Thread by @SamCoatesTimes

There’s a developing Brexit situation

Hard to gauge how serious, but it has potential

On Friday, Olly Robbins is due to discuss “backstop” proposal in Brussels. This needs to be signed off by Brexit “war cabinet” within hours.

Last night papers hadn’t gone round to S and N

A note has now gone round this morning

It is a short outline of the “backstop” which - critically - fudges the two key elements, on ECJ and time limiting

& suggests it will be published tomorrow

Why does it matter?

There’s big disagreement in the war cabinet over whether and how the time limit might work (ie whether it is legally enforceable in EU Withdrawal Treaty. Brexiteer fear it won’t be and the whole of the UK will be stuck in customs union/hi alignment forever)

I’m told the note to S and N fudges the “time limiting” issue

I’m told the note say BOTH that it will be time limited AND that it will last until a new system is in place.

These two contradict one another, obviously.

Furthermore nothing, apparently, is said in the note whether time limit will be legally binding / for UK to unlaterally decide

There’s a S and N cabinet subcommittee tomorrow - but potentially AFTER the proposal published.

Well that had been the plan....

😮