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Mr Cummings, PM's assistant, described the negotiation with EU as "a sham" in Government's internal Brexit strategy meeting two sources tell Telegraph's Europe Editor @pmdfoster And he says Attorney General Cox warned the PM that the EU binning backstop was "complete fantasy"..
Which Downing St say is "a complete lie" - incredible story from the Telegraph's esteemed Europe Editor - goes to heart of whether there is serious attempt at negotiation actually going on - basis of PMs speech today that there is and he's making progress
Blimey - The Number 10 chief of staff until July Mr Barwell backs up Peter Foster Telegraph report that current negotiations are a “sham” says he’s heard same from multiple courses, challenges Johnson’s team to publish their backstop plans
No 10 source: “Dom has not said this. He does not believe this to be the case. Such anonymous and unsubstantiated claims should not be printed. We note that these claims were not put to us in advance by author, denying us opportunity to make clear these allegations are untrue.”
Here’s what I was hearing on this general issue -
“no progress” for now in talks, just “more scheduled talks”. And “UK will quickly need to give written proposals of what it wants” ie hadn’t as of weekend. Unclear even if UK “still can live with legally operative solution” in WA
“no progress” for now in talks, just “more scheduled talks”. And “UK will quickly need to give written proposals of what it wants” ie hadn’t as of weekend. Unclear even if UK “still can live with legally operative solution” in WA
And bigger issue that I wrote about after first set of informal contacts last month - Brussels and elsewhere re-emphasised that even EU-GB super FTA offered last March depends on level playing field conditions they now doubt new administration backs ... bbc.com/news/business-…
Again just now from source in Brussels:
“It would good to see UK proposals on keeping border open. First.” And there’s “no progress for now”.
Interesting to see if they go on record about this today, given the PM said yesterday “I am encouraged by the progress we are making”.
“It would good to see UK proposals on keeping border open. First.” And there’s “no progress for now”.
Interesting to see if they go on record about this today, given the PM said yesterday “I am encouraged by the progress we are making”.
Hammond getting stuck in too saying won’t vote for GE till Bill passed, doesn’t trust No 10 guarantees on date, ex aide would win a employment tribunal, and there is no progress in talks. Plus Barwell. Plus greening. May?
Can No 10 find its AZ5 button?
Can No 10 find its AZ5 button?
Sterling - which had recovered a bit after falling sharply just after Johnson entered Number 10 - now back down again below $1.20 for first time since flash crash in 2016. If it closes here today will be lowest since mid 1980s. 
Down against the euro too on day - but still higher the v weak values in early August - euro has weakened as well as sterling on economic fears in Germany etc
