The EU and Britain on Thursday agreed a draft declaration laying out plans for "ambitious, broad, deep and flexible" relations after Brexit, setting the stage for the divorce to be finalised at a weekend summit.

The EU Council President Donald Tusk said the 26-page declaration, outlining how Britain will work with the bloc on trade, security, the environment and other issues, had been agreed "in principle" and would now be sent to the remaining 27 member states for approval.

The pound leapt by about one per cent against the dollar and also firmed against the euro on news of the declaration.

Britain's embattled Prime Minister Theresa May hopes the declaration will convince sceptical lawmakers to approve her vision for the UK's departure from the bloc.

Officials said May will make a statement to parliament later in the day, presumably to sell the deal to MPs.

A special summit of all 28 EU leaders to sign the final Brexit deal is planned for Sunday, with May set to travel to Brussels the night before to finalise preparations.&nbsp;

First, the texts must be cleared by a meeting of top EU diplomats -- the summit's so-called "sherpas" -- on Friday.

The political declaration, seen by AFP, says future ties will be wide-ranging, covering economic cooperation, law enforcement and criminal justice, foreign policy, security and defence.

While the declaration has no legal weight, May will hope that ardent Brexiteers will be appeased by references to Britain developing "an independent trade policy" and spelling out an end to free movement of citizens between the EU and UK -- two of the key demands of the Leave campaign.

She has been under intense pressure from all sides over the withdrawal deal, with a slew of ministers resigning in protest and some of her own party MPs launching a bid -- stalled for now -- to unseat her.

Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), on whom May's Conservatives depend for their majority, has been flexing its muscles, fearing that efforts to avoid a hard border with Ireland will lead to the province drifting apart from the rest of the UK.

Gibraltar, fish unresolved

"I have just sent to EU27 a draft Political Declaration on the Future Relationship between EU and UK," Tusk, who represents the 27 remaining EU member countries, tweeted.

"The Commission President (Jean-Claude Juncker) has informed me that it has been agreed at negotiators' level and agreed in principle at political level."

He said EU leaders still have to endorse the draft declaration, which is due to accompany a draft of agreed terms for Britain's withdrawal from the bloc on March 29.

In an update of the withdrawal agreement, both sides have agreed that the post-Brexit transition period may be extended from its current end date of December 31, 2020 "for up to one or two years."

The transition period is designed to allow governments and businesses to adjust to a new relationship after more than four decades of close ties.

But the declaration does not deal with the vexed issues of fishing and Gibraltar, the British territory that sits on an outcrop of southern Spain.

Madrid wants a veto over applying any agreement on post-transition relations to Gibraltar, while some EU countries including France have voiced concerns about access to British fishing waters after Brexit.

European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told reporters the two issues "still need to be addressed and resolved".

On Wednesday Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez repeated a threat to sink the whole Brexit deal if Madrid's concerns on Gibraltar were not met.

In London, a spokesman said Thursday that May "will shortly be updating cabinet on the state of the negotiations." 
May was due to host Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, current holder of the rotating EU presidency, for talks at Downing Street.

She was then expected to address the House of Commons, in a statement focused on progress in EU negotiations, at around 3:00 pm (1500 GMT), parliamentary officials said.

&nbsp;

The EU and Britain on Thursday agreed a draft declaration laying out plans for "ambitious, broad, deep and flexible" relations after Brexit, setting the stage for the divorce to be finalised at a weekend summit.

The EU and Britain on Thursday agreed a draft declaration laying out plans for "ambitious, broad, deep and flexible" relations after Brexit, setting the stage for the divorce to be finalised at a weekend summit. The EU Council President Donald Tusk said the 26-page declaration, outlining how Britain will work with the bloc on trade, security, the environment and other issues, had been agreed "in principle" and would now be sent to the remaining 27 member states for approval. The pound leapt by about one per cent against the dollar and also firmed against the euro on news of the declaration. Britain's embattled Prime Minister Theresa May hopes the declaration will convince sceptical lawmakers to approve her vision for the UK's departure from the bloc. Officials said May will make a statement to parliament later in the day, presumably to sell the deal to MPs. A special summit of all 28 EU leaders to sign the final Brexit deal is planned for Sunday, with May set to travel to Brussels the night before to finalise preparations. First, the texts must be cleared by a meeting of top EU diplomats -- the summit's so-called "sherpas" -- on Friday. The political declaration, seen by AFP, says future ties will be wide-ranging, covering economic cooperation, law enforcement and criminal justice, foreign policy, security and defence. While the declaration has no legal weight, May will hope that ardent Brexiteers will be appeased by references to Britain developing "an independent trade policy" and spelling out an end to free movement of citizens between the EU and UK -- two of the key demands of the Leave campaign. She has been under intense pressure from all sides over the withdrawal deal, with a slew of ministers resigning in protest and some of her own party MPs launching a bid -- stalled for now -- to unseat her. Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), on whom May's Conservatives depend for their majority, has been flexing its muscles, fearing that efforts to avoid a hard border with Ireland will lead to the province drifting apart from the rest of the UK. Gibraltar, fish unresolved "I have just sent to EU27 a draft Political Declaration on the Future Relationship between EU and UK," Tusk, who represents the 27 remaining EU member countries, tweeted. "The Commission President (Jean-Claude Juncker) has informed me that it has been agreed at negotiators' level and agreed in principle at political level." He said EU leaders still have to endorse the draft declaration, which is due to accompany a draft of agreed terms for Britain's withdrawal from the bloc on March 29. In an update of the withdrawal agreement, both sides have agreed that the post-Brexit transition period may be extended from its current end date of December 31, 2020 "for up to one or two years." The transition period is designed to allow governments and businesses to adjust to a new relationship after more than four decades of close ties. But the declaration does not deal with the vexed issues of fishing and Gibraltar, the British territory that sits on an outcrop of southern Spain. Madrid wants a veto over applying any agreement on post-transition relations to Gibraltar, while some EU countries including France have voiced concerns about access to British fishing waters after Brexit. European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told reporters the two issues "still need to be addressed and resolved". On Wednesday Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez repeated a threat to sink the whole Brexit deal if Madrid's concerns on Gibraltar were not met. In London, a spokesman said Thursday that May "will shortly be updating cabinet on the state of the negotiations." May was due to host Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, current holder of the rotating EU presidency, for talks at Downing Street. She was then expected to address the House of Commons, in a statement focused on progress in EU negotiations, at around 3:00 pm (1500 GMT), parliamentary officials said.

EU, UK agree draft on 'ambitious' post-Brexit ties

Issues relating to<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-what-you-need-to-know-about-gibraltar-in-brexit-talks-178603"> Gibraltar in Britain</a>`s exit from the European Union are by no means resolved, a British government source said on Thursday, stressing that all 27 other EU states have to agree on the final text of the agreement.

Speaking after negotiators said they had agreed in principle to a text setting out the future relationship between Britain and the EU, the source also said significant progress had been made on the political declaration on Britain`s future EU ties.

"We have made significant progress from the outline political declaration in a number of areas," the source said. "Gibraltar remains a significant issue ... it is clear there are issues to resolve there." 
&nbsp;

Issues relating to Gibraltar in Britain`s exit from the European Union are by no means resolved, a British government source said on Thursday, stressing that all 27 other EU states have to agree on the final text of the agreement.

Issues relating to Gibraltar in Britain`s exit from the European Union are by no means resolved, a British government source said on Thursday, stressing that all 27 other EU states have to agree on the final text of the agreement. Speaking after negotiators said they had agreed in principle to a text setting out the future relationship between Britain and the EU, the source also said significant progress had been made on the political declaration on Britain`s future EU ties. "We have made significant progress from the outline political declaration in a number of areas," the source said. "Gibraltar remains a significant issue ... it is clear there are issues to resolve there."

Gibraltar remains an issue in Brexit talks: UK government source

British Prime Minister Theresa May will make an "emergency statement" to MPs on Thursday, the parliament said after London and Brussels struck a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eu-uk-agree-draft-on-ambitious-post-brexit-ties-178780"> draft deal on post-Brexit ties</a>.

"The prime minister will make an emergency statement to the Commons later today," the lower house said on Twitter.

Downing Street said the prime minister was holding a teleconference with cabinet ministers about the deal, which the two sides hope to sign off on at a summit in Brussels on Sunday.

May held talks in Brussels on Wednesday on two separate agreements that must also be approved by the European and UK parliaments before Britain leaves the bloc in March.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will make an "emergency statement" to MPs on Thursday, the parliament said after London and Brussels struck a draft deal on post-Brexit ties.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will make an "emergency statement" to MPs on Thursday, the parliament said after London and Brussels struck a draft deal on post-Brexit ties. "The prime minister will make an emergency statement to the Commons later today," the lower house said on Twitter. Downing Street said the prime minister was holding a teleconference with cabinet ministers about the deal, which the two sides hope to sign off on at a summit in Brussels on Sunday. May held talks in Brussels on Wednesday on two separate agreements that must also be approved by the European and UK parliaments before Britain leaves the bloc in March.

UK PM to make emergency address to parliament Thursday: Official

The wife of a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uae-court-sentences-british-student-to-life-for-spying-178638">British scholar </a>who was sentenced to life for spying in the United Arab Emirates accused the Foreign Office on Thursday of ignoring her pleas for help.

The sentencing of 31-year-old Matthew Hedges on Wednesday shocked Britain and put political pressure on Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Britain views the UAE as a strategic Middle East ally which it supplies with arms.

Hedges's wife Daniela Tejada said upon her return from Dubai that the Foreign Office was putting its diplomatic interests above those of an innocent citizen who was placed under arbitrary arrest.

"I got the impression that they were putting their interests with the UAE above a British citizen's rightful freedom and his welfare and his right to just a fair trial, just to freedom," Tejada told BBC Radio's Today programme.

"They were stepping on eggshells instead of taking a firm stance."

Hedges was detained at Dubai airport on May 5 while researching the UAE's foreign and internal security policies after the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011.

Hunt began to speak out about the case after Hedges's family went public with news of his arrest in October.

The scholar was released on bail on October 29 and top British officials appeared stunned by Wednesday's court decision.

Prime Minister Theresa May told a session of parliament she was "deeply disappointed" and instructed the Foreign Office to "continue to press this matter at the highest level with the Emiratis".

Hunt himself issued a statement minutes after the sentencing saying he was "deeply shocked".

Tejada said she pleaded with the Foreign Office to force the UAE to release Hedges from solitary confinement throughout his pre-trial detention.

"They just disregarded my requests. They said that it wasn't part of their job, that it wasn't part of their duty."

Her voice broke down several times as she described the fear that gripped her husband during the sentencing.

"He was very, very scared when he was standing in front of the judge," said Tejada.

"He started shaking when the translator told him the sentence. He actually had to ask to double-check if he had heard right."

The wife of a British scholar who was sentenced to life for spying in the United Arab Emirates accused the Foreign Office on Thursday of ignoring her pleas for help.

The wife of a British scholar who was sentenced to life for spying in the United Arab Emirates accused the Foreign Office on Thursday of ignoring her pleas for help. The sentencing of 31-year-old Matthew Hedges on Wednesday shocked Britain and put political pressure on Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Britain views the UAE as a strategic Middle East ally which it supplies with arms. Hedges's wife Daniela Tejada said upon her return from Dubai that the Foreign Office was putting its diplomatic interests above those of an innocent citizen who was placed under arbitrary arrest. "I got the impression that they were putting their interests with the UAE above a British citizen's rightful freedom and his welfare and his right to just a fair trial, just to freedom," Tejada told BBC Radio's Today programme. "They were stepping on eggshells instead of taking a firm stance." Hedges was detained at Dubai airport on May 5 while researching the UAE's foreign and internal security policies after the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011. Hunt began to speak out about the case after Hedges's family went public with news of his arrest in October. The scholar was released on bail on October 29 and top British officials appeared stunned by Wednesday's court decision. Prime Minister Theresa May told a session of parliament she was "deeply disappointed" and instructed the Foreign Office to "continue to press this matter at the highest level with the Emiratis". Hunt himself issued a statement minutes after the sentencing saying he was "deeply shocked". Tejada said she pleaded with the Foreign Office to force the UAE to release Hedges from solitary confinement throughout his pre-trial detention. "They just disregarded my requests. They said that it wasn't part of their job, that it wasn't part of their duty." Her voice broke down several times as she described the fear that gripped her husband during the sentencing. "He was very, very scared when he was standing in front of the judge," said Tejada. "He started shaking when the translator told him the sentence. He actually had to ask to double-check if he had heard right."

Wife of UK scholar jailed in UAE blames London

Spain is threatening to oppose a deal on Britain`s withdrawal from the European Union unless it gets assurances over the disputed peninsula of Gibraltar. 
Unlike the much-discussed issue of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, not much has been said publicly about Gibraltar during tense months of Brexit talks.

Why has the very pro-European country come up with an 11th hour objection, and what impact could it have ahead of Sunday`s summit, where EU leaders meet to rubber-stamp the Brexit deal?

WHAT IS GIBRALTAR?

The small peninsula, a British territory since 1713 and known to its 30,000 residents as "the Rock", is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Spain has long claimed sovereignty.

Gibraltar is due to leave the EU along with the United Kingdom at the end of March, even though 96 percent of its population voted in the 2016 referendum to remain in the EU.

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM NOW FOR MADRID?&nbsp;

Last week, Madrid had said it was happy with a protocol on the peninsula, but it now says there is a problem with the main body of the text.

Spain says it was not aware until a few days ago of Article 184 of the draft Brexit deal, which relates to negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and Britain, and says it is ambiguous on Gibraltar.&nbsp;

WHAT DOES SPAIN WANT?

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Foreign Minister Josep Borrell say the withdrawal agreement and a political declaration that goes with it must make clear that negotiations on the future relationship between Britain and the EU do not apply to Gibraltar. Madrid wants guarantees that alone can decide on the future of Gibraltar in direct talks with Britain.

WHY IS THAT A PROBLEM?

Crafting the tentative Brexit deal has taken a year and a half of difficult talks. EU states are determined not to open Pandora`s Box and the prospect of Britain and others making more requests to modify the text.&nbsp;

WHAT DO OTHERS SAY?

Diplomats in Brussels said they thought Sanchez was trying to score points with voters before a high-stakes regional election in Andalusia on December 2. The diplomats said the issue could be solved by the leaders and urged Madrid not to put the whole Brexit deal at risk.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN NOW?

According to EU rules, the withdrawal treaty is adopted by qualified majority and not unanimity, so a single state cannot block it. The leaders of the 28 members states minus Britain would, however, seek unity on this most politically sensitive matter.

British Prime Minister Theresa May travels to Brussels on Wednesday to try to overcome this and other outstanding issues in talks with European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker.&nbsp;

More diplomatic back and forth will follow, with a meeting of the 27 national EU envoys in Brussels on Thursday and a meeting of EU leaders` main negotiators - or sherpas - on Friday. Then comes Sunday`s summit.

Any solution could refer to the fact that in April 2017, the EU 27 gave the European Commission guidelines for Brexit talks that said that no deal between Britain and the EU on their post-Brexit relationship may apply to Gibraltar without a specific agreement between Madrid and London.

Spain is threatening to oppose a deal on Britain`s withdrawal from the European Union unless it gets assurances over the disputed peninsula of Gibraltar. Unlike the much-discussed issue of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, not much has been said publicly about Gibraltar during tense months of Brexit talks.

Spain is threatening to oppose a deal on Britain`s withdrawal from the European Union unless it gets assurances over the disputed peninsula of Gibraltar. Unlike the much-discussed issue of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, not much has been said publicly about Gibraltar during tense months of Brexit talks. Why has the very pro-European country come up with an 11th hour objection, and what impact could it have ahead of Sunday`s summit, where EU leaders meet to rubber-stamp the Brexit deal? WHAT IS GIBRALTAR? The small peninsula, a British territory since 1713 and known to its 30,000 residents as "the Rock", is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Spain has long claimed sovereignty. Gibraltar is due to leave the EU along with the United Kingdom at the end of March, even though 96 percent of its population voted in the 2016 referendum to remain in the EU. WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM NOW FOR MADRID? Last week, Madrid had said it was happy with a protocol on the peninsula, but it now says there is a problem with the main body of the text. Spain says it was not aware until a few days ago of Article 184 of the draft Brexit deal, which relates to negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and Britain, and says it is ambiguous on Gibraltar. WHAT DOES SPAIN WANT? Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Foreign Minister Josep Borrell say the withdrawal agreement and a political declaration that goes with it must make clear that negotiations on the future relationship between Britain and the EU do not apply to Gibraltar. Madrid wants guarantees that alone can decide on the future of Gibraltar in direct talks with Britain. WHY IS THAT A PROBLEM? Crafting the tentative Brexit deal has taken a year and a half of difficult talks. EU states are determined not to open Pandora`s Box and the prospect of Britain and others making more requests to modify the text. WHAT DO OTHERS SAY? Diplomats in Brussels said they thought Sanchez was trying to score points with voters before a high-stakes regional election in Andalusia on December 2. The diplomats said the issue could be solved by the leaders and urged Madrid not to put the whole Brexit deal at risk. WHAT CAN HAPPEN NOW? According to EU rules, the withdrawal treaty is adopted by qualified majority and not unanimity, so a single state cannot block it. The leaders of the 28 members states minus Britain would, however, seek unity on this most politically sensitive matter. British Prime Minister Theresa May travels to Brussels on Wednesday to try to overcome this and other outstanding issues in talks with European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker. More diplomatic back and forth will follow, with a meeting of the 27 national EU envoys in Brussels on Thursday and a meeting of EU leaders` main negotiators - or sherpas - on Friday. Then comes Sunday`s summit. Any solution could refer to the fact that in April 2017, the EU 27 gave the European Commission guidelines for Brexit talks that said that no deal between Britain and the EU on their post-Brexit relationship may apply to Gibraltar without a specific agreement between Madrid and London.

Explainer: What you need to know about Gibraltar in Brexit talks

British Prime Minister Theresa May's government is in disarray over Brexit but there is no majority in parliament for damaging the economy by leaving the EU without a deal, the opposition Labour Party's finance minister-in-waiting said on Wednesday.

"We just can't go on like this," Labour finance chief John McDonnell, 67, said in a speech at Reuters in London. "We just cannot go on with this instability, uncertainty that there is in government, day by day and sometimes hour by hour."

Since striking a deal with the EU last week, May has faced the most perilous crisis of her premiership with several ministers resigning, including her Brexit minister.

May has pledged to fight on, warning that toppling her risks delaying Britain's exit from the EU or leaving without a deal, a step that could thrust the world's fifth largest economy into the unknown.

McDonnell said there was not a majority in parliament for either May's deal or for leaving the European Union without a deal.

"I think an overwhelming majority oppose anything that smacks of being no deal," he said. He said the future was deeply uncertain with options including national election or parliamentary deadlock.

"Then we could be into a situation of a war of attrition within parliament of amendments to legislation taking place and uncertainty continuing," he said.

More than two years after the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU, it is still unclear how, on what terms or even if it will leave as planned on March 29, 2019.

When asked if he was a Marxist or a capitalist, McDonnell said he was a socialist but that Marx was one of the best analysts of how capitalism actually works.

"I'm a socialist. I'm trying to rehabilitate the reading of [Das] Kapital," he said, giving an overview of the Labour Party's socialist intellectual roots. "But you have to insert Marx into that as well because I think it's one of the best analyses of how capitalism works."

Asked about how many Labour lawmakers might rebel and vote for May's deal, he indicated none would.

"I think we'll hold our side now. I really do, and we have done on the votes this week," he said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's government is in disarray over Brexit but there is no majority in parliament for damaging the economy by leaving the EU without a deal, the opposition Labour Party's finance minister-in-waiting said on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's government is in disarray over Brexit but there is no majority in parliament for damaging the economy by leaving the EU without a deal, the opposition Labour Party's finance minister-in-waiting said on Wednesday. "We just can't go on like this," Labour finance chief John McDonnell, 67, said in a speech at Reuters in London. "We just cannot go on with this instability, uncertainty that there is in government, day by day and sometimes hour by hour." Since striking a deal with the EU last week, May has faced the most perilous crisis of her premiership with several ministers resigning, including her Brexit minister. May has pledged to fight on, warning that toppling her risks delaying Britain's exit from the EU or leaving without a deal, a step that could thrust the world's fifth largest economy into the unknown. McDonnell said there was not a majority in parliament for either May's deal or for leaving the European Union without a deal. "I think an overwhelming majority oppose anything that smacks of being no deal," he said. He said the future was deeply uncertain with options including national election or parliamentary deadlock. "Then we could be into a situation of a war of attrition within parliament of amendments to legislation taking place and uncertainty continuing," he said. More than two years after the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU, it is still unclear how, on what terms or even if it will leave as planned on March 29, 2019. When asked if he was a Marxist or a capitalist, McDonnell said he was a socialist but that Marx was one of the best analysts of how capitalism actually works. "I'm a socialist. I'm trying to rehabilitate the reading of [Das] Kapital," he said, giving an overview of the Labour Party's socialist intellectual roots. "But you have to insert Marx into that as well because I think it's one of the best analyses of how capitalism works." Asked about how many Labour lawmakers might rebel and vote for May's deal, he indicated none would. "I think we'll hold our side now. I really do, and we have done on the votes this week," he said.

Labour's McDonnell says UK in disarray but parliament will block no-deal Brexit

By Simon Usherwood

After a week of high drama, even by the usual standards of Brexit, we find ourselves with something of a conundrum. On the one hand, no one in parliament seems to like the text of the Withdrawal Agreement that Theresa May has brought back from her negotiations. On the other, the prime minister remains determined to ensure its ratification and implementation.

The criticism has come from all directions, something that partly explains the current situation.

For those who want to have a more emphatically clean break with the EU, such as Jacob Rees-Mogg, the agreement contains much to cause concern. Most prominently, there are the backstop arrangements on Northern Ireland, which will come into effect if a new agreement cannot be signed by the UK and EU by the end of the transition period in December 2020. That backstop now involves maintaining both customs and regulatory alignment for the entire UK and it can only be removed by the mutual agreement of both parties – meaning the EU has a veto on ending it.

But there are other elements, including the suggestion that this customs aspect of the backstop would form the basis of the future relationship, potentially restricting the capacity of the UK to conclude new trade deals with other countries, one of the flagship benefits that Brexiters have been selling in recent months.

Emerging factions

For those who want a close relationship with the EU, the Withdrawal Agreement looks problematic for its lack of commitment to close economic integration and its ambivalence about the status of EU citizens in the EU and UK citizens in the EU.

The recent emergence of the “Norway for now” group, including the MPs Nick Boles and Michael Gove, further complicates matters. They are looking for language that allows for a temporary membership of the European Economic Area (EEA), despite the EU’s (and Norway’s) professed doubts about the possibility, given the disruption to the EEA it would cause.

In short, everyone is seeing what they don’t like in the text and want it changed.

Crucially, however, not one of these different opinions commands any more support in parliament than May’s own position. Each group is pulling in different directions, making it impossible to satisfy everyone by any change.

Remember too that the EU has indicated that it will not be open to renegotiation around the edges of this text – so the only likely route to getting back around the table will be due to a much more major shift in UK priorities, such as a fundamentally different future relationship.

As a result, May’s compromise has perhaps more stability than might be immediately apparent. The prime minister has neither the desire nor really the capacity to find a new agreement with the EU, even before the time constraints of Article 50 and the March 29,&nbsp;2019 deadline for the UK’s withdrawal are taken into account.

May’s way or the highway

Of course, this situation is partly by May’s design – holding off finalising the text until now left as little opportunity as possible for opponents to mobilise and plot, so she can sell it as “this deal or no deal”.

We’ll find out soon enough if this gambit can work. Already, it is clear that May has done little to try and placate the critics within her own party, instead of carving her own way through the negotiations and not opening up the process to contributions from colleagues.

It is in this context that politicians who campaigned for Leave, such as Gove or Andrea Leadsom, have chosen to remain in cabinet despite their clear doubts about the Withdrawal Agreement. Better, they argue, to be on the inside trying to shape May’s decisions, than on the outside, free to speak out but also excluded from the corridors of power.

Again, the success or failure of this will become clear before long, as the ratification process begins.

What we do know is that the Withdrawal Agreement is primarily a document about the past – about ending the UK’s membership of the EU. The accompanying political declaration says relatively little about the future relationship with the EU, which will be negotiated once the UK has left. For those who stay in cabinet, that might be the real moment for exerting their power and influence and changing the course of this process.

(Simon Usherwood is Reader in Politics, University of Surrey)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/theresa-mays-brexit-deal-heres-how-the-factions-want-to-rewrite-it-107115">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

By Simon Usherwood After a week of high drama, even by the usual standards of Brexit, we find ourselves with something of a conundrum. On the one hand, no one in parliament seems to like the text of the Withdrawal Agreement that Theresa May has brought back from her negotiations.

By Simon Usherwood After a week of high drama, even by the usual standards of Brexit, we find ourselves with something of a conundrum. On the one hand, no one in parliament seems to like the text of the Withdrawal Agreement that Theresa May has brought back from her negotiations. On the other, the prime minister remains determined to ensure its ratification and implementation. The criticism has come from all directions, something that partly explains the current situation. For those who want to have a more emphatically clean break with the EU, such as Jacob Rees-Mogg, the agreement contains much to cause concern. Most prominently, there are the backstop arrangements on Northern Ireland, which will come into effect if a new agreement cannot be signed by the UK and EU by the end of the transition period in December 2020. That backstop now involves maintaining both customs and regulatory alignment for the entire UK and it can only be removed by the mutual agreement of both parties – meaning the EU has a veto on ending it. But there are other elements, including the suggestion that this customs aspect of the backstop would form the basis of the future relationship, potentially restricting the capacity of the UK to conclude new trade deals with other countries, one of the flagship benefits that Brexiters have been selling in recent months. Emerging factions For those who want a close relationship with the EU, the Withdrawal Agreement looks problematic for its lack of commitment to close economic integration and its ambivalence about the status of EU citizens in the EU and UK citizens in the EU. The recent emergence of the “Norway for now” group, including the MPs Nick Boles and Michael Gove, further complicates matters. They are looking for language that allows for a temporary membership of the European Economic Area (EEA), despite the EU’s (and Norway’s) professed doubts about the possibility, given the disruption to the EEA it would cause. In short, everyone is seeing what they don’t like in the text and want it changed. Crucially, however, not one of these different opinions commands any more support in parliament than May’s own position. Each group is pulling in different directions, making it impossible to satisfy everyone by any change. Remember too that the EU has indicated that it will not be open to renegotiation around the edges of this text – so the only likely route to getting back around the table will be due to a much more major shift in UK priorities, such as a fundamentally different future relationship. As a result, May’s compromise has perhaps more stability than might be immediately apparent. The prime minister has neither the desire nor really the capacity to find a new agreement with the EU, even before the time constraints of Article 50 and the March 29, 2019 deadline for the UK’s withdrawal are taken into account. May’s way or the highway Of course, this situation is partly by May’s design – holding off finalising the text until now left as little opportunity as possible for opponents to mobilise and plot, so she can sell it as “this deal or no deal”. We’ll find out soon enough if this gambit can work. Already, it is clear that May has done little to try and placate the critics within her own party, instead of carving her own way through the negotiations and not opening up the process to contributions from colleagues. It is in this context that politicians who campaigned for Leave, such as Gove or Andrea Leadsom, have chosen to remain in cabinet despite their clear doubts about the Withdrawal Agreement. Better, they argue, to be on the inside trying to shape May’s decisions, than on the outside, free to speak out but also excluded from the corridors of power. Again, the success or failure of this will become clear before long, as the ratification process begins. What we do know is that the Withdrawal Agreement is primarily a document about the past – about ending the UK’s membership of the EU. The accompanying political declaration says relatively little about the future relationship with the EU, which will be negotiated once the UK has left. For those who stay in cabinet, that might be the real moment for exerting their power and influence and changing the course of this process. (Simon Usherwood is Reader in Politics, University of Surrey) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Here's how the factions want to rewrite Theresa May's Brexit deal

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday won support from big business for her draft Brexit deal ahead of "intense negotiations" with Brussels in the coming week.

May told the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the UK's main business lobby group, that she was "determined to deliver" her Brexit deal as she prepares for Sunday's European Council summit to sign Britain's divorce papers.

"We now have an intense week of negotiations ahead of us," she told some 1,000 business leaders at the CBI annual conference in central London.

"During that time I expect us to hammer out the full and final details of the framework that will underpin our future relationship.

"I am confident that we can strike a deal at the Council that I can take back to the House of Commons."

The embattled premier, whose cabinet grudgingly approved her EU divorce draft last week, faces an uphill challenge to pass her deal through a sceptical parliament.

She admitted that the final phase "was always going to be the toughest."

The Brussels negotiations will finalise a parallel political declaration setting out a road-map for post-Brexit negotiations on future EU-UK ties.

'Step back from cliff-edge'

CBI chief Carolyn Fairbairn gave qualified support for May's draft deal, telling the conference that "it is not perfect, it is a compromise, but it is hard-won progress."

She earlier said that the deal would move Britain "one step away from the nightmare precipice of no deal.

"It offers that essential transitional period as a step back from the cliff-edge," she said.

Responding to reports that EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier had raised the prospect of extending the transition deal until the end of 2022, May said it was "important that we are out of the implementation period by the next general election", scheduled for May 2022.

Addressing the issue of immigration, a concern for many businesses who fear they will face skills gaps after Brexit, May promised to introduce "more streamlined application processes" that will "attract the brightest and the best from around the world".

"But the difference will be this: once we have left the EU, we will be fully in control of who comes here," she said.

"It will no longer be the case that EU nationals, regardless of the skills or experience they have to offer, can jump the queue ahead of engineers from Sydney or software developers from Delhi."

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday won support from big business for her draft Brexit deal ahead of "intense negotiations" with Brussels in the coming week.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday won support from big business for her draft Brexit deal ahead of "intense negotiations" with Brussels in the coming week. May told the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the UK's main business lobby group, that she was "determined to deliver" her Brexit deal as she prepares for Sunday's European Council summit to sign Britain's divorce papers. "We now have an intense week of negotiations ahead of us," she told some 1,000 business leaders at the CBI annual conference in central London. "During that time I expect us to hammer out the full and final details of the framework that will underpin our future relationship. "I am confident that we can strike a deal at the Council that I can take back to the House of Commons." The embattled premier, whose cabinet grudgingly approved her EU divorce draft last week, faces an uphill challenge to pass her deal through a sceptical parliament. She admitted that the final phase "was always going to be the toughest." The Brussels negotiations will finalise a parallel political declaration setting out a road-map for post-Brexit negotiations on future EU-UK ties. 'Step back from cliff-edge' CBI chief Carolyn Fairbairn gave qualified support for May's draft deal, telling the conference that "it is not perfect, it is a compromise, but it is hard-won progress." She earlier said that the deal would move Britain "one step away from the nightmare precipice of no deal. "It offers that essential transitional period as a step back from the cliff-edge," she said. Responding to reports that EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier had raised the prospect of extending the transition deal until the end of 2022, May said it was "important that we are out of the implementation period by the next general election", scheduled for May 2022. Addressing the issue of immigration, a concern for many businesses who fear they will face skills gaps after Brexit, May promised to introduce "more streamlined application processes" that will "attract the brightest and the best from around the world". "But the difference will be this: once we have left the EU, we will be fully in control of who comes here," she said. "It will no longer be the case that EU nationals, regardless of the skills or experience they have to offer, can jump the queue ahead of engineers from Sydney or software developers from Delhi."

Theresa May wins business support for draft Brexit deal

Britain's Supreme Court said on Friday it would consider whether to hear an appeal from the British government which wants to stop Europe`s top court from examining a case seeking to determine whether the country can unilaterally reverse Brexit.

Scottish politicians who are opposed to Britain leaving the European Union want the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to clarify whether London can withdraw its notification to leave without permission from the EU`s other member states.

Prime Minister Theresa May`s government, which on Tuesday announced it had agreed a draft divorce deal with the EU, had argued that whether or not Britain could reverse the decision was immaterial since ministers had no intention of doing so.

However, Scotland`s Court of Session ruled last week that the government could not prevent the ECJ from hearing the case on November 27.&nbsp;

The government has now taken its case to Britain`s Supreme Court which said it would now decide whether to hear an appeal.

"The court is aware of the urgency of this matter," Britain`s top court said in a statement.

The anti-Brexit petitioners aim to show that Britain has a legal unilateral option of staying in the EU, the world`s biggest trading bloc, once the outcome of the Brexit negotiations is known.

It is not clear when the ECJ might issue its ruling to clarify the interpretation of Article 50 of the EU treaty, under which London last year gave two years` notice of its departure.

May`s draft deal has faced opposition from many in her own Conservative Party as well as from the Northern Irish party which props up her minority government and opposition lawmakers.

She has said the country faces three options: backing her deal, leaving the EU in a disorderly "no deal" Brexit, which would be very disruptive for businesses and citizens, or no Brexit.

Pro-EU supporters who want a second referendum are hoping the case will give the option that Britain could change its mind in a second referendum and remain in the bloc after all.&nbsp;

Britain's Supreme Court said on Friday it would consider whether to hear an appeal from the British government which wants to stop Europe`s top court from examining a case seeking to determine whether the country can unilaterally reverse Brexit.

Britain's Supreme Court said on Friday it would consider whether to hear an appeal from the British government which wants to stop Europe`s top court from examining a case seeking to determine whether the country can unilaterally reverse Brexit. Scottish politicians who are opposed to Britain leaving the European Union want the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to clarify whether London can withdraw its notification to leave without permission from the EU`s other member states. Prime Minister Theresa May`s government, which on Tuesday announced it had agreed a draft divorce deal with the EU, had argued that whether or not Britain could reverse the decision was immaterial since ministers had no intention of doing so. However, Scotland`s Court of Session ruled last week that the government could not prevent the ECJ from hearing the case on November 27. The government has now taken its case to Britain`s Supreme Court which said it would now decide whether to hear an appeal. "The court is aware of the urgency of this matter," Britain`s top court said in a statement. The anti-Brexit petitioners aim to show that Britain has a legal unilateral option of staying in the EU, the world`s biggest trading bloc, once the outcome of the Brexit negotiations is known. It is not clear when the ECJ might issue its ruling to clarify the interpretation of Article 50 of the EU treaty, under which London last year gave two years` notice of its departure. May`s draft deal has faced opposition from many in her own Conservative Party as well as from the Northern Irish party which props up her minority government and opposition lawmakers. She has said the country faces three options: backing her deal, leaving the EU in a disorderly "no deal" Brexit, which would be very disruptive for businesses and citizens, or no Brexit. Pro-EU supporters who want a second referendum are hoping the case will give the option that Britain could change its mind in a second referendum and remain in the bloc after all.

Top UK court to consider government appeal in Brexit reversal case

By Andy Price

The contrast between what Theresa May said and the way she said&nbsp;was stark. In a subdued, almost reticent way, Theresa May told the nation on the steps of 10 Downing Street on November 14 that she “believed with her head and her heart” in the draft withdrawal agreement she had negotiated with the EU. The cabinet also backed it, she told us.

As subsequent cabinet resignations have proven, there was no such agreement. The whole address looks increasingly like it could be the first part of a long and drawn out resignation letter.

It was also the culmination of May’s ultimate folly: the crumbling of her absurd red lines. These red lines – leaving the customs union and the single market, ending the jurisdiction of the ECJ – were never compatible with not having a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, nor with a smooth transition in general. More painfully, these red lines were almost totally unnecessary. These issues were not on the 2016 referendum ballot. History will be a harsh judge as to why May and her team – stand up, Nick Timothy – chose to go down this path.

It has been clear for a long time that there is little appetite for these red lines especially in light of the potential impacts (a border in Ireland and disruption to trade to name two). But the root of the problem is this: from the moment she became PM, May played to a particular gallery: the Hard Brexiteers within her own party. It was to these people, first and foremost, who May spoke. Despite appeals to the hallowed “will of the people”, it was the will of the Brexiteers that May appealed to from late 2016 onwards.

But now that approach has crumbled on contact with the reality of UK and EU politics. Not only does this deal achieve the remarkable feat of being both the product of her red lines and an immediate transgression of them, May’s appearance before parliament the day after the Withdrawal Agreement was published showed one thing clearly: her deal has not only divided her cabinet but has no support in the Commons.

What next?

The question now, then, is what happens next, and there are two areas to focus on. First, what happens to the government and the Conservative Party. With rumours that the 1922 Committee has the requisite number of letters (48) to trigger a leadership challenge circulating, and with rumours that even May and her team now realise that “no Brexit” is an option, one thing is clear: business as usual is not possible.

This could mean an eventual vote of no-confidence, ousting May, and even another general election (though the latter is unlikely given that it would require two-thirds of the Commons to vote for it). It could also mean that May hangs on, and the deal is voted down, and the UK careers towards an exit from the EU with no deal. One thing is for sure: parliamentary gridlock and uncertainty is a new reality.

The second area to consider is what the Labour Party will now choose to do. Will Jeremy Corbyn make the same mistake as May has done, and elevate the immediate politics of his party – including the politics of which Labour constituencies voted Leave – above the national interest? Or will he do the one thing the UK has so badly lacked over the last two years: put all personal and party politics aside and face the reality of just how difficult the implementation of the result of the 2016 referendum was.

If the Labour Party was to choose the latter course, it has to address three key issues head-on. First, just how flawed the idea of the 2016 referendum was in the first place – the binary Leave/Remain ballot paper on such a complex issue was asking for trouble. Second, how problematic the Leave campaign itself was. On top of the most egregious lies – the bus, the purported ascension of Turkey – we now know that there are criminal charges to be answered around the Leave campaigns, official and unofficial.

Finally, it must deal with a much more deep-seated and intractable issue in UK politics: the framing of the EU in the political community of the UK. Ever since joining in 1973, both sides of the political divide have misrepresented what the EU actually is and the idea that the UK is exceptional and worthy of special treatment. Worse, when politically expedient, they have blamed the EU for various domestic woes.

This litany of delusion on the part of the UK political establishment needs to be taken on by a party or a leader who has no ideological axe to grind, has no gallery to play to, has only the desire and the ability to lead in the greatest sense of the idea of leadership – taking many millions of people with you on a journey they may disagree with in the name of the national interest.

It remains to be seen whether Corbyn or Labour is up to this challenge. But there is no doubt that no matter what happens in the Commons in the next few days, in the long term, the emergence of a political figure or movement that can do exactly this is what the UK most desperately needs.

(Andy Price is Head of Politics, Sheffield Hallam University)

(This article was first published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/theresa-mays-brexit-deal-is-dead-in-the-water-now-what-for-britain-107029">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Andy Price The contrast between what Theresa May said and the way she said was stark. In a subdued, almost reticent way, Theresa May told the nation on the steps of 10 Downing Street on November 14 that she “believed with her head and her heart” in the draft withdrawal agreement she had negotiated with the EU.

By Andy Price The contrast between what Theresa May said and the way she said was stark. In a subdued, almost reticent way, Theresa May told the nation on the steps of 10 Downing Street on November 14 that she “believed with her head and her heart” in the draft withdrawal agreement she had negotiated with the EU. The cabinet also backed it, she told us. As subsequent cabinet resignations have proven, there was no such agreement. The whole address looks increasingly like it could be the first part of a long and drawn out resignation letter. It was also the culmination of May’s ultimate folly: the crumbling of her absurd red lines. These red lines – leaving the customs union and the single market, ending the jurisdiction of the ECJ – were never compatible with not having a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, nor with a smooth transition in general. More painfully, these red lines were almost totally unnecessary. These issues were not on the 2016 referendum ballot. History will be a harsh judge as to why May and her team – stand up, Nick Timothy – chose to go down this path. It has been clear for a long time that there is little appetite for these red lines especially in light of the potential impacts (a border in Ireland and disruption to trade to name two). But the root of the problem is this: from the moment she became PM, May played to a particular gallery: the Hard Brexiteers within her own party. It was to these people, first and foremost, who May spoke. Despite appeals to the hallowed “will of the people”, it was the will of the Brexiteers that May appealed to from late 2016 onwards. But now that approach has crumbled on contact with the reality of UK and EU politics. Not only does this deal achieve the remarkable feat of being both the product of her red lines and an immediate transgression of them, May’s appearance before parliament the day after the Withdrawal Agreement was published showed one thing clearly: her deal has not only divided her cabinet but has no support in the Commons. What next? The question now, then, is what happens next, and there are two areas to focus on. First, what happens to the government and the Conservative Party. With rumours that the 1922 Committee has the requisite number of letters (48) to trigger a leadership challenge circulating, and with rumours that even May and her team now realise that “no Brexit” is an option, one thing is clear: business as usual is not possible. This could mean an eventual vote of no-confidence, ousting May, and even another general election (though the latter is unlikely given that it would require two-thirds of the Commons to vote for it). It could also mean that May hangs on, and the deal is voted down, and the UK careers towards an exit from the EU with no deal. One thing is for sure: parliamentary gridlock and uncertainty is a new reality. The second area to consider is what the Labour Party will now choose to do. Will Jeremy Corbyn make the same mistake as May has done, and elevate the immediate politics of his party – including the politics of which Labour constituencies voted Leave – above the national interest? Or will he do the one thing the UK has so badly lacked over the last two years: put all personal and party politics aside and face the reality of just how difficult the implementation of the result of the 2016 referendum was. If the Labour Party was to choose the latter course, it has to address three key issues head-on. First, just how flawed the idea of the 2016 referendum was in the first place – the binary Leave/Remain ballot paper on such a complex issue was asking for trouble. Second, how problematic the Leave campaign itself was. On top of the most egregious lies – the bus, the purported ascension of Turkey – we now know that there are criminal charges to be answered around the Leave campaigns, official and unofficial. Finally, it must deal with a much more deep-seated and intractable issue in UK politics: the framing of the EU in the political community of the UK. Ever since joining in 1973, both sides of the political divide have misrepresented what the EU actually is and the idea that the UK is exceptional and worthy of special treatment. Worse, when politically expedient, they have blamed the EU for various domestic woes. This litany of delusion on the part of the UK political establishment needs to be taken on by a party or a leader who has no ideological axe to grind, has no gallery to play to, has only the desire and the ability to lead in the greatest sense of the idea of leadership – taking many millions of people with you on a journey they may disagree with in the name of the national interest. It remains to be seen whether Corbyn or Labour is up to this challenge. But there is no doubt that no matter what happens in the Commons in the next few days, in the long term, the emergence of a political figure or movement that can do exactly this is what the UK most desperately needs. (Andy Price is Head of Politics, Sheffield Hallam University) (This article was first published on The DNA. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Theresa May’s Brexit deal is dead in the water – now what for Britain?

Prime Minister Theresa May will face a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/factbox-who-has-submitted-letters-of-no-confidence-in-uk-pm-may-177703">no-confidence vote</a> next week with Conservative lawmakers expected to submit the 48 letters required to trigger a leadership contest on Friday, a reporter at the Daily Telegraph said.

May could face the no-confidence vote on Tuesday, Telegraph Chief Political Correspondent Christopher Hope said on Twitter, citing Brexiteer sources.

Some lawmakers in Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party have said they have submitted letters of no confidence in the British leader.

A leadership challenge is triggered if 48 Conservatives write such letters to the chairman of the party`s so-called 1922 committee, Graham Brady.

May could be toppled if 158 of her 315 lawmakers vote against her.

Brady has not said how many letters have been submitted. It is not clear how he would announce any vote.

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Theresa May will face a no-confidence vote next week with Conservative lawmakers expected to submit the 48 letters required to trigger a leadership contest on Friday, a reporter at the Daily Telegraph said.

Prime Minister Theresa May will face a no-confidence vote next week with Conservative lawmakers expected to submit the 48 letters required to trigger a leadership contest on Friday, a reporter at the Daily Telegraph said. May could face the no-confidence vote on Tuesday, Telegraph Chief Political Correspondent Christopher Hope said on Twitter, citing Brexiteer sources. Some lawmakers in Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party have said they have submitted letters of no confidence in the British leader. A leadership challenge is triggered if 48 Conservatives write such letters to the chairman of the party`s so-called 1922 committee, Graham Brady. May could be toppled if 158 of her 315 lawmakers vote against her. Brady has not said how many letters have been submitted. It is not clear how he would announce any vote.

UK PM May will face no confidence vote next week: Report

Brexit supporters and opponents rallied near Prime Minister Theresa May's Downing Street office on Wednesday as her cabinet debated the draft divorce deal inside.

Pro-Brexit campaigners urged her to scrap the tentative agreement and make a clean break with European Union without paying a penny more into the EU budget.

"It sells out the country completely. We will be a vassal state of the EU," said Lucy Harris, founder the Leavers of London pro-Brexit group.

Around 100 demonstrators gathered opposite the Downing Street entrance gates, chanting "Theresa May, don't betray!" and "What do we want? Brexit. When do we want it? Now!".

They held painted placards reading "Ditch May's deal", "Let's take back control" and "Save Brexit".

"We're in a serious situation. It's a fork in the road. If this passes then we're in big trouble as an independent country," said Harris.

Niall McCrae, a lecturer in mental health at King's College London university, said the purported deal was a "stitch-up".

"How can they ask for our votes in future when they have told us our vote doesn't count?

"These votes have been annulled by our selfish political class."

'Nobody voted for that'

Britain voted by 52 per cent in favour of leaving the EU in a referendum in 2016 that exposed deep divisions in British society.

At another small rally near Downing Street, pro-EU demonstrators chanted "People's Vote", calling for a second Brexit referendum.

They accepted they had some common ground with the Brexiteers across the street: neither is happy with the way things are going.

"Brexit is a losing proposition all round. I think it's all madness. I'd say we're even more unhappy," said Nicky Gardner, 32, a student from London with two EU flags on a giant pole.

"Brexit has been failing all along and it's a matter of time before it hits the rocks."

Helen Campbell, 45, brought a toy unicorn with her to symbolise Brexit.

"It doesn't exist, it's a complete fantasy and can never be delivered," the freelance writer said.

"There is a lot of concern about what it actually means overall, and that we will be taking instructions from Brussels on a lot of our laws without any say in them, and nobody voted for that at all."

Brexit supporters and opponents rallied near Prime Minister Theresa May's Downing Street office on Wednesday as her cabinet debated the draft divorce deal inside.

Brexit supporters and opponents rallied near Prime Minister Theresa May's Downing Street office on Wednesday as her cabinet debated the draft divorce deal inside. Pro-Brexit campaigners urged her to scrap the tentative agreement and make a clean break with European Union without paying a penny more into the EU budget. "It sells out the country completely. We will be a vassal state of the EU," said Lucy Harris, founder the Leavers of London pro-Brexit group. Around 100 demonstrators gathered opposite the Downing Street entrance gates, chanting "Theresa May, don't betray!" and "What do we want? Brexit. When do we want it? Now!". They held painted placards reading "Ditch May's deal", "Let's take back control" and "Save Brexit". "We're in a serious situation. It's a fork in the road. If this passes then we're in big trouble as an independent country," said Harris. Niall McCrae, a lecturer in mental health at King's College London university, said the purported deal was a "stitch-up". "How can they ask for our votes in future when they have told us our vote doesn't count? "These votes have been annulled by our selfish political class." 'Nobody voted for that' Britain voted by 52 per cent in favour of leaving the EU in a referendum in 2016 that exposed deep divisions in British society. At another small rally near Downing Street, pro-EU demonstrators chanted "People's Vote", calling for a second Brexit referendum. They accepted they had some common ground with the Brexiteers across the street: neither is happy with the way things are going. "Brexit is a losing proposition all round. I think it's all madness. I'd say we're even more unhappy," said Nicky Gardner, 32, a student from London with two EU flags on a giant pole. "Brexit has been failing all along and it's a matter of time before it hits the rocks." Helen Campbell, 45, brought a toy unicorn with her to symbolise Brexit. "It doesn't exist, it's a complete fantasy and can never be delivered," the freelance writer said. "There is a lot of concern about what it actually means overall, and that we will be taking instructions from Brussels on a lot of our laws without any say in them, and nobody voted for that at all."

Brexit protests outside Downing Street as UK ministers debate deal

British and EU negotiators have reached a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-deal-possible-in-next-24-48-hours-mays-deputy-says-177081">framework Brexit agreement</a> that will be examined by the UK cabinet at an emergency meeting Wednesday, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said.

"Cabinet will meet at 2:00 pm (1400 GMT) tomorrow (Wednesday) to consider the draft agreement the negotiating teams have reached in Brussels, and to decide on next steps," Downing Street said in a statement.

A European source said a technical agreement had been struck but still needed political approval both on the British and European sides.

Ireland's public broadcaster RTE cited two government sources saying a text crucially resolves the Irish border issue -- a key sticking point.

May's cabinet is splintered on Brexit, with some senior ministers opposed to provisions that could keep the UK closely tied to the European Union for years to come.

But cabinet approval could pave the way for a historic EU-UK summit in Brussels at the end of November that would finalise the agreement's text.

A final deal would then face other hurdles, the most notable one coming in the British parliament, where May's government's holds a razor-thin majority.

May would need strong support from her own Conservative Party, where dozens of eurosceptics have opposed the reported frameworks of the deal.

Her coalition partners from Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have also threatened to vote against the agreement if they find it splinters the province from the rest of Britain.

The news saw the British pound shoot up in value to 1.304 dollars from 1.285 on Tuesday at 2200 GMT.

Citing two sources, Ireland's RTE said the framework deal provides for a temporary solution aimed at keeping the Irish border open if London and Brussels fail to strike a new trade deal by the end of 2020.

This so-called "backstop" -- an issue the two sides have been unable to resolve for months -- would see the whole of the United Kingdom remain in a customs arrangement with the European Union.

It also provides for additional "deeper" provisions for Northern Ireland on customs and regulations, RTE said.

The report said the deal also provides for a review mechanism that Britain could use to try and leave the backstop arrangement, another key demand of eurosceptics in May's party.

Britain will formally split away from the other 27 EU nations on March 29, even if no final agreement clears all the hurdles both in the Britain and the EU.

The threat of a calamitous no-deal Brexit, in which no clear trade rules are set by March between the bloc and one of its largest economies, have weighed heavily on the negotiations.

May's government hopes that lawmakers in both chambers will rally around the deal once its text is set in stone, boosting investor confidence.

British and EU negotiators have reached a framework Brexit agreement that will be examined by the UK cabinet at an emergency meeting Wednesday, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said.

British and EU negotiators have reached a framework Brexit agreement that will be examined by the UK cabinet at an emergency meeting Wednesday, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said. "Cabinet will meet at 2:00 pm (1400 GMT) tomorrow (Wednesday) to consider the draft agreement the negotiating teams have reached in Brussels, and to decide on next steps," Downing Street said in a statement. A European source said a technical agreement had been struck but still needed political approval both on the British and European sides. Ireland's public broadcaster RTE cited two government sources saying a text crucially resolves the Irish border issue -- a key sticking point. May's cabinet is splintered on Brexit, with some senior ministers opposed to provisions that could keep the UK closely tied to the European Union for years to come. But cabinet approval could pave the way for a historic EU-UK summit in Brussels at the end of November that would finalise the agreement's text. A final deal would then face other hurdles, the most notable one coming in the British parliament, where May's government's holds a razor-thin majority. May would need strong support from her own Conservative Party, where dozens of eurosceptics have opposed the reported frameworks of the deal. Her coalition partners from Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have also threatened to vote against the agreement if they find it splinters the province from the rest of Britain. The news saw the British pound shoot up in value to 1.304 dollars from 1.285 on Tuesday at 2200 GMT. Citing two sources, Ireland's RTE said the framework deal provides for a temporary solution aimed at keeping the Irish border open if London and Brussels fail to strike a new trade deal by the end of 2020. This so-called "backstop" -- an issue the two sides have been unable to resolve for months -- would see the whole of the United Kingdom remain in a customs arrangement with the European Union. It also provides for additional "deeper" provisions for Northern Ireland on customs and regulations, RTE said. The report said the deal also provides for a review mechanism that Britain could use to try and leave the backstop arrangement, another key demand of eurosceptics in May's party. Britain will formally split away from the other 27 EU nations on March 29, even if no final agreement clears all the hurdles both in the Britain and the EU. The threat of a calamitous no-deal Brexit, in which no clear trade rules are set by March between the bloc and one of its largest economies, have weighed heavily on the negotiations. May's government hopes that lawmakers in both chambers will rally around the deal once its text is set in stone, boosting investor confidence.

UK says it has reached draft Brexit deal with EU

Watch: WION Fineprint, 9th November, 2018

WION Fineprint: Shops, pubs & restaurants shut in UK as online markets see a boom

British Prime Minister Theresa May promised her ministers Tuesday she would not strike a Brexit deal with the EU "at any cost" after opposition over a mooted plan to resolve the deadlock over Northern Ireland.

Negotiations have stepped up with Brussels as London seeks a divorce agreement within weeks, to allow time for it to be passed by parliament before Brexit day on March 29, 2019.

But British eurosceptics fear May is planning to break the impasse by giving too much ground on an arrangement to avoid border checks between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.

The Northern Irish party on whom May depends for her majority in the House of Commons warned that unless the EU offered further concessions, Britain could leave with no deal at all.

At a weekly cabinet meeting, May told ministers she expected an agreement and wanted it as soon as possible, but it would "not be done at any cost", according to her spokesman.

"We will need to be satisfied in the negotiations that we have achieved the best deal that we possibly can for the UK," he added.

Talks with the EU are stuck on the details of a "backstop" arrangement to avoid checks on goods crossing the Irish border until a new trade deal can be signed.

London suggests Britain could temporarily stay aligned with &nbsp;the bloc's trade rules but wants to reserve the right to exit the arrangement.

There were signs of a possible compromise in a phone call on Monday between May and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, where he said he would consider a "review mechanism" for the backstop.

But he rejected the idea Britain could unilaterally end the arrangement, something Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and other eurosceptics in her Conservative party want.

Jeffrey Donaldson, an MP from Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up May's government, said Dublin's refusal to budge could scupper a deal.

"Looks like we're heading for no deal," he wrote on Twitter, adding: "Can't understand why Irish government seems so intent on this course."

The Sun newspaper reported Tuesday that Raab and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt would use the cabinet meeting to warn that any deal with the EU that traps Britain within the bloc's orbit would never be approved by MPs.

May's spokesman said ministers agreed on the need for an "effective mechanism" within the backstop to ensure "that the UK cannot be held in the arrangement indefinitely".

Work is continuing on this, he said, adding: "Don't be under any illusions that there remains a significant amount of work to do."

Several government sources have indicated they would like to see a deal before the end of November, although one official admitted Tuesday this was now a "stretch".

British Prime Minister Theresa May promised her ministers Tuesday she would not strike a Brexit deal with the EU "at any cost" after opposition over a mooted plan to resolve the deadlock over Northern Ireland.

British Prime Minister Theresa May promised her ministers Tuesday she would not strike a Brexit deal with the EU "at any cost" after opposition over a mooted plan to resolve the deadlock over Northern Ireland. Negotiations have stepped up with Brussels as London seeks a divorce agreement within weeks, to allow time for it to be passed by parliament before Brexit day on March 29, 2019. But British eurosceptics fear May is planning to break the impasse by giving too much ground on an arrangement to avoid border checks between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. The Northern Irish party on whom May depends for her majority in the House of Commons warned that unless the EU offered further concessions, Britain could leave with no deal at all. At a weekly cabinet meeting, May told ministers she expected an agreement and wanted it as soon as possible, but it would "not be done at any cost", according to her spokesman. "We will need to be satisfied in the negotiations that we have achieved the best deal that we possibly can for the UK," he added. Talks with the EU are stuck on the details of a "backstop" arrangement to avoid checks on goods crossing the Irish border until a new trade deal can be signed. London suggests Britain could temporarily stay aligned with the bloc's trade rules but wants to reserve the right to exit the arrangement. There were signs of a possible compromise in a phone call on Monday between May and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, where he said he would consider a "review mechanism" for the backstop. But he rejected the idea Britain could unilaterally end the arrangement, something Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and other eurosceptics in her Conservative party want. Jeffrey Donaldson, an MP from Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up May's government, said Dublin's refusal to budge could scupper a deal. "Looks like we're heading for no deal," he wrote on Twitter, adding: "Can't understand why Irish government seems so intent on this course." The Sun newspaper reported Tuesday that Raab and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt would use the cabinet meeting to warn that any deal with the EU that traps Britain within the bloc's orbit would never be approved by MPs. May's spokesman said ministers agreed on the need for an "effective mechanism" within the backstop to ensure "that the UK cannot be held in the arrangement indefinitely". Work is continuing on this, he said, adding: "Don't be under any illusions that there remains a significant amount of work to do." Several government sources have indicated they would like to see a deal before the end of November, although one official admitted Tuesday this was now a "stretch".

United Kingdom's Theresa May says will not agree Brexit deal 'at any cost'

Britain would remain in a temporary customs union with the EU, avoiding a hard Irish border, as part of a new deal being thrashed out between London and Brussels, according to a Sunday Times report.

Senior sources told the paper that Prime Minister Theresa May has secured concessions from Brussels, with the EU agreeing to write an "all-UK" customs union into the divorce deal.

This would avoid the EU's "backstop" solution that would have treated Northern Ireland differently from the rest of Britain.

There will be an "exit clause" from the customs union in a bid to convince Brexiteers that it is not a permanent arrangement as May looks to secure enough votes to get the deal through parliament, added the paper.

May's spokesman refused to confirm the report, calling it "speculation", according to Sky News.

The Irish border has proved the biggest obstacle to a deal, with both sides vowing not to reinstate a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland for fear of destabilising the peace accord that ended decades of deadly sectarian violence.

Under the agreed deal, the EU accepts that regulatory checks on goods can be carried out in factories and shops rather than at the border, the Sunday Times said.

The deal keeps open the possibility of Britain securing a future free trade agreement similar to the one signed between Canada and the EU in 2016.

The opposition Labour party has all but ruled out supporting any deal May reaches with Brussels, leaving the prime minister reliant on her slender parliamentary majority that comprises her own divided MPs and coalition partners the Democratic Unionist Party.

She is expected to warn her most stridently anti-EU MPs that they will be held responsible for the consequences of a no-deal&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;if they do not vote for her deal.

However, if these Brexiteers are not convinced that the customs union is only a temporary measure they would almost certainly rebel.

Her cabinet is due to hold talks over the plan on Monday, with a potential EU summit pencilled in for the end of November, if they agree enough progress has been made.

Parliament would then vote on the deal in December.

Britain would remain in a temporary customs union with the EU, avoiding a hard Irish border, as part of a new deal being thrashed out between London and Brussels, according to a Sunday Times report.

Britain would remain in a temporary customs union with the EU, avoiding a hard Irish border, as part of a new deal being thrashed out between London and Brussels, according to a Sunday Times report. Senior sources told the paper that Prime Minister Theresa May has secured concessions from Brussels, with the EU agreeing to write an "all-UK" customs union into the divorce deal. This would avoid the EU's "backstop" solution that would have treated Northern Ireland differently from the rest of Britain. There will be an "exit clause" from the customs union in a bid to convince Brexiteers that it is not a permanent arrangement as May looks to secure enough votes to get the deal through parliament, added the paper. May's spokesman refused to confirm the report, calling it "speculation", according to Sky News. The Irish border has proved the biggest obstacle to a deal, with both sides vowing not to reinstate a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland for fear of destabilising the peace accord that ended decades of deadly sectarian violence. Under the agreed deal, the EU accepts that regulatory checks on goods can be carried out in factories and shops rather than at the border, the Sunday Times said. The deal keeps open the possibility of Britain securing a future free trade agreement similar to the one signed between Canada and the EU in 2016. The opposition Labour party has all but ruled out supporting any deal May reaches with Brussels, leaving the prime minister reliant on her slender parliamentary majority that comprises her own divided MPs and coalition partners the Democratic Unionist Party. She is expected to warn her most stridently anti-EU MPs that they will be held responsible for the consequences of a no-deal Brexit if they do not vote for her deal. However, if these Brexiteers are not convinced that the customs union is only a temporary measure they would almost certainly rebel. Her cabinet is due to hold talks over the plan on Monday, with a potential EU summit pencilled in for the end of November, if they agree enough progress has been made. Parliament would then vote on the deal in December.

UK and EU close to Brexit deal over Irish border: Report

A new sculpture in honour of Indian soldiers who fought during World War I was unveiled on Sunday in the town of Smethwick in the West Midlands region of England on Sunday.

Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick had commissioned the "Lions of the Great War"&nbsp;monument, which depicts a turbaned Sikh soldier, to honour the sacrifices made by millions of South Asian service personnel of all faiths who fought for Britain in the world wars and other conflicts as part of the British Indian Army.

"We are very proud to be bringing this memorial to Smethwick High Street to honour the sacrifice of all those brave men who travelled thousands of miles to fight for a country that wasn't their own,"&nbsp;said Jatinder Singh, President of Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick.

The 10-foot bronze statue was unveiled in Smethwick High Street to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in November 1918, also referred as the Great War.

The new "Lions of the Great War"&nbsp;monument has been placed between the High Street and Tollhouse Way in the town of Smethwick as part of a community project and collaboration between the gurdwara and the local Sandwell Council.&nbsp;

The gurdwara donated around 20,000 pounds for the sculpture, with the council investing in creating the public space with seating and lighting to house the new monument.

"It's so important we remember the sacrifices made by people for our country,"&nbsp;said Councillor Steve Eling, Leader of Sandwell Council.

Designed by local West Midlands artist Luke Perry, the statue stands on a granite plinth with inscriptions naming the regiments in which South Asian soldiers served during the Great War.

"When I realised more than 1.5 million Indian soldiers had been sent to World War I, I just could not understand why their contribution had been ignored for so long in this country,"&nbsp;said Perry.

"Indians of all religions fought in the war and we are such a diverse multicultural country in part because of the sacrifices they made, so this is a wonderful statement which will be perfect for the Commonwealth Games and everything they represent,"&nbsp;he said, in reference to the 2020 Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham, just west of Smethwick.

The unveiling of the statue this Sunday comes just a week before Armistice Day on November 11, marked annually in an elaborate wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in central London led by Queen Elizabeth II, as well as other smaller events around the country.&nbsp;

Earlier this week in the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Theresa May had paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who had fought as part of the British Indian Army.

"Over 74,000 soldiers came from undivided India and lost of their lives; 11 of them won the Victoria Cross for their outstanding bravery and played a crucial role in the war across multiple continents," she said on Wednesday&nbsp;when she also pledged to adorn a khadi poppy in honour of these soldiers.

The Poppy Appeal is an annual fundraising campaign for war veterans held in the lead up to Armistice Day, with politicians and members of the public across the country wearing a cloth-based poppy on their lapels as a sign of respect for the war dead.&nbsp;

A khadi version of the poppy was launched by Indian-origin peer Lord Jitesh Gadhia and the Royal British Legion for the first time this year as an "evocative symbol"&nbsp;of undivided India's contribution to the war effort.

A new sculpture in honour of Indian soldiers who fought during World War I was unveiled on Sunday in the town of Smethwick in the West Midlands region of England on Sunday.

A new sculpture in honour of Indian soldiers who fought during World War I was unveiled on Sunday in the town of Smethwick in the West Midlands region of England on Sunday. Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick had commissioned the "Lions of the Great War" monument, which depicts a turbaned Sikh soldier, to honour the sacrifices made by millions of South Asian service personnel of all faiths who fought for Britain in the world wars and other conflicts as part of the British Indian Army. "We are very proud to be bringing this memorial to Smethwick High Street to honour the sacrifice of all those brave men who travelled thousands of miles to fight for a country that wasn't their own," said Jatinder Singh, President of Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick. The 10-foot bronze statue was unveiled in Smethwick High Street to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in November 1918, also referred as the Great War. The new "Lions of the Great War" monument has been placed between the High Street and Tollhouse Way in the town of Smethwick as part of a community project and collaboration between the gurdwara and the local Sandwell Council. The gurdwara donated around 20,000 pounds for the sculpture, with the council investing in creating the public space with seating and lighting to house the new monument. "It's so important we remember the sacrifices made by people for our country," said Councillor Steve Eling, Leader of Sandwell Council. Designed by local West Midlands artist Luke Perry, the statue stands on a granite plinth with inscriptions naming the regiments in which South Asian soldiers served during the Great War. "When I realised more than 1.5 million Indian soldiers had been sent to World War I, I just could not understand why their contribution had been ignored for so long in this country," said Perry. "Indians of all religions fought in the war and we are such a diverse multicultural country in part because of the sacrifices they made, so this is a wonderful statement which will be perfect for the Commonwealth Games and everything they represent," he said, in reference to the 2020 Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham, just west of Smethwick. The unveiling of the statue this Sunday comes just a week before Armistice Day on November 11, marked annually in an elaborate wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in central London led by Queen Elizabeth II, as well as other smaller events around the country. Earlier this week in the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Theresa May had paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who had fought as part of the British Indian Army. "Over 74,000 soldiers came from undivided India and lost of their lives; 11 of them won the Victoria Cross for their outstanding bravery and played a crucial role in the war across multiple continents," she said on Wednesday when she also pledged to adorn a khadi poppy in honour of these soldiers. The Poppy Appeal is an annual fundraising campaign for war veterans held in the lead up to Armistice Day, with politicians and members of the public across the country wearing a cloth-based poppy on their lapels as a sign of respect for the war dead. A khadi version of the poppy was launched by Indian-origin peer Lord Jitesh Gadhia and the Royal British Legion for the first time this year as an "evocative symbol" of undivided India's contribution to the war effort.

UK unveils sculpture to honour Indian soldiers who fought World War I

Britain, France and Germany on Sunday said Saudi Arabia must clarify how dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside its Istanbul consulate, and its account must "be backed by facts to be considered credible".

"There remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened on October 2nd -- beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible," the three countries said in a joint statement.

"We thus stress that more efforts are needed and expected towards establishing the truth in a comprehensive, transparent and credible manner," they added.

"We will ultimately make our judgement based on the credibility of the further explanation we receive about what happened and our confidence that such a shameful event cannot and will not ever be repeated."

After a fortnight of denials, Saudi authorities admitted Saturday that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and prominent critic of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after entering the consulate in Turkey on October 2.

But it has faced a growing chorus of incredulity over its belated explanation that he died in a "brawl", as world powers demand answers and the whereabouts of his body.

"The threatening, attacking or killing of journalists, under any circumstances, is unacceptable and of utmost concern to our three nations," added the European allies' statement.

"The quality and significance of the relationship we have with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also rests with the respect we have for the norms and values to which the Saudi authorities and us are jointly committed under international law," they warned.

Britain, France and Germany on Sunday said Saudi Arabia must clarify how dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside its Istanbul consulate, and its account must "be backed by facts to be considered credible".

Britain, France and Germany on Sunday said Saudi Arabia must clarify how dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside its Istanbul consulate, and its account must "be backed by facts to be considered credible". "There remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened on October 2nd -- beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible," the three countries said in a joint statement. "We thus stress that more efforts are needed and expected towards establishing the truth in a comprehensive, transparent and credible manner," they added. "We will ultimately make our judgement based on the credibility of the further explanation we receive about what happened and our confidence that such a shameful event cannot and will not ever be repeated." After a fortnight of denials, Saudi authorities admitted Saturday that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and prominent critic of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after entering the consulate in Turkey on October 2. But it has faced a growing chorus of incredulity over its belated explanation that he died in a "brawl", as world powers demand answers and the whereabouts of his body. "The threatening, attacking or killing of journalists, under any circumstances, is unacceptable and of utmost concern to our three nations," added the European allies' statement. "The quality and significance of the relationship we have with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also rests with the respect we have for the norms and values to which the Saudi authorities and us are jointly committed under international law," they warned.

'Urgent need for clarification' on Khashoggi death: UK, France, Germany

Britain on Sunday said Saudi Arabia's account of the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside its Istanbul consulate was not credible and the culprits must be "held to account".

After a fortnight of denials, Saudi authorities admitted Saturday that the Washington Post columnist, a prominent critic of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after entering the consulate in Turkey on October 2.

But it has faced <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/amid-scepticism-saudi-official-provides-yet-another-version-of-khashoggi-death-172620">a growing chorus of incredulity</a> over its belated explanation that he died in a "brawl", as world powers demand answers and the whereabouts of his body.

"I don't think it's credible," Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC, adding there was a "serious question mark over the account that has been given".

"We support the Turkish investigation into it, and the British government wants to see people held to account for that death."&nbsp;

After initially saying Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, and then that they were investigating his disappearance, Saudi authorities conceded the 60-year-old was killed inside the diplomatic compound.

But many questions have remained unanswered since the admission.

Turkish officials have accused Riyadh of carrying out a state-sponsored killing and dismembering the body, with pro-government media in Turkey reporting the existence of video and audio evidence to back those claims.

Police have searched a forest in Istanbul where they believe his body may have been disposed of.

Ankara has vowed to reveal all the details of a two-week inquiry.

Raab called the case "terrible" but said the government was not ending its relationship with the conservative kingdom, which buys hundreds of millions of pounds in weapons from Britain each year.

Noting a "huge number of British jobs" depend on ties, he argued that British influence is best maintained by continuing to talk to the Saudis.

"We have got one of the most rigorous export regimes in the world which makes sure arms are very carefully monitored," Raab added.

The stance echoes that of American President Donald Trump, who has warned against scrapping a multi-billion dollar US-Saudi arms deal. (AFP)

&nbsp;

France wants whole truth on Saudi dissident's killing: Minister

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Saudi Arabia's admission that dissident Jamal Khashoggi was killed at its Istanbul consulate was welcome "progress", but urged the kingdom to follow through with a full and transparent investigation.

"I note that the Saudi authorities have changed tack, admitted the facts and accepted some responsibility, so we're making progress," Le Maire said on France 3 television on Sunday. "But full light needs to be shed."

How bilateral relations develop from here will "depend on the way the truth is aired, the investigation conducted and the results established," Le Maire said. (Reuters)

Britain on Sunday said Saudi Arabia's account of the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside its Istanbul consulate was not credible and the culprits must be "held to account".

Britain on Sunday said Saudi Arabia's account of the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside its Istanbul consulate was not credible and the culprits must be "held to account". After a fortnight of denials, Saudi authorities admitted Saturday that the Washington Post columnist, a prominent critic of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after entering the consulate in Turkey on October 2. But it has faced a growing chorus of incredulity over its belated explanation that he died in a "brawl", as world powers demand answers and the whereabouts of his body. "I don't think it's credible," Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC, adding there was a "serious question mark over the account that has been given". "We support the Turkish investigation into it, and the British government wants to see people held to account for that death." After initially saying Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, and then that they were investigating his disappearance, Saudi authorities conceded the 60-year-old was killed inside the diplomatic compound. But many questions have remained unanswered since the admission. Turkish officials have accused Riyadh of carrying out a state-sponsored killing and dismembering the body, with pro-government media in Turkey reporting the existence of video and audio evidence to back those claims. Police have searched a forest in Istanbul where they believe his body may have been disposed of. Ankara has vowed to reveal all the details of a two-week inquiry. Raab called the case "terrible" but said the government was not ending its relationship with the conservative kingdom, which buys hundreds of millions of pounds in weapons from Britain each year. Noting a "huge number of British jobs" depend on ties, he argued that British influence is best maintained by continuing to talk to the Saudis. "We have got one of the most rigorous export regimes in the world which makes sure arms are very carefully monitored," Raab added. The stance echoes that of American President Donald Trump, who has warned against scrapping a multi-billion dollar US-Saudi arms deal. (AFP) France wants whole truth on Saudi dissident's killing: Minister French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Saudi Arabia's admission that dissident Jamal Khashoggi was killed at its Istanbul consulate was welcome "progress", but urged the kingdom to follow through with a full and transparent investigation. "I note that the Saudi authorities have changed tack, admitted the facts and accepted some responsibility, so we're making progress," Le Maire said on France 3 television on Sunday. "But full light needs to be shed." How bilateral relations develop from here will "depend on the way the truth is aired, the investigation conducted and the results established," Le Maire said. (Reuters)

Saudi explanation of Khashoggi death not credible, want whole truth: France, UK

A UK High Enforcement Officer is set to sell a fleet of Vijay Mallya's cars in the UK as part of efforts to recover loan repayment dues owed by the beleaguered liquor baron to a consortium of 13 Indian banks, the banks' legal representative confirmed on Friday.

TLT LLP, the law firm which had won a landmark case in May when a UK High Court judge ruled in favour of the Indian banks and concluded they were entitled to recover funds amounting to nearly 1.145 billion pounds, said the sale of six cars owned by the 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airline boss and related concerns will take place following a UK High Court enforcement order last week.

The cars listed in the order include a range of luxury vehicles, some with personalised registration numbers - a 2016 Mini Countryman (AD16 1YX); a 2012 Maybach 62 (VJM1); a 2006 Ferrari F430 Spider (B055 VJM); a 2014 Range Rover Autobiography Supercharged (F1 VJM); a Ferrari F512M (M811 VGR); and a Porsche Cayenne (OO07 VJM).

"We can confirm that the High Court Enforcement Officer has acted on the banks' instructions in seizing and selling these cars. The cars are expected to be sold shortly," said Paul Gair, partner at law firm TLT, who is leading the case on behalf of the Indian banks.

"This is one part of the banks' ongoing enforcement of their judgment against Dr Mallya," he said.

In an enforcement order dated October 11, Justice Sara Cockerill had granted an order for a High Court Enforcement Officer to sell the six cars "by private treaty at a price not less than 404,000 pounds plus VAT".

A further cost of making the application, assessed at 1906.10 pounds, was also added to the overall debt amount.

The latest enforcement order follows a previous order by Justice Bryan on June 26, granting permission to the UK High Court Enforcement Officer to enter Vijay Mallya's properties in Hertfordshire, near London. It permits the officer and his agents entry to Ladywalk and Bramble Lodge in Tewin, Welwyn, where Vijay Mallya is currently based.

However, the order is not an instruction to enter, which means the banks have the option to use the order as one of the means to recover estimated funds owed to them in relation to money lent to Vijay Mallya's now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

The litigation in the Queen's Bench Division of the commercial court in England's High Court of Justice involves the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Corporation bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu &amp; Kashmir Bank, Punjab &amp; Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. Pvt Ltd as the applicants.

Vijay Mallya and related concerns - Ladywalk LLP, Rose Capital Ventures Ltd and Orange India Holdings - are listed as respondents.

TLT had acted for the Indian banks in successfully defeating two applications earlier this year - first, an application to set aside the first recorded case of a judgment of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in India being registered by the English High Court, and the second, to discharge an associated worldwide freezing order.

The worldwide freezing order prevents Vijay Mallya from removing any assets from England and Wales up to that value or to in any way dispose of, deal with or diminish the value of his assets in or outside of this jurisdiction, up to the same value.

Vijay Mallya, separately fighting his extradition to India on fraud and money laundering charges amounting to nearly Rs. 9,000 crores, is set to find out if he can be forced back to face Indian courts on December 10, when Westminster Magistrates' Court in London is set to rule in his extradition case.

His defence team has deposed a series of expert witnesses to claim he had no "fraudulent" intentions and that he is unlikely to get a fair trial in India.

A UK High Enforcement Officer is set to sell a fleet of Vijay Mallya's cars in the UK as part of efforts to recover loan repayment dues owed by the beleaguered liquor baron to a consortium of 13 Indian banks, the banks' legal representative confirmed on Friday.

A UK High Enforcement Officer is set to sell a fleet of Vijay Mallya's cars in the UK as part of efforts to recover loan repayment dues owed by the beleaguered liquor baron to a consortium of 13 Indian banks, the banks' legal representative confirmed on Friday. TLT LLP, the law firm which had won a landmark case in May when a UK High Court judge ruled in favour of the Indian banks and concluded they were entitled to recover funds amounting to nearly 1.145 billion pounds, said the sale of six cars owned by the 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airline boss and related concerns will take place following a UK High Court enforcement order last week. The cars listed in the order include a range of luxury vehicles, some with personalised registration numbers - a 2016 Mini Countryman (AD16 1YX); a 2012 Maybach 62 (VJM1); a 2006 Ferrari F430 Spider (B055 VJM); a 2014 Range Rover Autobiography Supercharged (F1 VJM); a Ferrari F512M (M811 VGR); and a Porsche Cayenne (OO07 VJM). "We can confirm that the High Court Enforcement Officer has acted on the banks' instructions in seizing and selling these cars. The cars are expected to be sold shortly," said Paul Gair, partner at law firm TLT, who is leading the case on behalf of the Indian banks. "This is one part of the banks' ongoing enforcement of their judgment against Dr Mallya," he said. In an enforcement order dated October 11, Justice Sara Cockerill had granted an order for a High Court Enforcement Officer to sell the six cars "by private treaty at a price not less than 404,000 pounds plus VAT". A further cost of making the application, assessed at 1906.10 pounds, was also added to the overall debt amount. The latest enforcement order follows a previous order by Justice Bryan on June 26, granting permission to the UK High Court Enforcement Officer to enter Vijay Mallya's properties in Hertfordshire, near London. It permits the officer and his agents entry to Ladywalk and Bramble Lodge in Tewin, Welwyn, where Vijay Mallya is currently based. However, the order is not an instruction to enter, which means the banks have the option to use the order as one of the means to recover estimated funds owed to them in relation to money lent to Vijay Mallya's now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. The litigation in the Queen's Bench Division of the commercial court in England's High Court of Justice involves the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Corporation bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. Pvt Ltd as the applicants. Vijay Mallya and related concerns - Ladywalk LLP, Rose Capital Ventures Ltd and Orange India Holdings - are listed as respondents. TLT had acted for the Indian banks in successfully defeating two applications earlier this year - first, an application to set aside the first recorded case of a judgment of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in India being registered by the English High Court, and the second, to discharge an associated worldwide freezing order. The worldwide freezing order prevents Vijay Mallya from removing any assets from England and Wales up to that value or to in any way dispose of, deal with or diminish the value of his assets in or outside of this jurisdiction, up to the same value. Vijay Mallya, separately fighting his extradition to India on fraud and money laundering charges amounting to nearly Rs. 9,000 crores, is set to find out if he can be forced back to face Indian courts on December 10, when Westminster Magistrates' Court in London is set to rule in his extradition case. His defence team has deposed a series of expert witnesses to claim he had no "fraudulent" intentions and that he is unlikely to get a fair trial in India.

Indian banks to sell Vijay Mallya's assets in UK to recover loans

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday that allegations regarding the case of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be totally unacceptable if true but any response by Britain would be "considered".

"Part of our reaction will depend on the Saudi reaction, and whether we sense that they are taking it as seriously as we are taking it. But this is a very, very serious matter," Hunt told BBC radio.

"Our relationship with Saudi is a strategic relationship as well. Our response will be considered... (but) in the end, if these stories are true, we have to be absolutely clear, it would not be consistent with our values."

Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh denies the allegations.

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday that allegations regarding the case of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be totally unacceptable if true but any response by Britain would be "considered".

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Friday that allegations regarding the case of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be totally unacceptable if true but any response by Britain would be "considered". "Part of our reaction will depend on the Saudi reaction, and whether we sense that they are taking it as seriously as we are taking it. But this is a very, very serious matter," Hunt told BBC radio. "Our relationship with Saudi is a strategic relationship as well. Our response will be considered... (but) in the end, if these stories are true, we have to be absolutely clear, it would not be consistent with our values." Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh denies the allegations.

UK says any response over Khashoggi case would be 'considered'

By Nikos Skoutaris

British Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted that the result of the Brexit referendum “was a vote to take control of our borders”. In order to do that, the UK will be leaving both the EU single market and the customs union. At the same time, May’s government has committed to protecting the Good Friday Agreement by not accepting any physical infrastructure at the Irish land border. So, the UK and the EU have been facing an almost unsolvable riddle. How can they keep open a land border between an EU member state and a country that is outside the single market and the customs union?

The text of the political agreement reached between the UK and EU in December 2017 included a formula to square the circle. It stated that the aim of future negotiations would be to address the challenge of the Irish border through the overall EU-UK relationship. If the final withdrawal agreement doesn’t provide a frictionless invisible border, then “specific solutions” will apply to Northern Ireland. But if the UK and the EU cannot agree on those specific solutions, then Northern Ireland or the UK as a whole will remain aligned to the single market and the customs union.

Since then, the UK and EU negotiators have struggled to find a legally operative text that would both fulfil the commitment to keep the land border open and respect the political sensitivities of all the interested parties. Below are the proposals on the table.

The EU backstop

The first attempt to legally codify the December 2017 commitment came in the Draft Withdrawal Treaty published by the European Union in February 2018. This proposed setting up a common regulatory area comprising the European Union and Northern Ireland. The region would, therefore, remain in the EU customs territory. May vehemently rejected the plan noting that “no UK prime minister could agree to it”.

The main problem with the suggested arrangement is that it will create a customs border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. This is why EU negotiator Michel Barnier tried to de-dramatise the proposed solution by insisting that the whole arrangement creates neither a land nor a sea border. It is merely “a set of technical checks and controls”.

Arlene Foster, leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, insists that “the entirety of the UK should be leaving the single market and the customs union”. She has threatened to withdraw the parliamentary support on which May’s government relies if Northern Ireland is treated differently to the UK after Brexit.

The UK backstop 
 
In June 2017, the UK government published its own counter-proposal for a backstop arrangement. The biggest difference between the two proposals is that the UK’s applies to the whole country and not just to Northern Ireland. The entire territory of the UK and the Channel Islands would remain part of the customs territory of the European Union, even after the end of the transition period in December 2020.

However, it is not entirely clear whether under this solution there would also be regulatory alignment between the UK and the EU, keeping the UK effectively within a significant part of the single market. Be that as it may, such an arrangement respects the DUP’s red lines but angers Eurosceptic MPs who do not welcome the prospect of the UK being aligned with EU rules in the long term. This group could vote against such a deal when it reaches parliament.

A backstop to a backstop

More problematic, from an EU point of view, is that May insists that the backstop should be a “temporary solution” because the UK does not want to be “stuck permanently in single customs territory, unable to do meaningful trade deals”. Given that the UK insists on legally entrenching the deadline of the backstop option, the EU is asking for a “backstop to a backstop” specific to Northern Ireland that will not be time-limited.

Endgame

The negotiations for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU are reaching their final stages and it is difficult to see how a solution to the Irish border conundrum can be found without some compromise. The solemn commitment that the UK has undertaken to protect the Good Friday Agreement and to keep the Irish land border open raises a significant dilemma. Either it has to opt for a much closer relationship with the EU than the one described in its red lines or it has to accept some differentiation for Northern Ireland.

(Nikos Skoutaris is Senior Lecturer in European Union Law, School of Law, University of East Anglia)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/brexit-backstop-refresh-why-the-uk-and-eu-cant-agree-on-northern-ireland-105080">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Nikos Skoutaris British Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted that the result of the Brexit referendum “was a vote to take control of our borders”. In order to do that, the UK will be leaving both the EU single market and the customs union.

By Nikos Skoutaris British Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted that the result of the Brexit referendum “was a vote to take control of our borders”. In order to do that, the UK will be leaving both the EU single market and the customs union. At the same time, May’s government has committed to protecting the Good Friday Agreement by not accepting any physical infrastructure at the Irish land border. So, the UK and the EU have been facing an almost unsolvable riddle. How can they keep open a land border between an EU member state and a country that is outside the single market and the customs union? The text of the political agreement reached between the UK and EU in December 2017 included a formula to square the circle. It stated that the aim of future negotiations would be to address the challenge of the Irish border through the overall EU-UK relationship. If the final withdrawal agreement doesn’t provide a frictionless invisible border, then “specific solutions” will apply to Northern Ireland. But if the UK and the EU cannot agree on those specific solutions, then Northern Ireland or the UK as a whole will remain aligned to the single market and the customs union. Since then, the UK and EU negotiators have struggled to find a legally operative text that would both fulfil the commitment to keep the land border open and respect the political sensitivities of all the interested parties. Below are the proposals on the table. The EU backstop The first attempt to legally codify the December 2017 commitment came in the Draft Withdrawal Treaty published by the European Union in February 2018. This proposed setting up a common regulatory area comprising the European Union and Northern Ireland. The region would, therefore, remain in the EU customs territory. May vehemently rejected the plan noting that “no UK prime minister could agree to it”. The main problem with the suggested arrangement is that it will create a customs border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. This is why EU negotiator Michel Barnier tried to de-dramatise the proposed solution by insisting that the whole arrangement creates neither a land nor a sea border. It is merely “a set of technical checks and controls”. Arlene Foster, leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, insists that “the entirety of the UK should be leaving the single market and the customs union”. She has threatened to withdraw the parliamentary support on which May’s government relies if Northern Ireland is treated differently to the UK after Brexit. The UK backstop In June 2017, the UK government published its own counter-proposal for a backstop arrangement. The biggest difference between the two proposals is that the UK’s applies to the whole country and not just to Northern Ireland. The entire territory of the UK and the Channel Islands would remain part of the customs territory of the European Union, even after the end of the transition period in December 2020. However, it is not entirely clear whether under this solution there would also be regulatory alignment between the UK and the EU, keeping the UK effectively within a significant part of the single market. Be that as it may, such an arrangement respects the DUP’s red lines but angers Eurosceptic MPs who do not welcome the prospect of the UK being aligned with EU rules in the long term. This group could vote against such a deal when it reaches parliament. A backstop to a backstop More problematic, from an EU point of view, is that May insists that the backstop should be a “temporary solution” because the UK does not want to be “stuck permanently in single customs territory, unable to do meaningful trade deals”. Given that the UK insists on legally entrenching the deadline of the backstop option, the EU is asking for a “backstop to a backstop” specific to Northern Ireland that will not be time-limited. Endgame The negotiations for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU are reaching their final stages and it is difficult to see how a solution to the Irish border conundrum can be found without some compromise. The solemn commitment that the UK has undertaken to protect the Good Friday Agreement and to keep the Irish land border open raises a significant dilemma. Either it has to opt for a much closer relationship with the EU than the one described in its red lines or it has to accept some differentiation for Northern Ireland. (Nikos Skoutaris is Senior Lecturer in European Union Law, School of Law, University of East Anglia) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

UK and EU face an almost unsolvable riddle

Police on Wednesday carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious package found in central London near the British parliament.

Officers were called to the gardens next to the River Thames during the afternoon and emergency services were at the scene, a police spokesman said.

An AFP photographer on the spot saw a bomb disposal robot being deployed in the area and a controlled explosion was heard.

A building where many MPs have their offices was also cordoned off along with Victoria Embankment which leads to parliament.

The area was targeted in a terror attack last year when Khalid Masood, mowed down and killed five pedestrians before fatally stabbing a police officer outside the parliament building.

A man who crashed his car into the security barriers outside parliament in August is also suspected of attempting an attack.

Police on Wednesday carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious package found in central London near the British parliament. Officers were called to the gardens next to the River Thames during the afternoon and emergency services were at the scene, a police spokesman said.

Police on Wednesday carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious package found in central London near the British parliament. Officers were called to the gardens next to the River Thames during the afternoon and emergency services were at the scene, a police spokesman said. An AFP photographer on the spot saw a bomb disposal robot being deployed in the area and a controlled explosion was heard. A building where many MPs have their offices was also cordoned off along with Victoria Embankment which leads to parliament. The area was targeted in a terror attack last year when Khalid Masood, mowed down and killed five pedestrians before fatally stabbing a police officer outside the parliament building. A man who crashed his car into the security barriers outside parliament in August is also suspected of attempting an attack.

Suspicious package found near British parliament: Police

British Prime Minister Theresa May was struggling on Friday to find consensus on Brexit proposals that would be acceptable to her ministers, her Conservative Party and the Northern Irish lawmakers who prop up her minority government.&nbsp;

Brexit negotiations with the European Union have accelerated and become more positive over the past week, though significant hurdles remain, finance minister Philip Hammond said.

"What has happened over the last week, 10 days, is that there has been a measurable change in pace," he told the BBC.&nbsp;

"But that shouldn`t conceal the fact that we still have some big differences left to resolve," Hammond said. "So process is a lot more positive this week - substance still very challenging."

With less than six months to go until the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, May is seeking to rally support at home on the details of a divorce deal though it is unclear if she can win parliament`s approval for any agreement.

British and EU negotiators are making headway on the Irish border issue, the biggest hurdle to an overall agreement, and hope for a Brexit deal breakthrough on Monday, diplomats said.

The Irish border "backstop", which seeks a way to avoid customs checks on the frontier between the British province of Northern Ireland and Ireland if there is no overall exit deal, has become the biggest sticking point in negotiations.

As both sides seek to clinch a deal, the United Kingdom will publish on Friday more of its so-called technical notices which lay out the impact of a no-deal Brexit on specific sectors of the economy.

Deal or No-Deal?

May's Northern Irish supporters vehemently oppose any checks between the province and mainland Britain after Brexit.

The head of the Democratic Unionist Party, Arlene Foster, said May "could not in good conscience" back an EU proposal for checks on goods being imported to Northern Ireland from Britain after Brexit.

Under May's proposals, the whole of the United Kingdom would forge a customs partnership with the EU after a transition period ends in December 2020 in the event of the backstop being triggered.

Some of May's ministers have urged her to put a time limit on that plan.&nbsp;

Britain`s international trade, environment and Brexit ministers told May at a meeting on Thursday that they fear the whole of Britain could remain in the EU customs union for an open-ended period, the BBC said.

May will never agree to a backstop plan that means Britain could be permanently tied to the bloc`s customs rules, her spokeswoman said on Friday. "The prime minister would never agree to a deal which could trap the UK in a backstop permanently," she said.

The Times newspaper reported May was warned the issue was so serious that she could face further cabinet resignations unless she found a way to ensure the backstop was not permanent.&nbsp;

Speaking to Northern Ireland journalists at her Downing Street office, May said on Thursday that talks on the Irish backstop were likely to continue until November.&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Theresa May was struggling on Friday to find consensus on Brexit proposals that would be acceptable to her ministers, her Conservative Party and the Northern Irish lawmakers who prop up her minority government.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was struggling on Friday to find consensus on Brexit proposals that would be acceptable to her ministers, her Conservative Party and the Northern Irish lawmakers who prop up her minority government. Brexit negotiations with the European Union have accelerated and become more positive over the past week, though significant hurdles remain, finance minister Philip Hammond said. "What has happened over the last week, 10 days, is that there has been a measurable change in pace," he told the BBC. "But that shouldn`t conceal the fact that we still have some big differences left to resolve," Hammond said. "So process is a lot more positive this week - substance still very challenging." With less than six months to go until the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, May is seeking to rally support at home on the details of a divorce deal though it is unclear if she can win parliament`s approval for any agreement. British and EU negotiators are making headway on the Irish border issue, the biggest hurdle to an overall agreement, and hope for a Brexit deal breakthrough on Monday, diplomats said. The Irish border "backstop", which seeks a way to avoid customs checks on the frontier between the British province of Northern Ireland and Ireland if there is no overall exit deal, has become the biggest sticking point in negotiations. As both sides seek to clinch a deal, the United Kingdom will publish on Friday more of its so-called technical notices which lay out the impact of a no-deal Brexit on specific sectors of the economy. Deal or No-Deal? May's Northern Irish supporters vehemently oppose any checks between the province and mainland Britain after Brexit. The head of the Democratic Unionist Party, Arlene Foster, said May "could not in good conscience" back an EU proposal for checks on goods being imported to Northern Ireland from Britain after Brexit. Under May's proposals, the whole of the United Kingdom would forge a customs partnership with the EU after a transition period ends in December 2020 in the event of the backstop being triggered. Some of May's ministers have urged her to put a time limit on that plan. Britain`s international trade, environment and Brexit ministers told May at a meeting on Thursday that they fear the whole of Britain could remain in the EU customs union for an open-ended period, the BBC said. May will never agree to a backstop plan that means Britain could be permanently tied to the bloc`s customs rules, her spokeswoman said on Friday. "The prime minister would never agree to a deal which could trap the UK in a backstop permanently," she said. The Times newspaper reported May was warned the issue was so serious that she could face further cabinet resignations unless she found a way to ensure the backstop was not permanent. Speaking to Northern Ireland journalists at her Downing Street office, May said on Thursday that talks on the Irish backstop were likely to continue until November.

As Brexit talks progress, UK PM May struggles to find support at home

Britain's foreign secretary has warned Saudi Arabia of "serious consequences" in case the speculations made by Turkish officials that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-journalist-was-killed-by-15-man-hit-team-that-then-dismembered-his-body-with-bone-saw-nyt-170659">journalist Jamal Khashoggi</a> was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul comes out to be true.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said, "People who have long thought of themselves as Saudi's friends are saying this is a very, very serious matter. If these allegations are true, there will be serious consequences because our friendships and our partnerships are based on shared values".

Earlier today Turkish President Recep Tayyip <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-trump-step-up-pressure-over-missing-saudi-journalist-170893">Erdogan and US President Donald Trump also demanded an answer from Saudi Arabia</a> over the sudden disappearance of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

While the Turkish President urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of the journalist, President Donald Trump demanded answers over his fate.

The Washington Post, the daily to which Khashoggi was a contributor, added to the mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home.

Khashoggi has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials quoted in media have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that.

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain's foreign secretary has warned Saudi Arabia of "serious consequences" in case the speculations made by Turkish officials that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul comes out to be true.

Britain's foreign secretary has warned Saudi Arabia of "serious consequences" in case the speculations made by Turkish officials that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul comes out to be true. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said, "People who have long thought of themselves as Saudi's friends are saying this is a very, very serious matter. If these allegations are true, there will be serious consequences because our friendships and our partnerships are based on shared values". Earlier today Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump also demanded an answer from Saudi Arabia over the sudden disappearance of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. While the Turkish President urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of the journalist, President Donald Trump demanded answers over his fate. The Washington Post, the daily to which Khashoggi was a contributor, added to the mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home. Khashoggi has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials quoted in media have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia faces 'serious consequences' if Khashoggi claims turns out to be true: UK

Top EU officials were warned Wednesday to make plans to cope with the fallout from a "no-deal" Brexit as their chief negotiator said talks with Britain must make more progress before next week's crunch summit.

EU Brexit pointman Michel Barnier and Martin Selmayr, the powerful head of the EU Commission's bureaucracy, briefed commissioners on progress just a week before the October 18 meeting that has been dubbed a "moment of truth."

According to spokesman Margaritis Schinas, Barnier "recalled that decisive progress must be made in time for the October European Council next week and negotiations at technical level will continue this week."

Selmayr meanwhile "provided a brief update on the state of play of the Commission preparedness work and recalled the importance for all stakeholders to prepare for all outcomes and at all levels."

Selmayr, secretary general of the European Commission, has been tasked with coordinating preparedness to protect the EU from economic and political damage if Britain leaves the bloc on March 29 next year without a divorce deal in place.

Barnier is attempting to negotiate such a deal, but time is running out and EU leaders have made it clear that they expect Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May to come up with a way to unblock talks before next week.

Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EU commissioner for migration and home affairs, said Barnier had briefed the body on the state of play in the negotiations.

"Michel Barnier and his team are working day and night to reach a deal, but we are not there yet," he said. He referred further questions to Barnier, who was due to make a speech to European business leaders later in the day. &nbsp;

Top EU officials were warned Wednesday to make plans to cope with the fallout from a "no-deal" Brexit as their chief negotiator said talks with Britain must make more progress before next week's crunch summit.

Top EU officials were warned Wednesday to make plans to cope with the fallout from a "no-deal" Brexit as their chief negotiator said talks with Britain must make more progress before next week's crunch summit. EU Brexit pointman Michel Barnier and Martin Selmayr, the powerful head of the EU Commission's bureaucracy, briefed commissioners on progress just a week before the October 18 meeting that has been dubbed a "moment of truth." According to spokesman Margaritis Schinas, Barnier "recalled that decisive progress must be made in time for the October European Council next week and negotiations at technical level will continue this week." Selmayr meanwhile "provided a brief update on the state of play of the Commission preparedness work and recalled the importance for all stakeholders to prepare for all outcomes and at all levels." Selmayr, secretary general of the European Commission, has been tasked with coordinating preparedness to protect the EU from economic and political damage if Britain leaves the bloc on March 29 next year without a divorce deal in place. Barnier is attempting to negotiate such a deal, but time is running out and EU leaders have made it clear that they expect Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May to come up with a way to unblock talks before next week. Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EU commissioner for migration and home affairs, said Barnier had briefed the body on the state of play in the negotiations. "Michel Barnier and his team are working day and night to reach a deal, but we are not there yet," he said. He referred further questions to Barnier, who was due to make a speech to European business leaders later in the day.

EU officials warned to prepare for no-deal Brexit

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Wednesday announced the introduction of a new portfolio&nbsp;for suicide prevention in his ministry.

Health Minister Jackie Doyle Price who has been allocated the new ministry will now be called the minister for mental health, inequalities and suicide prevention.

Doyle who is believed to be the world's first minister for suicide prevention will ensure that every local area has developed effective plans to curb unnecessary deaths.&nbsp;

The ministry will also investigate how they can utilise technology in identifying the most vulnerable.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Very pleased to receive so many messages of goodwill following <a href="https://twitter.com/10DowningStreet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@10DowningStreet</a> announcement on suicide prevention. Very pleased to support <a href="https://twitter.com/samaritans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@samaritans</a> whose work is do critical <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldMentalHealthDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldMentalHealthDay</a>
— Jackie Doyle-Price (@JackieDP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackieDP/status/1049952832168824832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In an interview with BBC, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the mental health did not have the same level of support in the form of resources and attention as physical health.

He also added that the government wanted to ensure that mental health occupies a crucial place as they list down the long-term plan for the future of National Health Service.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Wednesday announced the introduction of a new portfolio for suicide prevention in his ministry. Health Minister Jackie Doyle Price who has been allocated the new ministry will now be called the minister for mental health, inequalities and suicide prevention.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Wednesday announced the introduction of a new portfolio for suicide prevention in his ministry. Health Minister Jackie Doyle Price who has been allocated the new ministry will now be called the minister for mental health, inequalities and suicide prevention. Doyle who is believed to be the world's first minister for suicide prevention will ensure that every local area has developed effective plans to curb unnecessary deaths. The ministry will also investigate how they can utilise technology in identifying the most vulnerable. Very pleased to receive so many messages of goodwill following @10DowningStreet announcement on suicide prevention. Very pleased to support @samaritans whose work is do critical #WorldMentalHealthDay — Jackie Doyle-Price (@JackieDP) October 10, 2018 × In an interview with BBC, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the mental health did not have the same level of support in the form of resources and attention as physical health. He also added that the government wanted to ensure that mental health occupies a crucial place as they list down the long-term plan for the future of National Health Service.

UK appoints new minister for suicide prevention

Hong Kong's decision to effectively blacklist a senior Financial Times journalist required an "urgent explanation", the UK said Saturday, as foreign governments sounded the alarm over eroding freedoms in the former British colony.

Victor Mallet, the FT's Asia news editor and a British national, earned the ire of authorities for hosting a speech by Andy Chan, the leader of a tiny pro-independence political party.

Chan attacked China as an empire trying to "annex" and "destroy" Hong Kong in a strident speech at the city's Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC), where Mallet serves as vice president.

China's foreign ministry had asked the club to pull the talk, but the FCC refused, arguing that all sides of a debate should be heard. 
Rival protesters picketed the lunchtime event and the city's former leader Leung Chun-ying called for the club to be evicted from its government-owned premises.

The FT said Friday that immigration authorities in Hong Kong had declined to renew Mallet's visa, a decision rights groups and media organisations said was unprecedented.

"We have asked the Hong Kong government for an urgent explanation," the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement.&nbsp;

"Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and its press freedoms are central to its way of life, and must be fully respected."

'Disturbing'&nbsp;

Semi-autonomous Hong Kong enjoys rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of expression, which are protected in the city's Basic Law and the handover agreement between China and Britain.

But the space for dissent is shrinking as Beijing flexes its muscles.

Hong Kong authorities last week banned Chan's Hong Kong National Party, calling it a threat to national security.

It was the first ban on a political party since the territory reverted to Chinese control in 1997.

The US consulate said Mallet's visa denial was "especially disturbing".

"It mirrors problems faced by international journalists in the Mainland and appears inconsistent with the principles enshrined in the Basic Law," US consulate general spokesman Harvey Sernovitz told AFP.

Hong Kong's last British governor Chris Patten said the move was a "serious blow against free speech" as well as defying the promise of a high degree of autonomy made to the city when it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.&nbsp;

"The Hong Kong and Beijing authorities should think again and fast," Patten told AFP.

A handful of demonstrators rallied outside Hong Kong's immigration department on Saturday morning to protest the decision.&nbsp;

"No political red line. We support free press," protesters chanted as they shredded a strip of red fabric to create a long ribbon.

The slogan was in response to comments by Hong Kong's former leader Leung Chun-ying -- whose administration faced down major youth-led democracy protests in 2014 -- that discussion of Hong Kong independence "is an absolute and clear red line".

The decision to deny Mallet a new visa was welcomed by pro-Beijing media in the city, however.

A commentary in the Ta Kung Pao newspaper said the veteran journalist had to "pay the price" for giving exposure to Hong Kong's fringe independence movement, and said authorities may still act to evict the FCC from the premises it has occupied since 1982.

Hong Kong's decision to effectively blacklist a senior Financial Times journalist required an "urgent explanation", the UK said Saturday, as foreign governments sounded the alarm over eroding freedoms in the former British colony.

Hong Kong's decision to effectively blacklist a senior Financial Times journalist required an "urgent explanation", the UK said Saturday, as foreign governments sounded the alarm over eroding freedoms in the former British colony. Victor Mallet, the FT's Asia news editor and a British national, earned the ire of authorities for hosting a speech by Andy Chan, the leader of a tiny pro-independence political party. Chan attacked China as an empire trying to "annex" and "destroy" Hong Kong in a strident speech at the city's Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC), where Mallet serves as vice president. China's foreign ministry had asked the club to pull the talk, but the FCC refused, arguing that all sides of a debate should be heard. Rival protesters picketed the lunchtime event and the city's former leader Leung Chun-ying called for the club to be evicted from its government-owned premises. The FT said Friday that immigration authorities in Hong Kong had declined to renew Mallet's visa, a decision rights groups and media organisations said was unprecedented. "We have asked the Hong Kong government for an urgent explanation," the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement. "Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and its press freedoms are central to its way of life, and must be fully respected." 'Disturbing' Semi-autonomous Hong Kong enjoys rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of expression, which are protected in the city's Basic Law and the handover agreement between China and Britain. But the space for dissent is shrinking as Beijing flexes its muscles. Hong Kong authorities last week banned Chan's Hong Kong National Party, calling it a threat to national security. It was the first ban on a political party since the territory reverted to Chinese control in 1997. The US consulate said Mallet's visa denial was "especially disturbing". "It mirrors problems faced by international journalists in the Mainland and appears inconsistent with the principles enshrined in the Basic Law," US consulate general spokesman Harvey Sernovitz told AFP. Hong Kong's last British governor Chris Patten said the move was a "serious blow against free speech" as well as defying the promise of a high degree of autonomy made to the city when it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997. "The Hong Kong and Beijing authorities should think again and fast," Patten told AFP. A handful of demonstrators rallied outside Hong Kong's immigration department on Saturday morning to protest the decision. "No political red line. We support free press," protesters chanted as they shredded a strip of red fabric to create a long ribbon. The slogan was in response to comments by Hong Kong's former leader Leung Chun-ying -- whose administration faced down major youth-led democracy protests in 2014 -- that discussion of Hong Kong independence "is an absolute and clear red line". The decision to deny Mallet a new visa was welcomed by pro-Beijing media in the city, however. A commentary in the Ta Kung Pao newspaper said the veteran journalist had to "pay the price" for giving exposure to Hong Kong's fringe independence movement, and said authorities may still act to evict the FCC from the premises it has occupied since 1982.

 UK seeks 'urgent explanation' as Hong Kong bans journalist

At the University of Buckingham, a course has been designed to teach would-be spies about the new global dangers. From January, students can get a Bachelor’s degree in security, intelligence and cyber threats. WION’s Mandy Clark travelled to Buckingham to find out more.&nbsp;

The University of Buckingham has created the first undergraduate degree in understanding international espionage. It’s run by Julian Richards, an expert on Pakistan who spent nearly 20 years working in the intelligence field -- but just don’t call his course a spy school.&nbsp;

"So, first of all, this is not a training programme for people going into the world of espionage. This is about these issues rather than training to do these things. The intelligence agencies train their own spies, we don’t do that here in the Universities, they pick the brightest people that they want and then they train them accordingly,” Richards notes. 
&nbsp; 
The issues covered in the course include modern challenges of terrorism, a possible new Cold War between Russia and the West, and cyber threats.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The goal of this course is to understand modern threats to the modern world. But you don’t have to cast away all thoughts of James Bond and his gadget inventor Q.&nbsp;

“Q is not entirely fictional in a way. Technology is an important part of this whole business, not just in governments but in commercial organisations as well. Things like autonomous technology, biomedical technology, the miniaturisation of surveillance devices, drones are the things we need to think about. We need to think about how they look, how they are going to be used, what are the ethical and legal considerations about these things not, just in governments, but across all sorts of organisations. We are not training people to be Q’s or to be James Bonds but we are equipping them with the consideration of what these things will mean and how we will have to develop strategies and policies to deal with it,” Richards added.&nbsp;

 
What the course doesn’t do is reveal how spies do what they do. That’s a secret, WION's Bureau Chief, London, Mandy Clark reported.&nbsp;

At the University of Buckingham, a course has been designed to teach would-be spies about the new global dangers. From January, students can get a Bachelor’s degree in security, intelligence and cyber threats.

At the University of Buckingham, a course has been designed to teach would-be spies about the new global dangers. From January, students can get a Bachelor’s degree in security, intelligence and cyber threats. WION’s Mandy Clark travelled to Buckingham to find out more. The University of Buckingham has created the first undergraduate degree in understanding international espionage. It’s run by Julian Richards, an expert on Pakistan who spent nearly 20 years working in the intelligence field -- but just don’t call his course a spy school. "So, first of all, this is not a training programme for people going into the world of espionage. This is about these issues rather than training to do these things. The intelligence agencies train their own spies, we don’t do that here in the Universities, they pick the brightest people that they want and then they train them accordingly,” Richards notes. The issues covered in the course include modern challenges of terrorism, a possible new Cold War between Russia and the West, and cyber threats. The goal of this course is to understand modern threats to the modern world. But you don’t have to cast away all thoughts of James Bond and his gadget inventor Q. “Q is not entirely fictional in a way. Technology is an important part of this whole business, not just in governments but in commercial organisations as well. Things like autonomous technology, biomedical technology, the miniaturisation of surveillance devices, drones are the things we need to think about. We need to think about how they look, how they are going to be used, what are the ethical and legal considerations about these things not, just in governments, but across all sorts of organisations. We are not training people to be Q’s or to be James Bonds but we are equipping them with the consideration of what these things will mean and how we will have to develop strategies and policies to deal with it,” Richards added. What the course doesn’t do is reveal how spies do what they do. That’s a secret, WION's Bureau Chief, London, Mandy Clark reported.

UK college offers espionage degree to decode modern threats to world

British Prime Minister Theresa May and her main rival Boris Johnson battled Tuesday to woo their Conservative party members, as the European Union raised the pressure on London to offer compromises to reach a Brexit deal.

Johnson will make his long-anticipated speech to the party's annual conference in Birmingham, central England, where he is expected to repeat his attacks on May's strategy for leaving the EU.

Aides to the charismatic former foreign minister said he would also cover a wide range of domestic issues, reinforcing speculation that he is making a pitch for May's job.

In broadcast interviews on Tuesday, the prime minister acknowledged Johnson's speech would be a "lively" event, and called for her party to "come together".

But she ensured she dominated the headlines by announcing a new immigration policy -- something that was not expected until Wednesday, and will address many Tory members' concerns.

Free movement of EU workers was a key issue in the 2016 vote for Brexit, and May confirmed that Europeans would be treated the same as non-EU citizens in future.

Her public battle with Johnson comes just weeks before May must return to Brussels in a bid to break the deadlock in Brexit negotiations and reach a deal.

The prime minister hinted at a possible compromise on how to keep the land border with Ireland open after Brexit, a key sticking point in the EU talks, on which London is due to publish new plans shortly.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker meanwhile warned that London's threat to walk away from the negotiations without a deal would have consequences.

"We want a deal. Those who think no deal would be the better solution are not aware of the difficulties such a scenario would imply," he told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Alternative plan

Johnson was a leading campaigner for Brexit in the referendum. Even after being appointed foreign minister he continually challenged May's EU strategy.

He quit in July in protest at her plan for Britain to follow EU rules in goods after Brexit, which she says will protect cross-border trade but he argues would keep London tied to the bloc well into the future.

The EU has also rejected the plan, saying it undermines the bloc's cherished single market.

Numerous eurosceptic Conservative MPs have already drawn big crowds in Birmingham as they offer their own idea for a looser trade arrangement with the EU.

Johnson endorses the same alternative proposal, but the maverick former London mayor has particular star power, and his lunchtime address in a 1,500-capacity hall is expected to be packed.

"He's not a details guy, but he's a guy who has vision. And he's a winner," said Ian Burgess, a delegate in his 60s from Somerset in western England.

Think he's a clown

Johnson is known for his wit and confrontational style, and before the event he posed for a press photograph in a field of long grass.

It clearly mocked May, who once said the naughtiest thing she had done was run through a field of wheat.

But Johnson's recent comments about her Brexit plan, calling it "deranged" and saying it strapped a suicide vest to the British constitution, have angered many fellow MPs.

Several former colleagues used the conference to make jokes at his expense, while finance minister Philip Hammond said his alternative Brexit plan was "fantasy".

Even former Brexit minister David Davis, a fellow eurosceptic who describes Johnson as a "great mate", said many of his ideas "are good headlines but not necessarily good policies".

Among the delegates, there is also unease about Johnson's public disagreements with May.

Amandeep Garcha, a 21-year-old student activist from Derby, backs Johnson's Brexit position, but said: "When you're high up in the ranks, you should deal with these things privately."

Mike Kay, a 34-year-old delegate from Manchester in northwest England, added: "He has a kind of charisma that so few others do. But he is very divisive, that's a problem.

"A large section of the country thinks he is a clown."

British Prime Minister Theresa May and her main rival Boris Johnson battled Tuesday to woo their Conservative party members, as the European Union raised the pressure on London to offer compromises to reach a Brexit deal.

British Prime Minister Theresa May and her main rival Boris Johnson battled Tuesday to woo their Conservative party members, as the European Union raised the pressure on London to offer compromises to reach a Brexit deal. Johnson will make his long-anticipated speech to the party's annual conference in Birmingham, central England, where he is expected to repeat his attacks on May's strategy for leaving the EU. Aides to the charismatic former foreign minister said he would also cover a wide range of domestic issues, reinforcing speculation that he is making a pitch for May's job. In broadcast interviews on Tuesday, the prime minister acknowledged Johnson's speech would be a "lively" event, and called for her party to "come together". But she ensured she dominated the headlines by announcing a new immigration policy -- something that was not expected until Wednesday, and will address many Tory members' concerns. Free movement of EU workers was a key issue in the 2016 vote for Brexit, and May confirmed that Europeans would be treated the same as non-EU citizens in future. Her public battle with Johnson comes just weeks before May must return to Brussels in a bid to break the deadlock in Brexit negotiations and reach a deal. The prime minister hinted at a possible compromise on how to keep the land border with Ireland open after Brexit, a key sticking point in the EU talks, on which London is due to publish new plans shortly. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker meanwhile warned that London's threat to walk away from the negotiations without a deal would have consequences. "We want a deal. Those who think no deal would be the better solution are not aware of the difficulties such a scenario would imply," he told the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Alternative plan Johnson was a leading campaigner for Brexit in the referendum. Even after being appointed foreign minister he continually challenged May's EU strategy. He quit in July in protest at her plan for Britain to follow EU rules in goods after Brexit, which she says will protect cross-border trade but he argues would keep London tied to the bloc well into the future. The EU has also rejected the plan, saying it undermines the bloc's cherished single market. Numerous eurosceptic Conservative MPs have already drawn big crowds in Birmingham as they offer their own idea for a looser trade arrangement with the EU. Johnson endorses the same alternative proposal, but the maverick former London mayor has particular star power, and his lunchtime address in a 1,500-capacity hall is expected to be packed. "He's not a details guy, but he's a guy who has vision. And he's a winner," said Ian Burgess, a delegate in his 60s from Somerset in western England. Think he's a clown Johnson is known for his wit and confrontational style, and before the event he posed for a press photograph in a field of long grass. It clearly mocked May, who once said the naughtiest thing she had done was run through a field of wheat. But Johnson's recent comments about her Brexit plan, calling it "deranged" and saying it strapped a suicide vest to the British constitution, have angered many fellow MPs. Several former colleagues used the conference to make jokes at his expense, while finance minister Philip Hammond said his alternative Brexit plan was "fantasy". Even former Brexit minister David Davis, a fellow eurosceptic who describes Johnson as a "great mate", said many of his ideas "are good headlines but not necessarily good policies". Among the delegates, there is also unease about Johnson's public disagreements with May. Amandeep Garcha, a 21-year-old student activist from Derby, backs Johnson's Brexit position, but said: "When you're high up in the ranks, you should deal with these things privately." Mike Kay, a 34-year-old delegate from Manchester in northwest England, added: "He has a kind of charisma that so few others do. But he is very divisive, that's a problem. "A large section of the country thinks he is a clown."

UK's May and Johnson battle it out as Brexit deadline looms

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