Brexit deal – latest news: No 10 suggests no changes can be made to Windsor Agreement
‘We think we have secured the right deal for all parties in Northern Ireland’, says Downing Street
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK
Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight
There is no room for any changes to be made to the new Brexit deal, No 10 has indicated following the announcement of the “historic” agreement.
Asked if Rishi Sunak might return to Brussels to ask for any changes requested by the DUP, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “Certainly I think you heard the prime minister asked similar questions today. We think we have secured the right deal for all parties in Northern Ireland.
“We stand ready to have further talks with those parties if they have questions about how it works in practice, indeed, we did a great deal of that in the run up to this announcement.”
Mr Sunak travelled to Northern Ireland after securing a deal with the EU that he promised would be a “turning point” for the region after years of post-Brexit tensions.
The so-called Windsor Framework was earlier hailed as “historic” by the European Commission president, who insisted the deal marked a “new chapter” in UK-EU relations at a press conference with the prime minister.
New Northern Ireland deal 'removes any sense of border in Irish Sea', Sunak says
‘Definitive’ new deal will provide ‘longlasting solutions’, says von der Leyen
Ursula von der Leyen has hailed today’s “definitive” deal as providing “longlasting solutions”.
This new framework will allow us to begin a new chapter. It provides for longlasting solutions that both of us are confident will work for all people and businesses in Northern Ireland. Solutions that respond directly to the concerns they have raised.
She added: “The new arrangements are delivering a comprehensive package, so that we can address in a definitive way the issues faced in everyday lives.”
Highlighting two key examples, Ms von der Leyen said the new framework “will ensure that the same food will be available on supermarket shelves in Northern Ireland as in the rest of the UK”, and “will permanently enable all medicines, including novel ones, to be available in Northern Ireland at the same time, under the same conditions, across the UK”.
Watch: Sunak hails ‘decisive’ agreement with EU over Brexit protocol
Ursula von der Leyen hails ‘honesty’ and hard work in securing deal
Ursula von der Leyen has stressed the importance of “honesty” in reaching today’s deal.
“I remember our first discussions when we saw eye to eye on how to support our Ukrainian friends. And I was encouraged by our trustful and strong cooperation on this crucial geostrategic issue,” the European Commission president said.
“But I also remember how the two of us were honest with each other about the difficulties in our bilateral relationship, and it was vital to put that on the right footing too.
“We committed to work hard together to do so. We knew that for us to be able to make the most of the potential of our partnership, solutions were needed for the issues around the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“We knew it was not going to be easy. We knew we needed to listen to each other’s concerns very carefully, above all we had to listen to the concerns of the people of Northern Ireland.
“We knew we had to work hard with clear minds and determination, but we also both knew, dear Rishi, that we could do it because we were both generally committed to finding the practical solution for people and for all communities in Northern Ireland.”
“Today we can take pride in the fact that we have delivered on that commitment.”
Deal marks ‘turning point for Northern Ireland’, says Sunak
Ending his address, Rishi Sunak said: “I believe the Windsor framework marks a turning point for the people of Northern Ireland. It fixes the practical problems they face. It preserves the balance of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.”
Today’s agreement is about “stability”, “real people” and “real businesses”, he continued. It is about “breaking down the barriers between us, setting aside the arguments that for too long have divided us, and remembering that fellow feeling that defines us, this family of nations, this United Kingdom”.
What have Sunak and von der Leyen agreed today?
Rishi Sunak says he believes he and Ursula von der Leyen have found ways to end the uncertainty in Northern Ireland.
Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports:
- Sunak said GB goods destined for NI will travel through new “green lane” in which customs bureaucracy will be scrapped, with a red lane for goods destined for the Republic of Ireland. The PM said claimed it ended any sense of a “border in the Irish Sea”.
- Sunak said the deal protects NI’s place in the union – handing over from the EU to UK powers of VAT, alcohol duty and other areas.
- Sunak said the deal “safeguards sovereignty”. The PM said there was a new “Stormont break” – allowing the Northern Ireland Assembly will be able to pull an “emergency break” on changes to EU goods rules which may apply to NI. The UK government will have a veto.
Sunak hails ‘new chapter’ in UK-EU relationship
Today’s agreement delivers smooth-flowing trade within the whole of the UK, protects Northern Ireland’s place within our union, and safeguards sovereignty for the people of Northern Ireland, Rishi Sunak has said.
These negotiations have not always been easy, the prime minister said.
He paid “enormous” tribute to Ursula von der Leyen for “her vision in recognising the possibility of a new way forward”.
The UK and EU may have “had our differences in the past, but we are allies, trading partners and friends”, Mr Sunak said.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.”
Sunak hails ‘decisive breakthrough'
Rishi Sunak is introducing his new deal at a press conference with Ursula von der Leyen.
“I’m pleased to report that we have now made a decisive breakthrough. Together we have changed the original protocol and are today announcing the new Windsor framework.”
Northern Ireland Protocol: The Top 10 ways Brexit finally got done
How did Rishi Sunak cut the Gordian knot of securing a new agreement on Northern Ireland?
John Rentoul, our chief politics commentator, takes a look and says there are 10 key ways the PM finally got Brexit done.
Read Joh’s full piece here:
The Top 10 ways Brexit finally got done | John Rentoul
How did Rishi Sunak cut the Gordian knot of securing a new agreement on Northern Ireland?
Watch: Sunak and von der Leyen to formally announce deal at news conference
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies