United Kingdom

    British diplomats will pull out from the EU’s institutional structures of power in Brussels within days, under plans being drawn up by Downing Street. In an attempt to reinforce the message that the UK is leaving the EU by 31 October, “do or die”, the UK would stop attending the day-to-day meetings that inform the bloc’s decision-making. The move under discussion is said by UK officials to be in line with Boris Johnson’s first statement in the House of Commons, in which he said he would “unshackle” British diplomacy from EU affairs. Critics have countered that the symbolic walkout would merely leave the UK blindsided on decisions and ultimately damage the national interest. EU working group meetings at which British diplomats were expected to take their seats alon...

    Boris Johnson has vowed to come down hard on crime by extending police stop-and-search powers and toughening up prison sentences. The prime minister, echoing the words of home secretary Priti Patel last week, said he wanted criminals to be afraid, rather than the public. He also announced plans to invest £2.5bn to create 10,000 new places to relieve the pressure on overcrowded jails. It follows the government’s announcement that an extra 20,000 police officers would be recruited over the next three years. Mr Johnson revealed the plans for a crackdown on violent criminals in an article for the Mail on Sunday, in which he cited rising knife crime and the recent machete attack on a police officer. We have the impression of a growing culture of insolence on the part ...

    Boris Johnson has left the door open to ensuring Brexit happens on 31 October even if he loses a no-confidence vote in the run-up to Britain's scheduled EU exit. Asked whether he would call a possible election required if no new government can be formed if he is ousted by MPs, the prime minister said: "We are going to leave the EU on 31 October, which is what the people of this country voted for. "It's what MPs voted for and that's what I think the parliamentarians of this country should get on and do." Pressed on whether he would be happy to disregard the will of parliament if it did express no-confidence in him, Mr Johnson replied: "I think that MPs should get on what they have promised over and over and over again to the people of this country. "They will deliv...

    A newlywed couple were forced to abandon their dream honeymoon after British Airways’s IT system went into meltdown, with holidaymakers facing more chaos today. Muhammad and Sanya Ismail, from Essex, were among thousands stranded when the airline’s check-in technology failed yesterday. BA warned that passengers faced further disruption on Thursday after yesterday’s glitch led to almost 130 flights being cancelled and around 300 delayed. Mr and Mrs Ismail were due to transfer from Italy to Heathrow before travelling to the Maldives for the second leg of their honeymoon yesterday. © Provided by Independent Digital News & Media Limited Muhammad and Sanya Ismail were forced to abandon their dream honeymoon to the Maldives (Muhammad Ismail ) But they were stuck at ...

    Boris Johnson is facing fresh legal action for allegedly “lying and misleading the British public” during the EU referendum campaign. A man who crowdfunded a private prosecution against the now prime minister is attempting to take the legal battle to the Supreme Court after losing the latest stage. A judge initially summonsed Mr Johnson to appear in court over accusations of misconduct in public office in May, but the Divisional Court overturned the ruling last month. Marcus Ball, a 29-year-old entrepreneur who has so far raised £570,000 for the case, is now seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. His lawyers have filed an application challenging the Divisional Court’s decision to quash the summons, arguing that judges were wrong to find that misconduct...

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been warned that there can be no Brexit deal without the Irish backstop by one of Emmanuel Macron’s strongest allies. Former French EU minister Nathalie Loiseau sent the stark warning to Mr Johnson on Sunday morning, telling Sky News “we would not ratify the Withdrawal Agreement without a backstop”. Ms Loiseau told Sky’s Sophie Ridge: “The way the UK wants to leave the EU, you have a choice there is the Withdrawal Agreement which is on the table or there is no deal. “Let me say this clearly, there is nothing in between. You have the British Parliament but we have the European Parliament and we would not ratify the Withdrawal Agreement without a backstop.” Ms Loiseau also suggested the EU will refuse to talk trade with Mr Johnson un...

    Jeremy Corbyn has told Sky News he is "absolutely" preparing to take on Boris Johnson in a general election. The Labour leader was speaking in Mansfield, a Nottinghamshire town that was represented by the Labour Party for almost a century before it elected its first Conservative MP in 2017. He told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "I've got my summer campaign plan in place, we've got most of our candidates selected in all our marginal constituencies. "We have many other policy announcements in place, particularly the ones on the Green Industrial Revolution and the Green New Deal that we're putting forward, and working out more details on our health and social care policies. "But fundamentally it's about reducing inequality in Britain and about investing in good qualit...

Boris Johnson’s government has played down the idea of fresh Brexit talks with the EU unless Brussels first agrees to reopen the entire withdrawal agreement and scrap the Irish backstop, both of which have been repeatedly ruled out. In a stance that appears to place the UK more firmly on course for a no-deal departure on 31 October, Downing Street said there were no new Brexit talks scheduled, and that Johnson was clear what the basis for those discussions needs to be. His spokesman said: I don’t have a date to point you towards. The PM has been very clear that he is ready to begin having those discussions, but obviously the key point is the withdrawal agreement is not going to pass parliament, so that is going to mean reopening the withdrawal agreement. He added: He will be energetic...

    The French government has warned Boris Johnson against playing games with the Irish border after the new British prime minister demanded the ditching of the backstop. Amélie de Montchalin, France’s minister for European affairs, said both sides should avoid “games, gestures and provocations” with just three months to go before the UK is due to leave the EU. Speaking alongside her Irish counterpart, Helen McEntee, during a visit to the Irish border, De Montchalin said the French president, Emmanuel Macron, would hold talks with Johnson in France in the coming weeks. She said there was “solidarity” with Ireland and reiterated that the withdrawal agreement was “the best we have” and would not be renegotiated. De Montchalin said: “As you know, France has a simple appr...

    It’s been a long time in the making, but Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton reportedly text each other now that their relationship has grown closer. In fact, according to one royal reporter, the royal sisters-in-law “text regularly,” talking consistently enough that it would seem the women have grown genuinely fond of each other. Kinda tugs on your heartstrings, huh? For as much drama as has reportedly passed between the women since Meghan joined the royal family, it would appear they’re putting any tension behind them. Royal writer Carolyn Durand debunked lingering rumors of a rift between the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex, telling Hello! that the women bonded over motherhood (via The Sun). Kate was a great source of support to Meghan in the days le...