but only the very specific unlimited wayay system over separate brandon lewis would the provoked anger across paula and- a residedent. of civil servant. use the quarantine period for people infected because it nineteen justice cases- out rising to record levels. amid fears of a second wave across france to move this left the world health organization a plex. is live. thank you very much for being with us britain- and to the end you crucial round of brexit trade talks this tuesday amid clouds off controversy the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis admitted a move hailed by boris johnson. to change the protocol of the belfast's custom status will be breaking the law his words let the record resignation. of the highest ranking legal expert in the civil service that's the office that works in parallel with the actual government services in brief over writing parts of the patrol agreement treaty which was signed in january. will be reneging on the deal already down vertically you twenty seven brandon lewis said it could be legal but only as he put it. in a limited way. with this the po

i think that is what was meant by brandon lewis in the house of commons yesterday when he said, yes, a very specific and limited way. but look at the reaction we've heard from the european commission... you are breaking the law is breaking the law. germany hasjust said it expects the uk to fully implement the brexit agreement. this raises many questions. it does. we know there was a conversation last night between michael gove and his counterpart in the eu, they are leading thejoint counterpart in the eu, they are leading the joint committee which is supposed to work out exactly how the northern ireland protocol should be implemented. but this piece of proposed domestic legislation throws a bit ofa proposed domestic legislation throws a bit of a hand grenade into all that, and the eu now wants an emergency meeting of that committee to discuss it in detail. you can look at this in two ways. you can look at this in two ways. you can look at this in two ways. you can look at it as saying, the government has looked in more detail at the northern ireland protocol, which of course it negot

bob neill asked brandon lewis, the northern ireland secretary, this specific question.tary of state recognise the adherence to the rule of law is not negotiable and will hear sure is that nothing proposed in this legislation would potentially breach international obligations and arrangements? this legislation is the uk's internal market legislation, due to be published tomorrow, which some people think would seek to overrule pa rt people think would seek to overrule part of the withdrawal agreement with the eu. this was his response. he said, yes, this crows break international law and a very specific and limited way. it then goes on to explain the precedents for this, apparently there is an international tax treaty seven years ago. there is concern in the conservative benches about how the government is approaching its negotiations with the eu and whether it will stand by the obligations it made as part of our withdrawal agreement so brexit could happen in the first place. there are some concerns on how the protocol for northern ireland would operate. the government is

brandon lewis. reached a compromise with some of its own rebel backbenchers who had been threatening to vote against the internal market bill. it accepted a proposal to give mps a vote before ministers can use some of the powers in the legislation. back in the commons, line—by—line scrutiny of the bill was continuing. the legislation gives the uk government new spending powers in devolved areas, such as transport, which the scottish and welsh governments say is a power grab. speaking for the snp, alison thewliss said the legislation would allow the uk government to build projects and send scotland the bill with interest. it's the skye bridge all over again, the first pfi project in the uk, opened in 1995 and notorious for its tolls. the then—scottish executive had to buy the bridge back a decade later in order to abolish the tolls, which themselves raised more money than the bridge cost in the first place. do we really want to return to that level of generous investment in scotland ? but the conserv

we should listen to brandon lewis, let him speakfor himself or stop you was answering a question abouton period ends. the question was asked bya period ends. the question was asked by a fellow conservative. will he assure us that nothing in this legislation does potentially might breach international obligations or legal arrangements that we have entered into, and can he answered specifically, was any ministerial direction given?” he answered specifically, was any ministerial direction given? i would say to my honourable friend that, yes, this does break international law any specific, limited way. we are taking the power of direct effects required by article four in a certain very tightly defined circumstances. our clear presidents for the uk circumstances. our clear presidents forthe uk and circumstances. our clear presidents for the uk and other countries needing to consider their international obligations change. i would say, many of whom will have beenin would say, many of whom will have been in the house will be past the finance act into thousand 13, which contains an example of

brandon lewis today has, really, accepted in the house of commons that the bill that will be publishedrom the former prime minister theresa may saying she was worried about that. what do you make of it? well, what he's proposing is wrong. and the former prime minister is right in what she said today, in relation to that. and that's why all the focus should be on getting a deal done. sir keir starmer talking to vicki young. we can speak now to professor anand menon, director of the uk in a changing europe, and professor of european politics and foreign affairs at king's college london. what do you think the chances of a trade deal are at the moment?” don't like to put numbers on it. but i'll say is there still a real possibility we will get a deal, simply because both sides would prefer simply because both sides would p refer to simply because both sides would prefer to have a deal that no deal. but the differences on principle are real, so equally there is every chance that talks might collapse. it's very finely balanced at the moment, but i think there's a real prospect of a deal bein

a lot of tories were up in arms when they heard that answer from brandon lewis. was enough ordinary —— and ask ordinary answer. it certainly answered the question, there is no question about that, but one was a uk government minister —— when was the last time a uk government minister stood on the dispatch box at the house of commons and said, yes, we are breaking international law? forgive me for interrupting but he did say that there was president, minor exercises. stefanie can tell us if oui’ exercises. stefanie can tell us if our former prime minister theresa may was right when she posed the question, what is going to be the effect of all this on britain's reputation abroad? go on, stefanie! iam not reputation abroad? go on, stefanie! i am not the german government or the commission, but it does not go down well. this is about state aid, this is about how goods come into the uk from northern ireland, or from gb coming to northern ireland, would be checked. this is all the creed. ajoint would be checked. this is all the creed. a joint committee would have the s

that is the international treaty bit brandon lewis was talking about.t seen the bill yet, i have two ad, to be able to unilaterally make decisions to guarantee that access. the region is controversial because how the northern ireland protocol will be implemented is still up for discussion. within the joint committee, the body that oversees their withdrawal agreement. the fact their withdrawal agreement. the fact the uk is pre—emptively taking these powers to save we do not reach a decision with the eu, we are going to do this anyway is pretty controversial because of those discussions still being up for negotiation. it is not quite clear what the government is going to do exactly what the government is going to do exa ctly a nd what the government is going to do exactly and what exact powers it will take at this stage but i think there is a real concern that it will lead to a point where the government does break its obligations under international law. one of the key bits is if a free trade deal is not agreed between the uk and the eu then this legisla

international law, but as the secretary said, although another minister somehow, today suggested that brandon lewisas answering the wrong question when he gave that revelation and made clear that it is a breach of international law and that has upset an awful lot of conservative backbenchers and not many of them have rebelled yesterday, but it wasn't the crucial vote yesterday, and it comes next week on amendments to the bill when some of those abstained or waited for the house of commons that may, if the government does not compromise in some way, may well that actually vote against the government, whether there's enough of them actually to threaten boris johnson pretty substantial majority is an open question, but clearly he wants to minimise the risk of that and that and that is why there is talk of there being some sort of compromise and the compromise will probably be around allowing them to be another vote in the house of commons before international law was actually reached. just briefly, what m essa 9 es actually reached. just briefly, what messages the sending to the eu? actually reached.

but only the very specific unlimited wayay system over separate brandon lewis would the provoked angeross paula and- a residedent. of civil servant.

we are hoping to hearfrom brandon lewis. we will be back shortly. hello, there.o 25 degrees. it is here, as i said, the best chance of those breaks in the cloud. you can see how the cloud sits in place. south—west england, wales, north—west england patchy rain or drizzle coming and going, particularly over higher ground. the same too for northern ireland in western scotland. eastern scotland staying bright. the darker blues, yellows and greens there on the map are an indication of some more persistent, heavy bursts of rain this afternoon and evening across the north—west of scotland. tonight, that will fragment, push its way southwards. the southern half of the country staying humid and cloudy. clearer skies further north, and a fresher, but sunny start to tomorrow. hello this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines: ministers say they are concerned as the number of coronavirus cases rise, particularly among young people. there is a responsibility on younger people to, not just stay at home, obviously to go out and go to work and enjoy pubs and restaurants

choirboy school for the very short you do foreign circumstances so well brandon lewis is accepting a slight misdemeanor his swell of braverman the attorney general she said in response that the difficult and highly exceptional circumstances it's important to remember remember the fundamental principles of parliamentary sovereignity we've also got a government response as well to the e.u. saying that parliament would not be acting unconstitutionally enacting the bill and it is allowed to discharge its treaty obligations in good faith they would argue that the internal market bill is in good faith they argue it's designed to try and unify the u.k.'s 4 nations and therefore that is the crux of why they're trying to get this bill forward next week all m.p.'s will be voting on it they say that it is really designed as i say to try and unite the country so there is the argument there that maybe potentially the u.k. is trying to apply a lot of pressure on to the european union so that they climbed down on their position as we know the talks are in a stalemate position so they're trying to m

the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis admitted the new legislation would go against the treatye former prime minister theresa may has warned the changes could damage trust in the uk over future trade deals. the latest round of trade negotiations between britain and the eu started today as our chief political correspondent vicki young reports. mrjohnson, are we going to get a deal today? are you confident? he promised to get brexit done, and the uk has left the eu, but now borisjohnson‘s team is in a familiar place — trying to negotiate another deal. this time, it's about how we will trade with the eu from january. progress is slow, but round eight of the talks started today. i am confident that our negotiating teams and the eu negotiating teams are all focused on getting a good outcome, both for our friends and partners in the eu, and for us in the united kingdom. but there's another row brewing over the withdrawal agreement. yes, the one which has already been signed, sealed and delivered. it agreed that northern ireland would continue to follow some eu customs rules. that wou

here he is — the northern ireland sec brandon lewis speaking yesterday.ic and limited way. we are taking the powers to disapply the eu law concept of direct effect required by article 4, in a certain... ..very tightly defined circumstances. speaking in the last few minutes at a news conference, the irish prime minister, michael martin, said meaningful negotiations can only proceed on the basis of mutual trust. unilateral actions which seek to change the operation of measures already agreed included in an international treaty and incorporated into domestic law do not build trust. michael martin. as a result, the government's top legal adviser resigned in protest and former prime minister theresa may asked whether the uk will ever be trusted again when it makes agreements in future. but the head of the european council advised everyone to keep cool. it's all to do with something called the internal market bill. let's get some reaction to this — and speak to the labour shadow attorney general, lord falconer. he shadows the attorney general, who is the main l

the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis admitted the new legislation would go against the treatyter theresa may has warned the changes could damage international trust in the uk overfuture trade deals. the latest round of trade negotiations between britain and the eu have just started the south african runner caster semenya has lost her appeal at switzerland's federal supreme court against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners. this means that unless the olympic eight—hundred metres champion complies with the ruling and takes hormone—suppressing drugs, she will not be able to defend her title in tokyo next year. semenya has said she was disappointed with the decision. morgan carpenter is the co—executive director of intersex human rights australia and is an intersex man assigned male at birth. caster semenya was observed as female at birth and all she is asking for is the right to be accepted, as that woman assigned female at birth and she is a asking to be to compete on the basis of her natural gifts. and what do you make of the decision? it was always a long

the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis admitted the new legislation would go against the treatyrmer prime minister theresa may has warned the changes could damage trust in the uk over future trade deals. the latest round of trade negotiations between britain and the eu started today, as our chief political correspondent vicki young reports. mrjohnson, are we going to get a deal today? are you confident? he promised to get brexit done, and the uk has left the eu, but now borisjohnson‘s team is in a familiar place — trying to negotiate another deal. this time, it's about how we will trade with the eu from january. progress is slow, but round eight of the talks started today. i am confident that our negotiating teams and the eu negotiating teams are all focused on getting a good outcome, both for our friends and partners in the eu, and for us in the united kingdom. but there's another row brewing over the withdrawal agreement. yes, the one which has already been signed, sealed and delivered. it agreed that northern ireland would continue to follow some eu customs rules. that would

the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis admitted the new legislation would go against the treatyme minister theresa may has warned the changes could damage trust in the uk, over future trade deals. the latest round of trade negotiations between britain and the eu started today, as our chief political correspondent vicki young reports. mrjohnson, are we going to get a deal today? are you confident? he promised to get brexit done, and the uk has left the eu, but now borisjohnson‘s team is in a familiar place — trying to negotiate another deal. this time, it's about how we will trade with the eu from january. progress is slow, but round eight of the talks started today. i am confident that our negotiating teams and the eu negotiating teams are all focused on getting a good outcome, both for our friends and partners in the eu, and for us in the united kingdom. but there's another row brewing over the withdrawal agreement. yes, the one which has already been signed, sealed and delivered. it agreed that northern ireland would continue to follow some eu customs rules. that would mean ex

in the words of brandon lewis, brandon lewis said think it is slightly correct.n of if we deliver on the withdrawal agreement in the northern irish protocol, it‘s how we deliver on that. the agreement itself envisaged for this committee which we are totally committed to, i look forward to making the arguments in parliament next week. to demonstrate to michael howard and norman lamont, while we are taking this. if we end up while we are taking this. if we end up in the case of no agreement because we cannot allow any community in our country to be adversely impacted in any way. that would be completely wrong. whether it be the german parliament going against the european central bank, on the basis of its unconstitutional under germany‘s constitution or the canadian government multiplying some international treaties to domestic law, that is already a precedent. let mejust finish law, that is already a precedent. let me just finish this point. it‘s not something you want to do. we are committed to the negotiations on the joint committee, the negotiations carry on an

the northern ireland secretary, brandon lewis, admitted the new internal markets bill will break internationalaw. this prompted criticism from all five living former prime ministers and the man who might be the next president of the us. a compromise is now in the air but was the scale of the row deliberate or wise? with me to discuss all this are polly toynbee of the guardian and portuguese writer eunice goes. and here in the studio my colleague, clive myrie. lovely to see you all, thanks very much forjoining us. it feels like another pivotal moment on the covid front. as infections rise again everyone is asking what is the government strategy and will it act fast enough this time? will tighter restrictions come in just as the furlough scheme is due to end? will the furlough scheme therefore have to be extended? a lot of questions ahead at a crunch moment. polly toynbee, it has been quite a week and quite a dramatic change in tone from the government in the last couple of days. it certainly has. i think people feel that they have been on a roller—coaster with this government, changing their mi

at prime minister's questions, the snp leader seized on brandon lewis‘ comments.he prime ministerand his friends, a parcel of rogues, are creating a rogue state — one where the rule of law does not apply. why does the prime minister think that he and his friends are above the law? well, on the contrary, this uk internal market bill is about protecting jobs, protecting growth, ensuring the fluidity and safety of our uk internal market and prosperity throughout the united kingdom, and it should be welcomed, i believe, in scotland, in northern ireland, in wales and throughout the whole country. a liberal democrat mp pursued the argument in a slightly different way. the prime minister may be aware that there are some scottish nationalists who want scotland to follow the example of catalonia and to have a wildcard independence referendum. now, i oppose that because it would be illegal. if the prime minister thinks it is acceptable for his government to ignore international law, on what basis would he oppose it? myjob is to uphold the integrity of the uk, but also to pr

pressure over the internal market bill — and those comments by the northern ireland secretary, brandon lewisernational law in a limited and specific way. how does the advocate—general feel able, consistent with personal honour and professional duty, to remain as the advocate—general? my lords, i have satisfied myself as to the correct legal position in this context. let us be clear. as i indicated to the justice sub—committee this morning, it's my view that the secretary of state for northern ireland essentially answered the wrong question. and... groaning he's a cabinet minister! i hope my honourable and learned friend does not become unwell in view of the noises emanating from him. but if he has, i wish him well for the future. well, in the end, it was lord keen‘s future that took a different turn — resigning from his post on wednesday afternoon. meanwhile, the government reached a compromise with some of its potential commons rebels, offering parliament a greater say on the implementation of the bill. staying with the law, sexual and violent offenders will serve at least two—thirds of the

interesting that last week, the government was so swashbuckling in its approach, brandon lewis seeminglyfrom a script when he said that the government proposal did involve a breach of international law and his words, a specific and limited breach. this week, the government looking to be a lot more facility re—after an outcry from backbenchers over the proposal and the internal market bill and the withdrawal agreement that the uk agreed with the eu last year. but we have learned today is a boris johnson met some of the potential rebels and some of the backbenchers and perhaps the front benches were concerned with the government proposals before the vote yesterday and he is looking to consider a compromise. we do not know what that is but it is possible that he will be looking at a version of an amendment according to the legislation, the chairman of the juste select committee and suggesting that parliament will have a lot to do with the breaching agreement. and the government prime minister left to go back and asked parliament to approve any measure that there would be a breach of interna

we know that is going to represent a break with international law because government minister brandon lewisuch in the house of commons. are you again comfortable with your government, a scottish conservative leader, as you are, supporting a conservative government which says it is going to break international law? i think, as you know, the northern ireland secretary said it is in very specific and limited areas that we hope the joint council can resolve before we get to that stage, but it is important for businesses in northern ireland that we have these agreements, you know, accepted before we get to the 31st of december to ensure that the agreement and the provisions within that and ireland protocol are followed and protect people, individuals and businesses in northern ireland. as you know, the former prime minister, theresa may, has just said again in the last few hours, that she thinks this is horrifying. she said: "the uk government is now seeking to change the operation of the withdrawal agreement". she suggested that if this goes ahead, the british government's credibility on the in

this is the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis.this does break international law in a very specific and limited way. we are taking the power to disapply the eu law concept of direct effect, required by article four in a certain very tightly defined circumstance. so breaking the law — but in ‘narrow circumstances'. the uk government argument is that this proposed change to the northern ireland protocol is a back—up in case the uk and the eu fail to cut a new trade deal — a so—called no—deal brexit. but the protocol was specifically drawn up in case these talks went wrong. peter foster from the financial times broke this story on sunday. here he is today. "it was a very deliberately constructed insurance policy. so the government's apparent attempts to re—write it, pare it back is like an insurance company trying to wheedle out of a pre—agreed policy." borisjohnson‘s predecessor as prime minister theresa may has also go involved. this was in parliament earlier. the united kingdom government signed the withdrawal agreement with the no

earlier in the day the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis had told mps he believed the eu was actings will be given a vote before the powers could be used. 0ur political editor laura kuenssberg has the story. from any angle, pressing questions for the government. why haven't you sorted out testing, prime minister? where are all the tests? what happened to children‘s exams? and would ministers really break the law? meet lord keane, until tonight one of the government‘s most senior lawyers. sure, downing street would never do that... the present bill does not in itself constitute a breach of international law. except last week this caused total turmoil inside the tory party and disbelief in the eu, as ministers planned to unpick part of the brexit deal that has already been written into law. yes, this does break international law in a very specific and limited way. unable to square that circle, lord keane‘s future was in the balance. earlier today, surreal, as the prime minister couldn‘t answer. could you tell us whether the advocate general in scotland is still or not? i‘m afraid, mr

the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis admitted the new internal markets bill will break internationaln who might be the next president of the us. a compromise is now in the air but was the scale of the row deliberate or wise? with me to discuss all this are polly toynbee of the guardian and portuguese writer eunice goes. and here in the studio my colleague, clive myrie. lovely to see you all, thanks very much forjoining us. it feels like another pivotal moment on the covid front. as infections rise again everyone is asking what is the government strategy and will it act fast enough this time? will tighter restrictions come in just as the furlough scheme is due to end?