his position on Northern Ireland protocol ‘extraordinary’
BBC presenter Emily Maitlis clashed with the DUP’s Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson after telling him his party’s position on the Northern Ireland protocol was “extraordinary”.
The Newsnight host challenged the unionist MP on whether his complaints about trading disruption resulting from an Irish Sea border was “a bit rich”, given the DUP’s insistence on a hard Brexit.
The unionist party – which gave the Tories a nominal majority in the Commons between 2017 and 2019 – remained staunch objectors to the idea of the UK leaving the EU but staying part of a customs union.
Ms Maitlis said: “Sammy, it’s a bit rich isn’t it? You held the balance of power at Westminster in the UK for two years and you constantly voted against the one solution on the table that kept Northern Ireland in Great Britain’s orbit.
“So to turn round and say you don’t like the next thing, when it is your, arguably, political incompetence that got you here, is extraordinary.”
Mr Wilson shot back: “That’s not right – we voted against [Theresa] May’s deal because it did not, first of all, deliver Brexit. It would have kept the United Kingdom in the single market and customs union.”
The MP claimed the former prime minister’s withdrawal agreement – which contained a backstop so the whole of the UK would enter a customs territory with the EU in the event no final trade agreement could be done – would have been a “far worse” for Northern Ireland.
Mr Wilson, a firebrand unionist, has previously called for “guerrilla warfare” against the protocol, saying: “We will look to see every opportunity there is to attack the protocol to ensure it is destroyed.”
It comes as the EU said it would move forward with legal action against the UK in the coming days, claiming Boris Johnson’s government had “violated” agreed protocol arrangements.
The warning follows Downing Street’s unilateral decision to extend grace period exemptions on some checks on good coming from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
UK forced to delay checks on imports from EU by six months
The government has been forced to delay the introduction of import checks by six months, in a major U-turn of post-Brexit policy, because a network of 30 border posts being built to process incoming goods would not have been ready on time.
Exports to the European Union from Great Britain have been subject to controls since 1 January, however the UK government decided to opt for a phased approach to give hauliers and business more time to prepare for new rules on EU imports.
Checks were due to be introduced on 1 April and 1 July, but in recent days traders and ports have warned they were not ready, adding that the introduction of processes as originally planned could lead to empty supermarket shelves.
Boris Johnson savaged by Ireland as Brexit row erupts - 'You can't unilaterally decide!'
We cannot move forward on the basis of one side just deciding unilaterally 'Well, this is what must be done and we can't wait for the other sides to agree with us', and that's essentially what the British Government has done."
The British Government announcement last week that it was unilaterally extending a series of grace periods to allow businesses in Northern Ireland more time to adapt to the new rules.
The European Union is set to launch legal action against the UK this week.
Mr Coveney said the European Commission feels it has no option but to take legal action to the European Court of Justice.
Comments
The menacing message which said 'we don't forget, we don't forgive' was scrawled across a line of building site hoarding boards in the Sandy Row area of Belfast.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9322139/Sinister-graffiti-threatening-Michael-Gove-appears-Belfast.html
Ireland’s foreign affairs minister has said the EU is negotiating with a partner it “simply cannot trust” after the UK’s latest Brexit move.
Simon Coveney described the UK’s Government’s unilateral decision to continue Irish Sea border grace periods until October as “very frustrating”.
Speaking on RTE Radio 1, Mr Coveney said the British Government is breaking the Northern Ireland Protocol and its own commitments.
“This is not the first time this has happened, that they are negotiating with a partner that they simply cannot trust,” he said.
“That is why the EU is now looking at legal options and legal actions which effectively means a much more formalised and rigid negotiation process as opposed to a process of partnership where you try to solve problems together, so this is really unwelcome.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/eu-simply-cannot-trust-uk-government-after-ni-protocol-move-says-coveney/ar-BB1ee7Ds?ocid=msedgntp
Mr Murphy also warned that freeports are often associated with "illicit activity", and could result in more criminality in the UK.
He continued: "The second problem is freeports are associated with crime. Light touch regulation attracts those who want to undertake criminal activity because there are fewer checks, fewer barriers leading to more drug smuggling and counterfeit goods.
"There also tends to be tax abuses. Art works are regularly moved through freeports because they effectively become a mechanism for money laundering.
"This will be banned, but trading in precious metals, fine wine, high value cars - a lot of these are used for money laundering purposes.
"The chance that criminal activity will go up in the UK as a result of us having freeports is very high I'm afraid."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/brexit-fury-as-sunak-s-freeport-plan-risks-infuriating-eu-they-could-block-uk-exports/ar-BB1ecRjY?ocid=msedgntp
They judged the terms of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's deal to be "broadly in line with the typical free trade agreement assumed in our previous forecasts", which they estimated would lead to "a long-run loss of productivity of around 4% compared with remaining in the EU".
"Instead of putting blind faith in freeports, the chancellor would be better served making sure the government's Brexit deal actually works for Britain's manufacturers, who now face more red-tape when they were promised less," Sir Keir said.
"For our financial services - still waiting for the chancellor to make good on his promises.
"For the small businesses and fishing communities whose goods and produce are now left unsold in warehouses.
"And for our artists and performers who just want to be able to tour."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/eu-border-disruption-to-cause-economic-hit-and-brexit-deal-to-see-4-shrinkage-in-long-term/ar-BB1ecJQi?ocid=msedgntp
Business owner Tim appeared on Question Time and revealed the grace period extension - which reduces the number of checks at the Northern Irish border - does not help him or his company out. He explained that he has to pay new duties and change invoices which are causing complications for him. The BBC audience member added that he needs a solution "now" rather than kicking the can down the road.
Tim explained to host Fiona Bruce: "It's costing us as businesses money now, it needs solving now.
"We as an organisation found out today that goods that we'd already shipped to Ireland a few weeks ago, we now have to pay duty on those goods."
Ms Bruce explained Tim owned a bed and mattress company and asked: "Do you think the way of solving it now is for the Government to insist that, despite what's been agreed, it will unilaterally extend this grace period till October?"
Tim replied: "I think the problem with extending the grace period is that it doesn't really solve the problem.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/bbc-qt-audience-rages-at-brexit-grace-period-extension-for-trade-not-solving-problem/ar-BB1egRsS?ocid=msedgntp
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/not-a-breach-liz-truss-trashes-eu-legal-threats-as-uk-determined-to-resolve-ni-issues/ar-BB1eh0qT?ocid=msedgntp
In comments rejected by Downing Street, First Minister Mark Drakeford complained of a lack of interaction with Boris Johnson and claimed there was “no institutional architecture to make the United Kingdom work”.
Appearing before the Commons Welsh affairs committee, he added: “It is all ad hoc, random, and made up as we go along. And I’m afraid that really is not a satisfactory basis to sustain the future of the UK.”
Mr Drakeford also described his own relationship with Mr Johnson as “remote” and claimed that the limited number of meetings during the pandemic had made the “security of the future of the UK” more difficult.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/the-union-is-over-as-we-know-it-and-should-become-a-voluntary-association-of-nations-claims-welsh-labour-leader/ar-BB1ehIWt?ocid=msedgntp
The Sunday Telegraph leads on an interview with the new Cabinet office minister - and former Brexit negotiator - Lord Frost, who tells the paper it is time for Brussels to "stop sulking".
In what the paper describes as his first public intervention in the role, Lord Frost urges the EU to shake off any "ill will" directed at the UK.
It is time, he tells the paper, to "build a friendly relationship between sovereign nations".
His robust defence of the government's position wins praise from the European Research Group of Conservative MPs.
Its deputy chairman tells the paper that Brussels has shown "significant bad faith" - on the Northern Ireland protocol and vaccines - and the UK "can't be expected to stand by".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-56309738
Commission chief Maroš Šefčovič presented legal options to member states at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday night
Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis has failed to explain the government's legal basis for taking unilateral action on the Brexit protocol governing Irish Sea border checks.
Ministers last week extended grace periods for NI businesses adjusting to new checks on some goods coming from Great Britain as set out in the withdrawal agreement.
Labour’s Hilary Benn questioned Mr Lewis on which Brexit deal clause the government had considered before making the move. “Is it Article 16, which allows the UK to unilaterally take appropriate safeguard measures? And, if not, which other article is he citing?” Mr Benn asked in the Commons.
But – despite repeatedly insisting the government is acting “lawfully” – Mr Lewis was unable to point to any part of the protocol that allows it.
The exchange came after EU Commission chief Maroš Šefčovič set out a number of legal options to member states at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday night. The commission is expected to issue a letter of formal notice to the UK in the coming days, Irish broadcaster RTE reported.
Elsewhere, the two sides are embroiled in a fresh vaccine row after the bloc accused Britain of imposing export restrictions on Covid-19 shots. In a newsletter sent to some 20,000 subscribers, EU Council president Charles Michel claimed the UK had imposed an “outright ban” on the movement of vaccine supplies.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-live-boris-johnson-eu-northern-ireland-b1814972.html
There is not one example anywhere in the world where two different customs territories meet and there is no border.
We knew prior to leaving the EU that there would have to be a border between the UK and EU.
Had we not done a deal with the EU, and traded on WTO rules, the WTO would have insisted on a border.
There were a small number of checks that had to be carried out between GB and NI while we were still members.
These were carried out on ferries, which meant that no border was required.
The obvious place for a UK/EU border is on the island of Ireland.
That would be the case if it wasnt for The Good Friday Agreement.
The EU accepted that a land border in Ireland was not possible.
Even though it would have made things much easier for them.
Theresa May said that no British Prime Minister would ever agree to a border in the Irish Sea.
Boris wholeheartedly agreed with this.
This was immediately before he signed an agreement to put one there.
He then denied he had done it.
Then said even though there was a border there, we would ignore it, and there would be no checks.
Suggesting that businesses could bin the additional paperwork.
This effectively left NI in the UK and the EU.
All the difficulties have emanated from what he has agreed.
He said that NI have got the best of both worlds.
Nobody in NI seems to agree with this.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/brexit-news-live-johnson-scrambles-for-biden-support-over-ni-as-eu-refuses-to-back-down-on-legal-action/ar-BB1etqB7?ocid=msedgntp
BBC presenter Emily Maitlis clashed with the DUP’s Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson after telling him his party’s position on the Northern Ireland protocol was “extraordinary”.
The Newsnight host challenged the unionist MP on whether his complaints about trading disruption resulting from an Irish Sea border was “a bit rich”, given the DUP’s insistence on a hard Brexit.
The unionist party – which gave the Tories a nominal majority in the Commons between 2017 and 2019 – remained staunch objectors to the idea of the UK leaving the EU but staying part of a customs union.
Ms Maitlis said: “Sammy, it’s a bit rich isn’t it? You held the balance of power at Westminster in the UK for two years and you constantly voted against the one solution on the table that kept Northern Ireland in Great Britain’s orbit.
“So to turn round and say you don’t like the next thing, when it is your, arguably, political incompetence that got you here, is extraordinary.”
Mr Wilson shot back: “That’s not right – we voted against [Theresa] May’s deal because it did not, first of all, deliver Brexit. It would have kept the United Kingdom in the single market and customs union.”
The MP claimed the former prime minister’s withdrawal agreement – which contained a backstop so the whole of the UK would enter a customs territory with the EU in the event no final trade agreement could be done – would have been a “far worse” for Northern Ireland.
Mr Wilson, a firebrand unionist, has previously called for “guerrilla warfare” against the protocol, saying: “We will look to see every opportunity there is to attack the protocol to ensure it is destroyed.”
It comes as the EU said it would move forward with legal action against the UK in the coming days, claiming Boris Johnson’s government had “violated” agreed protocol arrangements.
The warning follows Downing Street’s unilateral decision to extend grace period exemptions on some checks on good coming from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/bit-rich-emily-maitlis-tells-110143467.html
The government has been forced to delay the introduction of import checks by six months, in a major U-turn of post-Brexit policy, because a network of 30 border posts being built to process incoming goods would not have been ready on time.
Exports to the European Union from Great Britain have been subject to controls since 1 January, however the UK government decided to opt for a phased approach to give hauliers and business more time to prepare for new rules on EU imports.
Checks were due to be introduced on 1 April and 1 July, but in recent days traders and ports have warned they were not ready, adding that the introduction of processes as originally planned could lead to empty supermarket shelves.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/brexit/uk-forced-to-delay-checks-on-imports-from-eu-by-six-months/ar-BB1eup1n?ocid=msedgdhp
We cannot move forward on the basis of one side just deciding unilaterally 'Well, this is what must be done and we can't wait for the other sides to agree with us', and that's essentially what the British Government has done."
The British Government announcement last week that it was unilaterally extending a series of grace periods to allow businesses in Northern Ireland more time to adapt to the new rules.
The European Union is set to launch legal action against the UK this week.
Mr Coveney said the European Commission feels it has no option but to take legal action to the European Court of Justice.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/boris-johnson-savaged-by-ireland-as-brexit-row-erupts-you-can-t-unilaterally-decide/ar-BB1etHti?ocid=msedgntp