Today, Dominic Raab, settling into his role as Brexit secretary, appeared before the Lords EU committee to answer questions on progress, or lack of, from the ongoing Brexit negotiations. Here’s what could be gleaned from the 100-minute session:
Northern Ireland continues to be a stumbling block
Unsurprisingly, Raab revealed little about any proposals to resolve the Irish border issue. He did, however, rebut his colleague Jacob Rees-Mogg’s suggestion of introducing border checks ‘like we had during the troubles’. He assured the committee, ‘we will not be returning to a hard border.’
There is no boeuf between Raab and Michel Barnier
The Brexit minister called stories over his frustration with Barnier for failing to make himself available for Brexit talks ‘tittle-tattle’. Raab maintains he has ‘a good professional and personal relationship’ with the EU Brexit negotiator. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Barnier has told journalists, ‘We are prepared to offer Britain a partnership such as there never has been with any other third country.’
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