Brexit news latest – British patrol boat boards Irish trawler in first post-Brexit fishing clash
AN Irish trawler was barred from fishing in UK waters by a patrol boat in the first post-Brexit fishing clash.
The Northern Celt's skipper was told he was no longer allowed to fish around Rockall - 260 miles west of Scotland's Western Isles.
He said the area is has now been blacklisted from counts for 30 per cent of his annual catch.
Throughout Brexit negotiations, fishing was one of the main sticking points.
But Dublin has never recognised the UK's claims of sovereignty over Rockall - sparking clashes over the fishing waters that surround it.
Skipper Adrian McClenaghan told RTE News: "They informed us we could no longer fish inside the 12 mile limit of Rockall."
The news comes as a number of EU firms refused to deliver products to the UK claiming post-Brexit tax rules make it too expensive.
And some deliveries to Northern Ireland have been delayed since Christmas, with delivery operators "uncertain" of new rules post-Brexit, according to the BBC.
Follow all the latest news and reaction to the end of the transition period in our live blog below...
THREE LABOUR MPs RESIGN AFTER DEFYING KEIR STARMER'S ORDERS
Three Labour MPs have resigned as junior frontbenchers after defying Sir Keir Starmer and refusing to vote for Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.
The Labour leader ordered his party to vote in favour of the Prime Minister’s Brexit trade deal, arguing the alternative would be for the UK to leave the Brexit transition period without a EU trade agreement in place.
Tonia Antoniazzi, the MP for Gower, Helen Hayes, the Dulwich and West Norwood MP, and Florence Eshalomi, the MP for Vauxhall, resigned from their junior frontbench posts so as to abstain as MPs voted on the legislation implementing the agreement.
In a statement on her website, Hayes, who was a shadow Cabinet Office minister, said: “This is a bad deal which will make our country poorer. It will cost jobs, undermine our security, weaken our standing in the world, risk workers’ rights and environmental protections, and limit opportunities for our children and grandchildren.”
PM CONGRATULATES OXFORD VACCINE TEAM
Boris Johnson has thanked the scientists and volunteers behind the Oxford / AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, following its approval for UK use today.
The Prime Minister posted a photo to social media, showing his video call with the team responsible for the vaccine, as he congratulated them on today’s news.
CORBYN ISSUES BREXIT STATEMENT
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, has published a statement on his Facebook page detailing why he did not vote for the Brexit trade bill.
The statement reads: “Whilst the public debate has been dominated by issues of fishing – and in the end there is a five-year extension on that matter – other matters however have received no scrutiny or debate, despite being crucial to the society we wish to be and the country we must build over the coming years.
Of particular importance from a progressive perspective, is that far from protecting workers rights, and environmental standards, they apparently are dependent on whether or not they have any effect on 'trade or investment'.
Indeed, Johnson confirmed this morning there would be no keeping up with any future alignment with the EU. We know what the Conservative agenda on these rights mean – they have never missed an opportunity to further exploit workers and our environment, and they have sought to create an opportunity for themselves in what they have negotiated ...
There has also been a claim that Johnson wanted to be free from the EU state aid rules, briefing that they were restrictive of government intervention to support economic development.
My belief has always been that these are restrictive and would hamper a progressive Labour government trying to regenerate the most left behind parts of Britain - but this deal does not break free of state aid or public procurement restrictions, or of commitments to competition and privatisation of public services. They are baked into the deal.”
SIR KEIR STARMER: VOTE IN FAVOUR OF PM'S DEAL
Sir Keir Starmer ordered his party to vote in favour of the Prime Minister’s Brexit trade deal, which was overwhelmingly approved by MPs today.
The Labour leader argued the alternative would be for the UK to leave the Brexit transition period without a EU trade agreement in place.
In a message to MPs who had planned to vote against the deal, Sir Keir said: "When the default is no deal it's not a mark of how pro-European you are to reject implementing this treaty.”
"It isn't in the national interest to duck a question or to hide in the knowledge that others will save you from the consequences of your own vote."
The Labour leader said the agreement would "put in place a floor from which we can build a strong future relationship with the EU" - however also criticised the "thin deal" as having "many flaws" and a "gaping hole" in the agreement's provisions for the services sector.
EU MIGRANTS DENIED BENEFITS
EU migrants who come to Britain from January 1 will not be able to claim benefits - including Universal Credit - for five years.
Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey today announced the new post-Brexit benefits system, which means all migrants are treated the same - no matter where they arrived from.
Under the new rules, child benefits will no longer be paid out for kids not living in the UK.
Ms Coffey hailed the post-Brexit welfare system as one which "restores fairness" by "treating EU and non-EU migrants equally".
She said: "It is both right and fair that people making the UK their home should pay into the tax system for a reasonable period of time before they can access the benefit system.”
Previously, Europeans could claim benefits within their first year of living in the UK.
PRIME MINISTER: 'WE WILL GET THROUGH IT'
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was asked at today’s Downing Street address what the Brexit deal means for him on a personal level.
The Prime Minister replied “grim determination, something like that," of his own emotional state.
"But we will get through it."
QUEEN TO RUBBER STAMP DEAL AFTER LORDS' DEBATE
The second and third readings of the Brexit deal has passed overwhelmingly - after it goes to the House of Lords it will finally be rubber stamped by the Queen.
But The Queen could be forced to stay up into the early hours of Thursday morning to give the Royal Assent.
PEERS CONTINUE TO DEBATE BREXIT BILL
After MPs gave their overwhelming support to the PM's Brexit deal, the House of Lords are now debating the new bill.
Over 120 members of the House of Lords are expected to speak in the second reading of the bill.
HOUSE OF COMMONS CHRISTMAS RECESS EXTENDED
Downing Street has announced the House of Commons Christmas recess will be extended to January 11.
The prime minister’s spokesman said the move was due to the fact that many MPs had to work through Christmas to prepare for the vote on the Brexit deal.
He added that it was also to give recognition of the extra work that the parliamentary staff had had to do over the holiday period to allow MPs to return.
BORIS JOHNSON GIVES THUMBS UP AS HE SIGNS EU DEAL
Boris Johnson gives a thumbs up to the British Ambassador to the EU, Tim Barrow as he signs the Brexit trade deal with the EU.
Top EU chiefs added their signatures to the document at a ceremony in Brussels this morning.
The document was then whisked from Brussels to No 10 Downing Street by an RAF plane this lunchtime.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty PM LASHES OUT AT LABOUR LEADER WHO BRANDED DEAL AS 'THIN'
The PM lashed out at Labour boss Sir Keir Starmer today for suggesting he could change the Brexit agreement in future, saying: "We got Brexit done, let's keep Brexit done."
But Sir Keir said today "a thin deal is better than no deal" and vowed his party would back it in the Commons later.
He added to Plaid Cymru critics who will oppose it: "Those who vote no, are voting for deal.
He urged Britain to "come together and look to a better future", adding: "The Leave/Remain argument is over - no matter which side you were on."
SECOND AND THIRD READINGS OF BREXIT BILL SAIL THROUGH PARLIAMENT
The second and third readings of the Brexit deal bill has passed overwhelmingly - it now goes to the House of Lords and finally to be rubber stamped by the Queen later today.
Just two Tories rebelled on the Brexit trade deal - Owen Paterson and John Redwood- abstained on the agreement.
36 leftie Labour MPs did not vote, including Diane Abbott, Barry Gardiner, John McDonnell and Rebecca Long-Bailey.
Helen Hayes quit her position on Labour's shadow team so she could rebel, and just one Labour MP voted against the deal - Bell Ribeiro-Addy.
It came just hours after the EU signed off the deal their end - and sent a copy on an RAF plane back to Britain for Mr Johnson to sign too.
BORIS TO LEAD PRESS CONFERENCE AT 5PM
BORIS Johnson will lead a lead Downing Street press conference at 5pm this afternoon, No10 has confirmed today.
It’s likely to be on the new Tiers system or the schools announcement due to the mounting Covid crisis.
But Mr Johnson will probably also celebrate the government's landmark win in passing the Brexit deal through the House of Commons today.
'IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS WE WILL LEAVE THE EU SINGLE MARKET', SAYS PM
Boris Johnson has told the Commons his deal "should allow companies to do even more business" with the EU in future too and protect "millions of jobs and livelihoods in UK and across the continent".
He added: "In less than 48 hours, we will leave the EU single market and the customs union, as we promised."
Mr Johnson said it accomplished something which "the British people always knew in their hearts could be done" - access to the market but the ability to set our own laws.
The PM added: "We were told we could not have our cake and eat it - how many times were we told that?"
But Britain will now be able to "trade and cooperate - while retaining sovereign control of our laws and our national destiny."
'BREXIT IS NOT THE END BUT A BEGINNING', SAYS PMMr Johnson attempted to join the nation and MPs together by promising today that Britain would be "the best friend and ally the EU could have", whilst fulfilling the "sovereign wish" of the British people to live under their own laws.
He told MPs ahead of the momentous vote this afternoon: "Having taken back control of our money, our laws, our borders and our waters from the European Union on January 1.
"We now seize this moment to forge a new relationship with our European neighbours based on free trade and friendly cooperations".
He hailed the deal as one of the "biggest free trade agreements in the world" - at more than £600billion. And it was now up to us what we do with the new-found freedoms the country has finally taken back.
"I have always said Brexit is not the end but a beginning," he added.
HISTORIC COMMONS VOTE SEES BREXIT DEAL PASS
MPS today voted overwhelmingly to pass Boris Johnson's Brexit deal by 521 to 73 in a historic Commons vote.
The PM opened the Brexit debate in the Commons today ahead of a historic vote this afternoon when MPs rubber stamped his agreement - which will come into force tomorrow night.
The second reading passed overwhelmingly, and now the Commons are pressing through with the other stages before it goes to the Lords, and finally to be rubber stamped by the Queen later.
It came just hours after the EU signed off the deal their end - and sent a copy on an RAF plane back to Britain for Mr Johnson to sign too.
Only SNP, DUP, Plaid Cymru and a handful of Labour MPs opposed the bill today.
MPS VOTE IN FAVOUR OF BREXIT DEAL BY A MAJORITY OF 521.
MPs have voted in favour of the Brexit deal by a majority of 521 – 73 MPs voted against the bill.
The European Union (Future Relationship) Bill will make the EU-UK post-Brexit trade deal agreed last week law.
Now MPs have voted on the bill, it will be read a third time before passing to the House of Lords to ratify the deal.
MICHAEL GOVE ENDS SPEECH AND LOBBY CLEARED FOR VOTING
Michael Gove closed the second reading of the Brexit bill by calling for Brits to “all come together”.
However, the Cabinet minister also made several swipes at the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford and his party.
Mr Gove branded the SNP: “Inconsistent, incoherent and even at risk of self-incarceration - the SNP are indeed prisoners of a separatist ideology which puts their narrow nationalism ahead of our national interest.”
Striking a more positive tone, Michael Gove added: “Let’s remember how important it is that we should all now come together. That there are no such things anymore as remainers or leavers. What we all are are Britons dedicated to a brighter future, stronger together, sovereign again, dedicated to sharing a future solidarity and excellence - and that is why I commend this bill to the house.”
The house has now been cleared as MPs vote on the deal.
MICHAEL GOVE CLOSES DEBATE BEFORE MPS VOTE ON DEAL
Michael Gove closes the MPs' debate by thanking the Speaker of the House, Britain's negotiating team and "thousands of civil servants" who have worked on the deal since 2016.
In total 59 MPs have spoken and Mr Gove thanked those MPs who voted remain and yet eloquently, passionately spoke today and chose to support the deal.
Mr Gove said: "Democracy is why we are here. More people in 2016 to leave the European Union than have ever voted for any proposition in our history.
"And now four and a half years later we can say that we have kept faith in our people."
Mr Gove said the new deal will leave us "sovereign equals with the EU".
WHEN WILL MPS VOTE ON THE BREXIT DEAL?
Parliament was recalled from recess today to debate and vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal - just one day before the transition period ends.
The majority of MPs are set to back the deal, with key Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash hailing the PM's efforts in ending "parliamentary paralysis" by securing an agreement.
Opposition MPs voiced concerns on fishing, security and the government's claim of "frictionless trade" with the EU.
The SNP, Plaid Cymru, Lib Dems and the DUP have said they will oppose the deal.
The vote is scheduled for 2:30pm this afternoon, meaning the House of Commons will have had five hours to debate the deal.
'BREXIT IS A BEGINNING'
MPs are debating the historic Brexit deal in the House of Commons today, and Brexiteer MPs have backed the pact - saying it restores sovereignty to the UK.
It came just hours after the EU signed off the deal their end - and sent a copy on an RAF plane back to Britain for Mr Johnson to sign too.
MPs are expected to pass the deal with a huge majority - as Labour will back it.
Only SNP, DUP, Plaid Cymru and a handful of Labour MPs will oppose it.
Mr Johnson attempted to join the nation and MPs together by promising today that Britain would be "the best friend and ally the EU could have", whilst fulfilling the "sovereign wish" of the British people to live under their own laws.
EU MIGRANTS WHO COME TO UK AFTER JAN 1 WON'T BE ABLE TO CLAIM BENEFITS FOR FIVE YEARS
EU migrants who come to Britain from January 1 will not be able to claim benefits - including Universal Credit - for five years.
Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey announced today the new post-Brexit benefits system which means all migrants are treated the same - no matter where they arrived from.
Under the new rules, child benefits will no longer be paid out for kids not living in the UK.
Ms Coffey hailed the post-Brexit welfare system as one which "restores fairness" by "treating EU and non-EU migrants equally".
She said: "It is both right and fair that people making the UK their home should pay into the tax system for a reasonable period of time before they can access the benefit system.”
BORIS TO LEAD PRESS CONFERENCE AT 5PM
BORIS Johnson will lead a lead Downing Street press conference at 5pm this afternoon, No10 has confirmed today.
It's likely to be on the new Tiers system or the schools announcement - as two announcements are expected in the House of Commons later.
Mr Hancock is expected to confirm millions more Brits will be plunged into Tier 4 in the days to come - thanks to the mutant virus which is spreading even more quickly across the country.
He will give a statement to the House of Commons at 3pm.
And Mr Williamson will give the nation an update on schools - and when kids will be going back to classrooms.
HOUSE OF COMMONS CHRISTMAS RECESS EXTENDED
Downing Street has announced the House of Commons Christmas recess will be extended to January 11.
The prime minister’s spokesman said the move was due to the fact that many MPs had had to work through Christmas to prepare for the vote on the Brexit deal.
He added that it was also to give recognition of the extra work that the parliamentary staff had had to do over the holiday period to allow MPs to return.
BORIS RETURNS TO NUMBER 10 AFTER STARTING TRADE DEAL PARLIAMENT DEBATE
Boris Johnson has returned to Downing Street after starting the debate on his trade deal with the European Parliament.
The European Union's top officials have formally signed the Brexit deal with the United Kingdom.
Now lawmakers in London are set to vote on the agreement with the Commons expected to spend five hours scrutinising the 80-page bill.
The Prime Minister smiled and waved to camera's after removing his face mask, as he entered number 10.
NINTCHDBPICT000628082977Credit: Reuters
