PM defends Brexit plan after EU launches legal action

Downing Street has defended the government’s plan to override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol after the EU confirmed that it is taking legal action over the UK’s proposed changes to the post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson said the government “disappointed” in the EU’s decision to take the issue back through the courts.

“We will consider these documents carefully and respond formally in due course, however we are disappointed the EU has taken this legal action today,” the spokesman said.

“The EU’s proposed approach, which doesn’t differ from what they have said previously, would increase burdens on business and citizens and take us backwards from where we are currently.

“The infractions are related to the implementation of the protocol in our recently published Bill. It is difficult to see how scrapping grace periods and adding additional controls and checks would be the situation better.”

Key points

• Downing Street ‘disappointed’ by EU legal action

• Starmer attacks government’s handling of economy

• Johnson grilled in Commons

• EU to launch legal action against UK over Brexit plan

• Bill to override the NI protocol ‘irresponsible’, slam US congressmen

16:28 , Matt Mathers

We’re wrapping up our Brexit coverage for the day.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your evening.

Labour denies claim of planning return to EU single market

15:43 , Matt Mathers

Labour has rejected claims it would seek to take Britain back into the EU single market and customs union after a shadow frontbencher expressed the hope it could return.

A party spokesman said Anna McMorrin, a shadow justice minister, had been spoken to by Sir Keir Starmer after it was reported that she suggested a Labour Government may be able to renegotiate the UK’s deal with Brussels.

However, she retained her frontbench role after she issued a statement making clear that she backed the official party line that the UK had left that EU and that Labour was committed to making the existing deal work.

The Sun obtained footage of Ms McMorrin answering questions from supporters last week in which she said: "We need to renegotiate the deal, certainly."

She added: "I hope, eventually that, we will get back into the single market and customs union, and who knows then."

In her statement, Ms McMorrin said: "Labour policy on Brexit is clear. We have left the EU, Labour voted for the deal. Now it is the job of all of us to make it work."

The spokesman said: "That is the Labour Party position."

In the Commons, Boris Johnson taunted her about her remarks when she challenged him at Prime Minister’s Questions about comments by his new cost-of-living tsar saying that he "has to go".

The Prime Minister replied: "I read the other day that she wants to go back into the single market and into the customs union.

"If that’s the real policy of the Labour Party, going back to the EU, why won’t the Leader of the Opposition admit it?"

Braverman - Goverment would ‘prefer’ to negotiate with EU

15:30 , Matt Mathers

The attorney general has said the goverment would “prefer” to negotiate with the EU after the bloc announced it was taking legal action against the UK’s move to take unilateral action on Brexit’s Northern Ireland protocol.

Speaking to the BBC, Suella Braverman said: “Listen my preferred alternative right now is negotiation and my invitation to our EU friends is to come back to the table and to engage substantively with our proposals.

“They’ve failed to do that for over two years now and that’s why we’ve regrettably been left with no option but to take these measures.”

In the same interview, Ms Braverman accused the BBC of framing the UK Government as “always malevolent” and the EU as “the honest broker”.

Appearing on the corporation’s World At One programme, Suella Braverman was asked: "This Government keeps doing things that others judge to be illegal - we can go back to prorogation, partygate, the Northern Ireland protocol, deporting asylum seekers - I wonder how comfortable you feel with the reputation that this Government has being built up as with regard to law-breaking?"

"With respect, I think that’s a BBC view, if you don’t mind me saying, that the UK Government is somehow always malevolent and the EU is always acting as the honest broker and the good guys," she replied.

"It was the Supreme Court that ruled on prorogation," presenter Sarah Montague interjected.

ICYMI: EU launches legal action against Boris Johnson for breaking international law

15:15 , Matt Mathers

Brussels has announced it is taking legal action against the UK government after Boris Johnson pushed ahead with plans to overwrite parts of the Brexit agreement.

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone reports:

EU launches legal action against Boris Johnson for breaking international law

Editorial: The Rwanda flight is grounded – but migrants should be more than ammo in Tory MPs’ culture war

15:02 , Matt Mathers

This humiliation for the government was brought about not by ‘lefty lawyers’ but by government incompetence.

Read the full Independent editorial here:

Editorial: Migrants should be more than ammo in Tory MPs’ culture war

Patel refuses to say how much failed deportation plane cost

14:46 , Matt Mathers

Priti Patel has refused to say how much last night’s failed Rwanda deportation flight cost the taxpayer.

Asked whether it cost £500,000, the home secretary said: “We don’t speak about operational costs”.

Germany’s ambassador to the UK has said the EU’s trust in Britain has been damaged

14:30 , Matt Mathers

Miguel Berger told the BBC’s World At One programme: "I think the most important issue is really to have a relationship of trust in everything we are doing together. That’s also why this draft on Northern Ireland is so disappointing.

"We have this excellent cooperation on Ukraine where we have worked together, in Nato, in the G7, bilaterally, and in such a circumstance to have a dispute between the UK and the European Union is totally unnecessary.

"And I think the main issue is really how can trust be re-established?"

Pressed on whether the UK is no longer trusted, Mr Berger said: "I would not go so far to say that, but obviously it has had a negative effect."

Downing Street confirms PM considering withdrawal from human rights treaty

14:29 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson has confirmed the government is considering withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights, saying “all options are on the table” in the wake of last night’s cancellation of a deportation flight to Rwanda.

Our politics editor Andrew Woodcock reports:

Downing Street confirms Boris Johnson considering withdrawal from human rights treaty

No 10 ‘disappointed’ by EU legal action

14:15 , Matt Mathers

The government is "disappointed" in the EU’s decision to launch fresh legal action against the UK over the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, Downing Street has said.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said the latest proposals from Brussels for resolving the the issue would lead to more checks and controls, making the situation worse.

"We will consider these documents carefully and respond formally in due course, however we are disappointed the EU has taken this legal action today," the spokesman said.

"The EU’s proposed approach, which doesn’t differ from what they have said previously, would increase burdens on business and citizens and take us backwards from where we are currently.

"The infractions are related to the implementation of the protocol in our recently published bill. It is difficult to see how scrapping grace periods and adding additional controls and checks would be the situation better."

Labour lauches review to ensure UK is ‘best place in world’ for new businesses

14:00 , Matt Mathers

Labour is announcing a new review aimed at supporting fledgling British businesses and ensuring the UK is "the best place in the world" to launch a start-up.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out the party’s vision for harnessing the "creativity and drive" of the country’s entrepreneurs at the Times CEO Summit in London on Thursday.

Driven by business experts including cross-bench peer Lord Jim O’Neill, the review will explore how to ensure start-ups can grow in Britain, to increase jobs and investment across the country, Labour says.

The announcement will build on a five-point plan set out in January by the shadow chancellor to boost the economy, which includes a target to create 100,000 new businesses over the next five years.

Scottish government planning second independence poll for October next year

13:45 , Matt Mathers

The Scottish government plans to hold a second independence referendum in October next year, the constitution secretary has said.

However, at the same time as Angus Robertson revealed the possible time for the crunch vote, a former adviser to both Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon cast doubt on whether it could be delivered by then.

Campbell Gunn, who was a special adviser to Mr Salmond and then Ms Sturgeon, said that the "timescale is very difficult".

Mr Gunn, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme, said: "We’re now 15, 16 months from when the referendum is likely to be held, we don’t have a section 30 order, it will probably end up in the courts.

"I just don’t see the timescale working for the SNP."

His comments came after Mr Robertson told the same programme the Scottish Government intends holding the referendum in October of next year - going further on the timing than Ms Sturgeon, who has only said she wants the ballot to be held before the end of 2023.

ICYMI: EU launches legal action against Boris Johnson for breaking international law

13:30 , Matt Mathers

Brussels has announced it is taking legal action against the UK government after Boris Johnson pushed ahead with plans to overwrite parts of the Brexit agreement.

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone has the story:

EU launches legal action against Boris Johnson for breaking international law

Johnson criticised after accusing opposition of supporting traffickers

13:20 , Sam Rkaina

Boris Johnson accusing the Opposition of being on the side of people traffickers “falls well short of the good temper and moderation which should characterise our debates”, Deputy Speaker Dame Rosie Winterton has said.

Raising a point of order after Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour MP for Bolton South East Yasmin Qureshi said: “In the Prime Minister’s Questions, the Prime Minister said that the Leader of the Opposition was a supporter of people traffickers. I think that should be taken out of record.”

Dame Rosie replied: “I thank the honourable lady for her point of order. Frankly, the level of noise during PMQs meant it was not possible for the chair to hear everything, but I understand that the Prime Minister, as she says, did say that the Opposition was on the side of people traffickers.

“That seems to me, and I have to say to the Speaker, to fall well short of the good temper and moderation which should characterise our debates. And I say to the Prime Minister, and to all members here, we need to refer to each other in this place in more respectful terms.”

Keir Starmer references Love Island during PMQs

13:18 , Sam Rkaina

Boris Johnson‘s “gameplaying” was compared to Love Island, with Sir Keir Starmer warning the Prime Minister could be booted out for giving the public the “ick”.

The Labour leader said: “He says the economy is booming when it’s shrinking. He’s gameplaying so much he thinks he’s on Love Island.

“The trouble is, Prime Minister, that I’m reliably informed that contestants that give the public the ‘ick’, get booted out.”

Mr Johnson replied: “We’re helping people with the cost of living, with £1,200. On July 14 the money will be going into people’s bank accounts. Why can we do that? Because we have the fiscal firepower to do it, because the economy is in a robust shape, with record numbers of people in payroll employment.”

He added: “He has the chance now to clear it up: he can oppose Labour’s rail strikes right now, he can disagree, I give him that opportunity, let him disagree with the union barons who would add to people’s costs in the coming weeks.”

Sir Keir countered: “I don’t want the strikes to go ahead. He does so he can feed on the division.”

Watch: Starmer accuses PM of playing 'jedi mind tricks' with the country

13:05 , Matt Mathers

As we reported earlier, Keir Starmer accused the PM of trying to play “jedi mind tricks” with the country with his claims on the economy.

Watch the exchange below:

‘Jabba the Hutt’ Johnson attempting to play ‘Jedi mind-tricks’ on country, Starmer says

12:50 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson is attempting to perform “Jedi mind tricks” by boasting about the state of the UK economy and claiming no rules were broken during the Partygate scandal, Sir Keir Starmer had joked.

Our politics correspondent Ashley Cowburn has the story:

Boris Johnson attempting to perform ‘Jedi mind-tricks’ on country, Keir Starmer says

‘On the side of the British people'

12:38 , Matt Mathers

Johnson responds by saying his government will contine to take the tough decisions needed to “take this country forward”.

He claims the Tories are “on the side of the British people” while Labour is on the side of the RMT “barons”.

Referrig to the Rwanda deportation plan, he claims Labour is on the side of people traffickers.

'Millions of people and businesses know the reality’

12:35 , Matt Mathers

Starmer uses last question to accuses the PM of, “week after week,” spouting the same “nonsense” about the economy.

But millions of people and businesses “know the reality”, he adds.

He rounds up by asking the PM when is going to accept the reality that the economy is “going backwards”.

Record employment

12:30 , Matt Mathers

Responding, PM points to cost of living measures set out by chancellor, saying the government is helping Britons with rising prices.

He repeats “record” employment figures and calls on Labour leader to make clear his position on RMT rail stikes.

Starmer says he does not support them

‘It’s not just low growth'

12:27 , Matt Mathers

“It’s not just low growth” Starmer says as he presses again on the economy.

He points to rising inflation and accused the PM of ignoring warnings last September that prices would go uo.

Starmer accuses him of failing to act and “siting on his hands”.

‘Under Labour taxes go up'

12:25 , Matt Mathers

Responding, Johnson once again cites investment in tech sector.

He says the chancellor has made big interventions to help with rising food, fuel and energy bills.

He claims that “under Labour, taxes go up”.

‘Screwing business'

12:23 , Matt Mathers

Starmer says that PM’s series of tax rises are choking off growth.

He suggests that “Operation Save Big Dog” is hampering efforts to help with the cost of living crisis.

He claims the government is “screwing business”.

‘Running this country down'

12:20 , Matt Mathers

Responding, Johnson accused Starmer of “running this country down”.

He says the UK has the highest employment since records began.

Johnson adds that just in the five monts of this year this country has attracted, “I think”, £16bn of investment in the tech sector.

He says this more than Germany and France

‘Ostrich prime minister with his head in the sand'

12:17 , Matt Mathers

Starmer uses another question to attack the government on the economy.

He points to figures published this week showing that the economy shrank for the second month in a row.

“How does it help Britain to have an ostrich prime minister with his head in the sand”, Starmer adds.

Starmer: I don’t want RMT strikes to go ahead

12:14 , Matt Mathers

Starmer points out that Johnson is in goverment and therefore in a position to do something about the strikes.

But he hasn’t “lifted a finger”, Starmer says, before adding: “I don’t want the strikes to go ahead”.

Labour leader then claims PM wants the strikes to go ahead so he can “feed of the division”.

‘RMT strikes won’t help the economy'

12:12 , Matt Mathers

PM claims that he has already answered and takes a pop at Starmer’s legal background.

He says Starmer failed to liste to his response.

Johnson says RMT strikes will not helo the economy and urges Starmer to end his “silence” on the issue.

Starmer presses on economy

12:09 , Matt Mathers

Starmer follows up with another question on the economy.

He accuses Johnson of blaming “global forces” for the UK’s economic woes.

He points out that the UK is subject to the same global conditions as every other country.

Why then, is the UK set for lower growth than every other economy, he asks.

Starmer - why is UK growth so slow?

12:05 , Matt Mathers

Labour leader Keir Starmer starts with a question about the economy.

He asks why the UK’s growth is so poor compared with other countries.

Johnson replies saying that the UK will have the “second-fastest” growing economy this year, citing G7 figures.

He claims the UK is behind because it came out of the pandemic faster than other countries.

Johnson faces Commons grilling

11:46 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson is facing his first PMQs since the government published draft plans to override parts of the Brexit deal agreed with the EU.

The prime minister will take questions from Labour leader Keir Stamer and other MPs after the EU Commission confirmed it is taking legal action against London over proposals to take unilateral action on the Northern Ireland protocol.

Who should replace Boris Johnson? Have your say

11:45 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson recently survived a confidence vote on his leadership but questions remain over his future following a slew of recent scandals.

Several cabinet ministers have been touted as potential successors if the prime minister is eventually ousted from office.

Who would you like to see replace  Mr Johnson? Have your say in our poll by clicking the link below:

Who should replace Boris Johnson? Have your say

Your questions on the protocol bill and ‘bonfire’ of EU rules - answered live

11:30 , Matt Mathers

The never-ending Brexit row between the UK and EU is entering a new phase as Brussels launches legal action against London in response to its plan to override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol.

Got a question about how we got here, or what might happen next? Our politics correspondent Adam Forrest will be on hand from 3pm to answer as many of your queries as possible.

To ask a question, simply leave a message in the comments section of the article below:

Brexit: Your questions on Northern Ireland protocol answered live

Sefcovic - EU doesn’t want to ‘interfere’ in getting DUP back into power-sharing

11:15 , Matt Mathers

The EU is not seeking to “interfere” in the process of getting  the Democratic Unionist Party back into government in Northern Ireland.

The party is refusing to enter power-sharing with Sinn Fein in protest at the Brexit protocol and would not give any guarantees after London published draft plans to override parts of the deal.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels,  Maros Sefcovic, the EU Commission president,  said the EU had "no intention to interfere in this process" and stressed the bloc was not aiming for a "political victory", when asked how the DUP could be convinced to return to power-sharing.

Maros Sefcovic told a press conference in Brussels: "We respect first and foremost the the Good Friday/Belfast agreement in all its dimensions".

He added: "We do not seek a political victory, what we want is to find a workable, long-term solution ... giving the legal certainty to the operators in Northern Ireland how the protocol would be implemented…

"What we need is the political will from London to engage with us, to work on smoothing operations and implementation of the protocol and to do it in a way that brings lasting benefits for the people of Northern Ireland".

Labour shadow minister ‘hopes’ UK will re-join EU single market

11:00 , Matt Mathers

A member of Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet told party was recorded telling supporters that she hopes the UK can “eventually” re-join the EU single market and customs union.

Our politics correspondent Adam Forrest reports:

Labour shadow minister ‘hopes’ UK will re-join EU single market

Sefcovic: ‘Door remains open for dialogue’

10:46 , Matt Mathers

The EU’s “door remains open for dialogue” despite it taking legal action against the UK, Maros Sefcovic has said.

He told a press conference in Brussels: “We want to discuss these solutions with the UK government.

“Given that the UK hasn’t sat down at the table with us since February, I think it’s high time to show some political will to find joint solutions.

“The UK has stated that for us to talk, the EU must be willing to change the protocol.

“On the contrary, we have always said that our package of proposals has never been a take-it-or-leave-it offer – it can evolve.”

He emphasised the need for safeguards to protect the single market and said these conditions were not for the UK to change.

“It’s simply and legally and politically inconceivable that the UK Government decides unilaterally what kind of goods can enter our single market.”

Commission issues statement

10:36 , Matt Mathers

The European Commission has published a statement after vice president Maros Sefcovic confirmed the bloc will take legal action against the UK over its plan to overdrive parts of Brexit’s Northern Ireland protocol.

The statement says: The European Commission has today launched infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom for not complying with significant parts of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland. Despite repeated calls on the UK government to implement the Protocol, it has failed to do so.

“This is a clear breach of international law. The aim of these infringement proceedings is to restore compliance with the Protocol in a number of key areas where the UK hasn’t been implementing it properly – ultimately with the goal of protecting the health and safety of EU citizens.

At the same time, the Commission is today providing additional details on the possible solutions it put forward in October 2021 to facilitate the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The position papers published today explain how the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland can be significantly facilitated.

“The Commission calls on the UK government to engage seriously and constructively with these suggested solutions. As usual, the Commission will proceed in close collaboration and constant dialogue with the European Parliament and Council.

‘This is illegal’: EU launches legal action against Boris Johnson for breaking international law

10:25 , Matt Mathers

As we’ve been reporting, the European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic has been giving a press conference responding to the UK’s plan to take unilateral action to overide parts of Brexit’s Northern Ireland protocol.

This is a developing story. Our policy correspondent Jon Stone will have more as it comes in:

EU launches legal action against Boris Johnson for breaking international law

Protocol bill ‘extremely damaging'

10:20 , Matt Mathers

The government’s Northern Ireland protocol Bill is "extremely damaging to mutual trust and respect between the EU and the UK", Maros Sefcovic said.

The European Commission vice-president said: "It has created deep uncertainty and casts a shadow over our overall co-operation, all at a time when respect for international agreements has never been more important.

"That is why the commission has today decided to take legal action against the UK for not complying with significant parts of the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland."

Sefcovic - UK bill breaks international law

10:17 , Matt Mathers

The plan would mean “breaking an agreement that protects peace and stability in Northern Ireland, an agreement reached together only three years ago” by Boris Johnson’s government and the EU.

Mr Sefcovic said: “Let there be no doubt: there is no legal nor political justification whatsoever for unilaterally changing an international agreement.

“Opening the door to unilaterally changing an international agreement is a breach of international law as well.

“So let’s call a spade a spade: this is illegal.”

European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic told reporters in Brussels the UK Government had set out to “unilaterally break international law”.

EU launches legal action in response to protocol bill

10:10 , Matt Mathers

The EU has announced fresh legal action against the UK as part of a series of measures in response to the Government’s move to unilaterally scrap parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The European Commission is also resuming legal proceedings against the UK that were shelved last year to facilitate negotiations on post-Brexit trade.

The stalled legal action related to the UK’s unilateral extension of protocol grace periods in 2021. Resuming the proceedings, the EU is issuing the UK with a ‘reasoned opinion’ and giving it two months to respond. If the UK does not respond to the bloc’s satisfaction, it will refer the matter to European Court of Justice.

The two new infringement proceedings announced on Wednesday relate to alleged UK failures around Sanitary and Phytosanitary rules which are checks on agri-food produce entering NI from GB.

EU to set out protocol response

10:01 , Matt Mathers

The European Union will set out its response to Boris Johnson’s plan to override Northern Ireland’s Brexit deal, with fresh legal action expected against the UK.

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic is set to resume legal action against the UK that was paused in September last year "in a spirit of constructive cooperation".

Mr Sefcovic believes Mr Johnson’s unilateral action to effectively tear up elements of the Brexit deal signed by the Prime Minister "goes directly against that spirit".

As well as resuming that frozen legal process over claims the UK was failing to properly implement the Northern Ireland Protocol, the EU could also begin a further round of infringement proceedings against the government.

Mr Sefcovic will deliver an update at a press conference in Brussels at 10am.

07:30 , Thomas Kingsley

Thank you for following our live politics coverage. We are now closing this blog, goodbye.

London’s mayor to unveil £18m package to tackle violence against women

06:59 , Namita Singh

The London mayor will unveil a new £18m package today to combat the scourge of violence against women and girls in the city.

Sadiq Khan will announce the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAMG) strategy during his visit to Waltham Forest in north-east London.

The campaign will take a “holistic approach” to improve safety for women and girls across the city while improving services for victims and survivors, according to a statement issued ahead of the official announcement.

The money from City Hall will aim to improve accountability for perpetrators of gender-based abuse and provide better education of men and boys about sexism.

“The epidemic of violence is a crisis which should shame us all which is why I’m uniting with partners across London to not only provide support to women and girls but to help educate and inform all Londoners, especially men, about the danger posed by misogynistic attitudes and behaviours,” said Mr Khan.

“As well as record investment in services for victims and survivors, I am also funding initiatives which address the behaviour of those at risk of offending or reoffending to help prevent them turning to violence,” he added.

Sadiq Khan

Lib Dems accuse Tories of wanting rail strike to ahead to keep its activist away from by-election

06:36 , Namita Singh

The Liberal Democrats have accused the government of “sitting on its hands” and letting a looming national rail strike go ahead – to keep their activists away from a crucial by-election.

In a letter to Grant Shapps Sarah Olney, the party’s transport secretary accused ministers of “playing games with people’s lives” to “help save” Boris Johnson.

The Conservatives are facing a crucial by-election test in Tiverton and Honiton after the resignation of Tory MP Neil Parish, who quit after admitting to watching pornography at work.

Despite a thumping 24,339 vote majority at the last election the party is worried about losing the seat to the Lib Dems, who believe they are now “neck and neck” amid disgust at Mr Johnson’s government.

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone reports:

Lib Dems claim Tories want rail strike to keep its activists away from by-election

Explained: Will Nicola Sturgeon’s push for independence referendum be successful?

06:17 , Namita Singh

At first sight, it is difficult to understand why Nicola Sturgeon, first minister of Scotland, is launching her latest campaign for a referendum on independence for Scotland right now, writes our associate editor Sean O’ Grady.

This is not because it is a bad time due to the state of Brexit, the war in Ukraine or the cost of living crisis, as her opponents suggest.

The SNP view, which is perfectly plausible, is that Scotland could make a better job of meeting these challenges if it were in charge of its own destiny, and not being governed, at least in some of the most important areas of policy, by a Conservative party that hasn’t won an election in Scotland since 1955.

Read this piece in Politics Explained to understand why has Sturgeon called for a poll now.

Analysis: Will Sturgeon’s push for a new independence referendum be successful?

Families of Britons detained abroad urged UK government to do more

06:02 , Namita Singh

The families of Britons detained abroad have accused the UK government of “lacking compassion” and “ignoring” them as they called on ministers to do more to release their loved ones.

A group gathered in Westminster on Tuesday to share their stories, while others - such as the daughter of imprisoned geologist Jim Fitton - joined with video messages.

All were calling for Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, to intervene to set their loved ones detained in various countries abroad free.

Zoe Tidman details some of the accounts in this report:

Families of Britons detained abroad urge UK government to do more

Airlines ordered to cancel summer flights to avoid holiday misery

06:00 , Namita Singh

Airlines have been ordered by the government to cancel flights for July and August now to “de-risk the summer” for tens of thousands of passengers.

The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have warned carriers to trim schedules now to avoid the misery of flights cancelled at short notice.

In a joint letter to airlines, they say: “Cancellations at the earliest possibility to deliver a more robust schedule are better for consumers than late-notice on-the-day cancellations.”

Our travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:

Government orders airlines to cancel summer flights to curb chaos

Border checks among the challenges for an independent Scotland, admits Sturgeon

05:48 , Namita Singh

Nicola Sturgeon admitted border customs checks would be needed with the rest of the UK as she promised to be “frank” about the challenges of an independent Scotland.

The First Minister said she would set out more detail on how trade would work between Scotland and the rest of the UK in future papers which will form her independence prospectus.

On Tuesday, she published the first of these papers, part of a series called “Building a New Scotland”.

My colleague Alastair Jamieson has the details:

Sturgeon admits border checks will be among post-independence ‘issues’

Bill to override the NI protocol ‘irresponsible’, slam US congressmen

05:43 , Namita Singh

Boris Johnson’s plans to tear up post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland have come under fierce attack from Washington, with senior congressmen on both sides of the US political divide warning the “irresponsible” move is a threat to peace in the province.

In a sternly-worded joint statement, a group of senior members of Congress urged the UK and EU to “continue negotiations in good faith to achieve durable solutions to post-Brexit trade challenges”.

“The introduction of legislation in the United Kingdom undermines the Northern Ireland protocol, threatens international law, and, most concerningly, could jeopardise the almost 25 years of peace established by the Good Friday Agreement,” they warned.

Andrew Woodcock and Andrew Feinberg report:

PM’s bid to tear up Northern Ireland deal endangers peace, US congressmen warn

Johnson to face PMQs amid mounting tension over NI protocol bill

05:30 , Namita Singh

Boris Johnson will face Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) for the first time since the introduction of the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill in the parliament earlier this week.

He has downplayed the changes in the bill as “not a big deal” even though Brussels threatened the UK with renewed legal action.

Mr Johnson also claimed to have told his ministers to “de-escalate” the rhetoric on Tuesday to prevent trade wars with EU.

Meanwhile, European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic hinted at further measures against UK, saying the unilateral action by the government had undermined the trust needed for the effective operation of its post- Brexit trade deals with Brussels.

Read the details in this report here:

Boris Johnson to face PMQs as tensions mount over Northern Ireland Protocol Bill

05:02 , Namita Singh

Welcome to The Independent’s UK politics live blog for15 June 2022.