A summary of today's developments
Rishi Sunak has given a statement in the House of Commons after unveiling a deal with the EU on post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland. He said the deal “permanently removes any sense of a border in the Irish Sea”.
The PM said the agreement delivers the smooth flow of trade within the the UK, protects Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and that the legal text of the protocol has been amended to ensure critical VAT and excise changes for the whole of the UK can be made and “safeguards sovereignty for the people of Ireland”.
Sir Keir Starmer says Labour will back the deal which he says will improve the UK’s international standing.
Boris Johnson is believed to still be considering the new deal on the protocol negotiated by Rishi Sunak. A source close to the former prime minister told PA he is continuing to study and reflect on the government’s proposals.
Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, says the party will now study the deal but welcomes the spirit of “partnership and compromise”.
The Democratic Unionist party (DUP) withheld judgment on the deal to end the dispute over the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson welcomed “significant progress” in the UK-EU deal but cautioned that concerns remained and said the party would take time to analyse the text.
DUP MP Ian Paisley told Newsnight that the deal “does not cut the mustard”.
Former prime minister Theresa May called on her colleagues to support the Windsor framework in the vote.
Downing Street declined to confirm whether MPs will get a straight yes or no vote on Rishi Sunak’s Windsor framework. The prime minister’s spokesperson said “there will be a vote”, but did not give details on timing or in what form. Pressed on timing, he said: “Our intent is to allow parties and parliamentarians to have the proper time to consider this before bringing forward a vote.”
That’s it from us tonight – thank you everyone for following along with this extended Politics Live liveblog. Here’s our full story:
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The Commons statements have now concluded after two-and-a-half hours.
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