End in sight. Theresa may does not have their backing yet. In downing street. Well have all the developments as they happen here on this bbc news special well get reaction from westminster and beyond as the Prime Minister tries to rally suport for her controversial plans. Welcome to this bbc news special broadcasting across the uk and around the world were live at westminster to mark a highly significant milestone in the brexit process. The cabinet has been meeting in downing street to consider the draft Brexit Agreement settled by officials in london and brussels. The meeting started at 2 oclock and theresa may was setting out to convince the more sceptical members of the cabinet that her plan is the best on offer. The Draft Agreement runs to hundreds of pages. The Prime Minister says it delivers on the result of the Eu Referendum in 2016 her critics on both sides of the argument say it would leave the uk with less influence and less control. Well have details of the plan as its published in full and well have all the comings and goings in downing street where the Prime Minister might appear to make a statement at some stage depending on the outcome of the meeting. The actual document has not yet been released but lets have a look at the main points we believe are in it although they have not been confirmed. The plan involves keeping the uk as part of the Eu Customs Union for a limited time. This would avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the republic of ireland which has been one of the most contentious issues in the negotiations and is known as the backstop plan. But, its believed that Northern Ireland would also remain in a deeper relationship with the eu. And it would abide by some additional eu rules and regulations. Under the plan an independent committee of uk, eu and external members would be set up to review ending this backstop arrangement. But crucially and controversially the uk would have no unilateral right to leave it. Plenty of room for argument. If you wonder why the cabinet needs several hours to discuss this plan, you have a hint of the better because quite a few of those points are highly contentious uncontroversial. Todays ma has to go around the cabinet table and invite views on this comprehensive document. Theresa may has to go around the cabinet table. Lets speak to our chief Political Correspondent vicki young whos on downing street. Do we think this Cabinet Meeting will stream over the time that we thought . Yes, it is always difficult, there is no set time for the meeting. We are allowing about three hours. I spoke to a minister who said that is what they are expecting. The Prime Minister does go round the table asking for opinions. We are told it may not finish first six oclock and maybe go on until seven oclock which tells you theres a lot to get through and a lot of clarification needed and reassurance in many cases. The contentious issue of the arrangements the uk would go into to avoid border checks between Northern Ireland and the republic of ireland, how can the uk get out of that unilaterally . They will want to reassure us unilaterally . They will want to reassure us about unilaterally . They will want to reassure us about that and legal advice. This shows you how many fronts theresa may is fighting on. The pro brexiteers are happy about the uk being tied into the eu after we leave and then people like David Mundell who has written a letter to the Prime Minister along with other scottish conservative mps saying they want reassurance about what happens to fishing rights after we leave. There are all sorts of issues they will have to work through which they will have to work through which they are clearly taking some time to do. On the kind of mood music, clearly we have not seen the actual document, last night and this morning people have some kind of idea what is in this document, were you picking up any signs we could be in the realm of seeing several resignations from the cabinet or is there still a will to back the Prime Minister . I think if they could, they would want to. I do not think they would want to. I do not think they want to bring down the Prime Minister or cause her more trouble than she already has but youre talking about people in her cabinet who have been euro sceptics for their entire careers and some find it difficult to live with the agreement that she has come up with. In terms of resignations, issue has the most senior cabinet members on site, that will help her but even junior members, if they decide to call, they will become people voting against her deal. It will be a very tight forward if and when it gets to parliament. She knows it is going be extremely difficult but i think our message will be clear, she is saying to them in there, this is in the national interest. We have been negotiating for two years and this is the best we will get if you want to protect businesses in the uk who need to trade with the eu. That will be her pitch and that will be pitch to mps as well. It all goes back to that frees, and mrs may suggesting that frees, and mrs may suggesting that it that frees, and mrs may suggesting thatitis that frees, and mrs may suggesting that it is hard deal or no deal. Lots of people are questioning that. It might be possible to go back to the eu and negotiate something different. How do you see the dynamics of that argument in the context of todays Cabinet Meeting . That is the crucial question not just the cabin above all mps in the commons. It is what they think the alternative is. If they agree the alternative is. If they agree the alternative is. If they agree the alternative is the deal of theresa may which is obviously a compromise which will not be perfect but the best they can get, if the choices that or no deal, i have not spoken toa that or no deal, i have not spoken to a single mp or a minister who thinks the uk is ready for a no deal scenario in march. People like Boris Johnson is saying we need a delay transition period. If that is the choice, they might swing behind her plan even though they dont love it. If the link is a chance of getting a second referendum for example, staying in their European Union economic area go back to brussels for a better deal, then she will have a problem because if they think they can achieve that somehow and parliament can take control, it might not be so ready to back her. Thank you. We will be back there as soon as something happens. Thats a promise. Thank you very much, our chief correspondent outside number ten keeping an eye on proceedings. We will be back as soon as we see any movements. Let us think about brussels and the rest of the eu. So hows the agreement going down in the rest of the eu . The taoiseach in dublin earlier said he did not want to see anything which make up end the talks going on in numberten at which make up end the talks going on in number ten at the moment. Which make up end the talks going on in number ten at the moment. Lets speak to our europe correspondent damian grammaticas. There will be clearly acute interest in the outcome of this meeting, i they are assuming that the cabinet will probably approve this deal and the real crunch point in the parliament itself which is of course the vote in the house of commons in december . No, i think the vote in the house of commons in december . No, ithink nothing is being assumed or taken for granted. The eu know that this Cabinet Meeting is a crucial moment. They are all watching. They dont know how it will come out. We have this extraordinary political coincidence or spectacle where whilst the Cabinet Meeting is happening where you are, right here in front of me, across the road, we have the eu 27 countries, that ambassadors are here in brussels who deal with all the dealings to do with the european commission, they are all waiting to hear what comes out from london. We understand they have not been given the text of this document yet. Until they get the green light that it has been accepted by the uk. Then the commission negotiators were presented to them and talk through it. We also know that the negotiators have said that is so much detail in their and other stuff about Customs Union arrangement has been worked in there in the last few weeks because the uk wanted it. The other 27 countries here are still waiting to hear about all of that detail which is crucial for them. Theyll have their own on it. |j wa nted theyll have their own on it. |j wanted to ask you about some of the reports, michel barnier, his deputy saying this was a deal which left the eu with the upper hand. The uk would not be in a stronger position. What be said about those reports . Nothing officially. All the official spokespeople here would say today was that i text of this agreement has been agreed on both sides, delivered to london and they will say nothing more until it is clear what has come back from london. Then the process can move forward. What we the process can move forward. What we that is what we have from the irish Prime Minister and what we heard from here. That statement attributed to Michel Barniers deputy, sitting opposite the table from the uk negotiator, that was one of the papers this morning. That was from a briefing a few days ago. There have been other interpretations of that which say thatis interpretations of that which say that is not what she said. In this Customs Union text in there, there are safeguards built in so that the uk would have to fall this level playing field, following rules on taxation, environment and social policy. The taoiseach said this as well, this is a baseline which would be the fallback plan for the future so it might be something which could be worked on in the future. They have been very careful not to try to disrupt anything to do with that political discussion going on in london so i think very sensitive about the politics of it in the uk. We will go back to talk to you later. Thank you very much. A european correspondent keeping an eye on brussels. Sir simon fraser is with me hes the former head of the Foreign Office. Thank you forjoining us. Your perspective on this Cabinet Meeting today, the stakes that are in evidence . At this rate is a very important meeting. The Prime Minister has to get this meeting through the cabinet. That is the first of a number of steps shares to go through. It is the end of a long negotiation, hard fought on both sides. The stakes are very high. If the cabinet do not agree, i am not sure what will happen next. Are you assuming they will agree . My assumption is the well. One or two members may find it difficult but on balance i would expect the cabinet to go along with it. If she cannot get it through her cabinet team, the prospects are dim. Yes. The view today on both sides, beavers and remainers, has been remarkably consistent given the events of the last two years. Leavers and remainers. On one thing they are agreed, the deal is described, leaves us in a position where we will be less in control, not more in control. Is that youre reading . There are two points. Any deal at this point of this sort would be attacked by both sides. Secondly, yes i do agree. I was thought brexit would leave this country weaker because if we want to maintain a close trading relationship with europe, we have to abide by the rules of their market. If we are not pa rt rules of their market. If we are not part of those people making those rule, of course we are more passive relationship. It is not an ideal outcome. Those rules. Relationship. It is not an ideal outcome. Those rules. Can you first the course of events that leaves lots of levers and remainers going towards the option of some kind of different verdict, some Second Thought or whatever . |j kind of different verdict, some Second Thought or whatever . I think the most likely outcome is that a deal will be reached one were another, whether voted through first time in house of commons, i do not know but i still think that is the most likely outcome. And then shortly afterwards we will leave. However i do think the prospect of the second referendum have increased slightly in recent days. If we have the referendum that is no guarantee the referendum that is no guarantee the result will be different second time around. That is an interesting assumption as well. You think the dynamics of the debate have not changed that much. I do not think there is evidence they have changed massively. Why . An awful lot of people to continue and they have had enough of it. In the end, there does not seem to have been a significant shift across the country but who knows. The other issue about a second referendum is that it will be difficult to organise. The campaign would be extremely tough so much as i would personally like to see a different outcome, i am not sure it will happen. Final point, i asked damian earlier about the remarks attributed to the deputy of michel barnier, i wonder if those remarks made sense to you . I will recapture for viewers joining made sense to you . I will recapture for viewersjoining us, made sense to you . I will recapture forviewersjoining us, in made sense to you . I will recapture for viewersjoining us, in her view, this was a deal which left the eu with very much the upper hand and the uk with very much less control. She was talking to her audience of course in brussels but it has been true throughout. I have said it before that the eu has the stronger hand in this negotiation. In the end i think that both sides have made compromises. Both sides have an interest in this deal going through because certainly no deal with damaged his country and would also damaged his country and would also damage the European Union. So we do have a shared interest in finding a way forward. That was very interesting, thank you very much for joining us. That was simon fraser, former head of the Foreign Office with a very thorough and detailed knowledge of this process as you could imagine. Good to have his perspective. A short while ago the Democratic Union Party Leader Arlene Foster held an impromptu press conference inside westminster and said that the party have not yet made up their minds on the proposed deal. She has now said it will breach the red line between having a difference between Northern Ireland and the uk. We wa nt between Northern Ireland and the uk. We want to see the text for ourselves, we will make her own judgments. We will not be led by anyone else and certainly not the Irish Government who have sought throughout this process to be aggressive and not looking for a solution. That is what is so frustrating about this. If people had addressed this to look for a pragmatic solution in relation to the Northern Ireland border, there we re the Northern Ireland border, there were solutions out there but that was not the attitude that came from either the Irish Government or from the European Union. Will you vote against it, would you be willing to risk losing tojeremy corbyns government . The Prime Minister has been clear in relation to our position throughout the process. We rota on the ist of november, setting out the position. If she decides to go against that and go against herself because on many occasions she has stood up in this very place and said she will not break up the United Kingdom, there will be no difference between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. If she decides to go against all of that, of course there will be consequences. We could not as unionist support a deal which broke up unionist support a deal which broke up the United Kingdom. Unionist support a deal which broke up the United Kingdomlj unionist support a deal which broke up the United Kingdom. I hate calling for the conservative party to change their leader . That is not what i said at all. Are you calling. Iam what i said at all. Are you calling. I am looking forward to meeting the Prime Minister later today and hopefully we will see the text and get some clarity in relation to these matters. If you knew in 2016 what you know now, would you have supported brexit . M caution with because there are huge frustrated opportunities out there. This would with has become such a negative process instead of positive process for change. I listened to a meeting about innovation in agriculture and what that could mean outside of the European Union and because of all the noise about leaving the European Union, were not talking about the advantages outside of the European Union so i wish and my colleagues wish we could spend more time doing that. But with Arlene Foster of the dup, flanked by her colleagues. That was Arlene Foster. That was another message directed at theresa may, if it comes to a parliamentary vote, this is not something they could support. Our ireland correspondent chris page is in belfast. What did you make of that statement . Arlene foster not absolutely declaring her hands, she said her so she had not seen the Draft Agreement yet. But i think the direction of travel is clear. It would be a major surprise if they did anything other than surprise if they did anything other tha n vote surprise if they did anything other than vote against this Draft Agreement whenever it comes before the house of commons. Arlene foster saying she thinks it breaches the red lines in a way they believe the whole of the uk should be out of the Customs Union Single Market. We do not think this agreement will do that. That will mean Northern Ireland has to keep following european new rules, which will be set in brussels and not london or belfast therefore that will be anti democratic in their view. It will leave Northern Ireland more tied to the eu and not to the uk. It isa tied to the eu and not to the uk. It is a step away from the union. Sammy wilson, one of the most passionate unionist supporters has said he would regard that as a break in the union altogether. Arlene foster was also asked about the comments made by the irish Prime Minister in the Irish Parliament today, he acknowledged that some of the Unionist Community in Northern Ireland this was a worrying time and he understood they might feel vulnerable. He said he wanted to give words of reassurance and in his view the Draft Agreement upheld the good friday Peace Agreement and therefore protected the integral territorial rights of the uk. That means things can change unless the majority of people in Northern Ireland decide that it should. That does not appear to have comforted unionists. Arlene foster was dismissive of his comments. She repeated her line that the Irish Government has been very aggressive in his brexit negotiations and this is made the whole prospect of a no more likely. A quick line to add, thatis more likely. A quick line to add, that is quite a vocal crowd here, who want to stop brexit if you had not guessed. That is the phrase they are chanting loudly. If you wondered what all the voices are. On the other parties in Northern Ireland, we focused on the dup because of their partnership with theresa may, what is the view in the rest of the Unionist Community and the other side of the political divide there . The other main unionist party, the Ulster Unionist Party is also opposed to what is reported in this d raft opposed to what is reported in this Draft Agreement for similar reasons to the dup. They have been critical of the dup saying they should have been pushing the government harder with the possession near them at westminster. Regarding the other parties, you have the two nationalist parties, sinn fein and the sdlp along with the Alliance Party and the greens who formed a kind of grouping in recent months of prodl main parties. Dividends westminster yesterday talking jeremy corbyn. Pro remain parties. They will emphasise that 56 of people in Northern Ireland in the referendum believed that Northern Ireland should remain in the European Union. The dup do not think this. They will say they will look at this Draft Agreement in this context. Northern ireland is basically more closely tied to the eu than any threat you have had the leader of the nationalists and the sdlp, probably most pro european of the parties here, has accused the dup of hyste ri cs. Here, has accused the dup of hysterics. The parties on the domain side of the argument. They have said we have to wait until this Draft Agreement is out, let us not see anything until we have actually seen it. Thank you very much. We arejoined by we are joined by helen wakefield. It is not surprising the meeting is carrying on, they will all have a contribution. Yes, it is no surprise the cabinet is taking a while, this isa the cabinet is taking a while, this is a very important moment. It is absolutely right they should discuss it at length. Everybody in the cabinet wants to speak and that is reasonable. I am looking forward to hearing the news when they come out. Is it your assumption that the cabinet will ultimately approve the deal . I hope the cabinet will back the Prime Minister and back the deal. Ayew confident . I think the important thing is to wait and see them come out. But you would expect them come out. But you would expect them to . You know a lot of these people. You are conservative through and through, do you think there is any chance of the cabinet not backing this deal . I hope the cabinet will back the deal. The Prime Minister has gone to enormous lengths to get a good negotiation for britain. It has been very difficult. That is not surprising. It was always going to be difficult. There has to be give and take on both sides. She has been cleared throughout she would deliver ad deal true to the referendum result and there would have to be compromises. The key thing is she has told us she would take back control of our laws under money. She will do that. There will be an implementation period to get ready to the shift into a new relationship. Am looking forward to it, as much as anyone is, to reading the terms of the deal. It, as much as anyone is, to reading the terms of the deallj disappointed that colleagues of yours who are agreeing the deal as we understand it will leave us with less control, not more control . The best thing to do is hold off and give your opinion on the deal, when you have seen the deal. At the moment anything else is speculation soi moment anything else is speculation so i would rather we all wait and held fire, let us read it through and work out what it means for the country and our constituencies. I am a kent mp so we think a lot about the border between dover and calais and what it will mean for our road network. We do not want to talk gridlock in our constituencies. We have to think about what it means to us and then go will be in a position to comment. Lots of people are saying this is not the outcome broadly that we voted for injune 2016. For example, i havejust seen a piece by Norman Lamont in the newspaper saying this has to deliver on the principle of leaving the eu in an unmistakable way. If theres any doubt about that, what will your constituency . People voted for many different me reasons to leave. The deal has to dig us out of the European Union and that is what well do. We will leave it and do our own trade deal. We will no longer have Free Movement of people if we leave the Single Market. We will leave the common agriculture and fisheries programmes. Also we do have to balance the deal we have for leaving with the concern of people who voted to remain and the jobs and livelihoods which depend on is having a Good Relationship with the European Union and depend on the free flow of goods between the uk and the European Union. That is very important as well. The deal needs to reflect both sides of the argument to help everyone. When you surprised disappointed when your colleague dominic raab said he had not quite understood the importance of the dover calais crossing to our trade . My dover calais crossing to our trade . My understanding is that comment was taken out of context. The government has done a lot of work on working out how to make sure there is a flow of goods across the border and how to make sure traffic flows through kent, whatever outcome we get. Last question own divisions, lots has been said about how divided the uk has been since the referendum, is it your sense that the Prime Minister needs to reach out maybe more than she has done to bring people together . Do you sense people, even after two and a half yea rs a re people, even after two and a half years are ready to come together if they still have strong feelings which they certainly had to have yea rs which they certainly had to have years ago, what is your sense of that . The context of your question is behind us right now, people chanting and calling for another vote. There was also some outside saint brexit now, brexit now. So there are still strong feelings on both sides. But at the moment, im hearing loud noises from people who are very unhappy about as leaving but that is not surprising because thatis but that is not surprising because that is what we are doing. I certainly heard regret from people who wish they had campaigned more to remain and regretted the vote so while were still in this position of not having the deal is signed and sealed, but is still room for campaigning. We need to get that deal agreed and then move on and come together as a country and move on and do all the other things we need to do. I did not come into parliament in order to talk about brexit and europe but because i care about the nhs and education and peoples livelihoods and that is what i want to spend more time on. I hope will be able to move on. Your message to other conservatives who have been urging cabinet ministers to vote this deal down, what do you say to them . I do not like seeing conservative colleagues disagreeing with each other but that is what is happening because people feel strongly about it. That is getting more coverage than the labour infighting which is also going on as well. Jeremy corbyn saying that you cannot stop brexit and other labour mps are trying to campaign for another vote. They are all over the place. I hope once we have got the deal, everyone will say let us move forward. Thank you very much for joining us. We are going to go to glasgow now, because there is a very, very important scottish perspective to this clearly, not least because of what has now been proposed, we understand, from Northern Ireland. Lets talk to lorna gordon, our correspondent in glasgow. Whats your understanding of the position today of the Scottish Government there are, as they understand this agreement . I think the Scottish Governments position comes down to two key things. They feel they have been kept in the dark throughout this process, and they are worried that they are being kept out of any possible, that scotland is being kept out of any potential benefit from a differential deal for Northern Ireland. When we talk about keptin Northern Ireland. When we talk about kept in the dark, they would say that they have not been part of any meaningful negotiations or discussions with the government at westminster throughout this whole process , westminster throughout this whole process, and indeed they only found out that a deal had been done yesterday threw back channels, there was no official conversation. Nicola sturgeon, scotlands first minister, has said today that she wanted to speak to theresa may, have a phone call discussion to discuss her concerns, that was refused and they said any discussions would take place after a Cabinet Meeting. And as you say, it comes down to this speculation that there is a differential deal for Northern Ireland. Nicola sturgeon says scotla nd ireland. Nicola sturgeon says scotland coming out of the Single Market would be bad enough. If Northern Ireland managed to stay in, be it implicitly or explicitly, that would be the worst of all worlds. She said it would put scotland at a competitive disadvantage and would have a devastating impact on jobs and investment here. Her argument is that if Northern Ireland can get a special deal, then so, too, should scotland. Lorna, sankey canal. If there is any other development, back to you straightaway. I want to go from glasgow to cardiff to talk to the wales Political Editor. Felicity, the welsh input to this debate today, how would you describe that the viewers around the world, not just in the uk . I think there has been some dismay both on the part of the Welsh Government, welsh labour mps at westminster and plaid cymru, the nationalist party here in wales, that there wasnt a consultation between the Prime Minister and the first minister, carwynjones, before the Cabinet Meeting began. The Welsh Government has not seen the text thatis government has not seen the text that is being discussed by the cabinet at the moment. Its worth remembering as well just cabinet at the moment. Its worth remembering as welljust how much skin wales has in this game. Arguably, wales is one of the most exposed parts of the United Kingdom to the uncertainties of brexit. If you just look at the rate of welsh exports to eu markets, for example, they are talking about 11 more coming from wales that the uk average. Then when we got onto the issue of things like welsh ports, tonnes of freight going between the republic of ireland and welsh ports every year. And the fact of the day, four fifths of goods on irish registered hgvs that travel from the republic of ireland to europe go via welsh ports. And that really gives an insight into the significance for wales of what the border between Northern Ireland and the republic ends up looking like. A direct impact potentially there on thousands of welsh jobs that are dependent on those ports, and those jobs in very deprived parts of wales to boot. Obviously, the first minister of wales, carwynjones, has not been in a position where he has been able to respond yet to the text thatis been able to respond yet to the text that is being discussed, as i say, because he hasnt seen it. A little earlier, though, a spokesman for him did issue a statement in which he called on the Prime Minister to stare down brexit extremists and secure unfettered access to the Single Market and the Customs Union. Felicity, thank you very much, and we will talk again if we get some reaction, not least from the Welsh Government there. Felicity evans in cardiff, thank you. We will be talking to more guests in a few moments. That Cabinet Meeting in downing street is still going on. It started at two oclock here, and has been going on now for over three hours, three hours and 36 minutes so far. If it started bang on two oclock, it was near enough. We are now told that it is likely to go on past six oclock london time, and again, if you think about the contributions to be made by people around that cabinet table on a document that is meant to i think stretch to some 500 pages, its maybe not surprising that its going on rather longer than people thought. It is not a rubber stamping exercise. Clearly there are lots of people around the table who have some rather strong views on some of the elements there, not least to do with Northern Ireland. Now, with that in mind, it is 5 36pm. What id like to talk about maybe is what we understand about the document. It hasnt yet been released, this Draft Agreement, but maybe we could take you through some of the points that we think are in it. They have not been confirmed, as i say, but after the cabinet has met and if they approve it, we will get the full thing. The plan involves keeping the uk as part of a customs arrangement within the eu after a so called transition period, and that for a limited time, that limited time not defined. It will avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland on the republic of ireland, that has been as we know one of the most contentious issues in these negotiations. And its known as the backstop plan. This guarantee that there would be no hard border. But its believed that Northern Ireland, and this is very important, would also remain in a deeper relationship with the eu, so that introduces a new competition potentially in these talks, and it would abide by some additional eu rules and regulations. Under the plan, additional eu rules and regulations. Underthe plan, an additional eu rules and regulations. Under the plan, an independent committee of uk, eu add external members would be set up, and they would have the job of reviewing the end of the backstop arrangement, and there is a catch here potentially for those who dont like it, because they say crucially and co ntroversially, they say crucially and controversially, the uk would not have its own right, it will not be able to unilaterally leave this backstop, and that is causing a lot of indigestion for those people who dont like the shape of the plan. So lets get an update from downing street before i talk to some more guests here on the green outside parliament. Vicky young is there for us. It is still going on . Thats right, started at two oclock. The expectation was that it would end at around five. You could never be totally sure. One cabinet minister said earlier that theresa may will wa nt to said earlier that theresa may will want to go around the table and have eve ryo ne want to go around the table and have everyone have an opportunity to say what they think, to ask a reassurance clarification, and that is clearly what is going on, but it is clearly what is going on, but it is taking longer than they anticipated, so we think it will go on beyond six oclock, maybe to seven oclock this evening, and you pointed out some of the issues they will have this document. They will be asking for legal advice, particularly on how the uk could get out of the customs arrangement, maybe they could do that unilaterally, remember it is just a fallout policy, that is what theresa may will be saying, we never want to get the position where it be implement it, but many people think that it will have to be, and she is fighting on all fronts, even incredibly loyal cabinet ministers like david mandel, the scottish secretary, went in having written a letter along with the other conservative mps saying they wanted reassu ra nces conservative mps saying they wanted reassurances about fishing policy, that we would truly be an independent host nation that can do our own deals on quotas and access to uk waters. I clearly not satisfied with what they see in that document. They wanted reassurances on that. So she is fighting on many fronts, and clearly so far the cabinet havent backed her. Having said that, in the last couple of days, downing street has sounded pretty confident that they can get cabinet ministers behind her, and i think the argument will be the one she used today in the house of commons saying it is in the national interest, this is the deal she has managed to will say that this is the best they could get. When you think of people like liam fox or michael gove and others like them who have spent many, others like them who have spent any others like them who have spent many, many years campaigning for britains withdraw from the eu, its difficult to see possibly, vicki, how they would square parts of this deal with original Brexit Campaign backin deal with original Brexit Campaign back in 2016 which was all about redefining the relationship in a very clear cut way, because if this agreement is along the lines that you and i have been discussing, it is not defined in eight clear cut way. There are a couple of answers to that. One is that when theresa may called the general election and lost her majority, that did to some extent limit what she could do, because if you dont have a majority in the house of commons, you then have to compromise much more than maybe you thought you would have to. And i think this suggestion, speaking to liam foxjust and i think this suggestion, speaking to liam fox just a and i think this suggestion, speaking to liam foxjust a couple of weeks ago, he was very much on side at that point, im not saying he still is now, but at that point, because he would see it as he has campaigned for the uk to leave the eu for his entire political career. That destination is in sight itjust a few months time, and there will be many of them who dont want to risk that. Now, it wont be at any cost, though. That is the thing. They will be in there saying, what does this document mean . Some feel that last december they were slightly hoodwinked, that they didnt quite see what was being signed up to when it came to that backstop arrangement, that is causing much of this issue, and that is why this done the attorney general giving the legal advice, the governments Senior Lawyer who is a member of the cabinet will be giving his assessment, and i think that will be pretty crucial as to whether they will swing behind the Prime Minister tonight. Vicki, some suggestions, not confirmed yet, but you will know soon, im sure, some suggestions that conservative mps are being briefed at the moment and being told that might not be a press statement this evening, the Cabinet Meeting still going on, obviously. If that were the case, what would you make of it . The issue is the timing, really. We expected a statement from the Prime Minister, that she might even do a press conference, it is just rumour circulating. But if this is going to run into the evening now, they will publish the document at some point, there will have to be some kind of coordination with brussels, and it all runs rather late. We know that certain conservative mps were being briefed, we know those from scotland we re briefed, we know those from scotland were being briefed on fishing policy, some from the West Midlands we re policy, some from the West Midlands were being briefed about the business side of things. So that kind of thing will mean that the details will drip out, but at the moment, the cabinet has not yet given their backing to the Prime Minister, and we will have to see if they do so, because it is all about they do so, because it is all about the next steps, and if they dont wa nt to the next steps, and if they dont want to any further, it would be difficult for her to do so. Thank you very much, vicki young, with the latest in downing street. With me waiting patiently is labours tony lloyd, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary. Thank you for talking to us. What you make of it so far of the shape of this deal is as we expect . We havent seen it yet, but what you make of it so far . The one thing i do make of it, it is clearly not a done deal even within the cabinet. That is really worrying, because the shambles that we have seen all the way through doesnt seem to be getting any better. The situation for Northern Ireland is one that is still problematic of the stories are true, and it is problematic to this extent. We have always been very clear that to be good friday complied, there should be no border either across the island of ireland, or down the north sea. The eu has said in good spirit, no hardboard sea. The eu has said in good spirit, no ha rdboa rd across sea. The eu has said in good spirit, no hardboard across the island of ireland, but what we seem to be moving towards is that once the uk Customs Union is negated, we will end up without border down the irish sea, and that would be very, very difficult for theresa mays supporters in the dup to take on board. It would be quite difficult for people across the uk to accept. It is not where we ought to be in terms of the good friday agreement. We ought to be protecting the interest of all communities. And so i think there is a major problem still to be dealt with in Northern Ireland. Just explain to viewers, this was the suggestion that Northern Ireland would be like a special case, if you like, and that there would be a deeper relationship with the eu post brexit, and certainly going to the transition then after brexit. How would you help viewers understand what a deeper relationship would be, and why would that be sensitive . The deeper relationship in the end could literally mean that we have some form of control between the port of liverpool and belfast. Within the United Kingdom legal framework, that is very difficult to explain to people, one country but two radically different systems, and people will understand that this is seen to have a constitutional significance for at least a significant part of the population in Northern Ireland. And that, frankly, is necessary. There is a way round it, and the way round it is as the labour party has been saying, we need to be in a Customs Union into the long term, permanent Customs Union, and that would obviate the problem on both the board across ireland and the irish sea. That is the way forward, we are not there yet. Tony, thank you very much forjoining us. Tony lloyd, the labourmp and the much forjoining us. Tony lloyd, the labour mp and the shadow Northern Ireland secretary. Lets talk to Tony Connolly, who is the europe editor at the irish broadcaster rte, he is in brussels for us now on webcam. Cani he is in brussels for us now on webcam. Can i ask you first of all what your perspective is about what is going on in downing street. The latest im hearing is that there wont be a statement from theresa may this evening, and simultaneously andi may this evening, and simultaneously and i think significantly the meeting of eu ambassadors has broken up meeting of eu ambassadors has broken up here in brussels, so the eu ambassadors were being briefed by sabine they arent, who is Michel Barniers deputy, and there was a fairly well crafted choreography under way that the ambassadors in brussels would be given a signal that the deal had been approved in the cabinet, that theresa may had a mandate, and then in turn the eu ambassadors who represent 27 members would take a line on the text and say what they think about it, and what should happen next, so if the signals from london are correct, but there isnt going to be a statement from theresa may, and that is not confirmed yet, but these are reports, then it would kind of makes sense that that meeting in brussels has broken up obviously because there hasnt been a signal from downing street, so i suppose the omens are not great at the moment. What you make of the dynamics of the deal as we understand them, tony, and especially in the Northern Ireland context, with this notion of some kind of close or deeper relationship setting it aside from the rest of the uk . What is your sense of that . If you cast your mind back to thejoint sense of that . If you cast your mind back to the joint report of last december, and the eus first draft of the drawl agreement which talked about Northern Ireland staying in the Customs Union of the Single Market if no other solutions could be found to avoid a hardboard. Theresa may famously rejected that in the house of commons, saying no british Prime Minister could ever accept it, so the British Government put forward its own alternative which was this temporary customs arrangement binding the whole of the uk intoa arrangement binding the whole of the uk into a Customs Union with the eu to avoid any customs checks on the irish sea as well as any customs requirements on the land border. Now, the Irish Government and the eu had always said, that might work, but we still need this underlying Northern Ireland specific backstop as the ultimate safety net if you like. What seems to have happened towards the end of the negotiations is that there was only going to be one backstop, so the Northern Ireland specific backstop if you like was dissolved, and you have these uk wide customs arrangement, but there would be specific provisions for Northern Ireland bolted onto that, and those provisions would deal with the Single Market rules and, critically, customs. So clearly there is some differential between Northern Ireland and Great Britain on customs and the Single Market. How deep that goes is really the problematic area for the dup and large parts of theresa mays government. Tony, very good to talk to you, thank you forjoining us, tony connko thank you forjoining us, Tony Connolly from the irish broadcaster rte giving us his view from brussels. A quick word again with vicki young. Vicki, what is the latest, because im just conscious of the time, coming up to six oclock quite soon. Any sense of any movement there . The implications are that this is going to run beyond six oclock, possibly as late as seven, and that will have a knock on effect on some of the things the downing street might be wanting to do this evening. We do still expect that the Prime Minister might come out into the street and do some kind of statement, probably only once cabinet has come to a decision about whether they have made enough progress to go to the next stage. They had been speculation about a broader press conference from the Prime Minister, and we are told that is no longer happening. That could just be that the timing and makes it all too late, there would have to be some coordination with brussels about the publication of documents, and we understand from dup sources that Arlene Foster, their leader, who is in london, is planning an hoping to see the Prime Minister after the Cabinet Meeting. Crucial of course that her party is onside if the deal is to get through parliament if it gets to the point ofa parliament if it gets to the point of a vote there. So everything running a little bit later, but it doesnt mean that it is not going to happen, but it does show, i think, that cabinet ministers really wanted to have their say, get clarification and reassurance over the document they are being asked to back. Vicki, thank you for the update their in downing street, our chief Political Correspondent. Back here on the green outside parliament are enjoyed by caroline wheeler, the deputy Political Editor of the sunday times, and steve swinford, the deputy Political Editor of the daily telegraph. Thank you both the coming along, rather brave to be put on the spot, because what is your hunch, what is going on, what you think . The longer this goes on, we have to assume that there are lots of differences of opinion going on. The briefing we are getting is that we we re the briefing we are getting is that we were expecting this to be all done and dusted by six oclock so theresa may could deliver a message to the nation, now were hearing it will be more like seven oclock. Were being told that everybody is being an opportunity to express their views and talk about it, and im sure we will get some thoughts about what is happening when those mobile phones are given back to those members, whenever that may be, but at the moment we can only assume that a false debate is taking place. Yes, agreed. Talking to people who we nt yes, agreed. Talking to people who went into cabinet, i wasnt picking up went into cabinet, i wasnt picking up on an air of resignation. The eurosceptics up on an air of resignation. The eurosce ptics wanted to up on an air of resignation. The eurosceptics wanted to change the Prime Ministers position, and they we re Prime Ministers position, and they were also looking to tell her that this would be dangerous for the tories at the election, would be voted down in parliament. They were issuing warnings, they werent in a resignation frame of mind tonight, and that could all change in coming days. How would that change, what would be the dynamics of that changing, do you think . The key dynamic would be if they feel they cant change the Prime Ministers mind, and they feel that is not set in stone. If they cant get movement on the backstop and they feel it would be stuck in perpetuity, then we would see resignations. Penny morduant, esther mcvey and andrea leadsom, all of them are on a resignation watch list tonight. We presume that the fine the Prime Minister is doing her best to convince this is the best thing on offer, this is what people are expecting and if they are expecting it, they must surely realise that major changes to what is on the table are not likely. And we think back to what happened with chequers, and a similar scenario, they went into this meeting, they were locked m, into this meeting, they were locked in, they were told to what the Prime Minister, told to listen to what the Prime Minister had to say, and they had to suck it up or walk away, this isa similar had to suck it up or walk away, this is a similar scenario. If they cant change her mind, the alternative is that they will have to walk. The only person in hearing anything from sa nta pa u la only person in hearing anything from santa paula of tobbe lannemar concerning is from the scottish secretary, david mandel, who a p pa re ntly secretary, david mandel, who apparently has been the only thing im hearing anything even slightly concerning from is the scottish secretary, david mandel, saying that it will be playing into the snps hansford at the call for a second referendum. Whether anybody does anything tonight is unlikely. What we saw with chequers, we saw people thinking about it for a few days, and then we saw people go. Evenif days, and then we saw people go. Even if nothing dramatic happens tonight, there is potentialfor fireworks in the days ahead. When we talk about the scottish perspective, is that to do with either the special status for Northern Ireland and the perceived advantage for Northern Ireland in terms of the economy, or is it more to do with the broad outlines of the deal, the fa ct the broad outlines of the deal, the fact that of course scotland voted to remain . What is your take . Two things. First of all they are concerned that if Northern Ireland is treated differently under customs backstop, that will fuel separatist in scotland, those that want independence, so that is number one. Numbertwo, there is real independence, so that is number one. Number two, there is real concern about fishing rights, they represent fishing communities which have loud voices. The current status where eu trawle rs voices. The current status where eu trawlers can come into our waters will continue beyond 2021. Are we going to get into 2022 still feeling like were in the European Union . The next election, can the tour is going to the next election with us technically still in the Customs Union of her many people still looking like we are in the eu. What is your sense of that . Exactly, fishing is an extraordinarily divisive issue in scotland. At the back of his mind, that will be playing large, and the suggestion that they could use that is leveraging terms of future talks will be worrying them. But anything which delineates the favour of the Northern Ireland vis a vis scotland will create a big problem, because the people in scotland but wanted britain to remain in the European Union will say, hang on a second, we wa nt union will say, hang on a second, we want what they have got, so that will create problems in both areas. And to help viewers finally, who will be speaking up for the Prime Minister most strongly in this Cabinet Meeting, that has now been going for nearly four hours . Which will be the voices more strongly in support of theresa may . Her de facto deputy, david liddington, Philip Hammond and greg clark. They are the people in cabinet are most concerned aboutjobs people in cabinet are most concerned about jobs and the people in cabinet are most concerned aboutjobs and the impact of people in cabinet are most concerned about jobs and the impact of a no deal brexit, so they will be batting very strongly for the Prime Minister, i would batting very strongly for the Prime Minister, iwould have batting very strongly for the Prime Minister, i would have thought. Batting very strongly for the Prime Minister, i would have thoughtlj would minister, i would have thought. would add james brokenshire, who has been a loyal ally to the Prime Minister. Caroline and simon, good to talk to you, and who knows, we may have submitted a pet in the next hour or may have submitted a pet in the next hourorso, may have submitted a pet in the next hour or so, but as you both say, quite rightly, it is still rather uncertain. Good to talk to you both. That brings to end our coverage for the moment here at westminster on this day of a very important meeting of the british cabinet. You are watching a bbc news special. And with that, im going to ask to join mel for the latest weather. Hello. As we go towards the end of autumn, temperature are refusing to follow suit, certainly in the short term. Today through large part of the uk we are seeing beautiful spells and sunshine, and it is noticeably mild, but there is normally an exception to the rule, and that is the case parts of Northern Ireland, western and northern parts of scotland, where we are seeing heavy rain and blustery winds. The winds are coming from a south westerly direction, importing much milder air, so temperature is doing well across the board. The wind is helping to boost temperatures through North Eastern parts of scotland, we could see highs of around 16 or 17 celsius, 63 fahrenheit, and that rain will ease as we go through the rest of the day. Still quite blustery winds, and as we head into the overnight period, dry initially was clear spells but some mr blow cloud will start to edge its way in, more rain for Northern Ireland as well. It will be another mild night. Through the day on thursday, more rain for western fringes of the country again, that could be persisted through the day. Elsewhere in murky start, and under the low cloud, it will take awhile to lift, but where we get to see the best of the brakes as we had through the rail thursday, thatis as we had through the rail thursday, that is where we will see the highest of the temperatures. In the south east, we could see highs of 16 or 17 celsius. Many places will remain dry away from that area of rain. But even under the rain, temperatures will still be in the low teens, so not doing too badly at all. As we head into friday, High Pressure starts to build, that will act as a barrier to this low pressure system that tries to move m, pressure system that tries to move in, but it wont make inroads. Friday will be a dry day across the board, the winds becoming more southerly, and there will generally be more cloud around through the day on friday, but some places particularly North Eastern parts of scotland, seeing good spells of sunshine once again, and it will still feel mild, perhaps not quite as warm as thursday, but still, temperatures in the mid teens from most places. There is a change on the cards as we head towards the weekend, it will turn cooler, but brighterfor all of us. A draft plan for brexit is presented by the Prime Minister but will her cabinet, parliament and eu Member States accept it . Theresa may insists the withdrawal plan is the best one for the country and what people voted for. We will deliver brexit and the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union on the 29th of march, 2019. But the plan cant go ahead unless the cabinet agree to it theyve been discussing it inside number 10 all afternoon. Other voices have already been critical. From what we know of the governments deal, its a failure in its own terms. It doesnt deliver a brexit for the whole country. You are not delivering the brexit people voted for, and today you will lose the support of many conservative mps