Politics

Armed Royal Navy boats are being prepared to patrol the UK’s fishing waters in an apparent final warning shot to Brussels as negotiations enter the final 48 hours.  Four of the 80-metre vessels are on standby to guard British waters from EU fishermen in case no deal is agreed on fishing rights after the Brexit

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the UK and EU “remain apart on fundamental issues” ahead of Sunday’s deadline for a Brexit trade deal. Speaking at a Brussels summit of EU leaders, Ms von der Leyen set out continuing differences between EU and UK negotiators on so-called level playing field provisions and

Supermarkets and their shoppers could be hit with a £3.1bn annual bill on food and drink if there is no post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said that, if there is no breakthrough in negotiations, 85% of food imported from the EU is expected to face tariffs of more than

There is a “strong possibility” no post-Brexit trade deal will be struck with the EU, Boris Johnson has warned. The prime minister told British citizens and businesses to “make proper preparations” for the scenario, which would come into effect on 1 January 2021. He added that Brussels’ current offer “isn’t right for the UK” and

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has told Sky News that Sunday will be a “point of finality” for Brexit trade talks if the EU does not “move substantially” in negotiations. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday night shared a three-hour dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the hope of breaking months of

There is now a “smoother glidepath” towards a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU after the government ditched plans that could have seen the UK breach international law, Michael Gove has told Sky News. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is heading to Brussels this afternoon in a last-ditch bid to make a breakthrough in trade negotiations

Boris Johnson is dashing to Brussels for dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, hoping for an early Christmas present: a Brexit deal. With deadlock after months of talks between UK and EU negotiators, the prime minister is aiming for an 11th-hour breakthrough in what could be a make-or-break meeting. Mr Johnson will

The government will drop parts of legislation that could have seen the UK break international law after reaching an “agreement in principle” on Brexit divorce issues. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said he was “delighted” to have reached an agreement, including on post-Brexit arrangements for the Irish border. As a result, the government said it

Boris Johnson has said the conclusion of a Brexit trade deal is “looking very, very difficult at the moment” as he prepares for a make-or-break visit to Brussels. The prime minister said: “You’ve got to be optimistic, you’ve got to believe there’s the power of sweet reason to get this thing over the line. “But

Boris Johnson will head to Brussels for post-Brexit trade talks after a phone call with the EU Commission president ended with “significant differences” unresolved. The pair spoke on Monday afternoon – their second conversation in 48 hours – but were unable to overcome the three remaining stumbling blocks: Governance, the level playing field and fisheries.

We are finally at the end game of Brexit. Four and a half years since the referendum, in the next few days the UK and EU will have to decide whether we exit our relationship with the 27-strong bloc with a trade deal or without one. When Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President

Former footballer Gary Neville has criticised Labour’s decision to abstain in a vote on coronavirus restrictions, saying: “You’re the opposition, don’t sit in the stand.” “They sat in the stand whilst the home team had a clear run,” Neville told Sophy Ridge on Sunday in reference to the vote last Tuesday on the government’s new

Brexit trade talks are “in a very difficult position, there’s no point denying that”, Environment Secretary George Eustice has told Sky News. Speaking to Sophy Ridge On Sunday, he said progress was being made but then the EU “added a whole load of additional demands” which created problems and was a “setback”. The minister said

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been forced back into self-isolation after a member of his staff tested positive for coronavirus. A spokesperson for Sir Keir said: “Keir is well and not showing any symptoms. He will now be working from home.” He is not thought to be showing any symptoms, but is expected to

Saturday could be the most important day in Brexit since the UK’s formal exit from the EU at the end of January. Significant gaps remain between the two sides in the negotiation over a post-Brexit trade deal. Talks between the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost have reached the end

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has been arrested in connection with an investigation into building and planning developments in the city, Sky News understands. He is one of five men arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation offences. None have been charged or named by Merseyside Police, with the force releasing