Politics latest news: UK and EU formally adopt Brexit deal despite DUP opposition

The UK and the EU have formally adopted the Windsor Framework Brexit deal after MPs overwhelmingly backed the agreement in a vote on Wednesday.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, welcomed Maros Sefcovic, the Vice President of the European Commission, to London this morning to rubberstamp the deal.

Now that the framework has been adopted the measures set out within it to improve post-Brexit border arrangements in Northern Ireland can begin to be rolled out.

The two sides are pressing ahead with the deal despite the DUP voting against it and ruling out a return to Stormont powersharing as things currently stand.

Mr Cleverly has said the framework is the "best deal for Northern Ireland" and by adopting it "we are delivering on our commitment to provide stability and certainty for Northern Ireland".

You can follow the latest updates below. 

04:00 PM

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03:42 PM

Boris Johnson by-election ‘will single-handedly rejuvenate the Uxbridge economy’

Boris Johnson supporters would flood his constituency and boost the local economy if he faces a by-election triggered by the partygate inquiry, a staunch ally of the former prime minister has said.

Tory MP Sir James Duddridge predicted the influx to Uxbridge and South Ruislip would be so great that people would be unable to get "a hotel room or a table for dinner for miles", with allies mobilising "one hell of an operation".

If the House of Commons Privileges Committee finds that Mr Johnson "knowingly or recklessly" misled MPs over what he knew about Covid parties in Downing Street, it could recommend a series of sanctions - including suspending him from Parliament.

A suspension of more than 10 days would trigger a recall petition, which could in turn ultimately lead to a by-election.

You can read the full story here.

02:51 PM

Pictured: Rishi Sunak meets children during a visit to Dudley this afternoon

02:18 PM

Maros Sefcovic: Windsor Framework Brexit deal will deliver 'lasting certainty'

01:38 PM

UK and EU: New Brexit deal will address Northern Ireland Protocol problems 'in a definitive manner'

James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, and Maros Sefcovic, the Vice President of the European Commission, said in a joint statement issued this afternoon that the Windsor Framework will address problems associated with the Northern Ireland Protocol in a "definitive manner".

They said: "The Joint Committee welcomed the positive approach of both sides and adopted the new arrangements set out in the Windsor Framework.

"These arrangements address, in a definitive manner, the challenges in the operation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland over the last two years and the everyday issues faced by people and businesses in Northern Ireland, while supporting and protecting the Good Friday or Belfast Agreement in all its parts, and protecting the integrity of the European Union’s Single Market, and Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom’s internal market.

"Both sides agreed to work together intensively and faithfully to implement all elements of the Windsor Framework.

"The United Kingdom and European Union also reaffirmed their intent to use all available mechanisms in the Framework to address and jointly resolve any relevant future issues that may emerge."

01:32 PM

James Cleverly: Adopting Windsor Framework 'delivers on our commitment to the people of Northern Ireland'

01:01 PM

Poll: Labour lead Tories by 15 points

The Labour Party currently has a 15 point lead over the Tories, according to a new opinion poll published by Techne UK.

The survey, conducted on March 22-23, puts Labour on 46 per cent of the vote and the Conservative Party on 31 per cent.

Labour was down by one point and the Tories were up one point when compared to a poll conducted on March 15-16.

Meanwhile, the Lib Dems were on eight per cent, Reform UK was on five per cent and the Green Party was on four per cent.

12:23 PM

'It is obviously for individual companies to make their own commercial decisions'

Downing Street said it is for "individual companies to make their own commercial decisions" after Andrew Bailey warned businesses against trying to "beat inflation" with large price rises.

The Governor of the Bank of England warned companies that interest rates may need to be raised further if "all prices try to beat inflation" (you can read the full story here).

Asked if Rishi Sunak agreed with Mr Bailey that businesses should not chase inflation with price rises, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said: "It is obviously for individual companies to make their own commercial decisions.

"Our focus and what we think the best thing to do is to ease pressures on businesses and households alike to get inflation down which is why we have promised to halve inflation this year and both the OBR and the Bank predict we will do that."

12:03 PM

Sunak urges Netanyahu to 'uphold the democratic values that underpin our relationship'

Rishi Sunak told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to uphold "democratic values" in relation to his controversial judicial overhaul and called for de-escalation in the West Bank.

A Downing Street spokesman said the two leaders had discussed "strengthening the close partnership between the United Kingdom and Israel".

The spokesman said: "On Iran, they discussed the UK and Israel’s significant concern about Iran’s destabilising activity, and agreed that our governments would continue to work closely together to push back against aggression and manage the risk of nuclear proliferation.

"The Prime Minister also expressed his solidarity with Israel in the face of terrorist attacks in recent months. The UK would always stand with Israel and its ability to defend itself. At the same time, the PM outlined international concern at growing tensions in the West Bank and the risk of undermining efforts towards the two state solution. He encouraged all efforts to de-escalate, particularly ahead of the upcoming religious holidays.

"The Prime Minister stressed the importance of upholding the democratic values that underpin our relationship, including in the proposed judicial reforms in Israel.

"The leaders welcomed the chance to meet in person to progress our important partnership, and the Prime Minister looked forward to visiting Israel at the earliest opportunity."

11:58 AM

No10 confirms Windsor Framework adopted by EU and UK

No10 has confirmed that the Windsor Framework Brexit deal has now been formally adopted by the EU and the UK.

The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said: "The Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic met in London for a meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee where they formally adopted the Windsor Framework."

10:57 AM

Downing Street confirms the King's state visit to France has been postponed

Downing Street has just issued a statement confirming that the King's state visit to France has been postponed.

A Government spokesman said: "The King and Queen Consort’s state visit to France has been postponed.

"This decision was taken with the consent of all parties, after the President of France asked the British Government to postpone the visit."

The King's visit to Germany will go ahead as planned.

You can read the full story on the visit to France being postponed here.

10:27 AM

Cleverly and Sefcovic meet as UK and EU adopt Windsor Framework

James Cleverly has now met with Maros Sefcovic, the Vice President of the European Commission, as the UK and the EU formally adopted the Windsor Framework Brexit deal.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed Mr Sefcovic to London this morning to rubberstamp the agreement.

09:51 AM

Rishi Sunak welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu to No10 for talks

Rishi Sunak has welcomed Benjamin Netanyahu to No10 for talks as the Israeli Prime Minister faces a wave of protests over his domestic judicial overhauls that critics say will drag the nation towards autocracy.

As the UK Prime Minister met his counterpart at the door for a handshake, they could clearly hear loud shouts of "shame" in Hebrew from protesters waving Israeli flags and placards stating their aim of "saving Israeli democracy".

One sign opposite the gates of Downing Street branded Mr Netanyahu a "dictator on the run".

Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets demanding that Mr Netanyahu, who was re-elected in November, end his proposed legal overhaul.

Critics of his reforms claim they will turn Israel into a "dictatorship" as they will weaken the Israeli supreme court and increase the government's influence over the appointment of judges.

09:25 AM

Wes Streeting urges Government to 'deescalate' rhetoric on junior doctor strike action

The Government needs to "deescalate" its rhetoric on the junior doctor pay dispute and do a deal, Wes Streeting said this morning.

Labour's shadow health secretary told Sky News: "The best thing the Government can do is treat them with respect. I think some of the rhetoric the Government have used including in recent days since talks have broken down I think just needs to be deescalated now, get them back round the table.

"I think it is encouraging the BMA have said that they are willing to compromise, let's see that compromise in practice now and avert this strike action."

09:20 AM

Labour would not be able to meet junior doctor pay demands 'overnight' - Wes Streeting

Wes Streeting said a Labour government would not be able to meet the pay demands of striking junior doctors "overnight".

The British Medical Association is seeking pay restoration for its members in what would amount to a 35 per cent pay rise and Mr Streeting, the shadow health secretary, was asked this morning if that demand was reasonable.

He told Sky News: "I think the argument for pay restoration is reasonable, they are making a reasonable argument that their pay hasn't kept up with inflation for more than a decade.

"But I have been honest with the BMA that if I were the health secretary today we just wouldn't be able to do a 35 per cent pay rise overnight and what I have asked them to do is judge Labour on our record.

"When we were last in government we did deliver pay rises, fair pay rises for NHS staff."

08:53 AM

James Cleverly: Windsor Framework is the 'best deal for Northern Ireland'

James Cleverly said the Windsor Framework is the "best deal for Northern Ireland" as he said rolling the deal out will provide "stability and certainty".

The Foreign Secretary said: "By formally approving the Windsor Framework, we are delivering on our commitment to provide stability and certainty for Northern Ireland.

"The Framework is the best deal for Northern Ireland, safeguarding its place in the Union and protecting the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

"I look forward to further effective cooperation with the EU on key issues, such as security and energy."

08:34 AM

UK and EU set to formally adopt Windsor Framework Brexit deal

It is a big day for Brexit, with the UK and the EU due to formally adopt the Windsor Framework at a meeting in London today.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, and Maros Sefcovic, the Vice President of the European Commission, will formally rubberstamp the deal after it was overwhelmingly backed in the House of Commons by MPs on Wednesday.

The formal sign-off of the deal will take place despite the DUP voting against the framework and ruling out a return to Stormont powersharing as things currently stand.

The formal sign-off will come at a Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee meeting. Mr Sefcovic is due to arrive in London mid-morning.

08:25 AM

Shadow health secretary urges Government to 'see off' junior doctor strike action

Wes Streeting urged the Government to negotiate with the British Medical Association and reach a "sensible compromise" on a pay rise for junior doctors in order to "see off" strike action planned for next month.

The shadow health secretary told LBC Radio: "I really hope this doesn’t happen. The last three day strike by junior doctors caused untold disruption. I say untold because I was struck by the fact that it didn’t get nearly as much coverage as the nurses strike but I think was more disruptive in terms of its impact.

"The next round of strike action proposed, following the Easter weekend, comes at a time that is typically quite pressured for the NHS after that long bank holiday weekend.

"So I am really worried about patient safety. I hope it doesn’t go ahead. I hope the Government gets back around the table with the junior doctors to see off this strike action and come to a sensible compromise so that junior doctors don’t feel forced to walkout and patients can be confident that they are going to be seen on time."

08:12 AM

Wes Streeting says he does not support junior doctor strike

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said he does not support the strike action scheduled to be taken by junior doctors in England next month.

The British Medical Association has announced a 96-hour walkout between April 11-15 as a row with the Government over pay continues.

Mr Streeting was asked during an interview on LBC Radio this morning if he supported the strike and he said: "No, I don’t support the strike action. I don’t want the strikes to go ahead. I do think the junior doctors are making a fair argument around their pay and the fact that pay has not kept up with inflation.

"I have spent a lot of time on the frontline talking to junior doctors and to be honest I always feel quite sad when I have spoken to junior doctors because they are a bunch of professionals at the start of their career in the NHS really, they should be full of energy, they should be full of optimism about their future careers and they are feeling burned out, undervalued and they are feeling a financial pressure, especially if they are working in big cities.

"I don’t think they are being unfair or unreasonable. I think that the headline pay demand they are making, I don’t think is achievable overnight and I have been honest with them about that.

"But I don’t want to see the strikes happen, I want to see the Government come to a compromise so that the strikes do not need to go ahead."

08:07 AM

Nadine Dorries: 'Boris Johnson will be found guilty by this kangaroo court'

Nadine Dorries claimed there is "no doubt" the Privileges Committee will find against Boris Johnson as she labelled the partygate investigation a "kangaroo court".

Ms Dorries told her Friday Night with Nadine show on TalkTV: "I don’t think there was ever a world in which this committee was going to find Boris innocent. The committee have demonstrated very clearly that they have decided early on to find him guilty.

"The committee knew that they had not a shred of evidence to prove that he misled with intent. They changed the rules, lowered the bar and inserted the vague term ‘reckless’ into the terms of reference.

"Boris Johnson will be found guilty by this kangaroo court. There is no doubt about that. And that in itself will be a disgraceful and possibly unlawful conclusion with serious reputational consequences."