Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News Special 20240713

Unable to support it because it wasnt beneficial to the economic well being of Northern Ireland and may undermine the integrity of the union. There had been positive noises from conservative hard brexiteers who voted against theresa mays deal, although they said they wa nted mays deal, although they said they wanted to see the final text first and there is a risk the dup position might put some of. It is hugely concerning, if one part, the dup, are unwilling to support the aspects of the deal that borisjohnson is negotiating with the eu that affects Northern Ireland, there is a question as to whether that complies to the good friday agreement when it comes to consent. What is coming out of brussels is that he has actually managed to negotiate something that is even worse for our negotiate something that is even worse for oui economy negotiate something that is even worse for our economy than what theresa may had put forward. We are talking about an act of economic vandalism which would be worse for the economy than the financial crash. What we want to see is this being defeated because lets be clear that this deal, the so called deal that borisjohnson is bringing forward, is going to be economically damaging. There are going to be people on the dole, quite simply it isa people on the dole, quite simply it is a price not worth paying. Some mps are considering voting for the deal, but that would be going against the Party Position. We believe the deal that had been proposed is heading britain in the direction of a deregulated society, selling off assets. As it stands we cannot support this deal and we will oppose it in parliament on saturday. Some of the former tories sacked for opposing no deal are expected to vote for it. Boris johnson opposing no deal are expected to vote for it. Borisjohnson has told the eu he has faith he can convince enough mps to back his deal when he puts it before parliament on saturday, but he is notjust relying on persuasiveness. If the eu does not agree to rule out a further delay, he is hoping for some mps that will significantly change the calculation. If there is one thing weve learned, it is that the commons is more than capable of throwing up surprises when it comes to brexit and there is every chance they will be a few more in store over the next few days. We are able to go live to westminster to speak to my colleague. Helen, good to have you with us. I am curious to hear how this deal is going down where you are. Has there been any movement over the past hour . The only movement weve seen is actually from the dup to possibly stand firm, if you like. They released a statement saying this is not in the economic well being of Northern Ireland, it undermines the integrity of the union and they will not be voting for this deal on saturday. As you havejust not be voting for this deal on saturday. As you have just heard, politicians saying they will not vote for the deal. A lot of people saying they wont be backing it. They will be a degree of reflection going on among individual mps in westminster. There are some individual labour mps who are considering whether or not to vote for this. Over the hard end of the conservative party, they were making noises of the proposals earlier this week and have concerns about what the dup are saying. Some of them have said that they have a couple of concerns with the political declaration as well. I think there is going to be a lot of thinking going on. If borisjohnson does manage to effectively change the rules of the game, by pushing for this, as you were just talking about, the eu should rule out any further delay, he will be hoping that if he changes the circumstances for mps by effectively framing this as vote for this deal or there is no alternative. Over recent weeks we have learned that the commons can be very flexible in finding ways around things and bringing things in from the backbenches. We may see another couple of days of that sort of activity here. Helen, i wasjust reading activity here. Helen, i was just reading that lawmakers are due to vote later today on whether to go ahead with this saturdays sitting, but i was under the impression it was definitely going ahead. What light can you shed on that . It is part of the way that westminster works. Usually if you want to hold an extra special sitting like this you put it to a vote at the commons, so you put it to a vote at the commons, so it is a standard bit of procedure. There was a suggestion that the government may not put it toa that the government may not put it to a vote but i suspect it will want mps to vote on this on saturday. There had been a suggestion earlier that some mps might oppose that but now that there is a deal i would imagine it is going to go ahead, but the official vote later today. If the ten dup members abstain, and my question may be to you, do they a lwa ys my question may be to you, do they always vote as a block . Are they a lwa ys always vote as a block . Are they always in lockstep . Do you think borisjohnson always in lockstep . Do you think Boris Johnson might be always in lockstep . Do you think borisjohnson might be able to get the votes from elsewhere if he does not have their support . It is hard to see on the surface where it comes from and it makes it a lot more challenging. They do tend to vote together so, so that would be ten votes that he is losing straight off the bat. It is whether they abstain or vote against it could make a difference. The other thing about the dup is they do carry weight and influence with some conservative backbenchers, so you could lose a few more as a result of the dup position which increases the challenge for Boris Johnson. The dup position which increases the challenge for borisjohnson. A lot of the things that have come up in this negotiation dont look like the sort of thing that would make it more appealing for a neighbour or Opposition Mps to come across and vote for, and that is where he will be trying to make up the numbers and also former conservatives that he sacked from the party for opposing no deal, about 21 of those. They will be looking at this deal carefully because they are under no obligation to vote for it. He is going to have to look to pick up those votes in unexpected places, and the places this deal is not necessarily designed to appeal to. Im curious as well when this came through, and i amjust im curious as well when this came through, and i am just seeing a line coming in that the European Council conclusion say the uk will have left by the 1st of november, that they are making this call this afternoon to try and make that happen. In westminster, what was the reaction when word of this deal began to filter through . Here there was excitement, i suppose, filter through . Here there was excitement, isuppose, as filter through . Here there was excitement, i suppose, as people began to look through the draft of the text. I think it is in that detail. The reaction was. We had seen so much build up yesterday and we are used to be in march to the top of the hill and then back down again but there was an element of surprise that he has got this deal that a lot of people said was not possible. As he said, the issue is always going to be in the detail as people look at this, look at the full text and decide whether or not it is something they can support. It is going to be that slightly more perhaps measured, slow pace as people digest this as the deal start to come out and people start to consider their position ahead of saturday. I have chris morris, yes. So, with that i am also seeing. I am also seeing that mps are rating on an amendment that would allow for longer debate and table amendments on saturday if the house where to sit. They are expected to have those results. We are going to turn to the press c0 nfe re nce results. We are going to turn to the press conference that we have been waiting for, and borisjohnson. Will this be a victory lap that he is taking . Lets watch. Good to see you. Good to see the premise. My friend borisjohnson. We have a deal. And this deal means there is no need for any kind of prolongation. This is a fair, balanced agreement. It is testament to our commitment to finding solutions. It provides certainty where brexit creates uncertainty. It protects the rights of our citizens and it protects peace and stability on the island of ireland. There will need be no border on the island of ireland and the Single Market will be protected. The deal is not about us. Be protected. The deal is not about us. The deal is about people and peace. And i look forward to continue my conversations with boris because we start the conversation on future relations immediately after the deal will have been moved. We will start the debate without interruption. Tonight, together with Michel Barnier, i will explain the deal to the heads of state and government. And of course, it is for both our parliaments to have the final say. It is not only westminster having to approve the deal. It is also up to the European Parliament to do the same. So, thank you, boris, for i have to say excellent relationship we had over the last weeks. Thank you very much. Thank you, Jean Claude Juncker. Can i thank you very much. Thank you, jean claudejuncker. Can i pay particular tribute to you, and also of course to Michel Barnier and all your team and the negotiating team in the commission. And i do think that this deal represents a very good deal, both for the eu and the uk. It is a reasonable, fair outcome and reflects the large amount of work that has been undertaken by both times. I believe with what you said about protecting the Peace Process on the island of ireland and in Northern Ireland and of course for us in the uk it means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives and it means that the uk leaves whole and entire on october 31 and it means Northern Ireland and every other part of the uk can take part notjust in free trade deals, offering our tariffs, exporting our goods around the world, but it also means that we can take, together, as a single United Kingdom, decisions about our future, about our laws, borders, our many and how we want to run the uk. Those decisions will be taken in the uk by elected representatives. And i hope very much now, speaking of elected representatives, that my fellow mps in westminster do now come together to get brexit done, to get this excellent deal over the line and to deliver brexit without any more delay so that we can focus on the priorities of the british people, improving our health service, investing in 20,000 more police, lifting up the living wage and many, many other things. Jean claude juncker, ijust many other things. Jean claude juncker, i just want to conclude many other things. Jean claude juncker, ijust want to conclude by agreeing wholeheartedly with your final point. Now is the moment for us final point. Now is the moment for us to get brexit done and then together to work on building our future partnerships. I think they can be incredibly positive, both for the uk and for the ego. Ijust remind you of what ive always said, that we are a quintessential european country, solid european friends, neighbours and supporters and we look forward to working with you in building that partnership in the weeks and months to come. Thank you all very much. Hey jean claude hey Jean Claude Juncker hey Jean Claude Juncker is hey Jean Claude Juncker is the hey jean claudejuncker is the boss here i have to say that im happy about a deal but i was sad about brexit. Have a good time. Thank you. So, i guess thejournalists so, i guess the journalists that have been waiting for so long to get perhaps an answer to their questions, they are not going to get it right now from Jean Claude Juncker or, indeed, from Boris Johnson. Very short. Really, i suppose they took their time to get straight to westminster in the next pa rt straight to westminster in the next part of the deal about getting the vote through. As i speak to you in the council building, i can see the ca is the council building, i can see the ca rs of the council building, i can see the cars of the dignitaries arriving. That statement kicking off proceedings as they are giving that statement on what they have achieved this morning. Which is this agreement between the uk and the eu. There they are, shaking hands. I suppose a triumphant moment for borisjohnson really, suppose a triumphant moment for Boris Johnson really, as suppose a triumphant moment for borisjohnson really, as he makes his way to brussels with a deal in hand that he can go back with, and whether it will be accepted or not is another story that we are going to continue following in the coming hours. Who better to go through it with us than chris morris . Great to have you back with us. How would you describe the tone of borisjohnson . How did he do . Warm words, which i think is what you would expect a situation like this. Leaving the eu is not leaving europe. That is way down the track. Most importantly, the appeal. We know the dup, the ten mps from Northern Ireland have said they will not be voting so the numbers are tight. The mps back in westminster have voted for that session to go ahead on saturday, so i guess. The first one since the falklands war in the early 1980s. I think war in the early 1980s. Ithinka war in the early 1980s. I think a lot of these steps for brexit have been of historic significance. It has been going on for over three years but even though they have been here before, it is this chance for borisjohnson to try to make it his and for britain to leave the European Union. I thought it was interesting that he brought up, as it was interesting that he brought up, as i mentioned, westminster. Pretty close out the gate. He also called the uk a quintessentially european country. I was kind of surprised by those words . I dont think so. The uk knows it cannot change its geography. It wa nts a cannot change its geography. It wants a more hands economic approach from the eu and he wants a chance to fulfil a promise of being a buccaneering free trade exponent, but others may say it doesnt make up but others may say it doesnt make upfor but others may say it doesnt make up for the trade you may be losing from having such easy access to the sea large to the large European Market on your doorstep. He knows he has to cooperate with the European Union on many of the issues of the day climate change, cross borders, crime and so forth. You do need that cooperation. Those who dont favour brexit say that so many of those things are going to be made so much more difficult by the fact we are leaving the eu. We have a system that works at the moment with cross border crime and shared databases the cross border crime and shared data bases the uk cross border crime and shared databases the uk will not have Automatic Access to after brexit. All of that will need to be renegotiated in future. We must remember that even if this deal gets passed in the Uk Parliament and brexit happens at the end of this month, that is only the beginning of the end. There is a vast negotiation to come over what exactly the future relationship looks like in terms of trade, security and Foreign Policy among other things. Looking at the leaders of the eu, Emmanuel Macron speaking outside. He is addressing the press, and france and germany had key roles to play with this deal. The two biggest, most influential countries in the eu. Both of them yesterday saying that they hoped the deal was close to fruition but again, we said this already several times this morning and its worth emphasising, they have been here before. Nearly a year ago, november 2018, they did a deal that theresa mays government, which was rejected three times. Despite the fact Boris Johnson has done something many of his critics said he wouldnt be able to do, remove the controversial irish backstop from the Withdrawal Agreement, all the signs are that he will have a wafer thin vote on his hands in the house of commons on saturday and at the moment, i would say its more likely than not that he will lose it. Plenty of arm twisting to come over the coming days but the numbers are very difficult without those ten mps from the dup. The irish taoiseach has been on twitter over the past half hour, saying we have the Brexit Agreement that allows the uk to leave in an orderly way, a unique solution for Northern Ireland that respects history and geography. It is good for ireland and Northern Ireland, no hardboard, all for ireland and Northern Ireland, no ha rdboa rd, all ireland for ireland and Northern Ireland, no hardboard, all ireland can thrive, protects the Single Market and our place in it. But the view instead from the dup. It is interesting that he used the word unique because it is worth emphasising that they are trying to set upa emphasising that they are trying to set up a custom structure, an economic relationship that is not really in place anywhere else in the world. The idea of a deal customs zone where you have a legal border in one place but a practical border in another. All sorts of elements of this deal are things that arent really done in most borders around the world, which is why there was a last minute hitch about vat. That is another issue which is a complexity which you always face when you come toa which you always face when you come to a border between two custom zones and two regulatory zones. These are difficult issues, which is why it has been so hard to reach this agreement. I wonder, because that draft of the text that you have been going through is published, that is what they have agreed to when it comes to they have agreed to when it comes to the protocol on Northern Ireland. There is no way to change that text 110w. There is no way to change that text now. If there was instead some aspect that boris felt perhaps that he would be able to alter for the dup. It is pretty much set in stone, whats going to the vote on saturday. Between now and saturday that text isnt changing. Could it ever change . That is what they said about the previous agreement and in the end it did. This is the text that will be voted on come the weekend and it is the text that i think may struggle to get through the house of commons. But yes, its true that while most of the agreement stays the same, it is no surprise that it is the dup that is most disappointed about this because the big change and the most controversial issue has a lwa ys and the most controversial issue has always been how you deal with that border between ireland and Northern Ireland because its going to be the only land border between the uk and the eu if and when brexit happens. But i suppose also, and i should say that a lot of the dignitaries are 110w that a lot of the dignitaries are now arriving here to brussels, getting ready to get through to brass tacks and going through those 60 pages. Last night because there we re 60 pages. Last night because there were rumours about what social arrangements this might take, now we see this dual customs area, surely the dup will have no last night and surely Boris Johnson the dup will have no last night and surely borisjohnson will have no last night that the dup will not go for it . Briefly . I think he is basically try to stare them down. It was clear last night they were not going to go for it. Either they say, yes, i have a deal with the other 27 countries, which is the only way realistically he has any hope of achieving what he promised, which is brexit done and dusted by the 31st of october. Either that or he continues negotiating. Even now if there is a vote on saturday, i think it will be pretty difficult to get everything done, legally, by the 31st of october. We have seen a draft of the summit conclusions from the other 27 countries, which should be coming out later today, that it does urge eu institutions including the European Parliament to do everything they can to allow brexit to happen by the end of the month, but no guarantees. Great to have your analysis. We were just talking about the statement borisjohnson just talking about the statement Boris Johnson gave just talking about the statement borisjohnson gave about just talking about the statement Boris Johnson gave about ten just talking about the statement borisjohnson gave about ten minutes ago not farfrom borisjohnson gave about ten minutes ago not far from where borisjohnson gave about ten minutes ago not farfrom where i am speaking to you. Let me bring you it. I do think that this deal represents a very good deal both for the eu and for the uk and it is a reasonable, fair outcome and it is a reasonable, fair outcome and reflects the large amount of work that has been undertaken by both sides. I agree very much with what ta bak both sides. I agree very much with what tabak said about protecting the Peace Process on the island of ireland and in Northern Ireland and of course for us in the uk it means that we can deliver a real brexit that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives and it means that the uk leaves whole and entire on october the 31st. And it means that Northern Ireland and every other part of the uk can take part, not just every other part of the uk can take part, notjust in free trade deals, offering our tariffs, exporting our goods around the world, but it also means that we can take, together, as a single United Kingdom, decisions about our future, our laws, a single United Kingdom, decisions about ourfuture, our laws, our money, our borders and how we want to run the uk. Those decisions will be taken in the uk by elected representatives of the people of the uk. And i hope very much now, speaking of elected representatives, that my fellow mps in westminster do now come together to get brexit done, to get this excellent deal over the line and to deliver brexit without any more delay so that we can focus on the priorities of the british people. Borisjohnson, british people. Boris johnson, uk british people. Borisjohnson, uk Prime Minister, speaking a few moments ago as he gave a statement with the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker. That really kick starts the 27 leaders of the eu countries to sit down and thrash out these last 60 pages. The deal is done between the uk and the eu but they had to go through it with a fine tooth comb to see how it affects their country. You can find that text, i have put it on twitter but you can find it on the web page and on the bbc app. The irish bred minister and taoiseach is arriving. He has talked about how he is about to sit down and talk through he understands the Brexit Agreement so far. We will continue to bring you every twist and turn on this deal and also looking forward to saturday, when that deal will go to westminster. Christian fraser is going to be taking overfrom brussels and keeping you up to date with all the details but for me in brussels for now, goodbye. Another day for dodging the downpours out there. Some are heavy infa ntry downpours out there. Some are heavy infantry in places but the weather doesnt have to be like this. This is High Pressure for monday. Into the start of next week things will turn more settled for a time. Maybe not long, but a brief window of dry weather is on the way. Today, although some of us have had some sunshine, big clouds have been developing and showers breaking out across western parts of the uk initially. The low pressure stays with us today, tomorrow and through the weekend as well so plenty more showers on the way. Most of them today have been across the western side of the uk. A batch across south east england into east anglia but much of north east england and the Northern Isles as well staying dry. Gusty winds especially through Northern Ireland, coast of wales and western and southern england. Some gusts around 50 55 mph and further heavy showers for other areas as well, some pushing into north east england overnight. Northern scotland staying mainly dry with 5 9dc temperatures. Some showers tomorrow from the word go, heavy towards the south east of england. Heavy showers clinging in the north of scotland. Lighter winds here in Northern Ireland, gusty towards wales, south west england, with further heavy showers on the way here. The big picture going into the weekend, it is still low pressure in charge. It is right across us as well so there will be some heavy showers around and maybe some longer spells of rain in scotland, northern england. Scotland turning colder with a northerly wind around an area of low pressure, so beginning to feel colder over the weekend as well. This is how centre is shaping up well. This is how centre is shaping up as low pressure begins to move out into the north sea. Most of the showers in the east. Places getting the northerly breeze as well. Temperatures coming down a few degrees the further south you are. Remember that area of High Pressure is how we start next week. This is bbc news. Im Christian Fraser live in brussels, as borisjohnson and the European Union announce they have reached a brexit deal. Speaking within the last half an hour mrjohnson the eu describes the deal as a fair and balanced agreement. for us in the uk, it means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives. And it means that the uk leaves, whole and entire, on october the 31st. We have a deal. And this deal means that there is no need for any kind of prorogation. This is a fair and balanced agreement. It is testament to our commitment to finding solutions. But can mrjohnson get his deal through parliament on saturday . Northern irelands Democratic Unionists say they still cant support it as things stand. And the labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, calls it a sell out deal he wants the people to have the final say in another referendum. As it stands, we cant support this deal, and well oppose it in parliament on saturday. Well have the latest from here in brussels and from westminster. Borisjohnson has announced that the uk and the eu have struck a new Brexit Agreement. Speaking in brussels in the last half an hour the Prime Minister called the deal a reasonable fair outcome and said now is the moment to get brexit done. The president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, said that he was happy about the deal but sad about brexit. The deal must be approved in the commons where there will be a special one day sitting of parliament on saturday which mps have just voted to extend. But whats in the agreement . First to avoid a hard border, Northern Ireland will remain aligned Northern Ireland remains a part of the uk customs territory but by avoiding a Customs Border on the island of ireland, there will be a de facto border for goods down the irish sea. And members of the Northern Irish assembly will have a say on the long term application of eu law in Northern Ireland but decision would be based on a simple majority, rather than requiring a majority of both unionists and nationalists to support the rules in orderfor them to pass. A few minutes ago gave a News Conference think that he hoped mps would now push ahead with passing the new agreement, which he called ita the new agreement, which he called it a good deal. This deal represents a very good deal, before the eu that might bow for the eu and the uk. It isa might bow for the eu and the uk. It is a reasonable outcome and reflects the large amount of work that has been undertaken by both sides. I agree very much withjean claude about protecting the Peace Process in the island of ireland and Northern Ireland. For us in the uk, it means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives, and it means that the uk leaves, whole and entire, on october the sist. Whole and entire, on october the 31st. And it means that Northern Ireland and every other part of the uk can take part, notjust in the free trade deals, offering our tariffs, exporting our goods around the world. But it also means that we can take together, as a single United Kingdom, decisions about our future, about our wars, our money, and how we want to run the uk. About our laws. All eyes fall on the house of commons. The Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland have said they will not support the new agreement in parliament. In a statement they said this they added that lets cross to westminster now we can speak to our chief Political Correspondent, vicki young. Before we talk about the dup, lets ta ke before we talk about the dup, lets take the positives from what we have seen take the positives from what we have seen today. Borisjohnson took over, people said he would never get the Withdrawal Agreement reopened and he has. He said he would never get a new irish protocol they have. And at the city whenever a new deal by the 17th of october and he has. There will be a lot of people on his own side any house of commons who we re own side any house of commons who were given credit for that . Yes, they are, a lot of them have said that it comes down to his own personal optimism. I have to say, over the last few weeks, people have been saying that the Prime Minister is incredibly optimistic about getting a deal and some of them were not. I think that all started with that summit in biarritz, it was clear as you talk to Emmanuel Macron, at that point, people like Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel we re Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel were not repeating outline from Michel Barnier that we will never reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. I think partly as fatigue with the whole thing, wanting to get it done, eve ryo ne whole thing, wanting to get it done, everyone on all sides wanted to get it done. I think the other crucial thing at play here is that a lot of this will come down to trust and the messenger. There is always a factor with theresa may that some in her party painted her as a remain supporter, someone whose heart was not in it, that she was not truly signed up to a proper brexit. That isa signed up to a proper brexit. That is a much harder argument now for those mps in the conservative party who might still not be willing to vote for this deal. Given that, the lute League Campaign has been put into number ten downing st, the cabinet contains all of those people that led that campaign, it is they are deal now, it is the deal that the leave would have wanted. It might be harder for some the leave would have wanted. It might be harderfor some tory the leave would have wanted. It might be harder for some tory mps do not back it. It does not mean they are all signed up but i do think it does look more optimistic for Boris Johnson when it comes to those in his own party. But he had a huge issue here with the dup, because for the eurosceptic mps who were part of the eurosceptic mps who were part of the erg, the dup support was totemic, they were not going to back a deal unless the dup were happy with it, what are they saying this afternoon . They are not one group, actually. I think there will be some still willing to back this deal even if the dup do not, partly because they will be look at the political declaration, the direction of travel, and saying, look, there are still talked about Free Trade Agreements, it is about what we end up. It is a lesser, potential relationship further down the track and that might be enough to persuade them. I think we have had noises from people like angela jenkins, she says she is looking very carefully at it and may be minded to back it, having not done so last time. I would say not all of them, it is all about how many can borisjohnson persuade, does he have more sway over them than theresa may dead . I think he does but there will certainly still be a handful of theresa may dead. For the dup, many will come this and say this is a worse dealfor them at will come this and say this is a worse deal for them at nine theresa mays deal, so the idea of them backing it looks like they will not be voting for it on saturday. The so called Opposition Alliance are already lining up the reasons why they are not going to support it. We should say that Boris Johnson they are not going to support it. We should say that borisjohnson is at the moment in withJean Claude Juncker and the negotiators from the commission, the room is the only round here is that hes going to try to force the 27 leaders to take a further extension off the table. The rumours. If he is able to achieve that and say, it is this deal or no deal, that is going to focus minds on saturday . That would be the dream scenario for Boris Johnson. All the way through this, people have got their first options, the things that they want, the second referendum, no deal, a deal, but it is always about what is the realistic alternative to that. I have spoken to three of those former tory mps who have consistently voted for theresa mays deal, they have all said to me that they will continue to do that on saturday. But if it came to a scenario of no deal being the alternative, then they would back a second referendum. So it does always depend on the choices. But i think a lot of those 20, 21 former conservatives booted out of the party because they wanted to block new deal, still, a large number of them are saying it is no deal im scared of, i will vote for this one to stop that happening. They wanted to block no deal. As we have talked about many times before, it is the slightly elusive labour votes. We have heard one word from lots of them over the last few yea rs, from lots of them over the last few years, whether this is the moment that they will vote for it. Who knows but that they can get the numbers up or not. They will be looking at the political declaration because they will be looking at that level Playing Field, the idea of not having that Competitive Edge that the uk might have, that is really important to lots of those labour mps, it has remained in the political declaration. That might be enough for some of them, you never know. No doubt the thumbscrews will be out, we are about to see a medieval style whipping operation in the next two days, i think. Here, the next two days, i think. Here, the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker said the agreement was a testament to the commitment from both sides to finding solutions. This is a fair and balanced agreement, it is a testament to our commitment to finding solutions. Agreement, it is a testament to our commitment to finding solutionsm provides certainty where brexit creates uncertainty. It protects the rights of our citizens, and to protect peace and stability on the island of ireland. There will be no border on the island of ireland, at the Single Market will be protected. Todayis the Single Market will be protected. Today is not about us the deal is not about us, it is about people and peace. Lets speak now to paddy smyth, who is the europe editor of the irish times. We arejust we are just saintly barack are going into the building, what has he been saying . . Were just seeing leo varadkar going into the building. Saying . . Were just seeing leo varadkar going into the buildingm is positive, they are glad a deal has been done, and a nice flattering things about Michel Barnier. Who has conceded most here . Lets talk about the backstop and what that is and what the new deal looks like. The backstop and what that is and what the new deal looks likelj the backstop and what that is and what the new deal looks like. I have been referring to it as a backstop mark three, although Michel Barnier was insisting that this is a permanent fixture, it will not be replaced. It is always very difficult to do a calculation of who gave and who lost, but there are a couple of things that the european certainly conceded on. The idea that the british will run on the customs operation that they subcontracted out to the british are something that will make people nervous because it does rely a lot on trust, and they would not have really have not the consent principle is also a concession and that people had been talking about what you needed was a rock solid guarantee that this deal would not fall apart at any stage, i do now its been made conditional on the goodwill of the Northern Ireland parliament, that is a step away from the original eu position, so there had been concessions on their side. That mechanism is quite clever, because we know from the last election, the nationals, the greens, the alliance have the majority in stormont, and would you suppose do dublin pubs bedding. That is the problem for the dup, they have a veto but they do not really have a veto. I beg to differ. Describing it asa veto. I beg to differ. Describing it as a dublin pub bedding is the nearest language. I do not think it is fair. Talking about the interest of the number and community he voted for it. The likelihood is that deals people will continue to support continued involvement in and eu region and a visitor of the alignment. That is because it is beneficial to them, the economic consequences are really quite serious if they went away from that. It does not make it anything less than consent. The fact is that you people have in built majority. Than consent. The fact is that you people have inbuilt majority. We arejust people have inbuilt majority. We are just listening to people have inbuilt majority. We arejust listening to a people have inbuilt majority. We are just listening to a Jean Claude Juncker right now. We have a deal, the british pm has to make sure that the british pm has to make sure that the deal will pass in westminster. I will have to make sure it passes the European Parliament. Thats all. You told us a couple of weeks ago we could get a deal, and here we are, you must be delighted . Im satisfied. But im not happy about the fact that britain is leaving the eu, so im happy with the result of the deal, but unhappy with the final final outcome. If Boris Johnson today ask you to roll out an extension to brexit, he wants it by october 31, will you rule that out . If we have the deal, we have a deal, there is no need for period creation. There is no need for prorogation. Are you confident it will get through parliament . prorogation. Are you confident it will get through parliament . I am not in charge of london affairs. I am satisfied that we were able to find a deal, but im sad about the fa ct find a deal, but im sad about the fact that britain is leaving the European Union. That is not good news. The good news is that. Wanted the pm tell you just half an hour ago . Nothing special. I had him on the town this morning several times in order to make the deal. On the throne. We do not think it is possible to give final approval im speaking there will be no other prorogation. You officially rule out an extension . We have a deal so why should we need another prorogation . Lam not should we need another prorogation . I am not in charge of westminster. That is very important news, that little snippet from a Jean Claude Juncker. You heard him rolling out an extension is a deal is not passed in parliament on saturday. Reeling out. Whether that is the view of the other 27 leaders remains to be seen but it seems that is how the eu looks at it, it is this deal or no deal. The eu looks at it, it is this deal or nodeal. That is right, that will make some people on the remain quite nervous about opposing the deal that borisjohnson has negotiated here if opposing it with mean that they would take the country into a new deal situation. It should harden up the majority in the commons for the borisjohnson deal. The majority in the commons for the Boris Johnson deal. It could work the other way because there are a number who would like no deal either like to walk away without any of the ties in this deal. The calculations area ties in this deal. The calculations are a very ties in this deal. The calculations are a very fine one, we really do not know the numbers in the commons at the moment. I think there is a suspicion here that it would probably help johnson to suspicion here that it would probably helpjohnson to say, there will be no extension, concentrate minds. When people refer to the dup and unionism in Northern Ireland, the only comic always point out they only represent around euros 50,000 people in Northern Ireland, but its important to recognise that this goes right to the heart of unionism in Northern Ireland, because what they see in this deal is a gravitational pull towards the eu and dublin. Their fear gravitational pull towards the eu and dublin. Theirfear is that, in time, that would lead to reunification in ireland . time, that would lead to reunification in ireland . I think the argument was stronger when we we re the argument was stronger when we were talking about the possibility of Northern Ireland remaining in the Eu Customs Union, then you could argue more plausibly that there is a constitutional schism that you are breaking part of the uk off from the rest of it. This is an arrangement that leaves Northern Ireland inside the British Customs union, and the controls that exist in at a probably similarto controls that exist in at a probably similar to some other countries were not the great Economic Zones, for example. Nobody is suggesting that this is the beginning of the end for these countries. I think the structure of the deal, at the moment, certainly undermines that argument by the dup. Important context. Thank you forjoining us. Well the irish taoiseach or Prime Minister leo varadkar has been speaking heres his reaction. I think it is a good agreement, it allows the uk to leave the eu in orderly fashion, with a transition period which is very important for businesses and citizens across the eu and uk. Also, creates a unique solution for Northern Ireland, in recognising the unique history and geography of Northern Ireland, one which ensures there is no hard border, one which allows the all ireland economy to develop, and protects the Single Market within it. I will be in a position to recommend that the agreement be endorsed by the European Council, and rejoin political declaration future relationship back in dublin. The company being reconvened the cabinet is being reconvened, that will happen this afternoon. Leo varadkar is making his way into the building. Im joined now by our Northern Ireland economics and business editor, john campbell. Just to pack up on that last point that then you should not worry about this deal because there are similar deals took this for special Economic Zones and you do not talk about those areas and countries drifting off. I think that is a slightly optimistic reading of where we are today. The dup had set some very clear red lines about this which now appear to be for special Economic Zones and you do not talk about those areas and countries drifting off. I think that is a slightly optimistic reading of where we are today. The dup had set some very clear red lines about this which now appear to be funnily breach, particularly on this issue about what will the Northern Ireland assembly in stormont would play. The way the dup said it had done with borisjohnson was that no rules would come in for Northern Ireland alone unless there was a vote in stormont. What is being prim pose now is that stormont would have to approve any new Single Market rules coming into Northern Ireland, but it will be done on that straightforward majority vote. As it stands, at the moment, new newness would not have the numbers to win that sort about. I think there will be efforts to famous as a benign, technocratic arrangement, that is not how the politics in Northern Ireland works. They are in the new uk Customs Union, the fact, they are really pa rt union, the fact, they are really part of the Eu Customs Union . That is what the critics are saying. We we re is what the critics are saying. We were clear that the organ ireland would leave the Customs Union. There will be new customs procedures across the irish sea, goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain will have to be declared, they will have to go through customs processes. They will have to go through customs processes. For the dup, that was that if you like they are drifting away from the rest of the uk and becoming economically closer to dublin, the dup say that is not any at they constitutional or economic interest of of in ireland. Can we put that in a really simple terms . If you were approaching a port in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, it would be a bit like when we go on holidays, there would be a red channel for the eu, a green channel for Northern Ireland and Great Britain for that matter is a slightly awed context when you put it like that because if you from Northern Ireland and going back home and having to go through a red channel, why if you are in the uk Customs Union . That is the point made by unionists. The Northern Ireland Civil Service early in the Brexit Process did have something which was called the channels paper, which was called the channels paper, which they do look at this idea of red and green channels, but that would be for commercial freights. Red and green channels, but that would be for commercialfreights. I think you would have a situation where people are carrying low value or quantity of goods for their own purposes will not be subject to customs procedures. Certainly, goods coming into Northern Ireland from other parts of Great Britain will have to be subject to declarations. I dont think that everything will be necessarily check, but decorations will mean that things will be looked at on a risk assess basis, see what the spot checks need to be. The fact that there is that extra process, extra paperwork, no matter to some unions. Going back to the present issue, i suppose from the present issue, i suppose from the dup perspective, this is a very clever sleight of hand from the negotiators in that there is now a time period, a cut off, but i cannot be enacted because the dup do not have a majority in stormont if was sitting. The big thing about the backstop was that it would have no time limit on the something was to come along to replace it. This is a new movement because you have something a bit like the backstop and does have a way out, but that is that poison pill in and therefore the dup. Boris johnson is going into the dup. Boris johnson is going into the eu summit to speak to the other 27 leaders are right now. We aspect what they agreed to be nodded through, no further hurdles. All eyes a re through, no further hurdles. All eyes are going to be on the house of commons on saturday. Lets get a check on the weather now. We have already seen plenty of showers already, there are loads more to come over the next few days. Some thunderstorms are around. The radar shows we are what we have already seen those showers today, this is just the leading already seen those showers today, this isjust the leading edge already seen those showers today, this is just the leading edge of a big area of low pressure that extends out into the atlantic. This is all coming our way is expecting weather to stay very unsettled with frequent downpours. It is across these areas were that is the greater chance of showers. Some areas of scotla nd chance of showers. Some areas of scotland will probably avoid the showers and stayed dry with sunny skies. Overnight, showers continue to feed and, driven on by the wind around the coasts of wales and south west england. It is not as cold a night tonight as it was last night, 10 celsius in london, chilly are north. Friday is a day of sunshine and showers, and most frequent and widespread across wales, east anglia and southern counties of england. For scotland and Northern Ireland, there will be showers but probably bigger gaps between them. Most of us will see a show at some point, temperatures are 12 to 14 show at some point, temperatures are 12 to 1a celsius. For the weekend, low pressure is still in charge, more shoppers to come. The low pressure is getting less intense, meaning bigger gaps between showers on sunday, one of us will dodge them and stay dry. Showers could be with hisjust and stay dry. Showers could be with his just about anywhere on saturday, perhaps when fear spells of rain at times in scotland, drifting into parts of north england as well. Temperatures fall in northern scotla nd temperatures fall in northern scotland as the winds turn more northerly, cooler here. Forthe second half of the weekend, probably eastern scotland and north east england i could see most of the showers, there are far fewer showers on our maps, should be a drier day, better chance of dodging downpours. Temperatures falling across the uk, between 10 and 13 celsius for most of us. The next few days, those showers will be very widespread, high chance of getting wet at some point. We have most of the leaders back in the building, they tend to go to meetings on a thursday morning but all of them starting to arrive in time for a kick off in about half an hours all of them starting to arrive in time for a kick off in about half an hours time. All of them starting to arrive in time for a kick off in about half an hours time. We all of them starting to arrive in time for a kick off in about half an hours time. We are all of them starting to arrive in time for a kick off in about half an hours time. We are seeing all of them starting to arrive in time for a kick off in about half an hours time. We are seeing macron going into the building. One of those leaders, who was growing impatient with these rolling extensions, and certainly was one of those pushing for a deal, over the last week. That said he did have real concerns about the level Playing Field provisions, within the agreement. That is part of the political declaration, the non building part of the agreement, but he wants assurances from Boris Johnson of the agreement, but he wants assurances from borisjohnson he wont undercut him on taxes, a singapore light if you will, the other side of the channel. Looking at the document, when it comes to those things it looks as if they fudged that for now and that will be the meat of discussions from novemberfirst if the meat of discussions from november first if the deal was to be passed. Things for the future. Things for the future. Our reality check correspondent, chris morrisjoins me now. Since you were here shall we take a step back and go back to basics for a second . Step back and go back to basics for a second . When step back and go back to basics for a second . When we talk about we have got a brexit deal, can we be specific about what we are talking about . So what we are talking about . So what we are talking about is the arrangement. Leave the European Union, so three things we have talked about a lot over the last few year, the divorce bill, that are is still in disagreement, exactly the same as it was in theresa mays agreement. Agreement on the rights of uk citizens in the eu, and eu citizens in the uk, that is exactly the same as in theresa mays agreement. The third big issue in that agreement in theresa mays agreement, the irish border, that is the bit that has changed. The backstop, that part of the guarantee to avoid a hard border in ireland that has been replaced by this new hybrid customs system we have been talking about today, which kind of meets both sides red line, it means there could be no customs checks on there could be no customs checks on the island of ireland, which was a red line for ireland and the rest of the European Union, because there will also be a legal border on that land border while the de facto border and the practical checks would take place between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, that still allowed Northern Ireland to leave the Customs Union with the rest of the uk, so in the future, the whole of the uk, including Northern Ireland, could be included in future Free Trade Agreements the government does around the world. In future Free Trade Agreements the government does around the worldm the important thing to take away is when we talk about a deal we are not saying thats it, this is the divorce, what is in front of us, is a whole negotiation about the future relationship that the uk has with europe. And you are getting ahead of yourself already, what is in fronts of us face does this divorce get approved in westminster, the numbers are approved in westminster, the numbers a re really approved in westminster, the numbers are really tight. If that were to happen, and then it needs to be turned into legal language and turn to legislation in the house of commons which may turn one or two people against it, yes, of course, you have the whole of the future relationship between the uk and the eu and that is on trade, it is on security, on Foreign Policy, is up forgrab, we security, on Foreign Policy, is up for grab, we have this non binding. The level Playing Field things i was talking about that manual macron was concerned about. The political declaration has changed from the version agreed by theresa may, it allows for what we know Boris Johnson has wanted, a slightly more hands off economic relationship with europe, it doesnt mean she going to trade with the rest of europe because he knows everyone knows geography is a fact of life. It is a very important relationship. But he does want at least the ability to be able to start diverge from eu regulations. If that happens of course it makes things at the irish border more interesting, it also, as you suggest, not justin border more interesting, it also, as you suggest, notjustin lee collins macron but others as well. It makes them slightly nervous, they say are we really talking about a major economy, one of the six or seven largest in the world, right on our doorstep that will start to undercut our regulations, on environmental policies, on social o policy and say to the rest of the world, if you wa nt to to the rest of the world, if you want to invest in europe you come to the uk, because the eu is too complicated, too bureaucratic, if that were to be the case down the line, then i think notjust france, germany and others would then see the uk yes, as a partner in some respect bus very much as an economic competitor as well and trade can be a very dirty business. And start hiking the tariffs to bring the uk in line. I have watched Jean Claude Juncker twice today, once outside the building before he met Boris Johnson and a few minutes ago, having sat down with him and Michel Barnierfor having sat down with him and Michel Barnier for a having sat down with him and Michel Barnierfor a half having sat down with him and Michel Barnier for a half an having sat down with him and Michel Barnierfor a half an hour. On his way into the building just now, he said there will be no prolong asian as he put it, no ex ten should bes the other side. Pro long asian. offer a note of caution. Jeanclaude juncker has is given the ability to shoot from the hip a bit. The people that really matter are the 27 leaders of the other country, the members of the European Council, they are people that get a vote on these things, and i think what Boris Johnson is going to be asking for is those leaders to include in their summit statement, or if not in their summit statement, or if not in their summit statement, or if not in their summit statement, certainly in their ross co nfe re nces summit statement, certainly in their ross conferences after that they all think the same thing. My suspicion is that people like Angela Merkel will be more circumspect. There is a lwa ys will be more circumspect. There is always a lot of talk about the eu is interfering but you couldnt get a bigger interference than saying we are with the government and against what most of the opposition wants so it is territory a lot of individual countries and leaders would be relu cta nt to countries and leaders would be reluctant to seven into. Therefore, yes juncker reluctant to seven into. Therefore, yesjuncker said reluctant to seven into. Therefore, yes juncker said his thing, reluctant to seven into. Therefore, yesjuncker said his thing, it may have an effect. It doesnt necessarily reflect the views of everyone. But it is a reminder when we talk about benn act, the legislation that demands Boris Johnson requests an extension if he doesnt get this through on saturday and if there is no vote for no deal, thatis and if there is no vote for no deal, that is dependent on the eu saying yes we will give you an extension, so if this is what comes away from the summit today, that is a heck of a gamble formps the summit today, that is a heck of a gamble for mps to play with on saturday, if they didnt vote this deal through. Is it, it saturday, if they didnt vote this dealthrough. Is it, it is but taking that forward it would become a heck of a gamble for the European Union, say you have knocked this deal now we go in ten days time. They know it is going to hurt them too, the netherlands, economically and all sorts of ways, it is about the worst solution as donald tusk keeps saying so my feeling is they wa nt keeps saying so my feeling is they want do what they can, persuade mps to vote for this, if push comes to shove would they say thats it. My instinct is that would not be the case. The debate we are probably going to here, we have started to hear it from Jeremy Corbyn and the labour leader, this is a bad deal. It is worse than theresa mays deal. I doesnt have checks and balances on it. Is that true, because if we only have 64 pages in the other 500 odd pages are still there. 0 of the deal is as it was. 909 of the deal is as it was. 909 of the deal is as it was. Most is the same. I suspect the thing labour will hone in on is not the changes to the irish backstop and the protocol on ireland but the changes we were discussing in the companying political direction, the direction in which borisjohnson wants to take the country. Their line of attack we will this is a government that will attack your workers right, reduce social rights, ereduce. That is all still to play for. But i think that will be one of the points they will make. This is up for grabs, if we we re will make. This is up for grabs, if we were in government, if there were to be an election then i think they will be saying we would offer you a softer form of brexit. Let us talk about the dup, because it is a massive gamble this, the biggest gadge of his young premiership so far, it looks as if he is try to pounce them into an agreement here o biggest. The dup are either hopering through course of the afternoon they can get something else, something more by digging in orfundamentally they are just not going to vote for this, and then it becomes very difficult to see how it goes through. The numbers without the dup rub very difficult for the Prime Minister. There is no question about that. Taking a step back from what has happened today. The beginning of this process, i dont think many people would have thought you would have a conservative Prime Minister, as part of the conservative and Unionist Party, agreed there should be however you want to dress it up in whatever language and whatever caveats a border down the irish sea for customs checks and checks on the regulations of goods. That is is a big deal. It creates however small impediments to trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and psychologically, it means Northern Ireland is one step removed economically from the rest of the country, now, obviously if you are the dup you think is this the beginning of a longer and more rapid direction of travel, so you see from that why in some ways it is an issue, they have pushed hard on this. This. First they talk about it will be the first people to blink and we are nailing our eye lids together or something . It comes to the heart of the whole complex process and discussion about identity in Northern Ireland, and, i guess borisjohnson identity in Northern Ireland, and, i guess Boris Johnson thought identity in Northern Ireland, and, i guess borisjohnson thought well, if iam going guess borisjohnson thought well, if i am going to fulfil the 31st october pledge, i have to make this move today, and then see what the house of commons does. 0k, we will have lots more to talk about through the course of the afternoon, for the moment thank you very much. Looking at the live pictures we see mark rutter walking in the building, the leaders are starting to gather in the main hall. I am told that borisjohnson will address the leaders, he will get an opportunity and brexit will be the first thing on the agenda. Probably they will get done reasonably quickly because they want to talk about turkey and climate, so given they have had the deal, in front of the ambassadors this morning, that will have been passed on, you would expect that things would go through on the nod and the ratification will be done pending a possibility ratification in the house of commons and in the European Parliament, so they would come back to it at a later come back to earlier my colleague Nuala Mcgovern spoke to the Brexit Party Leader nigel farage he explained why he wants to see the new deal rejected. Date it is just date it isjust not brexit. We have taken three and a half date it isjust not brexit. We have ta ken three and a half years date it isjust not brexit. We have taken three and a half years to get to this point, and if this was to be agreed, we then enter into years more negotiations for the prize of a Free Trade Agreement, which we already know we will not get, unless we surrender already know we will not get, unless we surrender our already know we will not get, unless we surrender our territorial fishing waters and we will not get unless we stay in regulatory alignment with the European Union, that means we will not be making our own laws in our own country on employment regulation and environment and many other things, so frankly, i think we have probably done the easy bit the last three and a half years, the next bit will be harder and it is a new eu treaty, it binds us in to so many other commitment on Foreign Policy, military policies, a list as long as your arm. It should be rejected. The best way out would be simply to have a clean break on ireland, the backstop. Sorry for interrupting you, i understand i wa nt interrupting you, i understand i want our viewers to understand where you are coming from, you would be advocating instead of people voting for this deal, that they reject it, and that there is a no deal brexit and that there is a no deal brexit and that there is a no deal brexit and that britain leaves the eu on 3ist and that britain leaves the eu on 31st october . Well i would very much like us to leave on 31st october. I understand the benn acts has been passed and that makes it impossible. Would i rather accept a new european treaty that is frankly very bad for us, or would i treaty that is frankly very bad for us, orwould i preferto treaty that is frankly very bad for us, or would i prefer to have an extension and general election i would go for the latter. I believe that a clean break and being able to be competitive is the absolute key to our future be competitive is the absolute key to ourfuture economic be competitive is the absolute key to our future economic success. We cannot do that with this new treaty. Borisjohnson cannot do that with this new treaty. Boris johnson can say what cannot do that with this new treaty. Borisjohnson can say what he likes but we will never be able to break free of the eu, if we sign up to this. He would have a different take on it also, many financial predictions without a deal could be catastrophic for the uk, also ireland and the netherlands in particular. But if you were, and i dont know whether you will do this, if you were to give advice to Boris Johnson to get the dup onboard, what would that be . Boris johnson spoke at their conference last year, he said no conservative Prime Minister would ever put an internal border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, and that is exactly what he has done. So i think it is going to be very difficult to get the dup onboard, given that effectively, they have been hived off, almost annexed out of the European Union, there will be no frictionless trade between the uk, and Northern Ireland. But we know, we have had the discussion at the backstop which scuppered theresa mays deal Going Forward , scuppered theresa mays deal Going Forward, now we have alternative arrangements if we want to call it that. If there was an easier solution to avoid a hard border between the republic of ireland and republic, they talk about technological solution or trusted traders, that the technology or the plans just arent there, they havent been tested anywhere in the world, so what would you recommend . I think the European Union put forward a problem to which they thought they would never accept any answer. The funny thing is, if we leave on a wto brexit everyone has said that that would not mean havent been tested anywhere in the world, so what would you recommend . I think the European Union put forward a problem to which they thought they nigel farage deeply opposed to deal. Conservative party, if you look at poll of polls average in the last week or so, they have been taking support out to brexit party, because borisjohnson has support out to brexit party, because Boris Johnson has been support out to brexit party, because borisjohnson has been sticking to that deadline, 31st october, do or die, but if the deal went down on saturday, and if he was forced to request an extension, that would re open the door to the brexit party and some of those arguments that nigel farage has been setting out. So high risks for borisjohnson this coming weekend. One to watch, that vote in the house of commons. That is the situation here in brussels. You are up to date for the moment. We are watching all the reaction and awe we are watching all the reaction and a we will bring you that news from brussels our main story, the have agreed a brexit deal ahead of a meeting of eu leaders. Jeremy corbyn says his mps wont back it. Mr corbyn said it doesnt address concerns about a race to the bottom. Joining me is general secretary of the trade Union Council frances ogrady. Tell me what you think of this deal . This is worse than mrs mays deal and it is on Boris Johnsons than mrs mays deal and it is on borisjohnsons shoulders, you know, we have always said we needed a deal that protect peoples job, livelihoods and their rights at work, instead what swept got is a deal bad for working people, at the back of the queue, that would give license to a conservative government to tearup license to a conservative government to tear up peoples rights. You say that, but the eu withdrawal act of 2018 converted all eu law into uk law, nothing is being lost, is it . It is what happens the morning after, isnt it and we have a government that has a track record of attacking workers right, doubling the Service Qualification for protection against unfair dismissal. Introducing tribunal fees that price people out ofjustice, people dont trust this government with their rights. The government says it has issued a notice about workers right, regardless or not of what we get a deal. One is about ensuring that our rights dont get any worse, and as i say, the government can do what it like, if it gets a Free Trade Agreement, which it want, it depends on the closestness of the economic relationship. This government is clear it wants a bog standard Free Trade Agreement and there is the issue of keeping pace with improvement so we dont become the poor relations of europe and just a point, these matters, these rights really matter in every day lives. It is about mum as and dad, tupe, redundancy. You only have to look at the conservative partys record including attacks trade unions, to know that they havent been the workers best friend, this isnt a great dealfor working workers best friend, this isnt a great deal for working people, workers best friend, this isnt a great dealfor working people, it workers best friend, this isnt a great deal for working people, it is a bad deal. The day after, i mean, assuming that the Prime Minister gets this through parliament on saturday and that is a big if, what is yourfear november 1st looks like thereafter. To be frank, the first thing is we are calling on mps of all parties, not to vote for this deal. It is not good enough, doesnt protect working people, and this is about realjobs and livelihoods. Is this better than and livelihoods. Is this better than a no deal, it would appear that maybe the choice mps face if Jean Claude Juncker is right maybe the choice mps face if jean claudejuncker is right and the eu will not give an extension . Well, iam not eu will not give an extension . Well, i am not so sure that is correct. What we do know is unless this Prime Minister is believes he is above the law, by law, he would have to seek an extension, and i am pretty sure that our friends in an extension, and i am pretty sure that ourfriends in europe know an extension, and i am pretty sure that our friends in europe know that no deal would be disastrous for everybody, and that we need to do is bring, get that extension, get people back together, talk about the real priorities for real people in this country and come up with a deal, that meets them and by the way i think deal, that meets them and by the way ithink in deal, that meets them and by the way i think in the end people need the final say on it, because we have been going around this circle sole many times, in the end, people need the final say, either through a popular ballot or through a general election, or both. That brings closure as well, accepting the deal . We will see what happens on saturday, but certainly, my belief is that mps will see through the she nan gones going on here, recognise this does not meet the basic tests of protecting the jobs and rights at work, and that is what counts out in the country, you know, i think we all know about Free Trade Agreements, that have not been good forjobs, that have worsened standards for labour and instead we need a different kind of deal that puts be working people first for a change. Frances ogrady, always good to see you. Thank you. This is a reasonable fair outcome and reflects the large amount of work that has been undertaken by both sides, and i agree very much jean claude with what you said about protecting the piece process in the island of ireland, and in a Northern Ireland and of course, for us in the uk, it means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives. It means the uk leaves entire, and Northern Ireland and every other pa rt Northern Ireland and every other part of the uk can take part not just in free trade deals offering our tariffs, eexporting goods round the world but it also means that we can take together as a single United Kingdom, decisions about our future, about our laws, our border, our mourne and how we want to run the uk. Boris johnson speaking a short time ago. Looking at what is happening in brussels, and the leaders are all gathered together, as they prepare to have their formal meeting getting under way, they are expecting to hear from meeting getting under way, they are expecting to hearfrom Boris Johnson, but as you can see fairly relaxed at this stage, before the work gets under way with brexit likely to be top of the agenda, we will keep an eye on that. The headlines on bbc news. Borisjohnson arrives in brussels for a crucial summit, and praises the brexit deal hes reached with the European Union. The president of the European Commission,Jean Claude Juncker, rules out granting an extension to the brexit deadline of 31 october. But Northern Irelands Democratic Unionists say they still cant support it as things stand. with the Business News this hour, the pound continues to yo yo on the news that a brexit deal had been struck, Sterling Rose to a five month high, taking european stocks toa month high, taking european stocks to a peak with them but doubts about british Parliamentary Support hauled them back. British Parliamentary Support hauled them back. Three uks mobile users are still without data or signal after a Network Failure last night. The problems, which are nationwide, started after some Maintenance Work on Threes Network infrastructure. |t is not sure how many of its ten million customers are affected. Retail sales growth in the uk held steady in the Third Quarter of the year, according to the office for national statistics, as shoppers remained cautious in the run up to the october brexit deadline. So in the uk were all glued to the news, as the brexit negotiations continue to twist and turn. The pound jumping and falling with every new annoucement. Weve seen some of its most dramatic movements against the dollar having ran up as far as 1. 29, sterling was back down under 1. 28 by the time us trading had started to gain momentum. So are investors across the pond as interested to todays latest Brexit Developments . What has been the reaction to todays brexit deal over in the states . Todays brexit deal over in the states . Well, if look up todays brexit deal over in the states . Well, if i look up to the board on my right, all the major us indices have opened higher, they from in the green, the dowjones average rose, when news of that brexit deal came through. So there isa brexit deal came through. So there is a bit of optimism, investors here we re is a bit of optimism, investors here were looking for something to be optimistic about. We had disappointing retail data out yesterday which showed people are buying less here, us consumers are the backbone of this economy so that has worried investors, they were looking for something to be optimistic about and i think they have found it with that news of brexit. Speaking to trader here, they have said to me there has been so they have said to me there has been so much back and forth there is really nothing to get too excited about this early and they are waiting and seeing to see what happens next. Thank cumbria the pound has been the key barometer of brexit sentiment throughout this process. Its been on a rollercoaster ride of late, up 8 since Early September when it hit the lowest since october 2016. And yes today, off the back this deal being struck we saw sterling jump as much as a 1 against the dollar to a five months high putting it back on course for its best six day gain in more than 30 years. We saw london and european stocks surge to a year and a half peak but then the doubts and grumbles set it. Market optimism faltered when the dup said it could not support the agreement, torpedoing any hopes of a smooth passage through parliament. And the deal is also subject to British Parliamentary approval on saturday. So, having ran up as far as 1. 29, sterling started to splutter badly and is back down under 1. 28. It also dropped back from a may high of 0. 86 pence against the euro. British Government Bond yields surged, with 10 year yields rising to their highest since july. But if youre heading off on your half term holidays on saturday and youre wondering if now is the time to buy your euros the advice weve been getting from experts is its tricky to call. If the deal gets passed on saturday, the pound could rise further. But if it doesnt, it could fall. So probably the best thing to do is hedge your bets and buy some euros now, and take out the rest once youre abroad. Thats all the Business News. How sensible thank you. Thank you very much. We will be back in a few minutes but first let us catch up with the weather. Chris has the weather. Thank you. We have seen plenty of heavy downpours today and there will be more of those to come as well, as we go on through the next few days to be honest, so skies like this will be commonplace, today, the showers will be most frequent across these western and southern parts of the uk but there will be areas that stay dry. The best chant in north east scotland and Eastern England where we will cottage the dodge the downpour, yover night there will be showering pushing across the country, brisk winds across wales and england will keep temperatures higher than last night. Lows of 10 keep temperatures higher than last night. Lows of10 in keep temperatures higher than last night. Lows of 10 in london with lighter winds further north where the cooler earth will be overnight. That takes us into tomorrow and another unsettled day with showers widespread. Nowhere is immune from seeing a downpour but they will be frequent in wales, midlands, east anglia and southern county, temperatures should get up to 12 14 but it could turn cooler as heavy showers pass through. That is your weather. This is bbc news. Im Christian Fraser live in brussels, as borisjohnson and the European Union announce they have reached a brexit deal. Mrjohnson says its a great deal which takes back control. The eu describes the deal as a fair and balanced agreement. For us in the uk, it means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives. And it means that the uk leaves, whole and entire, on october the 31st. But the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, rules out granting any brexit extension. We have a deal, so why should we have a prorogation . But can mrjohnson get his deal through parliament on saturday . Northern irelands Democratic Unionists say they still cant support it as things stand. And, the labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, calls it a sell out deal he wants the people to have the final say in another referendum. As it stands, we cant support this deal, and well oppose it in parliament on saturday. Well bring you the latest from here in brussels and from westminster. The uk and the eu have struck a new Brexit Agreement. Speaking in brussels the Prime Minister called the deal a reasonable fair outcome and said now is the moment to get brexit done. The president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, alice was borisjohnson arriving in at the were with other eu leaders. You saw a number of high fives, backslapping, some applause as well. This is borisjohnsons first eu summit in early rounds, part of that would have been a welcome for him. But, also may be some relief from the readers that they have managed to find an agreement, giving out the warning from mauricejohnson and that he was prepared to leave or the 3ist that he was prepared to leave or the 31st of october. Some relief, certainly amongst the dutch, french leaders. The president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, said that he was happy about the deal but said the eu wouldnt back a further extension if one was requested. The deal must be approved in the commons where there will be a special one day sitting of parliament on saturday which mps have voted to extend. The dup, which supports the conservatives in parliament, has said it will vote against the proposals. But whats in the agreement . First to avoid a hard border, Northern Ireland will remain aligned to a set of rules related to the eus Single Market. Northern ireland remains a part of the uk customs territory but by avoiding a Customs Border on the island of ireland, there will be a de facto border for goods down the irish sea. The controversial backstop has been removed. And members of the Northern Irish assembly will have a say on the long term application of eu law in Northern Ireland but any decision would be based on a simple majority. The Prime Minister gave a News Conference after arriving in brussels, saying he hoped mps would now push ahead with passing the new agreement, which he called a good deal. This deal represents a very good deal, both for the eu and for the uk, and its a reasonable, fair outcome, and reflects the large amount of work thats been undertaken by both sides, and i agree very much, jean claude, with what you said about protecting the Peace Process in the island of ireland, and in Northern Ireland, and of course, for us in the uk. It means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives, and it means that the uk leaves whole and entire, on 31st october, and it means that Northern Ireland and every other part of the uk can take part, notjust in free trade deals offering our tariffs, exporting our goods around the world, but it also means we can take together as a single United Kingdom decisions about our future, about our laws, our borders, our money and how we want to run the uk. The president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, spoke to reporters about the deal and said there could not extension to the brexit deadline. What happens if this doesnt pass through parliament . Im not in charge of the parliament in britain, that is the job of boris. Do you believe that it will . I hope it will. Im convinced it will. It has to but if it doesnt . Anyway, there will be no prorogation. No prorogation, no delay . Could there be an extension, mr juncker . We have concluded the deal. So there is no argument for further delay it has to be done now. Just a note of caution that with that. John hodge, it is sometimes known to ship from the hip, may be the other 20 simply might have a very different views as they whether there should be an extension or not. Jean claude junkers. If there there should be an extension or not. Jean claudejunkers. If there is an extension, you would think it would focus minds in parliament on saturday. The Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland have said they will not support the new agreement in parliament. In a statement, they said they added that quite a gamble for borisjohnson who needs those ten votes from the dup. Lets cross to westminster now we can speak to our chief Political Correspondent, vicki young. Iimagine i imagine people are starting to come through at these new six to four pages that we have got, some people think that they dont think this deal is as good as these are mys deal . 64. This deal is as good as these are mys deal . 64. Now people think that they need to read it first before backing out but there is certainly movement, naming for people who didnt vote for therese at nines deal saying that they are thinking about supporting radio. If thatis thinking about supporting radio. If that is on the conservative side, including those former conservatives who were booted out of the Parliamentary Party, several of them saying that the big issues is preventing no deal, the best way to do that is to vote for a deal. Where does this leave the labour party . Lets speak to owen smith now. Jeremy corbyn seems to be saying that we will want a confirmatory and ni, presumably, i remember it will go down on saturday to try and get that . Yes, it is something i have argued for, it is the right thing to do now that we know the shape of the deal. Now that we know it will be bad for our economy, no guarantees in respect to maintaining standards, environmental standards, workers rights, regulation, all of the things we have fought for as a Labour Movement for so many years to achieve which would be released underjeopardy achieve which would be released under jeopardy under this tory government. You make that point about level Playing Field being put in the political declaration which isnt binding, and yet, some of your collea g u es isnt binding, and yet, some of your colleagues feel that they might be able to back this deal . If they do feel that, my word of warning to them is to read this carefully, as you say, all of the stuff that was binding under theresa mays deal, in terms of workers rights and environmental standards, isnt binding underthe environmental standards, isnt binding under the standards. These are casting it in the wish list a bucket, they are also contradicted by some of the things said, that they want a Free Trade Agreement and that britain should be free to do what we want in terms of our own standards to pursue our economic objectives. Our concern has always been that when the economy is damaged by brexit, the temptation for the right wing tories will be to do what they have also much to do cut workers rights and regulations, all of those things. We think we will be facilitating further years of austerity and further years of tory cuts in our standards, that shouldnt ever be something that labour ever wants to support. What about numbers for another referendum . About numbers for another referendum . Lots of about numbers for another referendum . Lots of people say that the maid has shifted, there are conservatives that would back a second referendum now, that you do think that you would get the numbers to get that amendment through on saturday . I have spoken to lots and lots of conservative and labour mps, as one of our shadow cabinet members put out the other day, they have been ona put out the other day, they have been on a journey for a number of years i do not see that they have a chance to do the right thing and put it back to the people. Jeremy corbyn has it that has the right thing to do now, i have long said out. I hope that when we come back here on saturday, we will vote to just do that. We should be passing a deal only subject to asking people if it is what they really wanted. It does not look like what was promised and the 2016, it is not what was promised, it is a much worse deal for our economy. Frankly, it jeopardises peace and security in ireland as well, something now labour or tory government should ever have considered. Those saying that there needs to be the finish, to finish this. Why should the brexiteers respect another referendum if it was to go the other way and people are to remain . understand that argument, but my simple counter is that this is not resolved now. The appalling shows that people have shifted, not a huge shift, five to 7 the other way, pull suggest that remain would now win. Is it right for this tory government to ram through the set of changes, that hard brexit that Boris Johnson is now proposing . That is what he is now after, a kind of style Free Trade Agreement is a hard brexit which will enable those tories who want a more right wing economic settlement in our country to pursue those objectives. This is the latest means by which they will try to prosecute those objectives. The right thing to do is to put it back to the people, ask them, is this what you thought you were buying in 2016 was if it isnt, lets send it back. The labour side wanting another referendum, we will have to see if that gets free on a saturday. Talking about what might happen in that about, there in government are quite optimistic. They are saying there is a clear path to leaving with a deal by october 31, and the other path has so october 31, and the other path has so many branches that you cannot possibly know where that is going to end up. I note the government is advancing the Mission Today for this about on a saturday, is this mission in front of parliament and then double . Motion. Can they do that ona double . Motion. Can they do that on a saturday . I think this is mainly filled out number four, the whole point of that was that it blog is amendable. There are also lots of people discussing that beyond that, if it were to be voted through on saturday, you then need at Withdrawal Agreement bill, which itself can be amended. It is not an easy path, whichever way you look at it, but there is certainly room there for mps to think everything is quite a bit. To tinker with things. With me is with me now is the mep, dacian ciolos, me is who is president . Of the pro european political group, renew europe. The Third Largest group in European Parliament. Thank you for being with us parliament. Thank you for being with us this afternoon. On that issue thatis us this afternoon. On that issue that is encouraging, was talking about that this is the deal, there can be no further extensions. Is that how you sit within the European Parliament . First of all, im happy to see that we have an agreement which is better than a no deal brexit. This is the good news. Now we have to scrutinise a detect, we have to see its contents, in order to be sure that the European Parliament can vote on it. What is sure parliament can vote on it. What is sure is that the European Parliament will not vote on it before being sure will not vote on it before being sure that the British Parliament accepts this deal. You want to vote on saturday, if it was ratified by the Uk Parliament, nine you sit down to look at the legal text . What sort of timescale are we talking about . do not know, we will need some days to scrutinise the text, to discuss with our political groups, and gather opinion to vote on it. Politically, for borisjohnson, this is crucial. If you are going to take three to five weeks, we are going to need a technical extension, politically, that would be difficult for him. No parliament cannot be pressured to buy just for him. No parliament cannot be pressured to buyjust because Boris Johnson has a problem. He has to solve his problem in at the British Parliament. Then we are not the European Parliament want to be sure that our red lines were not over the past in the agreement, that we have all the Main Elements in agreement. For that, we certainly need some days. I am still not sure. Do you think you can do it in a week . Are not sure that we can do this in a week, but maybe we can find a way of stopping the clock, in order to look at the tax and to be sure that what weve out for is a good agreement, accepted weve out for is a good agreement, a cce pted by weve out for is a good agreement, accepted by both parliaments. Stopping the clock is an interesting phrase that you use. Has gone into the room, it is the decision of the 27 leaders were there to have another extension if this deal is not passed in london. He is saying no, this is the deal, inferring that is not the deal, it could be no deal, is that how the European Parliament would see it or would you put pressure on to have another extension . What is clear is that we need clarity, i do not see how we can give an extension without having this clarity. First of all, this extension is decided. Are you therefore saying that if the uk wa nts to therefore saying that if the uk wants to stop the clock and have a general election, or revoke, ora second referendum that is fine. But whenever you come to at the end of the day, if you still want a deal, this is the deal. Exactly. I do not see now how we can change this deal. This is a second deal. It was not so easy because we gave some concessions. The possibility of the dup in Northern Ireland to vote on it is an important concession from the eu. Talk to me as the leader of the eu. Talk to me as the leader of the liberal group, a lot of labour voters are treating me and saying, how can you say everything is to play for in the political declaration and this could be for a general election . They say important things have been taken out of the Withdrawal Agreement and put into the political declaration, things like workers rights. I presume you would say, into the future, if you wa nt would say, into the future, if you want all of those provisions within our final deal, want all of those provisions within ourfinal deal, that want all of those provisions within our final deal, that can want all of those provisions within ourfinal deal, that can be done . Want all of those provisions within our final deal, that can be done . do not see that the problem for them. These are internal issues to be solved in the uk. For us, what is important is to have clarity on in the process, to have clarity on what the process, to have clarity on what the political agenda in the uk is. This is clearly, we want to have this clarity before having it out in European Parliament. Before having a boutin European Parliament. Before having a bout in European Parliament. That are obviously concerned about a red lines, the integrity of the Single Market, is it a foregone conclusion about the way to go through it at the European Parliament, given that 90 of the document is pretty much the same . You see no reason why the European Parliament would not ratify it . Wejust European Parliament would not ratify it . We just want to see how the integrity of the Single Market is preserved with this new system put in this new agreement, because we have got rid of the backstop, now we have got rid of the backstop, now we have another system, we want to make sure have another system, we want to make sure the integrity of the Single Market is preserved, including vat, ido market is preserved, including vat, i do not want to go into too many details but we have to look at that because the integrity of the Single Market and the rights of eu citizens living and working in the uk are key elements for my group. All important information, due to meet you, lots of luck with your leadership of the new group. Thank you forjoining us. That is the view of the European Parliament, some interesting things about the timetable. Lets cross to westminster now we can speak to our chief Political Correspondent, vicki young. It sounded like me a letter might be quite tight getting up to october 31, it they will need to be less technical excellence extension . think that is possible but certainly not something downing street will wa nt to not something downing street will want to be talking about at this stage. They are totally focused on getting laid outside the numbers to getting laid outside the numbers to get borisjohnsonmcneil getting laid outside the numbers to get Boris Johnsonmcneil through on saturday. There has been a lot of concerns about the brexiteers in the tory party who did not back theresa mays deal at any point. The other group are the conservative mps who we re group are the conservative mps who were booted out of the Parliamentary Party because they voted against the government i wanted to prevent a new deal, some have been speaking to downing street, getting a briefing on what the current deal is. Stephen hammond is with me. From what you have seen, what is your view of this new deal and how is being sold by downing street . Downing street is quite rightly having political briefings across the political world, they have asked the 21 who lost the whip in today. There are a huge number of questions about the political declaration and the new irish protocol. This is a briefing where there was a chance for us to ask some fairly in depth questions about those, critically about the political declaration because that would set out the future arrangements. I think there was quite a lot of reassurance from the briefers about some of the things that we wanted to hear. I reckon i it has a pared down document in comparison to what mrs may said but the language is better in a number of areas that one might have expected. Your concern would be that you would want a closer future relationship with the eu, there are others in your party who are looking for much more of a Free Trade Agreement without any of those reassu ra nces agreement without any of those reassurances on things like workers rights, does that document do both of those things . Im not sure about that, lets be realistic, he will not have any relationship until he has some of those things in there. If we want a free change chopped trade arrangement with europe afterwards, we will have to make some of those commitments. People have got to be practical, my ambition for all of those was to look after the economic livelihood of my constituents and our country, which is why i am usually opposed to new deal. The fact that we have a deal to look at is a good start. Have you decided whether you will back that deal . We had a discussion of theirs about a couple of points, one of which was the likelihood of being to achieve a future relationship within the period by december 2020, which is clearly a concern, december 2020, which is clearly a concern, otherwise you might create another cliff edge. I will want to have another conversation with them about that. Any other things you are worried about . Would you ever go down the route of waiting for another referendum, attached to a deal . I want to see people vote for a deal, i have always been cautious about a second referendum, i believe it would be devices, not decisive, ina numberof it would be devices, not decisive, in a number of areas. If people did not vote for a deal, a number of things may happen, i think we will all have to look at the world then, eithera all have to look at the world then, either a general election or another referendum, i suspect. either a general election or another referendum, i suspect. I think either a general election or another referendum, i suspect. Ithink that is the point in what the government will be saying, if this deal does not pass, no one can be sure will be saying, if this deal does not pass, no one can be sure what will happen next. Come back to you later, plenty of action coming from westminster. Well, naomi long is the leader of the Alliance Party and an mep. Give us your thoughts on the deal that has been agreed. From our perspective, we have always been very clear that in Northern Ireland, we absolutely need a deal, no deal would be catastrophic for us and we recognise that. We thought that theresa mays backstop plan was a reasonable compromise. This is very much not that plan, this is a much lesser deal. So, whilst we are going through at the detail and looking very carefully at the implications, it already appears that the mechanisms in terms of business are much clunky, in particular around customs and bat. There are also issues in the steel around consent, which places stresses on an assembly which places stresses on an assembly which has now not sat for three yea rs. Which has now not sat for three years. From our perspective, this is much less of a deal for Northern Ireland, much less satisfactory, that the previous Withdrawal Agreement. However, that notwithstanding, we are still conscious that whilst the margins may have shifted, we still do not wa nt to may have shifted, we still do not want to end up with a no deal scenario, that has always been our primary concern because that would be unworkable in Northern Ireland and would damage our economy and also our politics beyond repair. The backstop, they fear for the brexiteers was always that they would be locked into it in perpetuity, and that you couldnt properly get brexit. This, although it is clunky, does serve two purposes, it doesnt it . It is clunky, does serve two purposes, it doesnt it . Not entirely, the Northern Ireland backstop was never actually brought to parliament. The reason i was told by the dup that you could not possibly go with that, instead, she negotiated on the eu in order that would have the uk wide backstop arrangement. We would have been much more satisfied with the Northern Ireland only backstop, we do not believe it has any constitutional ramifications for us, it is simply pragmatic. We will be able then to deal with that. This is actually less tha n deal with that. This is actually less than the Northern Ireland only backstop, it is slightly better than the two borders and that was being touted earlier in the process, but it isa touted earlier in the process, but it is a very pure deal in comparison to the Northern Ireland only backstop. It is a very poor deal. In part, it is trying to answer the generous in part, it is trying to answer the generous side, i Northern Ireland backstop which they might have been locked into a new perpetuity, the four that was one step short of unification in oil and. This deal, legally speaking, keeps Northern Ireland within the uk Customs Union which is what the Prime Minister is trying to do. But the Prime Minister and the government should have a long time ago ought to have this ability will of the notion that by aligning herself with the eu we are moving out of the uk. That is absolute nonsense. The difficulty now is that they dup represent a minority of people in Northern Ireland, we are all minorities now in Northern Ireland. They do not represent the majority view, the majority who voted to remain, they represent a Minority Community. That is not to say that their views are unimportant, but for 6 of the uk population essentially holding the rest of the country to ransom has been the most ludicrous outworking ofa been the most ludicrous outworking of a brick so far ludicrous outworking of brexit so far. The whole purpose of the good friday agreement is to give all parties in Northern Ireland consent, so they are ifan Northern Ireland consent, so they are if an emitter part of the good friday agreement. To be absolutely clear, the dup rejected the good friday agreement much what theyre hiding behind now, they rejected when it was brought to the people. But in mine, i represent people who do not define themselves as unionist or nationalists. One good thing about consent written into this agreement actually reflects that a simple majority about ought to be surface stomach sufficient to make those decisions, in that hour about word count just as those decisions, in that hour about word countjust as much as anyone elses. There is this belief that, because at the dup are crucial to the numbers out at the arithmetic in westminster, that in some way they represent the majority of Northern Irelands views. They simply do not. The majority of parties in Northern Ireland, the majority of Civic Society, Business Community, have said very clear that they were very happy with the backstop. This has been a long journey for auditors and to get to the point where theresa may was, two years ago, when they had a deal and the dup said no to it because the dup have a history of saint to everything. The way that the dup characterise this consent is that actually, when it comes to the vote in stormont, the Alliance Party, your party, the greens would line up with the nationalist sinn fein, and that would mean that they dont really have any consent because a simple majority would be on the nationalist side, and they would always want to stay closer to europe and dublin. First of all, the green party, ale lines party are not nationalist parties so let me disabuse your listeners of that notion. That is not the case. We are neutral on this issue because we support the good friday agreement and Northern Ireland will not exit the United Kingdom until a majority of people in Northern Ireland wish it to do so. And that has not happened at this point in time. The dup bizarrely are saying there has to be consent for Northern Ireland to be consent for Northern Ireland to remain in certain parts of the eu, there was no consent from the people of Northern Ireland to leave the eu in the first place, so you cant have this both ways. The reality is Northern Ireland voted to remain indicated it wants to remain aligned with the eu and the majority of elected representatives fit into that space and said that is what we wa nt that space and said that is what we want it to do. We dont believe this is the best way to go about it, but asi is the best way to go about it, but as i say, we would prefer to have a deal than no deal, for the dup suddenly to embrace the good friday agreement, to embrait brace the principle of consent when it suits them, having rejected it pretty much consistently for the last 21 years is nothing short of disgraceful. Naomi long, we are gratefulfor you joining us, thank you for your time. Thank you for your time. Our reality check correspondent, chris morrisjoins me now. I dont know if you heard any of that, but. Interesting. Really interesting, that idea that the dup would be given a single veto, that was never going to fly in dublin, with some of the parties in Northern Ireland, and that is why we are where we are. Yet it was essentially, the opening bid that Boris Johnsons essentially, the opening bid that borisjohnsons government essentially, the opening bid that Boris Johnsons government put essentially, the opening bid that borisjohnsons government put out at the beginning of october, but you are right, i mean, it was something that clearly the eu wasnt willing to accept. What i thought was interring, is a view from on the ground, that people are going to have to implement this untested new system of custom and dual border, down beat assessment. This will be clunky, difficult to do. It is messy, and we shouldnt forget that, for many people in Northern Ireland, the original agreement, produced by theresa may, was preferable and of course, for many people Northern Ireland voted remain, what they have eu membership is better than any of this, a lot of dissatisfied people which ever way you turn. Two things i took from that interview, this is not going to change, so you are not going to get suddenly some concession this afternoon, they are not going to go there, so you wonder how they will pull the dup back on side, the second thing, is that shes just bust the myth that is perpetrated by the dup, that the greens and the alliance, they will vote with the nationalist, Going Forward if this deal were to pass, there could be a scenario when they dont like some of the things coming from brussels and the stormont would get some consent over that. There could be. Ithink get some consent over that. There could be. I think realistically the eus could be. I think realistically the eus looked at the, what it has put in place, in this proposal, and it thinks it is unlikely, the way it has been setup, that the Northern Ireland assembly would ever vote to bring these new economic arrangements to an end. That is why think they have been willing to get ridded of the backstop, the ultimate guarantee there would be no return. So is the dup right, in fa ct return. So is the dup right, in fact it is a sleight of hand it looks like they have given them consent but they havent . Looks like they have given them consent but they havent . To some extent it is, if you want to put it that way, but i guess you could argue that is how democracy work, thatis argue that is how democracy work, that is how it works in the Northern Ireland assembly, just as leave voters say, we won that referendum and that is how democracy work, there are winners and losers and you need losers consent. Often you need a fudge in Northern Ireland because it is so complex, that is the point, of the good friday agreement. Well, and it, people talk about borders and it, people talk about borders and economic benefits and we have to remember that so much of the good friday agreement was about identity, and about allowing in a sense both sides to take from the agreement what they wanted to take from it. It did makea what they wanted to take from it. It did make a lot of things ambiguous, one of the difficulties of leaving the eu is that it created where there were great areas there were divided lines that is what this trying to negotiate a way through. Let us pick up another issue, we heard from scrubbing jung and you urged me to take what he was saying with a pinch of salt. He said no more extension, we heard from the former romanian Prime Minister, the head of the liberal group in parliament, saying we could maybe stop the clock but this is the deal is the deal is the deal. If you want a deal this is going to be it. How do you think things are shaping up in terms of what they do if it is not passed op saturday . My note of caution aboutJean Claude Juncker is he is not, he doesnt have a volt in the European Council, that is the heads of government, and i think, i think leaders of National Governments will be reluctant to interfere or seen to interfere blata ntly interfere or seen to interfere blatantly in the affairs of another member state. Saying the government is right, this is your last chance, so is right, this is your last chance, so of course they will hint they wa nt so of course they will hint they want this to go through because they wa nt want this to go through because they want this to go through because they want this to go through, a lot of levers seem to think in the uk debate the eu is with the remain side and it want us to stay, i think they are fed up, they want to move on. Particularly the french. Macron wa nts to on. Particularly the french. Macron wants to get on with it. They all wa nt to wants to get on with it. They all want to get on with it. This has been too much of a burden for too long when they have other issues to deal with. Yes they would like it to go through but i would be surprised if the European Council itself came out with a statement saying it is this or nothing. If it were not tot go through the house of commons, i find it almost impossible to imagine the European Council saying right we wash our hands of it, we are leaving with no deal, you are leaving with no deal. With no deal, you are leaving with nodeal. Because nobody wants to own that. Nobody wants to own it. Interesting, chris thank you for the moment. Well, agata gosty ska jakubowska is a Senior Research fellow at the centre for european reform, an independent think tank which works to improve the eu. Shejoins me. When you look at this deal, do you think it is a a poorer cousin to the theresa may deal we had . Has it been watered down, some of the key provisions in that agreement . think, you know, we always knew that for borisjohnsons think, you know, we always knew that for Boris Johnsons proposal to work, it would have to evolve, and it has evolved in the last couple of days, i mean some will say that obviously it has evolved towards the Northern Ireland backstop only, so, but it seems to me, you know, there we re but it seems to me, you know, there were concessions, and a willingness to move on both sides, you know, i would probably say there is no way for any form of consent, and here it iss for any form of consent, and here it is 5 yes, it is diluted, but obviously, the eu had fought hard to basically defend itself principles through the negotiation process. Yes, we have been hearing from the leader of the renew group ivan mckee for him is defending the swegty of the Single Market. Does this dual customs arrangement, in Northern Ireland, does it as far as you are concerned is protect the Single Market, does it go that far . Could it bea market, does it go that far . Could it be a back door into the Single Market . Well, what is really important, is that you know, the initial, there has been certain development when it comes to the czechs. I think the eu managed to keep the principle that is no hardening of a border on the ireland of ireland. Checks. Having said that, obviously, the uk has moved on that, obviously, the uk has moved on that one. And it seems to me, yes, the whole concept of the consent is helping the eu to make sure that there are no disruptions to the Single Market, right. I mean, initially, mrjohnson wanted the stormont to have a say, or basically to agree on whether the whole, you know, Northern Ireland, sort of, the ireland protocol kicks in. Now obviously that has been changed in a way, it will with on the after four yea rs way, it will with on the after four years that the institution, the devolved administration on stormont actually will have a say. One of the sticking points through the week, has been actually in relation to the future relationship, the political declaration which we know is none binding and it relates to what they call level Playing Field. What france, the netherlands, you know, the continue menial europe, is what they dont want, they dont want the uk undercutting regulation, reducing taxes, so that the uk becomes this powerhouse on their border, it really inviting, a singapore light if you will on the thames, do you think from reading the text that you have seen today, they have managed to get enough assurances from Boris Johnson that is not going to happen . Well, i mean, as you rightly pointed out, you know, gee graphic proximity is a bad word of this town and obviously the eu will want to make sure that you know, there is no competitive disadvantage on sort of, you know on the other side of the tunnel. Now this will be the subject of the negotiations whenever they start, you know, we still dont know actually if the deal that both negotiating parties agreed today is going to basically be approved by the British Parliament. If this is the British Parliament. If this is the case that will obviously be the subject of negotiations, but it seems to me we are heading towards some form of the fta fda. I am not surprised, you will want to make sure not surprised, you will want to make sure that the level Playing Field is isa sure that the level Playing Field is is a stringent one and probably more stringent that, you know, more than with any third country that the eu has been negotiating with. Ok. Good to talk to you, thank you for your perspective. So borisjohnson so Boris Johnson in so borisjohnson in with the leader, we will try and get a steer on what he has been saying, he has been allowed to address the room. When we get that we will bring it to you, from here in brussels i will stand you to simon. Lets cross to westminster now, we can speak to our chief Political Correspondent, vicki young. You will be busy on saturday, no trip to center parcs for you, everybody is questioning how tight this vote is going to be . Noone thinks it is going to be an easy victory or a big loss, i think it will be very close, and you know, the movement there is at the moment, and it is very hard to quantify, but the movement there is, is definitely people who didnt vote for theresa mays deal, saying they would vote for this deal. Now that is on one wing of course on the conservative party, i think a lot that is down to them, looking at borisjohnson, the person who led the leave campaign, saying the cabinet he pit round himself, the people he took into downing street, one former minister said this is the best deal we are going to get. They are fearful of losing brexit. You have the opposition, very much not signed up to this including the snp and drew hendry is with me now. Arent you risk the risking the possibility of no deal . Risk the risking the possibility of nodeal . What is proposed is worse than the deal theresa may brought back to the commons and had rejected three times and it singles scotla nd rejected three times and it singles scotland out for particularly harsh treatment. Thailand is a really law dealfor treatment. Thailand is a really law deal for scotland, if you treatment. Thailand is a really law dealfor scotland, if you look treatment. Thailand is a really law deal for scotland, if you look at the way the uk voted, england and wales voted to leave, fair enough they would get to leave. Northern ireland voted to remain and they are being allowed to remain and scotland is being dragged uniquely out of the Single Market, out of the Customs Union against its will. That is in no way fair union against its will. That is in no wayfairand union against its will. That is in no way fair and there is no way i can support that, it will lead to social and economic damage across scotland. But you cannot be saying that the situation is in scotland is the same as the island of ireland and Northern Ireland. You know they have a unique set of circumstances, a unique and troubled history, which is why there is going to be a very different arrangement for Northern Ireland, because of the need to have peace on that island. It is really important to maintain the Peace Process but that was in place before this brexit shambles was unrolled and we didnt need to get in this, into this situation, we could have remained in the eu or indeed the uk government could have taken the compromise option put forward by the scottish government, to leave the eu but to remain in the Customs Union and the Single Market, all of these things would have solved that particular problem, but now what we find, because of this contortion act that has gone through to get a deal through by 31st october, that scotla nd through by 31st october, that scotland is going to be putting into this uniquely dangerous place, something it didnt vote for, it voted 62 to remain, all 32 Council Areas and since then all the opinion polls have shown that position has hardened for our position in the eu. It is clear the only way forward for scotla nd it is clear the only way forward for scotland is to have a referendum on independence, and choose to take a different path in scotland becoming an independent nation taking its own seatin an independent nation taking its own seat in the eu. What is the next step for you here on saturday . What are you going to do, to try and get what you want . Well, as you will know from this situation, there are lots of things that are unravelling by the moment, different propositions and amendments are likely to come forward, we will keep all the options open to make sure we are maintaining scotlands place within the eu, we wont vote for think cant see any circumstances and we have been absolutely consistent about this, we were going to vote to do economic harm to scotland, so we are not going to vote for this deal, what we need to do is get to a place now of making sure we do is get to a place now of making sure we either have an extension, article 50 is revoked and we get back to having a general election, so we can back to having a general election, so we can kick borisjohnson and the tories out of power. You are willing to putJeremy Corbyn into downing street, arent you, in order to maybe get that extension or to get the election. We have said we will keep all options open, unlike other parties we have said we will work across the benches to get solution, but what is critical is there is no such thing as a good tory government for scotland but the borisjohnson government is the worst possible incarnation of that, so our priority is to get him out off office so he cant act in this way which is detrimental to the people in scotland. Do you think the numbers are there in the house of commons for another referendum . Well, it is possible and as i said, we will look at this, keep our options open, the priority is to make sure that we, we do everything we can, to make sure this deal is voted down and also a no deal brexit is voted down. The benn act is still in place, we seek an extension so benn act is still in place, we seek an extension so we can benn act is still in place, we seek an extension so we can get to a point where we can have a general election. This place is broken, it cannot come to a consensus within the house, so we need to have an election to flush all that out and make sure we have borisjohnson out of power and seek a way forward within this place. Thank you very much indeed. And the interesting thing about saturday of course is that it was always the case an amendment could be put down, to any deal that is put forward, there has been some changes made to that and more amendments could go down and they can talk for longer than they we re they can talk for longer than they were able to before. Mark drakeford is the first minister in the welsh government, hejoins me now. The welsh secretary alan cairns says this deal provides certainty for business. It is a very bad deal for wails, it removes some of the things we we re wails, it removes some of the things we were prepared to welcome in mrs mays deal and it will do damage, u ntold mays deal and it will do damage, untold damage to the welsh economy and to welsh jobs. Tell me what it is that theresa mays deal that this one doesnt . Is that theresa mays deal that this one doesnt . Mrs mays deal would have had regulately arm linement with the European Union so we would have been able to trade in goods and agricultural product with the Single Market, there was a customs agreement, it wasnt everything we wa nted agreement, it wasnt everything we wanted but it is better than we see in the borisjohnson deal, and in those six weeks of talks with the labour party, progress was made on embedding workers right, citizenship rights, all of that is castaway in this deal. It is a far worse deal for wales than the one rejected already, by the house of commons. So the criticism of theresa mays deal was that it didnt represent brexit, what you are saying this really is brexit. Well, this is ard hear form of brexit and the harder form that brexit takes, the greater the damage that is done to wales. So, what would you like to see happen on saturday, because at the moment, there is the possibility that it moment, there is the possibility thatitis moment, there is the possibility that it is a straight choice between this deal and no deal . That it is a straight choice between this deal and nodeal . Well, i certainly dont think that ought to be the choice, we have said in the welsh government, for many weeks and months now, the decision should go back to the people. It is too big, it is too controversial, this house of commons is not capable of discharging this responsibility, the decision should go back to people, and we will campaign to remain. So we go through all that again . Well, i know, i understand the weariness, i understand the way that people feel. It is notjust weariness, it is question whether that would resolve anything. I dont know what you makes you think another referendum would, given the country seems to be completely split . Well a second referendum offers the opportunity to have a debate that is necessary , opportunity to have a debate that is necessary, to go on explaining to people in wales and elsewhere, why the deal we have now is the best deal we can get and why it preserves job, security, and reputation. All of those things really matter to wales, we want the opportunity to make that case again, and in that way, to help to resolve the impasse the house of commons has created over many months. General election . A general election i would love a general election. The sooner we can get rid of this government, the better that will be for wales. Would you be prepared to continence and interim government led byJeremy Corbyn . I would be delighted to see a government led byJeremy Corbyn. So. | a government led byJeremy Corbyn. So. Iwould a government led byJeremy Corbyn. So. I would like to see a permanent government led byJeremy Corbyn but i would live with an interim one to get us the decision backin interim one to get us the decision back in the hands of the people. Talk me through how you would best see that working. Well, i am not a member of the house of commons, and the hard work has to be done there, but as i understand it, the prospectus is for a short term government, with a single prospectus which is to get time in which a decision can be put back in the hands of the british people. A Jeremy Corbyn government for that purpose would be created, it would deliver a path through all of this, it would allow those of us who believe that our future is best secured through continued membership of the European Union, to put that case back to people. The difficulty with this and you, i know you have heard this argument before, you and i have talked about it before, you say let us put it back to the british people, its the british people who have brought us to where we are. That is over three years ago, the british people, i dont believe the british people voted for the sort of deal that borisjohnson is about to strike. A deal that will make trade with our nearest neighbours more difficult. A deal that will make the movement of people that Welsh Public Services and businesses rely on more difficult to achieve, and a deal that will throw away the rights we have acquired as workers, as citizens as consumers through our membership of the European Union, that wasnt what people were promised in the referendum, now it is clear to them, what this actually means. Is clear to them, what this actually means. That decision should go back to them. Thank you so much for your time this afternoon. Thank you. The headlines on bbc news. Boris johnsons Brexit Agreement hes reached with the eu is being discussed by the leaders of the eus Member States at a summit in brussels this afternoon. The president of the European Commission,Jean Claude Juncker, rules out granting an extension to the brexit deadline of 31 october. But Northern Irelands Democratic Unionists say they still cant support it as things stand. in the Business News. The pound continues to yo yo. On the news that a brexit deal had been struck Sterling Rose to a five month high and hoisted european stocks to a year and a half peak, before familiar doubts about british Parliamentary Support for the agreementhauled them back. Three uks mobile users are still without data or signal after a Network Failure last night. The problems, which are nationwide, started after some Maintenance Work on Threes Network infrastructure. |t is not sure how many of its ten million customers are affected. The pound has been the key barometer of brexit sentiment throughout this process. Its been on a roller coaster ride of late, up 8 since Early September when it hit its lowest since october 2016. And today was no expection. It rallied sharply on the news that a brexit deal had been done, only to drop again on the news that the dup would not support the plan in parliament in saturday. Good to talk to you, would you say that the market is already looking ahead to what could happen if parliament doesnt pass this deal, during saturdays sitting . Parliament doesnt pass this deal, during saturdays sitting . parliament doesnt pass this deal, during saturdays sitting . I think thatis during saturdays sitting . I think that is exactly what the markets doing, like you say round about 20 to 11 we hit that peak and over the next couple of hours we came off that peak and we were back down to more or less where we started the morning and that is because the market is ensure whether this new deal will get through parliament. We of course have seen the same situation with theresa may, she had a deal too with the eu and she couldnt get that through Parliament Three times, and of course without the dups support it is not quite sure, cannot be quite sure whether or not we are going to get other members of the tory party declining to vote on this too. It is very much up to vote on this too. It is very much up in the air. The market is wondering what happens if there isnt a deal. Does that mean that mps will try and attach conditions the the votes such as a referendum . Does that mean we will be talking more about an lex next week. So yes sterling is stronger than it was a week ago, but certainly it is off todays highs as well. Week ago, but certainly it is off todays highs as well. The market talking about the possibility of another referendum, the risk of early election and of course new headlines that juncker has early election and of course new headlines thatjuncker has ruled out granting an extension to the uk if it doesnt ao prove this deal. Implications there. So lots of negative politicals for the pound and uk assets. That is exactly right. Of course, sunday is going to be crucial. The market re opens in asia on sunday night, it is sterling will go up or down dependent on the outcome of saturday. During the course of early next week we will see the dust settle. We will see new positive signs as to whether or not we will go to a referendum, an election or whether north that deal gets through. If that deal gets through, i expect that sterling will rally ha rd through, i expect that sterling will rally hard in the early hours of next weeks trade which will be in our sunday night and the asian morning but if not, sterling could certainly go back down to at least to the levels it was a week ago, if that deal does not get past. So the yo yoing for tornado pound set to continue. Good to talk to you its the second Biggest Network in the uk after ee, and today 02 is launching its 5g network with a rollout across six different locations with the aim of reaching a total of 20 towns and cities in 2019. Earlier we spke to ceo mark evans evans on what todays brexit deal could mean for customers and particaulrly roaming charges. We have been public in our commitment we want to maintain free roaming across europe, of course like any agreement we need it to be signed off by our counterparts in europe. The vast majority of those have said they will honour that, and commit to that, i think a few of them are still waiting for the Brexit Agreement to go through, and then they will finalise their position, but i am really hopeful that all networks across europe will up that all networks across europe will up hold the existing peace of mind use up hold the existing peace of mind use of mobile across europe. As weve been hearing, we saw sterling jump as much as a 1 against the dollar to a five months high putting it back on course for its best six day gain in more than 30 years. We saw london and european stocks surge to a year and a half peak but market optimism faltered when the dup said it could not support the agreement. And the deal is also subject to British Parliamentary approval on saturday. So, having ran up as far as 1. 29, sterling started to splutter badly and is back down under 1. 28. It also dropped back from a may high of 0. 86 pence against the euro. However, yields on British Government ten year bond rose to their highest since july. But if youre heading off on your half term holidays on saturday and youre wondering if now is the time to buy your euros the advice weve been getting from experts is its tricky to call. If the deal gets passed on saturday, the pound could rise further. But if it doesnt, it could fall. S probably the best thing to do is hedge your bets and buy some euros now, and take out the rest once youre abroad. Thats all the Business News. Here is chris with the weather. We have seen plenty of heavy showers today, and there is plenty more of those showers on the way over the next few days as well. So skies like these are going to be pretty commonplace as these are going to be pretty commonplace as we go on these are going to be pretty commonplace as we go on through friday and into the weekend. The radar picture picks out where we have seen the showers working in today, and really, the showers here represent just the leading today, and really, the showers here representjust the leading edge of an area of low pressure that expand into the atlantic, with these shower clouds set to move in across the cou nty clouds set to move in across the county through friday and the weekend, so it will stay unsettled. Through the rest of the day these areas are most likely to see the showers but some areas will probably stay dry, parts of north east scotland, north east england and dodging the downpours quite well but overnight tonight the showers again will be extensive, particularly across southern and Western Areas of the uk where it will be windy, the winds keeping the temperatures up so not as cold a night as last night. Temperatures of nine of ten degrees in london. Tomorrow, more of the same, but in london. Tomorrow, more of the same, but i cant really promise anyone will stay dry, the showers will be so widespread across the country and like today, for quite a few areas, there will be several downpours at some point, with just a few brighter spells in between. Some of the showers could be heavy with thunder, with temperatures staying between 12 and 14, so little change in how the weather feels here. Looking beyond that into the weekend, we are looking at further shower, particularly on saturday but the area of low pressure gets less intense, that means more of us should have drier conditions on sunday with fewer showers out and about. So, in more detail, it is a pretty wet start to the weekend for some of us, there could be more persistent rain in scotland, working into northern england, another day of sunshine and heavy downpour, temperatures typically round 12 15 but starting to turn cooler across northern scotland as the winds begins to blow in here. Now through sunday, as i say there should be fewer showers generally so more of us fewer showers generally so more of us will have a drier day, with a bit of sunshine from time to time, the greatest risk of showers probably in eastern scotland, running into north eastping england but it will start to turn cool e that is your weather. This is bbc news. Im Christian Fraser live in brussels, as borisjohnson and the European Union announce they have reached a brexit deal. Mrjohnson says its a great deal which takes back control. The eu describes the deal as a fair and balanced agreement. For us in the uk, it means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives. And it means that the uk leaves, whole and entire, on october the 31st. But the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, rules out granting any further extensions. We have a deal, so why should we have a prorogation . But can mrjohnson get his deal through parliament on saturday . Northern irelands Democratic Unionists say they still cant support it as things stand. And, the labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, calls it a sell out deal he wants the people to have the final say in another referendum. As it stands, we cant support this deal, and well oppose it in parliament on saturday. It is unclear if he has the support of his allies in the dup or his allies in the backbenches. Well bring you the latest from here in brussels and from westminster. Good afternoon. The Prime Minister says the uk and the eu have struck a great new deal on brexit. Speaking in brussels, borisjohnson called the agreement a reasonable fair outcome, and said now is the moment to get brexit done. The president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, said he was happy with the deal and he wouldnt support a further extension if one was requested. But mrjohnson still faces a battle to get the deal through parliament on saturday which is to hold a special one day sitting. The dup, which supports the conservatives in parliament, has said it will vote against the proposals. And the labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has said it was a worse deal than theresa mays. So, whats in the agreement . First to avoid a hard border, Northern Ireland will remain aligned to a set of rules related to the eus Single Market. Northern ireland remains a part of the uk customs territory but by avoiding a Customs Border on the island of ireland, there will be a de facto border for goods down the irish sea. The controversial backstop has been removed. And members of the Northern Irish assembly will have a say on the long term application of eu law in Northern Ireland but any decision would be based on a simple majority. The Prime Minister held a News Conference after arriving in brussels, saying he hoped mps would now push ahead with passing what he described as a good deal. This deal represents a very good deal, both for the eu and for the uk, and its a reasonable, fair outcome, and reflects the large amount of work thats been undertaken by both sides, and i agree very much, jean claude, with what you said about protecting the Peace Process in the island of ireland, and in Northern Ireland, and of course, for us in the uk. It means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives, and it means that the uk leaves whole and entire, on 31st october, and it means that Northern Ireland and every other part of the uk can take part, notjust in free trade deals offering our tariffs, exporting our goods around the world, but it also means we can take together as a single United Kingdom decisions about our future, about our laws, our borders, our money and how we want to run the uk. The president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, spoke to reporters about the deal and said there could not be another extension to the brexit deadline tx what happens if this doesnt pass through parliament . Im not in charge of the parliament in britain, that is the job of boris. Do you believe that it will . I hope it will. Im convinced it will. It has to. It has to but if it doesnt . Anyway, there will be no prorogation. No prorogation, no delay . Could there be an extension, mr juncker . We have concluded the deal. So there is no argument for further delay it has to be done now. A Young College and cursing that there will be no further delay, but is in the power of the other 27 leaders weather there will be a further extension. But the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland have said they will not support the new agreement in parliament. In a statement, they said. This they added that this they added that. A lot of focus on the dups position this afternoon. Our chief Political Correspondent, vicki young, is in central lobby for us. We are starting to hear from all the other parties in Northern Ireland, much more in favour of the deal than the dup, although they have some reservations about what is contained within it. That has always been the dynamic, that Northern Ireland did vote to stay in the eu, and yet the dup very much on the side of brexit. But it turns out they are not willing to accept any deal, they are looking very closely at it. We can discuss it with james brecon and radnorshire, former Northern Ireland secretary. The dup says this deal undermines the integrity of the uk . I think Everyone Needs to look closely at what the deal says, another island very firmly remaining in the uk customs area, benefiting from the Free Trade Agreements that we would want to see housed the deal coming into effect. It is also important to stress the principles of consent that how very much in building the agreement that has been struck with the eu. I hope that on that reflection that there will be that reflection that there will be that careful consideration by the dup and others to see that we do get behind the steel, to see that on saturday the eighth is passed here in parliament to get it over the line so that we can put all of this pain, turmoil that we have been throughout the country over the last couple of years behind us and be able to move forward. Are you surprised that borisjohnson managed to get a deal, given how much we head about the eu are not the a p pa re ntly head about the eu are not the apparently Withdrawal Agreement, not removing the backstop, are you surprised . I backed Boris Johnson in the leadership because i thought he was the right person to get a deal and carry it through parliament. Yes, all of those things that we we re yes, all of those things that we were told was impossible, but boris has achieved that, well prudently Withdrawal Agreement, and getting this deal now. Clearly, the next challenge is passing the vote in parliament, that is where the focus lies, i want to see mps getting behind this. Yes, this reflects the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland, upholding the good friday agreement, recognising the way businesses operate across the island of ireland, therefore and how this is reflected very firmly in this deal. The dup says that there will be administrative burdens for businesses in Northern Ireland which will not be the same for businesses elsewhere in the uk, they are being treated very differently to the rest of gb . There is no doubt we have a unique situation in Northern Ireland and the island of ireland. Yes, it is about looking at the detail of this out of the agreement itself recognises that there is still more detail that is to be fleshed out, and that that will now take place post the passing of the agreement. I think that you can look at this on how Northern Ireland businesses are able to operate, actually having the benefit of the three trade agreements, but also, that abilities of trade within the island of ireland without the burdens of bureaucracy. There is a regulation zone that will now operate equally in relation to some of the issues with customs too. I think there are positive things to look at in terms of business in Northern Ireland, equally, this is underpinned by the principle of consent and the requirement of a vote at stormont in order to see that this continues, recognising that this is different, that there is that this application of rules that would not operate otherwise. The question is Boris Johnson would have the numbers without the dup, i think its important to say that downing street and others are making clear that the talks with the dup are not over, they have been in Constant Contact and will continue to be so. We will pick up some of those issues on oil and. On ireland. We can speak now to mep mairead mcguinness, who is Vice President of the European Parliament. Lets just pick up on whatjames brecon and radnorshire was saying that they are, that he views this deal is upholding the principles of the belfast agreement, do you . James brecon and radnorshire. the belfast agreement, do you . James brecon and radnorshire. I feel i was the absolute core of all this delay, we needed to make sure there is no disruption to the good friday agreement, two all ireland economy, our principle is no hard infrastructure and checks on the island of ireland. I think that has been achieved in this agreement. I suppose here in the European Parliament people are analysing as to how it will be implemented. I think it is a important day, a relatively sad day, i have to say, but it is now moving towards the uk leaving the eu. I am saying that without fully understanding the numbers in the house of commons. But her own island, i think it was absolutely pivotal that there was a awareness of the uniqueness and specialness of the position of Northern Ireland. I think that was reflected by borisjohnson and his comments and the eu side. I think for a Northern Ireland, for business and farming, they will want to see how this is a plough to but i think it is an important aspect of the Withdrawal Agreement, as is the principle that stormont would be able to vote within four years witnesses implemented, that a simple majority would hold sway. I think that it majority would hold sway. I think thatitis majority would hold sway. I think that it is also important, aspects of verification of the deal. We are looking at our own timetable, watching carefully what is happening at the house of commons on saturday, trying to understand the various commentaries and negotiations with the dup. Perhaps we may be required next week to verify and ratify this Withdrawal Agreement, there is much to discuss here in the European Parliament. I just to discuss here in the European Parliament. Ijust want to discuss here in the European Parliament. I just want to ask you about the dups position. A furious row on social media at the moment about whether they do have consent, initially, in the first Boris Johnson offer, they had at their own veto. Since then, they have been pushing for a Majority Community veto, if you will, so a majority of unionists and nationalists. If im right, the European Parliament was never going to give the dup at their own veto on this . I think the dup, by the statements today, are looking for a veto. I think it would be unthinkable for any party in Northern Ireland to have a veto over a Withdrawal Agreement that has been negotiated between the eu and the uk, which is trying to limit the damage. Frankly, today is not a good day, i believe we will all lose out because of brexit. This agreement is trying to limit the damage. It would be unthinkable that any Party Anywhere but have a b tool. It is also important to understand the principle of consent, that word is being used. The first of all, stormont is not setting this up all be right and proper that a vote of all of all of the parties in a storm want, as the outcome of that vote would be reflected of their view of staying in this arrangement or wanting to leave it. I dont think it would be properfor one party to decide what happens next. I think borisjohnson is obviously in agreement on that, that he does not see an egg veto as being appropriate. There is a huge difference between a Parliament Given support by a majority support, than by allowing 142 seat no. I do not think anyone would regard that he does not see an egg veto as being appropriate. There is a huge difference between a Parliament Given support by a majority support, than by allowing 140 to say no. I do not think anyone would regard as appropriate. By allowing one party to say no. Lets speak now to italian mep, marco campomenosi, from the identity and democracy group. You are aligned to the labour party in italy, how do you see this deal . Do you think it is a good deal for borisjohnson . Do you think it is a good deal for Boris Johnson . Good afternoon to everyone. Yes, ithink Boris Johnson . Good afternoon to everyone. Yes, i think it is a good deal for your Prime Minister, i think that finally we have reached something concrete. European institutions have lost a lot of time in at least two years, they wanted a sort of punitive approach. Their first aim was to teach all the other countries to say, dont do this to our british friends because it has a very negative. Now, if mrjohnson has reached the target to have a brexit in a fast way, you good way, especially if the uk will have a. Of our first especially if the uk will have a. Of ourfirst aimjust especially if the uk will have a. Of our first aim just to be against your country to have a punitive approach. Closing negotiations before elections was better, because after, in case you are having early elections, mrjohnson could be Even Stronger than now. Interesting that you put it that way, as a european, because the eu would probably say that they are trying to protect the integrity of their Single Market so that things do not come into it telling consumers that do not uphold european checks and balances. They also dont want the uk to be undercutting regulations, reducing taxes, so that there is too much competition from the uk to the likes obviously. So i am surprised that you do not want to sort of assurances. You do not want to sort of assurances. That might you do not wa nt assurances. That might you do not want those sort of assurances. We wa nt want those sort of assurances. We want clarity, italy, germany and france are exporters, we export goods to the United Kingdom. For a lot of people during these two years, european institutions did not care, they prefer to say silly things about italians leaving the uk would have problems, which is absolutely not true. What is important for our producers is to have good agreements, because Great Britain is much too important for my country, we have good agreements in the Defence Industry and many other things. If the uk will have Free Trade Agreements with the us, canada, australia and new zealand, this would be a problem with the european producers. For this reason, we needed an agreement. I know very well there are internal questions, the irish question, i do not know what will happen. I will be interested in what happens. In my country, we want democracy respected, and democracy says that uk citizens have asked to leave the eu. Very interesting perspectives, thank you for being with us. Back to our chief Political Correspondent vicky young is in central lobby for us. Any sphere on which way at this vital might go on saturday . any sphere on which way at this vital might go on saturday . I think it is all guesswork. Lets get the perspective from the liberal democrats and one of the newest mps. Borisjohnson has democrats and one of the newest mps. Boris johnson has done democrats and one of the newest mps. Borisjohnson has done what everyone said he didnt want to do, he has not gone for no deal, he has gone for a deal, his got in the literal agreement reopen, the backstop change. Well anything make you vote for this deal . Absolutely not, i think it is overstating Boris Johnsons achievements here. This was a day without theresa may rejected, saying it was too weak, now he has signed up for an embellished version of that deal. When the backstop was first floated, borisjohnson described it when the backstop was first floated, Boris Johnson described it as an outrageous infringement on the uks integrity. Today, he wants us to welcome it as a masterstroke. Lets not give him too much credit for what has happened today. I will not vote for it, the reason being that it is one country, two systems no mandate in the referendum to break up mandate in the referendum to break up the uk which this essentially does, which is why the dup cannot support it. Some would say it is not the same as theresa mays proposal because there is this element of consent written into it. because there is this element of consent written into it. I said it was embellished, it has the element of consent, clearly, the dup do not find it satisfactory otherwise they would sign up to it. If Boris Johnson gives us a bit on these things, i would say why does he not subject is due to a confirmatory referendum, it would fly through the commons, let the people of this country to decide whether this is the future that they want. Will that be the tactic on saturday . There is a lot of chat that saturday is not the right time to get her another referendum for various reasons, partly because you do not have the numbers . I do not think the issue is the numbers. People are thinking about what motion will boris present, will it be amendable, will saturday be the right time . We have very limited time in terms of the debate, we had five days of debate forward theresa mays, we will have five hours on a saturday. We will be looking to bring forward some kind of confirmatory referendum on his deal at the earliest possible opportunity. They fear among some is that by doing it on a saturday, that might get defeated, the notion of another referendum, and that would be the end of it. The other thing they are looking at is possibly trying to change the Withdrawal Agreement bill, which would come later, and tried to get a referendum inserted at that point. Just to reiterate from the side, the European Parliament and European Council has said that they will not ratify this agreement until they see what happens on a saturday. Lets speak to colum eastwood, leader of the social democratic and labour party, known as the sdlp in Northern Ireland. He is in londonderry. We keep talking about this consent mechanism, it depends on getting stormont up and running again, is there any prospect of that . We havent had institutions here in three years, im not sure how likely it is going to be at their will get them back anytime soon but we need to get them back, notjust because of this, but because not having a government is having a real impact on our health service, our economy and schools. That is something we are working very hard on, the dup and sinn fein, the two largest parties, have not been able to get it together and we have all suffered because of it. None of us as for the assembly to be thrust into the middle of the trading relationship between the north of ireland and the uk, and the north of ireland and the eu. We did not expect that. We think it is one of the weaker part of the deal, in fact, it is one of the weaker part of the deal, infact, but it is one of the weaker part of the deal, in fact, but we are glad it does not have a retail mechanism for the dup, the whole thing would have been absolutely pointless if we had secured an agreement between the uk government and the eu and then along the dup, a Minority Party in another island to veto it. Im glad it has been taken out, i do think there is difficulty with the roman consent issue, creating instability where we do not need any more. I suppose this deal is not as good as remaining in the eu, not as good as the backstop which the dup and others rejected but it is better than no deal and protects us from a hard border on this island. I feel protects us from a hard border on this island. Ifeel it protects us from a hard border on this island. I feel it is protects us from a hard border on this island. Ifeel it is because the eu has worked very hard to score on that. It is not an ideal position for us, we much prefer to be staying in the eu but the antics of people like the dup have forced us into this situation where we have to have a clunky response to what could have been a much simpler solution. Im guessing, since you and your party would without remain, that you would uphold the agreement if it came to this rolling them out. Just explain, because you say this would create instability, there would be a consent mechanism of a kick in after four years. And then another four yea rs four years. And then another four years would go by and there would be consent again. You are saying that would really divide Northern Ireland every four years . I think the majority of people in another island, therefore, the majority of representatives of Northern Ireland, wa nt to representatives of Northern Ireland, want to remain in the eu, never mind just the Customs Union and Single Market so i think the results would be inevitable. For businesses trying to plan beyond four years, it is very rare that you will get finance for a major investment over a four year period, that will become a difficulty, we recognise and worry about that. We do not need any more instability. I never supported the idea that the assembly should be involved at all, but if it has to be, its better than what the dup we re be, its better than what the dup were looking for, which would have been a veto for them, which would have been and how democratic and very dangerous. Anti democratic and very dangerous. Borisjohnson at Boris Johnson at the borisjohnson at the moment is with the other 27 leaders talking about bricks, the fishing on the agenda this afternoon, we will bring you the details of that is when you get it. The details of that is when you get it. Talking about brexit. Saying goodbye to our world viewers. Now its time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes. Hello again. We have already seen plenty of heavy showers throughout the day, and theres plenty more of those showers on the way over the next few days. Skies like these are going to be pretty commonplace as we go on to friday and at the weekend. The radar picture picks out where we have already seen those showers working in today. Really, the showers here represent just the leading edge of an area of low pressure that expands well out into the atlantic. These shower clouds all set to move on across the country through friday and into the weekend, as well, it is going to stay unsettled. Through the rest of today, these areas are most likely to see the frequent showers, but there will be some areas that will probably stay dry with sunny spells. Parts of northern and eastern scotland, parts of north east england dodging the downpours today. Overnight tonight, those showers will be extensive, particularly across southern and Western Areas of the uk, where it will also be quite windy, temperatures not as cold as last night, around 9 or 10 celsius. More of the same tomorrow. No promises anyone will stay dry, the showers will be so widespread across the country. Just like today, for quite a few areas, there will be several downpours at some point during the day with just a few brighter spells in between. Some of the showers could be heavy with some thunder around as well, temperatures staying between 12 and 14 celsius, little change in how the weather feels here. Into the weekend, we are looking at further showers, particularly on saturday, but the area of pressure does get a little bit less intense. That means more of us should have drier conditions on sunday, with fewer showers out and about. It is a pretty wet start to the weekend for some of us, there could be some more persistent rain across parts of scotland, working into north of england. Otherwise, it is another day of sunshine and heavy downpours. Temperatures typically around 12 to 15 celsius, starting to turn a little bit cooler than that across Northern Areas of scotland, there is a northerly wind blowing in here. There should be fewer showers, generally, on sunday, so more of us will have a drier day with a bit of sunshine from time to time. The greatest risk of showers probably across eastern scotland, running into north Eastern England, but it will start to turn a little bit cooler. Hello, this is bbc news. The headlines. A new brexit deal has been agreed between the uk and eu before a meeting of european leaders in brussels this afternoon. For us in the uk, it means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives and it means that the uk leaves whole and entire on october the 31st. But the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, said that he wouldnt support any further extension. We have a deal so why should we have a prolongation . But Northern Irelands Democratic Unionists say they still cant support it as things stand. And the labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, calls it a sell out deal. He wants the people to have the final say in another referendum. As it stands, we cant support this deal and will oppose it in parliament on saturday. And it also is unclear if he has the support of his allies in the dup or, indeed, many of his allies on his own backbenches. Borisjohnson has urged mps to back the new Brexit Agreement hes reached with the eu, describing it as a very good deal for the eu and for the uk. However, the dup whose votes could be crucial in getting the deal through the commons on saturday says the agreement would undermine the integrity of the union and drive a coach and horses through the good friday agreement. Our europe correspondent adam fleming reports. This is purely for photographic purposes. Prime minister. Purely for photographic purposes, the Prime Minister dropped in on the president of the European Commission in brussels, not to negotiate, not to tweak, but to savour his victory in europe. We can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives and it means that the uk leaves whole and entire on october the 31st and it means that Northern Ireland and every other part of the uk can take part notjust in free trade deals, offering our tariffs, exporting our goods around the world, but it also means that we can take, together, as a single United Kingdom, decisions about our future. Earlier, the world had been waiting for a revised brexit deal and the eu chief negotiator knew it. Patience is a virtue. He explained that the biggest changes are around Northern Ireland. That bit of the treaty called the backstop . Its gone. We had to reconcile two objectives. First, include legally operating solution into the agreement that would avoid a hard border between ireland and Northern Ireland, preserve the all ireland economy and protect the integrity of the Single Market. Secondly, a point extremely important to Prime Ministerjohnson and the uk was that Northern Ireland remains in the uks customs territory. Northern ireland will follow eu rules on agriculture and goods. It will be in the uks customs territory to benefit from future British Trade deals, but eu customs processes will apply. And the Stormont Assembly will give its consent to the arrangements continuing or not every four or eight years. Much of that is opposed by the governments Northern Irish partners the Democratic Unionist Party. They have been in and out of downing street in recent days, but the eus had this reassurance from borisjohnson. Translation i can only imagine that given the Prime Minister told president juncker that he was able to approve the deal we had reached that he has faith in his ability to convince a majority of mps in the house of commons. Before the deal goes to parliament, though, it has to be signed off by them the eu leaders at their summit this afternoon. A formality, yes, but a massive relief, too. Ijust got news, yes, that they found a deal and thats good. Very encouraging news of course that it is in agreement. Now we have to study the details but, in itself, very encouraging. It is the second deal we have now with the uk and i hope that, this time, there can be a majority in the house of commons, because thats the problem for the moment. My understanding is that his view is that he can get a majority in parliament and i do hope that will be the case. And so borisjohnson attends his first and last eu summit. It is new for him but there is deja vu for the others. Theyve already given british Prime Ministers last minute deals before and remember what happened to them. Adam fleming, bbc news, brussels. And, earlier, the irish Prime Minister leo varadkar gave his reaction to the deal in brussels. I think its a good agreement. It allows the United Kingdom to leave the European Union in an orderly fashion, with the transition period, which is very important for businesses and citizens across the European Union, and also, in the uk. Also, it creates a unique solution for Northern Ireland, recognising the unique history and geography of Northern Ireland, one which ensures there is no hard border between the north and south. One which allows the all ireland economy to continue to develop, and one which protects the european Single Market and our place in it. So, i will be in a position to recommend to the European Council today that the agreement be endorsed by the European Council and the joint political declaration of the future relationship be accepted. Back in dublin, the cabinet is being reconvened under the chairmanship of the tanaiste, just to seek their agreement to that approach, and that will be happening this afternoon. Just to let you know what is happening in brussels now, Boris Johnson has left the room where he was chatting to fallon European Unit fellow was chatting to fallon European Unit fellow european leaders. Was chatting to fallon European Unit fellow european leaders. But he told them he is relatively positive about the new deal passing the house of commons. This is a quote from an eu official who was talking after borisjohnson addressed the summit in brussels. Boris Johnson Borisjohnson addressed the summit in brussels. Borisjohnson then left the room and at the 27 eu National Leaders are staying on together debating the matter without him, as happened before with theresa may. That is the standard procedure but borisjohnson that is the standard procedure but Boris Johnson saying that is the standard procedure but borisjohnson saying he is relatively positive about the new brexit deal passing the house of commons. A little earlier, the leader of the Alliance Party naomi long said the dup were holding the rest of the nation to ransom, describing the situation is ludicrous. She spoke to my colleague Christian Fraser. From our perspective, we have always been very clear that in Northern Ireland, more than anywhere in the uk, we absolutely need a deal. No deal would be catastrophic for Northern Ireland and we recognise that so we thought theresa mays backstop plan was a reasonable compromise. This is very much not theresa mays backstop plan. This is a much lesser deal and so plan. This is a much lesser deal and so whilst we are going through the detail of it and we are looking very carefully at the implications, it already appears that the mechanisms in terms of business are magical and clear, particularly around customs and vat and also in terms of business are clunky. And there are stresses on an assembly that has now not sat for three years so from ours perspective, this is much less of a dealfor northern perspective, this is much less of a deal for Northern Ireland and perspective, this is much less of a dealfor Northern Ireland and much less of a satisfactory deal for Northern Ireland than the previous Withdrawal Agreement. However, that notwithstanding, we are still conscious that while the margins may have shifted, we still dont want to end up with a no deal scenario and that has always been our primary concern because a no deal in Northern Ireland is simply unworkable and would damage our economy, but also damage our politics beyond repair. Two things to pick up from that. Lets start first of all with the backstop because the fear that the brexiteers was that they would be locked into it in perpetuity and you couldnt properly get brexit and at the same time square the circle of the irish border. This, although it is clunky, as you say, serves two purposes, doesnt it . As you say, serves two purposes, doesnt it . Well, not entirely. The Northern Ireland only backstop remember was never brought to parliament. Theresa may was told by the dup that she couldnt possibly go with that so instead she negotiated a concession from the European Union in order that we would have the uk wide backstop arrangement. We would have been more than satisfied with a reversion to the Northern Ireland only backstop. We believe that doesnt have any constitutional implications for Northern Ireland, it is a pragmatic working out on the fact that we have this land border, this contested land border, and we would be able to deal with that. This is actually less tha n deal with that. This is actually less than the Northern Ireland only backstop, so it is slightly better than the two borders that was being touted earlier in this process, but it isa touted earlier in this process, but it is a very poor deal by comparison to either the backstop or the Northern Ireland only backstop and thatis Northern Ireland only backstop and that is really i suppose the heart of our concern. Yes, but in part, it is trying to answer the problem for the unionist side, isnt it . Thats a Northern Ireland backstop in which they would have been locked potentially in perpetuity was always a problem because they thought that was one short step towards unification in ireland. This deal, legally speaking, keeps Northern Ireland within the uk Customs Union and that is what the Prime Minister has tried to do. Yes, but the Prime Minister and the government ought to have come a long time ago, disabused people of the notion that by aligning ourselves in economic terms with the eu we were moving out of the uk. That is an absolute nonsense and ought to have been nailed long before now. The difficulty is that the dup represent a minority of people in Northern Ireland. We all are minorities now in Northern Ireland but they dont represent the majority view, they dont represent the majority that voted to remain and they represent a Minority Community. That doesnt mean their views are unimportant to macerate but to have 0. 6 of the population of the uk effectively holding the rest of the country to ransom has been the most ludicrous part of brexit so far and it has had some competition. Well, is it . Sorry to interrupt but the whole purpose of the fried back a delayed good friday agreement is to give all parties in Northern Ireland consent the whole purpose of the good friday agreement. So they are part of that. To be clear, the dup rejected the good friday agreement, so what they are hiding behind now, they rejected when it was brought to the people and bear in mind i represent people who dont define themselves as either unionist or nationalist. Our votes count for less in that assembly so the one good thing in all of this is that the consent written into this agreement actually reflects the fact that a simple majority vote ought to be sufficient to make those decisions, in which our votes would count just to make those decisions, in which our votes would countjust as much as anyone elses, but there has been this believe that, in some way, because the dup are crucial to the numbers and the arithmetic in westminster, that, in some way, they represent the majority of Northern Irelands of use. They simply do not andi irelands of use. They simply do not and i think that has been missed. The majority of parties in Northern Ireland and the majority of Civic Society and the Business Community have said very clearly they were happy with the backstop, so this has been a long journey for Boris Johnson to get to a point theresa may was in two years ago, when they essentially had a deal and the dup said no to it. The leader of the Alliance Party naomi long speaking a little earlier. Lets talk now to the deputy Political Editor of the spectator, katy balls and whitehall correspondent for the financial times, sebastian payne. We will be doing that in just a moment, they are nearly ready to talk to us. Lets just sort out what will happen on saturday. It is when parliament sits, and what happens now with the benn amendment . Im nowjoined by georgina wright, the brexit expert for the institute for government. Georgina, nice to talk to you again. So, we have taken one step today. Just talk us through saturday, what can happen . So, obviously, katy and sebastian are probably going to walk you through the details of that, but just a comeback really to how you pass a deal. The first step was for uk and eu negotiators to agree a legal text and they have done that. The next step will be eu leaders and uk government to endorse that the deal at the eu council, and we expect this will happen today. The third step is for the Uk Parliament to pass that they are, so they need to pass that they are, so they need to pass that they are, so they need to pass it in a meaningful vote on saturday, but they will also need to pass the Withdrawal Agreement bill at some point, which is the Domestic Legislation that is required to adopt that deal reached in brussels. And the fourth step will mean the consent of the European Parliament. So we are edging closer but not quite there. And amendments, what happens with them and could they be brought in . So, again, everything remains to be seen on saturday and what happens there. Certainly what we are hearing is that not everyone is happy with the deal that was reached in brussels, so whether or not at the meaningful vote happens and whether it is successful remains to be seen and we could certainly see some amendments being tabled to the withdrawal bill but it is too early to say. Amongst those amendments could be the prospect of the vote on the basis that there is also, it goes back to the public, another referendum. Could that be tagged on . Possibly. From the eus perspective, they will be watching very closely what happens in the house of commons on saturday because absolutely the Prime Minister was clear to them that he was pretty certain he could get that deal through. If he fails to get that deal through, we are venturing into the territory of do we have a further delay . Now, isuspect the territory of do we have a further delay . Now, i suspect the eu leaders will remain silent on a further extension because they have reached this deal now, but if a delay looks likely, then it is possible that government and eu leaders will reconvene next week or at least before the 31st of october to really hash out the terms and conditions of that extension. Georgina, thank you very much. Lets talk now to the deputy Political Editor of the spectator, katy balls and whitehall correspondent for the financial times, sebastian payne. Theyjoin me from what i assume is a chilly college green, it is always chilly. Katy, what you make of the deal know you have studied . There is a lot which is rather similar to theresa mays deal in there. Clearly the biggest area of difference is the biggest area of difference is the treatment of Northern Ireland and looking up the political declaration, things like an even Playing Field, there seems to be some movement. I think broadly it is theresa mays deal but perhaps pushed to a harder brexit and it is a looser arrangement with the eu that the uk would be heading for if this deal passed, which is why brexiteer is i spoke to in the tory party seem happier about labour mps who do want to vote for a deal are a little bit cautious. Sebastien, is it held under the water line by lack of support from the dup . it held under the water line by lack of support from the dup . I think that has been very disappointing for borisjohnson today that has been very disappointing for Boris Johnson today because downing street have worked so hard over the la st street have worked so hard over the last couple of months to keep the dup on board and they have had hours and hours of meetings, going on even right up till the end of yesterday and then this morning, the whole thing was sunk. The crucial thing is it is notjust a ten dup mps that make this arithmetic very hard to get through the house of commons, it is also that eurosceptics rely on the dup to give them cover to back this thing and i have done some number crunching and it looks as if it will be within 3 5 votes of this thing passing or failing, assuming mrjohnson gets all of the eurosceptics on side. Downing street have really given up on the dup, they have gone, not coming back and so they have gone, not coming back and so the best hope of getting this on saturday is to get on board labour mps and independent mps. You really think this isnt an attempt to effectively bounce the dup into a change of mind . I dont think so, speaking to the dup, they have made up speaking to the dup, they have made up their mind and are not backing this thing, no matter how many financial incentives come their way. They are not changing, the deal is done and it has been signed off by brussels, we have seen the legal text and the concerns the dup have are not going to change. Getting this through parliament, it has to happen without the dup or not at all. We know what Jeanclaude Juncker things and he thinks they should not be an extension, but it is not his call. But its rather important because that would change this on saturday to a decision between a deal and no deal. this on saturday to a decision between a deal and no deal. I think he would look at the chances of a deal passing and getting approval on saturday. The big change in the fortu nes saturday. The big change in the fortunes of the government on this would be if, in their minds, the eu council denied, eu leaders have to decide on behalf of various countries, if they say they are not offering an extension under any circumstances, there is a view in number ten it would bring people on side. If they can make a decision on no deal, deal or revoke, i think they would start to get the majority for a deal. If not, and i have spoken to a few tory mps who are already looking ahead on how this plays in an election, if they cant pass a deal, they can say in an election that we have a deal ready to go, wejust election that we have a deal ready to go, we just need a majority, election that we have a deal ready to go, wejust need a majority, so there is a plan b to the plan a. am just wondering, if there is even one member of the eu that says, no, they are not prepared for an extension and therefore it fails, where does that leave the benn act . This is a way of trying to get around the benn act, we have heard various comments from Jean Claude Juncker that there wont be an extension, because the benn act was saying to mrjohnson that you have to request an extension, it is not within its power to automatically grant one and so when borisjohnson sits down for his aperitif with the eu leaders tonight, he will say dont give us an extension, say this is it, the final deal because, as katy was saying, if you have that and come to the house of commons on saturday, it will focus the minds, particularly of those labour mps who dont want a no deal brexit and dont want a no deal brexit and dont want a second referendum. So it will be if you want to deliver brexit, you have to back this thing. The reason i think the eu wont quite go that far is because the eu does not want to be blamed for a no deal and if they come out and say there is going to be no extension, it is leaving on the 31st with mr johnsons deal or no deal, and the deal doesnt pass, then it may get blamed for a no deal brexit. Sol think we will get someone saying they want to finish this thing on october the 31st, they backed mr johnson, but i dont think they will entirely rule it out because in their interests, it is not the best thing to do. There are 27 of them and it only takes one. Indeed and there has been this idea inside downing street that victor aubin or the polish mp might scupper an extension but i dont think it is still quite there orban. But if we get to a point where it is the deal versus no deal, they will still keep in their back pocket that idea of another extension or an election or referendum or something else. Katy, in 48 hours, we will have a rough idea what the future holds but it is all about the numbers. Yes, and right now, i dont think the numbers look good for Boris Johnson in the sense of this passing a deal because he doesnt have the dup and he had the chief whip at cabinet this week going through the numbers and they factored the dup into the numberof and they factored the dup into the number of votes that would be for the deal and even then, the figures mark spencer put forward, it was a majority of one. You can move that around if you get rid of the dup and you bring in labour mps, labour votes in these leave seats, but because this arrangement is pushing towards a looser arrangement with the eu, it is hard to envision the 19 labourmps the eu, it is hard to envision the 19 labour mps who wrote to brussels saying they want to vote for a deal all doing it unless they really think no deal is a risk. Conversely, if it does seem as though this is deal or no deal, does it encourage the members of the European Research group to think, wait, i can get an even cleaner brexit. I think there will be big political pressure on numberten forthem not will be big political pressure on number ten for them not to do that but it is the scale where every time a labourmp in but it is the scale where every time a labour mp in aleve seat is happy, a labour mp in aleve seat is happy, a memberof the a labour mp in aleve seat is happy, a member of the erg is less happy and vice versa in a leave seed. That has cleared it up thank you both very much forjoining us. The headlines this afternoon. Boris johnsons Brexit Agreement hes reached with the eu is being discussed by the leaders of the eus Member States at a summit in brussels this afternoon. The president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, says theres no need for an extension to the brexit deadline of 31 october. But Northern Irelands Democratic Unionists say they still cant support it as things stand. In the Business News. The pound continues to yo yo. On the news that a brexit deal had been struck, Sterling Rose to a five month high and hoisted european stocks to a year and a half peak, before familiar doubts about british Parliamentary Support for the agreementhauled them back. For the agreement hauled them back. Mobile phone operator three has apologised for the millions of customers who have suffered as a result of their Network Failure last night. They now say that, for the majority of customers, the network has been restored so users can make calls, send texts and use data. And they are advising customers to turn their phones off and on or turn Airplane Mode on and off, to help resolve the issue. The pound has been the key barometer of brexit sentiment throughout this process. Its been on a rollercoaster ride of late, up 8 since Early September when it hit its lowest since october 2016. And today was no expection. It rallied sharply on the news that a brexit deal had been done, only to drop again on the news that the dup would not support the plan in parliament in saturday. Lets talk to kathleen brooks, director, minerva analysis. Would you say the market is already looking ahead to what could happen if parliament doesnt pass this deal on saturday . I think it is and i think you are right, it has been lurching in whichever direction the headlines are going, but i think overall, it remains positive. There is still in the market a bit of expectation that if the deal doesnt pass parliament on saturday that there could be, if the opposition can arrange themselves, they could be some sort of second referendum to ratify the deal and if that happens, i think the plan could recover so we remain fairly positive on it but there are obviously big risks. The biggest of course being that we leave without a deal, which we cant ta ke leave without a deal, which we cant take off the table, even with what happened last night. Yes, the political risks still loom for the pound, you mention the possibility of another referendum, the risk of an early election, and Jean Claude Juncker ruling out granting an extension if he doesnt approve the deal it doesnt approve the deal, the benn act. So do you see the yo yoing of the pound continuing for time to come . I think so, and if you look at the markets, where people are buying Downside Risks for the pound, that has surged today because, there is less optimism today and people are hedging their bets. Relatively optimistic, i think, but still not willing to take brexit without a deal off the table yet, so i expect much more yo yoing in the market. As long as we remain above 1. 25 in the market. As long as we remain above1. 25 in cables, in the market. As long as we remain above 1. 25 in cables, the sterling versus the us dollar level, i think thatis versus the us dollar level, i think that is quite positive, the market remains quite positive that brexit can be resolved one way or another. Talking of being positive, yields on British Government ten year bonds rose to their highest level today sincejuly. However, rose to their highest level today since july. However, optimism rose to their highest level today sincejuly. However, optimism that a brexit deal could be finalised, that so brexit deal could be finalised, that so many markets reduce expectations ofa so many markets reduce expectations of a rate cut for the bank of england. Analysts now see a 60 of a quarter point cut next september versus 76 on tuesday and 90 last week, so reduced expectations for an Interest Rate cut to the bank of england after today. Interest Rate cut to the bank of england after today. I actually think depending on how this rolls out, if parliament dont ratify this deal on saturday, i think expectations will rise that there will be a rate cut before the end of this year from the bank of england. Even some of the hawks at the bank of england have started to turn a bit more into doves recently, saying the economy will need some Interest Rate cuts. When it comes to Interest Rates and the bank of england, weve also got to look at the us. Expectations are very high that the Us Federal Reserve will cut Interest Rates later this month and i think what you tend to see is what happens in the us then flows into europe, so we could see an Interest Rate cut regardless of brexit. It could be just because of the weakness in the Global Economic data we have seen this week, that could also put pressure on the bank of england. It is not just pressure on the bank of england. It is notjust solely pressure on the bank of england. It is not just solely about brexit. Really good to talk to you as ever. Its the second Biggest Network in the uk after ee, and, today, 02 is launching its 5g network with a rollout across six different locations with the aim of reaching a total of 20 towns and cities in 2019. Earlier, we spoke to ceo mark evans on what todays brexit deal could mean for customers and particaulrly roaming charges. And particularly roaming charges. 02 have been very public and our commitment. We want to maintain free roaming across europe. Of course, like any agreement, we need that to be signed up by our counterparts across europe. The vast majority of those have said they will honour that and commit to that. I think a few of them are still waiting for the Brexit Agreement to go through and then they will finalise their position, but im really hopeful that all networks across europe will uphold the existing sort of peace of mind use of mobile across europe. That was the o2 ceo talking to us about roaming charges. Do you think someone who works for 02 has to be like this all the time . Thank you very much. That is it, huw edwards will bring the news had five from brussels but lets catch up with the weather now. Hello, again. Weve already seen plenty of heavy showers today and theres plenty more of those showers on the way over the next few days as well, so skies like these are going to be pretty commonplace as we go on through friday and into the weekend as well. Now, the radar picture picks out where weve already seen those showers working in today and really, the showers here representjust the leading edge of an area of low pressure that expands well out into the atlantic, with these shower clouds all set to move in across the country through friday and on into the weekend as well. So it is going to stay unsettled. Through the rest of the day, its these areas that will see frequent showers, but some stay dry with sunny spells. Parts of northern and eastern scotland, parts of north east england dodging the downpours quite well today but, overnight tonight, showers again will be extensive, particularly across southern and Western Areas of the uk, where it is also going to be quite windy. The winds, though, keeping temperatures up, so its not as cold a night as it was last night, temperatures of nine or 10 degrees for example in london. Tomorrow, more of the same but i cant really promise anyone will stay dry. The showers are going to be so widespread across the country and, just like today, for quite a few areas, there will be several downpours at some point during the day with just a few brighter spells in between. Some of the showers could be heavy with some thunder around as well with temperatures staying between 12 and 14 degrees so little change in how the weather feels here. Now, looking beyond that and into the weekend, we are looking at further showers, particularly on saturday, but the area of low pressure does get a little bit less intense and that means more of us should have drier conditions on sunday, with fewer showers out and about. So, in more detail, it is a pretty wet start for the weekend for some of us. There could be some more persistent rain across, actually, across parts of scotland working into northern england, but otherwise its just another day of sunshine and heavy downpours. Temperatures typically around 12 15 degrees but starting to turn a little bit cooler than that across Northern Areas of scotland, is a northerly wind begins to blow in here. Now, through sunday, as i say, they should be fewer showers generally so more of us will have a drier day with a bit of sunshine from time to time. The greatest risk of showers probably across eastern scotland, running into north east england, but it will start to turn a little bit cooler. Thats your weather. Were live on bbc news, at the european summit in brussels, where a new brexit deal has been agreed, between the uk and the eu. Borisjohnson says its a great deal which allows the uk to take back control, but he still has to get mps at westminster to back it. For us in the uk, and means that we can deliver a real brexit for us in the uk, it means that we can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives and it means that the uk leaves whole and entire on october the 31st. But the support of Northern Irelands dup is crucial for the government, and so far theyre not backing the new deal. And labour dismissed the new deal as even more harmful to the uk, than the one struck by borisjohnsons predecessor. As it stands, we cannot support this deal and will oppose it in parliament on saturday. Also, it is unclear if he has the support of his allies in the dup or indeed many of his own allies on his backbenches. The clock is ticking towards the brexit deadline of october 31st, and the eu says theres no reason for any further brexit delays. If we have a deal, we have a deal. And there is no need for prorogation. That is my view. Well have the latest from brussels and westminster, and well be asking what happens if mps reject the deal, when they gather on saturday. Good evening from brussels where earlier today it was announced that a new brexit deal had been agreed between the the uk and the eu as european leaders gathered for their summit meeting. The Prime Minister borisjohnson described it as a great new deal that takes back control. The Eu Commission president , Jean Claude Juncker, called it a fair outcome for both sides, saying there was now no need to extend the brexit deadline. The two sides have been working on the legal text but crucially it will still need the approval of both the uk and European Parliaments. And at westminster, there is, to put it mildly, considerable uncertainty around the likelihood of approval, when mps meet in emergency session on saturday. Northern irelands dup whose support borisjohnson needs have already rejected it. Well be asking how the deal differs from the one theresa may negotiated, labour says this one much worse for the uk. Our correspondent adam fleming has the latest. This is purely for photographic purposes. Prime minister. Purely for photographic purposes, the Prime Minister dropped in on the president of the European Commission in brussels, not to negotiate, not to tweak, but to savour his victory in europe. We can deliver a real brexit that achieves our objectives and it means that the uk leaves whole and entire on october the 31st and it means that Northern Ireland and every other part of the uk can take part notjust in free trade deals, offering our tariffs, exporting our goods around the world, but it also means that we can take, together, as a single United Kingdom, decisions about our future. Earlier, the world had been waiting for a revised brexit deal and the eu chief negotiator knew it. Patience is a virtue. He explained that the biggest changes are around Northern Ireland. That bit of the treaty called the backstop . Its gone. We had to reconcile two objectives. First, include legally operating solution into the agreement that would avoid a hard border between ireland and Northern Ireland, preserve the all ireland economy and protect the integrity of the Single Market. Secondly, a point extremely important to Prime Ministerjohnson and the uk was that Northern Ireland remains in the uks customs territory. Northern ireland will follow eu rules on agriculture and goods. It will be in the uks customs territory to benefit from future British Trade deals, but eu customs processes will apply. And the Stormont Assembly will give its consent to the arrangements continuing or not every four or eight years. Much of that is opposed by the governments Northern Irish partners, the Democratic Union is to party. They have been in and out of downing street in recent days, but the eus had this reassurance from borisjohnson. Translation i can only imagine that given the Prime Minister told president juncker that he was able to approve the deal we had reached that he has faith in his ability to convince a majority of mps in the house of commons. Before the deal goes to parliament, though, it has to be signed off by them, the eu leaders at their summit this afternoon. A formality, yes, but a massive relief, too. Ijust got fresh news, yes, that they found a deal and thats good. Welcome and very encouraging news of course that it is in agreement. Now we have to study the details but, in itself, very encouraging. It is the second deal we have now with the uk and i hope that, this time, there can be a majority in the house of commons, because thats the problem for the moment. My understanding is that his view is that he can get a majority in parliament and i do hope that will be the case. And so borisjohnson attends his first and last eu summit. It is new for him but there is deja vu for the others. Theyve already given british Prime Ministers last minute deals before and remember what happened to them. Adam fleming, bbc news, brussels. Lets talk now to our europe editor, katya adler. She has followed every twist and turn of this long saga. Do you think today marks possibly the beginning of the end of the brexit stock or not . No, it is not the beginning of the end. Lets not forget, this is all about the uk leaving. What we have here is a draft agreement, the eu leaders werejust have here is a draft agreement, the eu leaders were just given her own 0k to eu leaders were just given her own ok to and now they say this has to go on to our parliament, and to the European Parliament. It can rest easy to European Parliament will give this deal the ok. We do not know what will happen at home and happen on saturday. And even then, this leaving part was supposed to be the easy bit, after that, if a deal as agreed or if there were to be a no deal brexit, presumably the uk still wa nts no deal brexit, presumably the uk still wants relations with the eu and once import and export and then you have to sit down at the table and work out the future relationship and work out the future relationship and that will be really complicated. Im afraid this is not the end. And that will be really complicated. Im afraid this is not the end. When the ring at the end of today, given that they have get the lay may come to an agreement come is it possible for us to know who compromised the most . Im just wondering at the end of the day. Clearly he has been some compromise. In answering that, maybe tell us how different is it then to the deal theresa may negotiated . Lets take a step back and look at what is this new deal. It is really like theresa mays deal. Lets call it 95 theresa may. What is still in there are Citizens Rights after brexit, the rights of eu citizens in the uk uk citizens who live elsewhere in the eu come also the amount of money the uk owes the eu that it pledged as a member state, and finally ireland. All about the irish border this renegotiation. The famous backstop which had it so much about over the last years. Boris johnson which had it so much about over the last years. Borisjohnson said he wa nted last years. Borisjohnson said he wanted a bennett. In the eu originally said we are not touching the Withdrawal Agreement we made with theresa may. That is one concession they made because they have tested. They did sit down and have tested. They did sit down and have renegotiated, it is god. The backstop is gone. You can say Boris Johnson one there but what has it been replaced with . The backstop that theresa may it worked out was to affect the whole of the United Kingdom. At the eu original proposal was just about Northern Ireland. What we have in there appear with is something that is Northern Ireland specific. And on the details of it, yes borisjohnson wanted Northern Ireland to leave the eu and the customs you get in the Single Market along with the rest of the uk, he has got that, Northern Ireland will follow the eu customs codes and all of this regulation . How will that work in practice . Is it really different and has really got what he wanted . Different and has really got what he wanted . You can different and has really got what he wanted . You can say that very much in that respect there is give and ta ke in that respect there is give and take on in that respect there is give and ta ke on both in that respect there is give and take on both sides and crucially with the eu has given borisjohnson crucially with the eu has given Boris Johnson west some crucially with the eu has given borisjohnson west some kind of consent for the power sharing government in stormont. They can call and into this at the four years or maybe another then after that, 48 yea rs. Or maybe another then after that, 48 years. But it is not an easy mechanism. The dup does not like it. That is why they said no. There is a potential there for these arrangements to last forever. And thatis arrangements to last forever. And that is new. Fascinating to hear Jean Claude Juncker at the end that is new. Fascinating to hear jean claudejuncker at the end of the day being asked by a lot of journalists about the possibility of extending again if there were a problem. If the house of commons turns the deal down. What happens then . That is being question. Could that be another delay . He used an interesting word, he said we have a deal now so i dont see the need for a delay. This is what he had to say. What happens if this doesnt pass through parliament . Im not in charge of the parliament in britain, that is the job of boris. Do you believe that it will . I hope it will. Im convinced it will. It has to but if it doesnt . Anyway, there will be no prorogation. No prorogation, no delay . Could there be an extension, mr juncker . We have concluded the deal. So there is no argument for further delay it has to be done now. He couldnt really be clear there was up he said we included a deal and there is no argument. What would you say . It caused a storm. You have to put this into context. A, Jean Claude Juncker trying to say thanks to support borisjohnson to help them sell this deal back home in the eu always said if you keep to our redline in the deal come exactly what is happening now, protecting the Single Market on ireland after brexit, and he Northern Ireland p still according to the eu after brexit, then they said we will help you sell your deal how you want and he is saying there, no extension. That is what borisjohnson want to. But thisjonglei that is what borisjohnson want to. But this Jonglei Junker have that is what borisjohnson want to. But thisJonglei Junker have any power over that . No he doesnt. No legal power at all. It is deleted said the eu Member States to decide that. That theJean Claude Juncker. It is eu Member States. If the deal get photos down and the house of commons, a realfear, what happens then . If this deal gets voted down. There could be many more referendum. The leaders who dont think this process have worked out to break the deals will say the door shut . They will not. Partly because of the blame game. They did not want to be seen to be slamming the face in the door of the uk also for the own domestic concerns. Germany stands to lose up to 100,000 jobs in the case of a no deal brexit. They wa nt to the case of a no deal brexit. They want to avoid this. Why would they do that now . What they want to do is keep the pressure up on mps and stay till he makes a focus or minds, dont assume that its forever to work at the deal. Focus your minds and think if it is yes or no this time. Fascinating. Thank you. We will talk again later on. Katya adler with the expert analysis. Lets go to parliament now. Sir keir starmer is the shadow brexit secretary, he joins us now from parliament. Thank you forjoining us. What did you think of today . We have seen the detail of the deal now. It is a bad deal. It is worse than theresa mays deal. It is worse than theresa mays deal. It is worse than theresa mays deal. It no longer even aspires to have a close economic relationship with the eu. All of the talk about alignment and being economically close has been stripped out. And that means that this is going to ta ke that means that this is going to take us down the road of the regulation, and a different kind of economy. Our concern is always been about what does this take the economy, rather than the backstop issue. They really significant figures come all the words about economically close and keeping alive come all of those have been stripped out of the political declaration and the only conclusion is this is heading for a arms length remote relationship for the eu and that means relationship for the eu and that means trade barriers and damage to the economy im afraid. Means trade barriers and damage to the economy im afraid. means trade barriers and damage to the economy im afraid. I have just been told that the eu leaders and section here have approved the deal as agreed between the uk in the eu. Clearly they are hoping that this will go through the comments on saturday because it solves a bit of a problem for them. Do you think they are right you have some concerns however they are right you have some concerns however about what is likely to happen on saturday . There will be real concerned about what happens on saturday because all across westminster, weve had teams yelling down into the detail of this deal. As ever, the more you look at it, they worse it looks. There are levels of concern across parliament i think about what the real implications of this are in those concerns implications of this are in those concerns actually are focus now on what the future relationship looks like in this issue of whether we are heading for a sell out deal the regulated economy that makes trade with europe harder and forces us to trade across the world in a different way. That is a massive political shift and i think people are coming to terms with that and im sure that will be fiercely contended when it comes the vote on saturday. What is your notion of what would happen if the house of commons decided not to back this deal, where will we then stand . The act of parliament that we pass, we would be calling at the benn act, dealt with precisely that situation, we would look and get things over the summer and asking ourselves what might happen, we said we could end up might happen, we said we could end up with no deal come or we could end up up with no deal come or we could end up with no deal come or we could end up with a deal that doesnt get through. If there is a deal that doesnt get through, then the benn act kicks in and the Prime Minister has to seek an extension, so we have time to decide what we should do next. Personally i think the labour Party Position is that what we should do next is having a deal which can be put back to the public so which can be put back to the public so they can decide do you want to leave on these terms, would you rather remain and i dont think were actually going to break the impasse until we ask that basic question. Because as you know, the Prime Minister is on record as saying that there is no way he will ask for an extension. Regardless of the benn act, some people say all the benn act, some people say all the downing street then said he would obey the law and that we have Jean Claude Juncker today saying that look, we have a deal, there is no need for any talk of any extension. So that theme is clear, isnt it . Extension. So that theme is clear, isnt it . We have heard what the Prime Minister had to say but for heaven sake, lets have a dose of reality here. Even if the deal goes through, at the weekend, the idea that it will be implemented by the 3ist that it will be implemented by the 31st of october is for the birds. We have seen drafts of the legislation, there is hundreds of clauses and therefore, even on his own analysis, he knows he will need an extension and all this talk of do or die isnt helping anybody. Lets look at the dealfor what it is, helping anybody. Lets look at the deal for what it is, take this historic decision, is a good or bad for our economy, i think it is bad for our economy, i think it is bad for our economy because it will leave us down the road of the regulation, if that is right, we have to vote it down because it will be against the Public Interest otherwise and if we need an extension, that is what we should get so we can calmly decide what to do the next. Are there any elements at all and this deal today which you think are to be commended . at all and this deal today which you think are to be commended . I am glad that an arrangement has been reached that an arrangement has been reached that there will be no infrastructure in Northern Ireland. There was he was concerned about that are cross Political Parties at across whether people voted leave or remain. The way that is been done is effectively to keep Northern Ireland in the Eu Customs Union though it is dressed up Customs Union though it is dressed up differently. That is the reality of the situation. But my bigger concern is not so much how that is achieved, but very much about the direction of travel, once you shipped out those words from political declaration, you dont even political declaration, you dont eve n wa nt political declaration, you dont even want to stay close to the eu economically, you have made a big difference to this deal compared with theresa may. Keir starmer, get a view to talk to us again. Thank you very much. So getting you to talk to us. We were mentioning the importance of the dup. Because of their votes in the dup. Because of their votes in the tight arithmetic and the fact that Boris Johnson the tight arithmetic and the fact that borisjohnson does not have a majority. The dup very important pa rt majority. The dup very important part of the equation for the government. Whether they say yes or no to this is crucial. They have said no. Well a little earlier, the Democratic Unionist Party released a statement saying that they could not support the new brexit deal because of customs and consent issues. The consent of the store my assembly about the future of these arrangements. Stormont assembly. And this evening they have gone further saying the Prime Minister has been too eager to get a deal at any cost and that when it came to saturdays crucial vote, the party would encourage others to oppose it. Lets have a listen to what the partys deputy leader nigel dodds had to say. All along, throughout this entire process , we all along, throughout this entire process, we have been told that in order to protect the belfast agreement and the Political Institutions and process in Northern Ireland that we have been and embroiled in this tedious and boreas exercise, coming out like the last minute, the irish government, europe and london are agreeing to drive through the belfast agreement they profess to support. In order to ensure on profess to support. In order to ensure on this one single issue of Northern Ireland being tied to european Customs Unions and Single Market rules by the rest of the uk goes elsewhere in terms of regulation, that has to be out by parallel consent or consent of the union as an action list, but that one community can override the other, now that clearly is contrary to everything they profess a belief ina to everything they profess a belief in a major rewriting of the belfast agreement and something that anybody who has any concern for any kind of political process in Northern Ireland should be very concerned about. I think the benn act has forced Boris Johnson about. I think the benn act has forced borisjohnson into somewhat a desperation measure income in order to avoid trying to get an extension, he has been too eager by far to get a deal at any cost. The fact of the matter is that he held his nerve and help out he would have got a better concession which kept the integrity both economic and constitutionality of the United Kingdom. I think youll see a massive vote on saturday in terms of opposition to what he is proposing because in all of these modes come of the dup has been farfrom of these modes come of the dup has been far from isolated. Of these modes come of the dup has been farfrom isolated. And remember, whatever happens on saturday, it remains to be seen, this is only the first stage of a very long process because he has to get this into legislation. There will be dozens of amendments and that has to be supported by a range of politicians and i think there will be people in the house of commons who will seek to amend this bill and we will play a very crucial role, so saturday is not the be all and end all, there is a long way to go in all of this. Nigel died of the dup. Some suggested earlier that the dup. Some suggested earlier that the dup might be persuaded to accept the deal. Nigel dodds. But dodds saying there is no chance of that happening. He may this deal was going in the wrong direction. Lets clarify that now. He said this deal. Lets cross to belfast now, jim wells is a dup member of the Northern Irish assembly. Thank you forjoining us. Could you share a little more light on a y the Party Opposition to this deal has hardened . I think niger has some that are extremely well. Quite simply, we believe that the only way we expected to get into this deal would be through across Community Vote as stormont. But both unionist and nationalist voted to come in. That is been denied. We have not been consulted at all before the deal. After four years, been consulted at all before the deal. Afterfour years, if things we re deal. Afterfour years, if things were working well, we can all vote to continue. But if it wasnt, we could both to leave. That is been denied to us because a simple majority and get as nigel says, the good friday agreement insist that any major issue that affects Northern Ireland has to be agreed by both nationalist and unionist and that will not happen. With that in mind, you put it very clearly there, what led the Prime Minister then do you think to agree to this form of deal . I think as nigel said, the time was running out quickly. The benn act comes into effect i think tomorrow evening. And therefore rather than having to go back and seek a further extension which i find quite humility become he decided to do a deal which i think reflects a nd decided to do a deal which i think reflects and he will realise is a very bad deal, for Northern Ireland was economically and politically because of the fact that he does provide a customs bear get down the middle of the irish sea, all goods coming from britain to Northern Ireland will be checked by customs and levies paid on them, ok in some cases that can be refunded but it creates a huge bureaucracy would mean the United Kingdom. Wales in scotla nd mean the United Kingdom. Wales in scotland would not tolerate this, so why is it upon us . Very good to talk to you. Thank you. Just behind me, a News Conference taking place. The European Council president donald tusk there. And Jonglei Junker and others. Lets join in. Jonglei junker and others. Lets join in. Jonglei junker. Jonglei junker and others. Lets join in. Jongleijunker. The European Council endorses this deal and it looks like we are very close to the final stretch. Why has the deal that was impossible yesterday become possible today . Firstly, the deal has been assessed properly by ireland. Isaid deal has been assessed properly by ireland. I said from the beginning that we would always stand behind ireland and not enforce a deal unfavorable to them. Secondly, the deal has been positively assessed by the European Commission. This gives us the European Commission. This gives us certainty that it is favourable and safe for the citizens of the European Union. The key change in comparison of the earlier version of the bill is Prime Ministerjohn cenas accept to have entry points into Northern Ireland. This compromise will allow us to avoid aborted checks between ireland and Northern Ireland. Prime minister johnssons. It will ensure the integrity of the Single Market. The reality is that today we have a deal which allows us to avoid chaos and a fear of conflict between the eu 27 and the United Kingdom. Therefore, the European Council invited the commission, the European Parliament, and the council to ensure that this agreement can enter into force on the 1st of november, 2019. Now we are all waiting for the votes in both parliaments. I a more personal note, what i feel today is sadness. In my heart, i will always be a remainder, and i hope that our british friends decide to return one day, our door will always be open. Thank you. Good evening. This morning, after two other phone calls i had with the british Prime Ministers come agreement. Thank you to michelle barnier, who did an excellent job together with his team. What we have agreed on is much more then a deal. It is a legal text which provides legal certainties to problems created by brexit. The translation protect the rights of 4. 5 million citizens, 3. 5 eu citizens living in the uk more than 1 million citizens living in the European Union. They can continue to live their lives as before. We have always put people first in these negotiations. The agreement also protects those who receive eu funding by means of the financial regulation. The agreement provides for a transitional period until the end of 2020 at least commit protects our geographical destinations of origin and it ensures an orderly withdrawal. We now have a new protocol on ireland and Northern Ireland which protects peace and stability on the island of ireland and fully protects our Single Market. We stand united with ireland come over the past two years we have five very closely with. We have five very closely with. We have five very closely with. We have five very closely with them. Translation moreover, we have the political declaration on the future relationship with the United Kingdom. And we have revised this slightly. This is an ambitious and provide for an ambitious Free Trade Agreement. In the future, without tariffs. An cultus and a robust commitment to a level Playing Field. And quotas. I am happy and relieved we have reached a deal. Im upset because a brexit is happening. Thank you very much. I want to start by thinking michelle and the tax work for the enormous where they have been in recent years and the profession a task force. And the whole counsel, and the president , all of the 27 Member States and Prime Ministerjohnsson for bringing us to the point we are at today. I to also acknowledge the real hard work and the patriotism of the staff of the department of affairs for all they have done in the past few years. I have really learned two things i think about the European Union in the past two years. Ive had the privilege of being over ireland, that is saying the strength of the unity of the European Union. How much we can achieve if Member States of the 27th think together and Work Together and have common objectives. Europe axis one is a tribute powerful force for good. Europe acting as one. I think the unity we have seen in the last few years is a lesson to us for the future. How europe can achieve its objectives if we are united and that can be something we take him forward in the future on negotiations not just with the uk but the us and china and turkey in others. And also, as a leader of a small nation, i really have felt enormous solidarity for my european partners. Sometimes people in small countries believe they can be swallowed up if theyjoin big believe they can be swallowed up if they join big organisations believe they can be swallowed up if theyjoin big organisations at the eu. I think it has been demonstrated in the past two years that the European Union really is a union of nations and also a people and one in which small states are protected. And respected. Like president tess, i have mixed feelings today. I really regret that the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. But i absolutely respect their decision to do so. It is a little bit like an old friend that is going on a journey, or an adventure without us. And we really hope it works out for them. But i think there will always be a place at the table for the United Kingdom if they were ever to choose to come back. And im certain no matter what happens, we will have a good relation with the United Kingdom, a Good Partnership and Political Security and economic into the future. What we have here today is a revised agreement, and the backstop has been replaced with a new solution and a new protocol in ireland and Northern Ireland, it is a unique solution, one that recognises the unique history and geography of Northern Ireland. It is different from the backstop, the backstop was never intended to be used, only to be temporary unless and until it was superseded by a new solution for some and was to be a sort of insurance policy. This solution is different. It is more likely to be used to commit the force and possibly could become permanent. The consent of the elected representatives of Northern Ireland, choosing to continue this arrangement into the future. There will be as a consequence of this agreement a transition period, running at least until the end of 20 20, but extendable until the end of 2022 and wish nothing will change, thus giving certainty to citizens and businesses in ireland and britain and also across the European Union. In the new solution kicks in for four year periods after that. And when that period ends, and ascension will lie with the Northern Ireland assembly as to whether they wa nt Ireland Assembly as to whether they want to continue or not. There will be regulatory alignments on goods, so be regulatory alignments on goods, so that any checks will happen, they will happen at the ports. Any customs arrangement that allows Northern Ireland to stay in the uk customs territory, but is organised in sucha customs territory, but is organised in such a way that allows them to benefit from any trade deals the United Kingdom might do but still there will be no tariffs on trade between north and south and no checks along the land border. Which is crucial from our point of view. But above all, what i can say today is that our objectives as ireland and europe have been met. Citizens rights are protected, those eu citizens living in the uk and also uk citizens living in the European Union, we have a financial sentiment, it will be no hard border between north and south, the all ireland economy will continue to develop and in north cooperation as an visit by the good friday agreement can resume equity. We secured the integrity of the european Single Market and our place in it, and the common travel area between the uk and ireland will stay in place. For those reasons come earlier, i was able to recommend this agreement that this tree to be endorsed by the European Council and it has been unanimously loose. Now the decision moves and goes on to the decision moves and goes on to the house of commons and the European Parliament and for them to consider this treaty and agreement andi consider this treaty and agreement and i hope sincerely it will ratify it so we can all move on to the next phase. Finally turning to Michel Barnier. Good afternoon, everyone. First of all, thank you very much jean claude for your constant support, not only today, but over the past three years. Ladies and gentlemen, todays agreement is a result of intensive work by both sides. The uk government has wanted to open one point in their Withdrawal Agreement, the practical on ireland, and Northern Ireland. We listened carefully, and passionately. To the arguments. We explained our position. We worked closely with leo at the to throw at the taoiseach. We have succeeded together. I wont go into details today. All of our texts are Available Online in full detail. But i want to talk about one point. I mentioned it already this morning. While the subject matter in the negotiating room may very often have been technical about customs, goods, borders, what has mattered above all has been, for me and for my team, people in ireland and Northern Ireland. For me, what really matters are the people of Northern Ireland and ireland and peace on the island of ireland. We know we now need to get this fortified by our parliaments before the end of october. And then the work on a new partnership starts. Translation i would like to add three personal remarks, if i may, just briefly. First of all, my thanks to all of those who have worked together as a team to achieve todays agreement. Clearly, it still has to be confirmed or ratified by the European Parliament. The European Parliament has played a very significant role, too, particularly the brexit steering group, it also has to be approved by the house of commons, by the British Government. Thanks to jungle jungles support three years ago i was able to put together an extraordinary team. Thanks to Jean Claude Juncker. I would like to thank all of the members of this extraordinary team. They have been very hard working. Extraordinary team. They have been very ha rd working. They extraordinary team. They have been very hard working. They have always been there for us. They have worked along with the teams from the council, donalds team, the legal service, the general secretariat, they have worked together with the teams of all 27 governments, and, of course, the team from the European Parliament, which ive already mentioned. And, of course, the services of the commission, who have been there they are not to provide their expertise. It is the fact weve worked together collectively asa team weve worked together collectively as a team that we managed to come up with this result. Weve got 600 pages in this treaty. As Jean Claude Juncker was saying, this provides Legal Certainty where the divorce that brexit constitute really brings so that brexit constitute really brings so much uncertainty. Now, ive worked throughout those three years on the unity of the 27 Member States and the European Parliament. It wasnt by pure chance. I patiently worked on ensuring that we maintained that unity. Donald tusk now, and the future president of the European Council, will no doubt cultivate that. Brexit has been a negative experience and process. It isa negative experience and process. It is a lose lose process, but i hope they will build on that unity to build up to the major challenges of what is a positive agenda for the future of the eu and european citizens. Finally, like donald tusk and Jean Claude Juncker, i too very much regret brexit. I deeply regret it. However, we respect it. It was the sovereign choice of a majority. In the uk. I have a gaullist tendency myself, but i have a great deal of admiration for the uk, i have always had tremendous admiration and Great Respect for the uk. We will never forget the solidarity shown by the british in our darkest hour. I have Great Respect for statesman like Winston Churchill and many others. I have infinite respect for the uk. That is why throughout these negotiations you will have never heard one word from me that was aggressive or indicated that we wanted in some way to be vengeful. Thats not my nature. Thats not the way i dealt with this. And its even more important for the future relation that we proceed with the same feeling of respect and admiration. I think we should move ahead with the task of trying to build something together. For the future. The uk is going to be there in the future, its going to be our economic partner, our friend, and its going to be our economic partner, ourfriend, and ourally its going to be our economic partner, our friend, and our ally to protect the security of our entire continent. Thank you. The gentleman in the middle, please. President tusk, you mentioned johnsons concessions on customs as key to the deal. Could you point to a similar concession on the eu side . Is there any aspect where the eu shifted any of its red lines or principles . And also, looking forward, we know brennan Minster Johnson has also, looking forward, we know brennan minsterjohnson has talked about the ratification, but what if there is a vote against this . Particularly as there needs to be two we e ks particularly as there needs to be two weeks to look at this very complicated agreement. The eu was a lwa ys complicated agreement. The eu was always open and flexible for creative solutions. Im not here to comment on the details. Michel barnier is here to go into detail on that. Without our goodwill and very constructive approach, any kind of deal would have been impossible. Our intention. Inaudible we support the deal, and this was a clear decision of 27 Member States. We are prepared for this ratification. Logistically, politically, technically. Now the ball is in the cult of the uk. Ive no idea what the result will be in the house of commons on saturday. Court of the uk. If there is an extension needed, i will see how things are then. White the lady in the third row. Yes, please. The e reporter, we have talked a lot about hell in this press room, i was wondering if we could move on to heaven. A lot of hard work has been done for the Peace Process in Northern Ireland. But in order to be canonised you need a verified miracle. The eu reporter. Iwas wondering what he would say to arlene foster, the leader of the dup. Arlene foster, the leader of the dup. You would say. Arlene foster, the leader of the dup. You would say. It is not for me. Iam dup. You would say. It is not for me. I am not the candidate. Maybe leo . I dont think im a candidate, either, i will pass on that question, too, if you dont mind . Next question. Thank you very much. President tusk and Jean Claude Juncker, what is your message to the 48 of british voters who voted to remain in the eu, and some of them are still campaigning to cancel brexit . Michel barnier and are still campaigning to cancel brexit . Michel barnierand leo varadkar, what assurances does the eu have, if any, varadkar, what assurances does the eu have, ifany, of continued varadkar, what assurances does the eu have, if any, of continued access to british fishing waters after brexit . I would like to say to the 48 that they were right. Laughter translation there was a specific question about fisheries as an important sector. One day i went to the west of denmark to talk to danish fishermen. They catch 50 to 60 of their fish in british waters under the common fisheries policy. So, many fishermen there and in ireland are dependent on british territorial waters. And, of course, we have to think about exports of uk processed fisheries products to the market. All of that is part of it. We need to take that into account in the negotiations which will start at the agreement is finally ratified. We shall give some priority to the conclusion of a new fisheries agreement, providing for access by european fishermen to british waters, under conditions to be negotiated. And, of course, there will be access for british processed products to the eu market. All of that will have to be treated together. And we shall be constructive. And we will take this asa constructive. And we will take this as a priority. Thank you. Studio you have been listening to a press co nfe re nce studio you have been listening to a press conference with the main protagonists in this negotiation. We have been listening to Michel Barnier, the European Commissions chief negotiator. We also had some words from leo varadkar, the irish taoiseach, as well. A couple of interesting things. Weve not talked a lot through the course of the day about a transition. Business has been living through this hiatus over the past three years and they are very interested in knowing what the transition arrangements would be. You heard from leo varadkar are saying that until the end of 2020, certainly, the prospect of two further years of transition. And then this new agreement would kick infora then this new agreement would kick in for a period of four years. So, not actually until 2026 would stormont and the dup have a vote on these new arrangements. But, certainly, if the deal was passed on saturday, you would get a period of stability for businesses. A lot of Business Leaders who we have heard in the course of the day would certainly welcome some of that. Chris morrisjoins me certainly welcome some of that. Chris morris joins me from certainly welcome some of that. Chris morrisjoins me from reality check team. The latvian Prime Minister said it was one of the simplest days theyve had in this negotiation. The draft conclusions we re negotiation. The draft conclusions were adopted almost immediately. And as far as they are concerned, the ball is firmly in the court of the houses of common. Really it was the political decision, i think, from borisjohnson to say, well, i know i dont have the dup on board, but lets go ahead and publish this and lets go ahead and publish this and lets see what happens in the house of commons on saturday. Court of the house of commons. Related to that press conference, donald tusk more cautious when pressed on the idea of, are you going to urge the house of commons to pass it by saying it is either this deal or no deal. We had a hint of that from Jean Claude Juncker. But the deal. We had a hint of that from jean claudejuncker. But the man who actually runs the European Council, the people who must make the decision, much more cautious, as we suspected. They will wait to see what the house of commons do before issuing threats that that is it and we are going for no deal, because they dont want to do that. We are going for no deal, because they dont want to do that. Yes, we are expecting borisjohnson to appear very shortly and we will take it at that press conference live. The latvian Prime Minister was saying, it was quite interesting, the welcome borisjohnson got in the room today. He had driven a hard bargain in the beginning but he has met them at halfway on the agreement. As far as the latvian Prime Minister is concerned, there was a certain amount of relief in the room. These are politicians, as well, they all deal with their own domestic constituencies at home. They know how hard it is to corral an often unruly parliament. He did go in hard, they accepted that, but he did garner some serious concessions from the European Union. It was said the agreement would not be reopened. It has been. It said if the backstop was to be replaced, it would have to be with something which had no time limit on it of any kind, and avoided a hard border under all circumstances. The new mechanism, albeit through a very convoluted approach, if you like, could, in theory, allow Northern Ireland to leave these new economic arrangements with nothing else to replace them. I suspect the eu rationale, their calculation, is that it rationale, their calculation, is thatitis rationale, their calculation, is that it is so unlikely to happen that it is so unlikely to happen that we are happy with what has been set up here. And they will look at probably the biggest concession in the whole process over the past couple of weeks, which was Boris Johnsons decision to say, ok, our idea of checks of some kind somewhere in ireland, all of this talk without over the last year of alternative arrangements, it isnt going to fly. It isnt going to work with the eu. I am not going to get this deal over the line unless i accept that there have to be some form of customs, as well as regulatory checks, down the irish sea. Within the uk. Between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That isa britain and Northern Ireland. That is a big and bitter pill for many unionists to swallow. Something mr johnson himself has said before that no Prime Minister should ever let happen. Stay with me, if you will lets just show our viewers those pictures of the podium, i think youve already seen it. It is ready and waiting for borisjohnson, as Michel Barnierjust goes past me doctor that he did not even stop and talk anyway, he has gone. Michel barnierjust goes past me. We can speak to somebody from the belfast newsletter. Ben, i dont know if you can hear me, but we have been hearing through the course of the afternoon the reaction of the dup and some strong words from nigel dodds, the parliamentary leader of the dup, saying he feels Boris Johnson has given too much but he has been forced into that because of the benn act. It was very strong words, but it was the tone. The tone was a not so strong. But, lets be clear about it, it is a complete breach between the dup and the conservative party. It is a complete somersault on what borisjohnson said when he came to the dup conference last year. Saying that no Prime Minister would accept anything like this. And, indeed, it is a com plete like this. And, indeed, it is a complete breach on the tone of the dup reception. When borisjohnson came. To talk to the. Im not sure came. To talk to the. Im not sure if i am still on the camera here, iam sure if i am still on the camera here, i am assuming i am not. We can hear you, keep talking. Chuckles sorry when Boris Johnson chuckles sorry when borisjohnson came to the dup reception at the tory party conference, it was patriotically a nationalistic talk. And it was abandoned the very next day. Patriotically and nationalistic talk. There was no recognition about that from dublin. Then two weeks later borisjohnson that from dublin. Then two weeks later Boris Johnson climbs that from dublin. Then two weeks later borisjohnson climbs down almost entirely. So it is a devastating situation for the dup. And their words are strong. Their tone is more in and they are probably just trying to figure it out. I think people are reeling. Their tone is more emollient. Margaret thatcher did a massive somersault back in 1985. The unionists have always had that in the back of their mind. So they must have expected something. The majority of people in Northern Ireland voted to remain. They voted to leave. Borisjohnson has been trying to square that circle. Finding a way for Northern Ireland to leave with the rest of the uk, whilst not putting these things in place in terms of customs infrastructure on the island of ireland. This probably was the only way he could find a way to do that. Yes, but i think the unionist feeling that is this, there is no suggestion that london doesnt play a part of brexit, or scotland doesnt play a part, because they went the other way. It was a uk wide referendum yet a special dispensation for irish nationalists when narrowly Northern Ireland votes to remain. And the similar thing has happened in the stormont, in the process is to protect the Minority Community, whatever that Minority Community, whatever that Minority Community was, you must have parallel consent. It was always thought that irish nationalists, catholics were minority, it was protection for them. The minute unionists, which only recently they have become, are a minority in assembly, this is abandoned. Unionists are demoralised. The detail is secondary to the massive moment that this is in british politics. And the massive moment that this is in british politics. You could even say back to the active union of 1801, is when it came toa active union of 1801, is when it came to a choice between an emphatic brexit for england, for Great Britain, but certainly for england, middle england turned when it had a choice between that and standing by the integrity of the uk, and wanted brexit. There were polls showing this months ago. You know, the thing of nightmares for unionists in Northern Ireland, and possibly for unionist in scotland, too. We shall see what happens there. Middle england was never tested on this. It was never tested on its commitment to the uk for decades. Soldiers came over to Northern Ireland, hundreds of them died in a long terrorist campaign, but never did middle england come to a crunch point like this and when it. Borisjohnsons government wanted to go for this over his rhetoric of always accepting the full integrity of the uk. That is a massive moment for the uk. That is a massive moment for the uk. Its uk. That is a massive moment for the uk. Its a massive moment for england. And its a very traumatic moment for unionists in Northern Ireland. Just contextualise one thing for me, though. The dup are under enormous thing for me, though. The dup are under enormous pressure now, thing for me, though. The dup are under enormous pressure now, of course, in the house of commons to help get this deal through. And also enormous pressure help get this deal through. And also enormous pressure at home. Because very enormous pressure at home. Because very soon we enormous pressure at home. Because very soon we could be heading to a general election. There are some of the seats which are tightly contested. Its a very fine balancing act for them, isnt it . Contested. Its a very fine balancing act for them, isnt mm is. If one was to think of a potential mistake the dup has made, their tone has always been combative, maybe even shrill, and all of the rest of it. And actually, their position has always been vulnerable. Maybe they should have shown more vulnerability. They have problems coming from every angle. They have an election. There is a big Division Within the unions. Some unionists are thinking about making a return to the eu. There are abortions being imposed on Northern Ireland in the absence of an assembly. So many things happening for the dup. They had great difficulty in deciding what to do about this deal, i believe, behind closed doors, they didnt show it. And they will have huge difficulty deciding what to do on a range of things. But i think this was a point too far. A Unionist Party has to be a Unionist Party even when pushed to breaking point. Then, i need to end it there because we are out of time. Thank you for your thoughts. Studio lets stay with our story dominating here, that deal which has been brokered between the eu leaders and the uk in brussels. The details have emerged to the course of the day but a significant moment has been reached in brussels. Making the point that they were happy that a deal had finally been reached. But there was Great Sadness that potentially britain now leaves the eu. But, of course, all of that predicated on that crucial vote we have this saturday at westminster, because the British Parliament has to ratify what they have agreed there in brussels. Our uk Political Correspondentjoins me now. Let us just rewind. We are waiting to hear from borisjohnson just rewind. We are waiting to hear from Boris Johnson in just rewind. We are waiting to hear from borisjohnson in a short while, but just the significance from borisjohnson in a short while, butjust the significance of from borisjohnson in a short while, but just the significance of the moment we have reached, first of all. It is no doubt significant because mrjohnson has basically said, we are leaving the European Union, do ordie, the are leaving the European Union, do or die, the 31st of october, which is when the previous extension runs out. Obviously, the easiest way to do that is with a deal, right . Thats the easiest way. In particular because the Uk Parliament has said, actually, we would prefer, we wa nt has said, actually, we would prefer, we want you to ask for an extension to the Brexit Process if you havent got a deal. Thats hugely important that he has got a deal. In terms of how they got there. Only in the last 15, 20 minutes, listening to donald tusk of the did well, im actually going to interrupt my own question, because there is borisjohnson on the screen just starting. I would like to thank Michelle Barney and his team, for all of the personal effort that has been put into this. Michel barnier. This isa into this. Michel barnier. This is a big dealfor our country, the uk. I think it is a big dealfor our friends in the eu. What it means is that we in the uk can come out of the eu as one United Kingdom. England, scotland, wales, Northern Ireland, and together, and it means we can decide our future together, we can decide our future together, we can decide our future together, we can decide, we can take back control, as the phrase goes, of our money, our borders, our laws, together. And we will be able to do Free Trade Agreements around the world. We can also build now, after three and a half years, we can build now on our relations with our friends and partners in the eu. And itll be a very exciting period now, as it were, to get to the Positive Side of that project. The extraction having been done, the building now begins. And im very confident that when my colleagues in parliament study this agreement, that they will wa nt to study this agreement, that they will want to vote for it on saturday, and in succeeding days. This is our chance in the uk as democrats to get brexit done, and come out on october the 31st. This is our chance to focus on our priorities, the peoples priorities, the nhs, putting 20,000 police on the streets, of lifting up funding of education across the country. The biggest expansion of the living wage. Those are the things i think the people of our country want us to be focusing on in addition to brexit. We have been at this now, as i say, for three and a half years. It hasnt always been an easy experience for the uk. It has been long, it has been painful, it has been divisive, and now is the moment for us as a country to come together. This is a moment of our parliamentarians to come together and get this thing done. And, as i say, to begin building a new and Progressive Partnership with our eu friends, with whom, of course, we share so many priorities. Now, i have to go to dinner. Late fairly soon. Have to go to dinner. Late fairly soon. Im told to keep this very tight indeed, but im going to go to Laura Kuenssberg at the bbc. Why are you confident this and get to parliament and when the earth will you do if this falls on saturday . I think that there is a very good case for mps across the house of commons to express the democratic will of the people as we pledge many times to do and to get brexit done. An essay am never tired of telling you, i dont think there is any case further