Post-Brexit checks on goods between Britain and Northern Ireland set to end under new plans

Published

3 months ago

January 31, 2024

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The UK government is tabling legislation to end post-Brexit checks on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Significantly, the Withdrawal Act will also be amended, meaning EU law will no longer apply automatically in Northern Ireland.

The details are contained in a government document which effectively details the deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont.

The 80-page document comes in three parts: one setting out changes to the law and their impact, an annex on the constitutional context, and a second annex on additional measures to strengthen Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.

Those measures include an East-West Council, a new trade body and one UK cabinet meeting in Northern Ireland annually.

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The changes will have an impact on the Windsor Framework, the deal Rishi Sunak signed with the European Union.

But sources close to negotiations say they “will come as no surprise” to Brussels, which has been kept informed.

Words like “flexibility” and “pragmatism” are being used a lot by players on all sides, as well as the feeling that “conversations have produced trust”.

A Commons vote on the details contained in the legislation is expected tomorrow.

The legal changes reflect what has been described as “the democratic deficit”, giving Stormont a greater role in scrutiny.

That strengthens the Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) argument for a restoration of the power-sharing government at the heart of the peace process.

The document, titled Safeguarding The Union, sets out the government’s intentions of what it wants to achieve in Northern Ireland, which has been without government since 2022.

The DUP had collapsed power-sharing at Stormont in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements, which left a trade border down the Irish Sea and additional checks on goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Westminster has recently been locked in talks with the DUP aimed at securing the return of Stormont in exchange for addressing some of the DUP’s concerns.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, it was revealed an agreement had been reached, paving the way for the assembly to get up and running again.

And following the publication of the government document, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the automatic appliance of EU laws to Northern Ireland would end.

“At the moment EU law automatically applies to Northern Ireland, whether it is a change to EU law or a new EU law,” he said.

“Under the protocol we had no say, the Assembly was not consulted on that, there was no democratic scrutiny in Northern Ireland of those laws, they just automatically applied. These new arrangements end that.”

Sir Jeffrey said Article 7A of the Withdrawal Act would be amended to “end the automatic pipeline of EU law applying to Northern Ireland”.

He said that meant Northern Ireland “will have new democratic scrutiny mechanisms in the Assembly”.

“The Assembly will be able to scrutinise any new laws that are coming forward. Assembly members will be able to say if they think that law is going to be harmful to Northern Ireland and our ability to trade, in other words, divergence.

“The Assembly will be able to say no, that law should not apply in Northern Ireland and the UK government has the right to veto that law on behalf of Northern Ireland.

“There is a new process that is being put in place that ends the dynamic alignment of EU law in Northern Ireland.”

Speaking in the Commons, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said the deal was the “right one for Northern Ireland and for the union”.

He said many of the announcements were due to a “significant period” of negotiations between Westminster and the DUP, as he praised Sir Jeffrey’s “determination, fortitude and tact”.

“With this package it is now time for elected representatives in Northern Ireland to come together, to end the two years of impasse and start work again in the interests of the people that elected them.”

Responding, Labour’s shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said his party would vote in favour of the government’s plans and praised the “tireless efforts” of Mr Heaton-Harris.

He also paid tribute to Sir Jeffrey’s “courageous and decisive leadership”, saying that despite facing “abuse”, he “consistently and persuasively made his case for change while always being clear that he wanted to return to government with an agreement that was acceptable to all communities”.

However, there were signs of disagreement within the DUP over the deal, with Sammy Wilson, the DUP MP for East Antrim, saying “the fact remains that in Northern Ireland, there are still EU-manned border posts being built which will create a border within our own country”.

“And when the Northern Ireland Assembly sits, ministers and Assembly members will be expected by law to adhere to and implement laws which are made in Brussels, which they have no say over, no ability to amend, no ability to stop.”

He hit out at “the spineless, weak-kneed, Brexit-betraying government” whom he accused of “refusing to take on the EU and its interference in Northern Ireland”.

UK

Who could replace Humza Yousaf as Scotland’s first minister?

Published

3 hours ago

April 29, 2024

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Who could replace Humza Yousaf as Scotland's first minister?

Humza Yousaf has announced he is standing down as Scotland’s first minister and SNP leader.

Here are some of the potential contenders who could step up to lead the country.

Follow live: Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland’s first minister

KATE FORBES

Kate Forbes narrowly lost out to Mr Yousaf in last year’s SNP leadership contest.

The former finance secretary faced backlash during her campaign after admitting she would have voted against gay marriage in Scotland when it was made legal a decade ago.

The Free Church of Scotland member also told Sky News that having children out of marriage is “wrong” and something she would “seek to avoid”.

However, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch stressed that “in a free society you can do what you want”.

Ms Forbes had argued that “continuity won’t cut it”.

After losing to Mr Yousaf by 48% to 52%, she said: “If we are to continue to win elections, we need to continue to listen and maintain trust.”

Ms Forbes turned down the role of rural affairs minister, which at the time was seen as a demotion.

Although her views on social issues remain unpopular with some of her MSP colleagues, she was one of the few SNP ministers who did not delete her WhatsApp messages during the COVID pandemic.

Ms Forbes would face resistance from the Scottish Greens, who have previously ruled out working with her.

STEPHEN FLYNN

Stephen Flynn replaced Ian Blackford as the SNP’s Westminster leader in December 2022.

The Aberdeen South MP was touted as a potential future party leader by Joanna Cherry MP.

Ms Cherry praised his leadership, noting he was “tolerant” of opposing views and committed to addressing division within the SNP.

As he is not an MSP, that could block his chances of becoming first minister at Holyrood.

NEIL GRAY

Former journalist Neil Gray is Holyrood’s health secretary. He was promoted to the role in February after Michael Matheson resigned following a scandal involving an £11,000 iPad data roaming bill.

Mr Gray, the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, previously served as an MP between 2015 and 2021 before making the switch from Westminster to Holyrood.

Mr Gray, who served as Mr Yousaf’s campaign manager in the SNP leadership contest, was previously the cabinet secretary for wellbeing economy, fair work and energy, and before that the minister for culture, Europe and International Development.

JENNY GILRUTH

Jenny Gilruth, Holyrood’s education secretary, is a former modern studies teacher and is married to ex-Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.

The SNP MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes was a junior minister in Nicola Sturgeon’s government.

She was promoted from transport secretary to cabinet secretary for education and skills after Mr Yousaf took charge in March 2023.

Ms Gilruth is seen to be ambitious but was recently criticised by Scotland’s largest teaching union for failing to read its damning report on violence in Aberdeen schools.

SHONA ROBISON

Shona Robison could fancy her chances as Scotland’s leader following her stint as deputy first minister under Mr Yousaf.

Ms Robison, the finance secretary, has been the MSP for Dundee City East since 2003 and is a close friend of former first minister Ms Sturgeon.

She has previously held the post of health secretary, and as cabinet secretary for social justice, housing and local government was behind Holyrood’s efforts to pass the controversial Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Following the breakdown of the Bute House Agreement, Ms Robison may face a challenge to hold onto her position if the SNP wish to replace those at the top of the chain in an effort to start afresh.

JOHN SWINNEY

John Swinney stood down as deputy first minister following Ms Sturgeon’s shock resignation in 2023.

The former SNP leader, who resigned from that post in 2004 following poor European parliament election results, could be tempted to once again step into the spotlight following his year on the backbenches.

He ruled himself out of the 2023 leadership race, citing that he had to put his young family first.

The MSP for Perthshire North, who was finance secretary under Alex Salmond’s government, has the experience to hold the fort following Mr Yousaf’s departure.

MAIRI MCALLAN

Mairi McAllan is a rising star within the SNP.

The MSP for Clydesdale was a special adviser to Ms Sturgeon and is now the wellbeing economy, net zero and energy secretary.

She faced a storm of criticism earlier this month after announcing the scrapping of the Scottish government’s key climate change target.

At the age of 31, Ms McAllan would become the youngest first minister.

As she is expecting her first child, with maternity leave expected to kick in during the summer until March 2025, it seems unlikely she will run for the top job.

UK

Two men charged with murder after man’s torso found in Salford nature reserve

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2024

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Two men charged with murder after man's torso found in Salford nature reserve

Two men have been charged with murder after a man’s torso was found at a nature reserve in Salford, police have said.

Greater Manchester Police said more human remains were discovered this morning in an alleyway close to railway lines in the market town of Eccles.

This follows earlier discoveries of human remains at two other locations – Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood – as part of the investigation over the weekend in the Greater Manchester area.

Police believe the torso – consisting of the bottom of the back, buttocks and thigh – found at Kersal Dale Wetlands on 4 April belongs to a man in his 60s.

Officers have informed his family about his death, but have not yet identified him publicly.

The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police say they are confident they belong to the same victim.

Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski, 68, and Marcin Majerkiewicz, 42, both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.

They are due to appear at Tameside Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, Greater Manchester Police said.

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks.

“It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.

“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news.

“They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.”

She said despite the charges brought today – “our work is far from over”.

“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and inquiries continue,” she said.

“Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.

“We will continue following every line of inquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.”

She added: “I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their co-operation throughout this investigation.

“I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”

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Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland’s first minister

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2024

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Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland's first minister

Humza Yousaf has resigned as Scotland’s first minister after cutting ties with his government’s power-sharing partners.

The leader of the SNP, who only took on the role in March last year, has been at the centre of a chaotic few days in Holyrood after he made the surprise announcement to end his power-sharing deal with the Scottish Green Party on Thursday.

Mr Yousaf cut ties following a bitter row over the SNP’s climbdown on climate targets as he said the agreement between the parties had “served its purpose”.

But as a result, his former Green allies teamed up with the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats to get behind two no-confidence motio ns, one in himself as leader of Scotland and another regarding the entire Scottish government.

Ahead of any of those votes taking place, Mr Yousaf stepped down as Scotland’s first minister just after midday on Monday as he said he was “not willing to treat my values and principles or do deals with whomever simply for retaining power”.

He said he will remain in post until a replacement first minister is chosen.

Over the weekend, Mr Yousaf insisted he would not resign but by Monday morning his tune had changed and Sky News was told he was considering resigning.

He was due to meet the Alba Party’s sole MSP, Ash Regan, who was set to make demands in exchange for her support during a confidence vote. Her vote could have been the decider but he chose to step down before it came to that.

Announcing he was quitting, Mr Yousaf said he “clearly underestimated the level of heart and upset” he caused the Greens when he cut ties with them.

“To my colleagues in opposition, regardless of political party, genuinely, I bear no ill will and certainly no grudge against anyone,” he said as his voice broke while thanking his wife, children and family for “putting up with me over the years”.

Mr Yousaf said it had been “an honour” to serve as first minister of Scotland and it was a role he “could never have dreamt” of as a young boy growing up there.

The politician, whose parents are Pakistani and Kenyan, also said he is evidence multiculturalism has flourished in the UK.

“People who looked like me were not in positions of political influence, let alone leading governments, when I was younger,” he said.

“We now live in a UK that has a British Hindu prime minister, a Muslim mayor of London, a black Welsh first minister, and for a little while longer a Scottish Asian first minister of this country.

“So for those who decry that multiculturalism has failed across the UK, I would suggest that the evidence is quite to the contrary and that is something we should all celebrate.”

Mr Yousaf said he was proud to have overseen “the most progressive” tax system in the UK and played a part in lifting an expected 100,000 children out of poverty this year.

He added that he will continue to campaign for independence, which he said “feels frustratingly close” and he is “absolutely certain” his successor will achieve it.

The race to replace Mr Yousaf has now commenced, with several names in the fray, although none have officially declared they have thrown their hats in the ring.

Close ally of Mr Yousaf, John Swinney, former deputy leader under Nicola Sturgeon, is being touted as the favourite.

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, has also been mentioned as has Kate Forbes who lost out to Mr Yousaf during last year’s leadership contest.

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