EU to allow data to continue to flow to UK
The appointment of the UK’s chief EU negotiator as a Cabinet minister shows that Brexit talks are not over, a former diplomat has warned.
Sir Ivan Rogers, the UK’s permanent representative to the EU from 2013 until 2017, said David Frost’s move to the Cabinet suggested that there would be an “ongoing and permanent negotiation” with the EU.
It came as the European Commission pledged to find pragmatic solutions to trade disruption in Northern Ireland, with the formation of a consultative group for struggling Belfast businesses.
Meanwhile, the SNP have been accused of being “clearly rattled” over the prospect of Alex Salmond’s claims about Nicola Sturgeon being published as part of the inquiry into the handling of harassment complaints against the former first minister.
MSPs have agreed to allow Mr Salmond’s controversial submission, which accuses Ms Sturgeon of misleading parliament, to be made public.
SNP ‘clearly rattled’ over decision to publish Sturgeon evidence, Tories say
The Scottish Tory leader at Holyrood has accused the SNP of being “clearly rattled” over the prospect of Alex Salmond’s claims about Nicola Sturgeon being published as part of the inquiry into the handling of harassment complaints against the former first minister.
Ms Sturgeon’s party has claimed that the decision to publish Mr Salmond’s dossier could “jeopardise” the anonymity of women who were involved in the legal case against him.
Our reporter, Adam Forrest, has the full story below:
Conrad Duncan19 February 2021 10:17
The pound has risen to $1.40 for the first time in nearly three years today amid optimism around the speed of the UK’s mass vaccination campaign for Covid-19.
The chart below from Bloomberg shows how the currency’s value has fluctuated over the past few years:
Conrad Duncan19 February 2021 10:03
Labour urges government to ‘clarify mandate’ for new research agency
Labour’s Ed Miliband has called for the government to “clarify the mandate” for its new scientific research agency, which is expected to be modelled on the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) in the US.
The shadow business secretary said: “Labour has long called for investment in high ambition science.
“But government must clarify the mandate and mission of the new agency after engagement with the UK’s science community – and crucially address the wider funding crisis facing researchers.”
Conrad Duncan19 February 2021 09:36
MPs urge government to bring forward legislation banning gay conversion therapy
The government must “prioritise” delivering on previous commitments ahead of the Queen’s Speech, such as bringing forward long-awaited legislation to ban gay conversion therapy, MPs have said.
Sir Bernard Jenkin, the chair of the Commons Liaison Committee, noted that the coronavirus pandemic had “understandably” impacted the government’s agenda but ministers now needed to deliver on promises.
Our political correspondent, Ashley Cowburn, has the full story below:
Conrad Duncan19 February 2021 09:13
International community should not overlook Iran deal breaches, minister says
The international community should not overlook Iran’s breaches of the 2015 deal aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions, a Foreign Office minister has said.
“It is absolutely right that Iran must come back into compliance with the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]. We’ve called upon them to do so,” James Cleverly told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday.
“Ultimately it is in their hands. They are calling for the international community to ease sanctions and that kind of stuff, but ultimately that is in their hands.”
When asked if sanctions on Iran should be lifted to “unlock” talks, Mr Cleverly added: “I don’t think that we should be sending a signal that we are going to overlook this non-compliance or just brush it under the carpet.
“This is in Iran’s hands. They are the ones breaching the conditions of the JCPOA. They are the ones that can do something about this and they should come back into compliance.”
Conrad Duncan19 February 2021 08:58
‘Cummings pet project’ research agency to go ahead, government confirms
Ministers are moving forward with plans to set up a new scientific research agency, modelled on the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) in the US, the government has confirmed.
The agency has been widely-seen as the “pet project” of former No 10 senior adviser Dominic Cummings, who has advocated for funding for “high-risk high-payoff visions”.
Our policy correspondent, Jon Stone, has the full story below:
Conrad Duncan19 February 2021 08:38
Hauliers have become own customs agents due to shortages, MSPs told
Brexit has forced hauliers to become “their own customs agents” due to shortages of qualified officers, MSPs have been told.
Martin Reid, the Scotland and Northern Ireland director for the Road Haulage Association (RHA), said his members had started to recruit and train administrative staff due a lack of customs officers to help with exports.
“There’s a lack of qualified customs agents, something that the government deny,” Mr Reid told the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee at Holyrood.
“But we have seen that is definitely the case, so hauliers are now having to become their own customs clerks.
“They’re having to take on admin people, train them up on systems that are still in their infancy and that we’re still learning in order to deal with the additional paperwork that’s required.”
He added: “Nobody is saying that it’s an easy time for the government but it’s not an easy time for anyone in this current environment.”
Conrad Duncan19 February 2021 08:23
David Frost role ‘shows Brexit isn’t over’, former diplomat says
The appointment of the UK’s chief EU negotiator as a Cabinet minister shows that Brexit talks are not over, with an “ongoing and permanent negotiation” likely, a former diplomat has warned.
Sir Ivan Rogers, the UK’s permanent representative to the EU from 2013 until 2017, described David Frost’s new role as a “recognition” that talks with the EU would continue following the end of the transition period.
Our policy correspondent, Jon Stone, has the full story below:
Conrad Duncan19 February 2021 08:07
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of UK politics today.
Conrad Duncan19 February 2021 07:56
