Fears intensify over Keir Starmer's fishing 'Brexit betrayal' at UK-EU summit
A row over EU demands on fishing rights has been blamed as negotiations over Keir Starmer's post-Brexit reset went down to the wire ahead of Monday's summit.
Sir Keir Starmerâs bid to secure a new deal with the EU has gone âdown to the wireâ with talks continuing overnight ahead of a major summit with the bloc on Monday. Fishing was understood to be a key sticking point in the negotaitions, with the EU demanding improved access to UK waters.
The talks include an expected announcement on defence and security, which could feature an agreement allowing British firms access to a 150 billion euro (ÂŁ125 billion) EU defence fund. Labour is also set to âsurrender control of our countryâ and accept EU rules on food, Brexiteers have warned.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy were accused of a âBrexit betrayalâ as they hailed a ânew eraâ of relations between London and Brussels, ahead of a Summit at Lancaster House. Agreeing with the European Union on food standards and plant and animal health â without the UK being able to influence the rules â would effectively take London into Brusselsâs orbit.
4 mins ago07:16Steph Spyro
Reform and Tories pledge to 'tear up' Eu deal if they come to power
Both Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have already described the deal as a âsurrenderâ.
They indicated they would tear it up if they came to power.
The Tories have also set out a series of âred linesâ on fishing rights, including ensuring exclusive access to Britainâs territorial sea and resisting âa multi-year agreement which only benefits Franceâ.
8 mins ago07:12Steph Spyro
Negotiations go âdown to the wireâ as Keir Starmer seeks EU reset deal
Mondayâs summit will see Sir Keir meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for the second time in four days as he aims to strike a deal with the EU on a range of issues.
Deals on allowing British travellers to use e-gates at European airports, cutting red tape on food exports and setting up a youth mobility scheme with the EU are also thought to be on the table.
But reports suggest disagreements over fishing rights and youth mobility have presented last-minute stumbling blocks to an agreement.
14 mins ago07:06Steph Spyro
'Sell-out!' Keir Starmer warned against 'capitulating' to EU in Brexit fishing talks
Sir Keir Starmer must not âsell outâ or âcapitulateâ to the EU during a UK-EU summit on Monday, MPs and fishermen have warned.
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins visited the Isle of Wight ahead of the crunch talks on Monday, where fishermen told her the industry faces extinction without drastic support.
Read the full story here.
Victoria Atikins MP, Joe Robertson MP and fisherman Ed Blake (Image: Tim Merry/Reach Plc)
18 mins ago07:02Steph Spyro
Keir Starmer's two sticking points revealed at UK-EU summit talks
Fishing rights and the free movement of young people between the UK and EU has emerged as a key negotiating point ahead of the UKâs EU-UK summit.
Sir Keir Starmer will meet EU leaders at the talks in London on Monday in an effort to secure a landmark reset of relations since Brexit.
Read the full analysis here
21 mins ago06:59Steph Spyro
Welcome to today's live blog
The Express's politics team will be bringing you the latest throughout the day as the UK-EU summit takes place in London.