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...
STOCKS SOAR AND BREXIT IS DESCRIBED AS A "BLESSING"
AvaTrade analyst Naeem Aslam told AFP: "The Brexit deal is really a blessing... for the UK and for the FTSE 100 index.
"There is no doubt that the FTSE 100 has been a laggard index and now is its time to shine."
He says this as stocks surged upwards today and investors jumped into action over Britain's long-awaited Brexit deal with the EU.
The FTSE 100 index shot up 2.2 percent in late morning deals - having last traded on Christmas Eve before the announcement that Britain and the EU finally struck a trade deal.
The pound climbed against the dollar but steadied versus the euro.
UK SAYS DEAL IS 'GOOD' FOR FISHERIES INDUSTRY
Reuters reports that a senior member of the UK negotiating team says the UK/EU trade agreements is a good deal for fisheries industry to rebuild itself.
This comes as London stocks surged today with investors relieved over Britain's long-awaited Brexit deal with the EU.
'FREEDOM IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT'
Boris Johnson has said “freedom is what you make it” and that he hopes the public are now reassured as he promises to break free from EU rules after signing a Brexit deal.
The trade deal was finally secured on Christmas Eve after four years of bitter wrangling between the UK and EU.
More on the story here
Boris Johnson holds a Brexit press conference after signing the dealCredit: Crown Copyright
SCOTLAND'S INTERESTS 'ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY DEAL'
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the analysis was "deeply troubling" and that "Scotland's interests are adversely impacted by the deal reached by the UK and the EU".
He added: "Scottish coastal communities were told that any Brexit deal would mean a very large rise in fishing opportunities.
"In fact, for the key stocks that the Scottish industry depends on, far from seeing a big increase, there will actually be a fall in the quantity of fish they can land.
"We were also told that a red line for the UK Government was that the fisheries deal would not be tied to the overall trade deal.
"In fact, fisheries is hardwired into the overall deal, meaning any attempt to reduce EU access in future will lead to trade sanctions - hitting key Scottish industries like salmon producers."
KEY FISHING STOCKS IN SCOTLAND COULD FALL
Key fishing stocks landed by the Scottish fleet are set to fall as a result of the Brexit fisheries deal, according to Scottish Government analysis.
The study suggests eight fish stocks will not present an increase in fishing opportunities, with ministers also saying shares in five-and-a-half years' time will still be less than their current equivalent.
Currently, the average UK landing percentage of total EU and UK quota combined for North Sea cod is 63.5 per cent.
However, the analysis says this will drop to 57 per cent - the maximum percentage of total EU and UK quota available to the UK - under the Brexit deal.
Similar decreases have been estimated for North Sea haddock (92.5 per cent to 84.2 per cent), Rockall haddock (88.4 per cent to 85 per cent), North Sea saithe (31.6 per cent to 26 per cent), North Sea whiting (82.7 per cent to 73.5 per cent) and North Sea hake (55.6 per cent to 53.6 per cent).
The figures remain the same both before and after the deal for Rockall cod (75 per cent) and West of Scotland cod (81.2 per cent).
BREXIT IS HAPPENING 'AGAINST SCOTLAND'S WILL', SAYS STURGEON
RYANAIR AND WIZZ AIR STRIP UK SHAREHOLDERS OF VOTING RIGHTS
British shareholders in Ryanair and Wizz Air will have their voting rights removed after the end of the Brexit transition period, as the two London-listed airlines moved to protect their European licences.
Ryanair said on Tuesday that it would move ahead with plans to treat so-called ordinary or depositary shares as restricted shares if they are owned by non-EU nationals.
This will include British citizens, the airline said.
It followed a similar move by Hungarian airline Wizz Air, which is also listed in London.
BUSINESSES AND CITIZENS NEED TO GET READY FOR CHANGES
Senior Cabinet minister Michael Gove said: “The deal is done, but with big change comes challenge and opportunity.
“The nature of our new relationship with the EU - outside the Single Market and Customs Union - means that there are practical and procedural changes that businesses and citizens need to get ready for, and time to make these final preparations is very short.”
Michael Gove said citizens and businesses need to get ready for changesCredit: AFP or licensors DEAL PROVIDES 'REASSURANCE'
Chancellor Rishi Sunak added: "This deal also provides reassurance because there's a stable, regulatory co-operative framework mentioned in the deal which I think will give people that reassurance that we will remain in close dialogue with our European partners.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said the Brexit deal provides reassuranceCredit: PA:Press Association
TURNING LONDON INTO A GLOBAL FINANCIAL POWERHOUSE
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he was examining how to turn London into a global financial powerhouse now the shackles of the EU have been freed.
He added he was exploring “how we make the City of London the most attractive place to list new companies anywhere in the world.”
TRADE DEAL WITH TURKEY TO COME
Britain is poised to sign a bumper trade deal with Turkey as the ink on the EU agreement was still drying.
Trade Secretary Liz Truss signed off a £18.6bn pact as Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the nation can now "do things a bit differently" after sealing the Christmas Brexit deal.
Ms Truss and her team have now agreed trade deals with 62 countries, alongside the new EU deal - accounting for around £885bn of UK trade.
She said: “We now look forward to working with Turkey towards an ambitious tailor-made trade agreement in the near future, as we aim to open new global markets for great British businesses, drive economic growth and improve people’s lives across both countries.”
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Liz Truss said she looks forward to working with TurkeyCredit: Reuters MICHEL BARNIER SAYS HE WANTS TO SERVE FRANCE
Michel Barnier said he saw himself serving his home country, France, in the future, following his work on negotiating Britain's exit from the EU.
"I will use my energy to work for my country," the centre-right politician told Franceinfo radio when asked about his plans, adding that France was in need of "unity, solidarity and justice".
"I am a patriot and a European. I never stopped being involved in the French political debate. I will see where I can be useful," he said.
Michel Barnier said he wants to serve France in the futureCredit: AFP STILL SOME ELEMENTS TO DEFINE
Michel Barnier said there were still some elements to define in the EU's future relationship with Britain.
They include foreign policy cooperation.
DEAL BRINGS STABILITY, SAYS BARNIER
European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the trade deal struck with Britain was a relief and provided stability for people and companies.
"We've delivered an orderly Brexit," Barnier told Franceinfo radio. The last-gasp deal clinched a week before the year-end deadline brought "a little stability," he added.
'SOVEREIGN EQUALS'
WE ARE IN A 'STRONGER POSITION'
Under the terms of the agreement, 25 per cent of EU boats’ fishing rights in Britain’s waters will be transferred to the UK fishing fleet, over a five-and-half year transition period.
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove said: “I think it is fair to say that we are in a stronger position than we were in the EU and in the common fisheries policy.”
DEAL 'RESPECTS OUR RIGHTS'
Dominic Raab said “the deal respects our rights as an independent coastal state, delivering total control over our fisheries.”
He added: “This benefits the whole UK, but particularly our fishing communities in Scotland.”
'PRECIOUS UNION'
The Brexit trade deal will boost all four nations of “our precious Union”, Dominic Raab has said.
Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Raab says: “Prime Minister secured a deal that enables the UK to take back control over our laws, borders, money, fisheries and trade policy – as any self-confident, independent, democracy would expect.
“It delivers a zero-tariff, zero-quota, free trade deal with the EU – the largest in the world. It has also confounded the sceptics.
“There is no role for the European Court, and we are free to implement our points-based immigration system. We’ve also reinforced all four nations of our precious union.”
Dominic Raab said the deal will reinforce 'our precious Union'Credit: Goff Photos DEAL WILL MAKE UK THRIVE
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has said firms will be able to flourish and take full advantage of a wave of new opportunities coming from fresh trade agreements.
Writing in The Sun, he said the Brexit deal "will see the United Kingdom thrive outside the EU and cement its place as the best place in the world to start, grow and run a business."
Alok Sharma said the UK will thrive outside the EUCredit: AFP or licensors TUNNEL VISION
A British prisoner who escaped from jail was caught trying to walk the entire length of the Channel Tunnel to France.
The 31-year-old man was spotted disappearing into the mouth of the 31-mile tunnel near Folkestone, Kent, a week ago.
But he is now back behind bars after he was caught by French cops.
Police teams were alerted on both sides of the Tunnel , and it was French officials who eventually found the man.
KEIR’S FEARS
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing a high-profile revolt over his decision to back Boris Johnson's EU trade deal in this week's Commons vote.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and ex-cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw are among the signatories to a statement calling on opposition parties not to support the "rotten" agreement, .
Sir Keir has said that he will call on Labour MPs to support the "thin" post-Brexit free trade agreement, despite misgivings that it would fail to protect many key economic sectors.
He argued, however, that the alternative of ending the Brexit transition period on December 31 without a deal in place would be even worse for the economy.
THANK YOU BREX
EU ambassadors have approved the Brexit trade deal with the UK, ahead of the MPs vote.
The deal, hammered out on Christmas Eve ahead of implementation on January 1, has been given another green light with the unanimous approval.
"EU ambassadors have unanimously approved the provisional application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement as of January 1, 2021," a spokesman for the German presidency said.
It comes as MPs in Britain prepare to vote on the deal in a special sitting of Parliament on Wednesday.
The European Parliament must also formally ratify the deal in the new year - although this will now apply retrospectively.
SKI RUN-DAY
'Brexit badboy' Andy Wigmore was among hundreds of Brits who fled Switzerland to avoid a Christmas quarantine.
Ex-diplomat Wigmore, 54, boasted he "ran for it" to France before quarantine came into effect on December 22.
The Brexiteer spokesman for Leave.EU campaign co-founder Arron Banks was staying at the Wengen ski resort with his family before the last-minute dash.
They made it to France 20 minutes before the Covid quarantine was introduced.
It came after hundreds of Brit tourists fled another luxury Swiss ski resort under the cover of darkness after being forced into Covid quarantine.
JAB ROLLOUT
Europe began rolling out its coronavirus vaccine programme yesterday - almost three weeks behind the UK.
Batches of the Pfizer jab were flown and driven out to 27 countries around the EU in the run up to Christmas from the HQ in Belgium.
Although the official start date was yesterday three countries - Slovakia, Bulgaria and Germany - started inoculations on Boxing Day.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter: "Today, we start turning the page on a difficult year. The #COVID19 vaccine has been delivered to all EU countries. Vaccination will begin tomorrow across the EU.
"The #EUvaccinationdays are a touching moment of unity. Vaccination is the lasting way out of the pandemic," she added.
'THE RIGHT DEAL'
Boris Johnson appears to have won the backing of hardline Eurosceptics for his trade deal with the EU.
Ahead of a Commons vote, the European Research Group of MPs has been picking over the 1,200-page documentwith a 'star chamber' of lawyersbefore deciding whether to support it.
The trade deal was finally secured on Christmas Eve after four years of bitter wrangling between the UK and EU.
MPs will vote on the deal on December 30 after the Government ordered Parliament to be recalled.
The ERG said it would reconvene its 'Star Chamber', that reviewed Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement last year, with veteran Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash, 80, once again the chairman.