✕CloseWhat is the Northern Ireland Protocol and how does it affect the UK?
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There is no room for any changes to be made to the new Brexit deal, No 10 has indicated following the announcement of the “historic” agreement.
Asked if Rishi Sunak might return to Brussels to ask for any changes requested by the DUP, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “Certainly I think you heard the prime minister asked similar questions today. We think we have secured the right deal for all parties in Northern Ireland.
“We stand ready to have further talks with those parties if they have questions about how it works in practice, indeed, we did a great deal of that in the run up to this announcement.”
Mr Sunak travelled to Northern Ireland after securing a deal with the EU that he promised would be a “turning point” for the region after years of post-Brexit tensions.
The so-called Windsor Framework was earlier hailed as “historic” by the European Commission president, who insisted the deal marked a “new chapter” in UK-EU relations at a press conference with the prime minister.
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Former Tory Cabinet minister Lord Lilley has argued the Windsor Framework was only able to be negotiated because the government was threatening to unilaterally tear up the Northern Ireland Protocol.
He said: “All of us can agree that it is a major step forward which the Prime Minister has achieved, infinitely superior to what was in the protocol, and validating his decision to ignore those who wanted to make a stemporary and transitional arrangement permanent and implement it in full, as so many over there did.
“Was not the Prime Minister right to follow Teddy Roosevelt’s advice and negotiate with a quiet voice, but carrying a big stick?”
Leader of the House of Lords Lord True responded that it is “for the memoir writers” to decide whether the big stick – here meaning the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill – played its part.
Emily Atkinson28 February 2023 16:361677600074
Parents of truanting children could have benefit stopped, says Michael Gove
Parents who fail to ensure their children attend school regularly could have their child benefit payments stopped, cabinet minister Michael Gove has suggested.
The levelling up secretary said the radical benefits idea was originally considered by the coalition government under David Cameron but was blocked by the Liberal Democrats.
Speaking at the Onward think tank, Mr Gove suggested that it could now be re-considered as part of a drive to restore “an ethic of responsibility”.
Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more:
Parents of truanting children could have benefit stopped, says Michael Gove
Cabinet minister also attacks woke politics and ‘pirate society’
Emily Atkinson28 February 2023 16:011677598804
Windsor framework should have been signed four years ago under ‘serious’ PM, says Naomi Long
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the Windsor Framework was the deal that should have been signed four years ago, had the UK had a “serious” prime minister at the time.
Following a meeting with Rishi Sunak in Co Antrim, she said: “In terms of trading arrangements between the UK and particularly Northern Ireland and the EU, we recognise this is a major step forward.
“This is the deal we could have had in 2019 if we had a serious prime minister who was willing to engage respectfully with the EU.
“I suppose my one disappointment today is that we have had to wait for four years to have that circumstance.
“It does show when you engage in good faith you can make good progress.
“We do have concerns with respect to how the Stormont brake will operate.
“It remains unclear in terms of how it will function, at what level the trigger will be set.
“The one thing we do not want to do is to inject more instability into the institutions at Stormont.”
Emily Atkinson28 February 2023 15:401677597604
No 10 suggests no changes can be made to Windsor Agreement
There is no room for any changes to be made to the Brexit deal, No 10 has indicated following the announcement of the historic agreement.
Asked if Rishi Sunak might return to Brussels to ask for any changes requested by the DUP, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “Certainly I think you heard the Prime Minister asked similar questions today. We think we have secured the right deal for all parties in Northern Ireland.
“We stand ready to have further talks with those parties if they have questions about how it works in practice, indeed, we did a great deal of that in the run up to this announcement.”
Emily Atkinson28 February 2023 15:201677596404
Boris Johnson told to ‘put up or shut up’ and back Sunak’s Brexit deal
Boris Johnson has been urged to “put up or shut up” over Rishi Sunak’s new Brexit deal with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen as the former prime minister considers whether to rebel on the issue.
The source close to the former prime minister did not deny a report that Mr Johnson had asked the DUP to without support until they had carefully studied at the agreement.
Most Tory MPs have reacted enthusiastically to the Windsor Framework, but Mr Johnson’s allies in the DUP and hardliners in the European Research Group (ERG) are “taking their time” to consider whether they can back it.
Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports:
Boris Johnson told to ‘put up or shut up’ and back Sunak’s Brexit deal
Rishi Sunak urged to suspend ex-PM if he opposes Windsor agreement with EU
Emily Atkinson28 February 2023 15:001677595204
No 10 denies Sunak seeking single market access
Downing Street has been forced to stress that Rishi Sunak’s hailing of Northern Ireland’s access to both EU and British markets should not be seen as an endorsement of single market benefits for the whole of the UK.
During a visit to a Coca-Cola factory in County Antrim to promote his Windsor Framework, the prime minister said the deal would create “the world’s most exciting economic zone”.
Pressed on the issue later, the prime minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “The British people made a decision in 2016 and we are seeing the benefits of that decision, whether that’s in the ability to change our environment laws, some of the tax elements the Prime Minister talked about just today, in fact.
“With regards to Northern Ireland, it is simply a fact that because of our respect for the Good Friday Agreement and the central importance: Northern Ireland’s unique position means it needs to have access to both markets, not least to avoid a border on the island of Ireland, which nobody wants to see.
“That puts it in a unique position and what the framework does is finally cement those capabilities.”
Emily Atkinson28 February 2023 14:401677594004
Watch: Rishi Sunak says Northern Ireland in 'special position' with access to EU single market
✕Rishi Sunak says Northern Ireland in 'special position' with access to EU single marketEmily Atkinson28 February 2023 14:201677593104
‘Stormont should be up and running now'
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said there was no reason why the Stormont powersharing institutions could not be operating while parties study the detail of the Windsor Framework.
He said: “Stormont could be up and running now. You could have an executive now, and at the same time we could be looking at this framework.
“You can do that at the same time.
“But if we drag this out for months then businesses will be sitting there not knowing whether they are coming or going.
“We need to hear from business, we need to know if it works for them.
“But there is no point dragging it out. People need to show the courage of their convictions, look at the deal, come up with your analysis and make your pitch.”
Emily Atkinson28 February 2023 14:051677592204
‘Disingenuous’ to suggest Windsor Framework will take weeks or months to formulate, says Unionist leader
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said it was “disingenuous” for any political party to suggest it would take weeks or months to formulate a response to the Windsor Framework.
Speaking following a meeting with the prime minister in Co Antrim, Mr Beattie said Mr Sunak had been “buoyant”.
He said: “I think the Stormont brake is one of those things which sounds good when you talk about it, but as soon as you start delving into it and understanding how it actually works, it throws up more questions than it does answers.
“But I can see the prime minister is working hard to sell this deal and we will work hard to scrutinise it.
“Anyone who is saying this should take weeks and months, I think is being disingenuous.
Emily Atkinson28 February 2023 13:501677591304
Michelle O’Neill: ‘Priority must be getting Stormont up and moving'
Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill said she has spoken to the prime minister in a phone conversation.
She tweeted: “I welcomed yesterday’s breakthrough. The deal is now done.
“My key message is to let’s keep momentum going.
“The priority must now be getting Stormont up and moving without delay.”
Emily Atkinson28 February 2023 13:35
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