King Charles meets EU chief Ursula von der Leyen for tea at Windsor Castle after Rishi confirms Brexit deal – after palace was warned over ‘constitutionally unwise’ meeting
- King Charles III was pictured shaking hands with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen
- Brexit deal is DONE…: PM and Ursula von der Leyen hail ‘Windsor Framework’
King Charles has met Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor Castle after she agreed a new Brexit deal with Rishi Sunak, with the palace being warned over the ‘constitutionally unwise’ meeting.
The royal warmly shook hands with the European Commission President during an audience at Windsor Castle this afternoon.
The meeting came less than two hours after she signed off on changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol at a five-star hotel four miles from His Majesty’s Berkshire home.
Mr Sunak has today been accused of ‘antagonising’ Unionists in Northern Ireland and Brexiteers, with Buckingham Palace insisting the Windsor Castle meeting was called on ‘Government advice’.
But the PM’s official spokesman later said that the decision was ‘fundamentally’ one for Buckingham Palace, adding Mr Sunak ‘firmly believes it’s for the King to make those decisions.
King Charles III shook hands with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen during an audience at Windsor Castle
The royal received the European Commission president at WIndsor Castle today
‘It’s not uncommon for His Majesty to accept invitations to meet certain leaders, he has met President Duda and President Zelensky recently’.
Jacob Rees-Mogg has insisted the meeting should not go ahead, claiming: ‘It antagonises the people the PM needs to conciliate. It is constitutionally unwise to involve the King in a matter of immediate political controversy.’
Former DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted: ‘I cannot quite believe that No10 would ask HM the King to become involved in the finalising of a deal as controversial as this one. It’s crass and will go down very badly in NI.
‘We must remember this is not the King’s decision but the Government who it appears are tone deaf’.
Royal commentator Peter Hunt said of the meeting: ‘This is a very serious error of judgment by King Charles and his advisers.’
The former BBC royal correspondent added: “He’s abandoned his unifying role and entered the political fray, in a foolish bid to be seen as statesmanlike. History won’t be kind. Someone’s head will roll.’
Rishi Sunak (left today) has been accused of dragging King Charles III into politics with the monarch meeting EU chief Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor Castle today
The plan to meet the King did not go down well with some Unionists, including former DUP leader Arlene Foster
Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen as they agreed a new Brexit deal in Windsor today
The Prime Minister and Ms von der Leyen have held ‘final talks’ in Windsor on Monday before the breakthrough was announced at around 2.30pm. And now it has emerged that King Charles will also meet her at his Berkshire castle for afternoon tea on a highly politically sensitive day for the country.
READ MORE: Brexit deal is DONE: Rishi Sunak and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen shake hands on new terms for Northern Ireland
Buckingham Palace said: ‘The King is pleased to meet any world leader if they are visiting Britain and it is the Government’s advice that he should do so.’ A broad range of issues will discussed including climate change and Ukraine. Brexit may also come up, but Mr Sunak will not be there.
Ms von der Leyen arrived in London by Eurostar this morning and said she is ‘looking forward to turning a page and opening a new chapter with our partner and friend’, ahead of her meeting with the PM and the King.
Responding to Foster tweet, PM’s spokesman said: ‘There will be a range of views. With regard to Ms von der Leyen meeting the King, that is fundamentally a matter for the palace.’
ERG member and Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said today the meeting with the King would be a mistake. The former Cabinet minister Mr Rees-Mogg said: ‘It is surprising that The King will meet Ursula von der Leyen today as it antagonises the people the PM needs to conciliate’.
He also told GB News: ‘I think the sovereign should only be involved when things have been completed and accepted.
‘The King gives assent to Acts of Parliament when Parliament has agreed, he doesn’t express his view on Acts of Parliament when they are going through the process.
‘I think the same applies, that His Majesty should not be involved until there is full support for this agreement.’
The PM and EU commission president have finalised the Northern Ireland package, the culmination of months of painstaking negotiations, after talks in Windsor.
Cabinet will now be briefed on the agreement, before the pair hold a press conference.
Downing Street has hailed ‘significant and far reaching’ concessions, and there are bombshell rumours this afternoon that the DUP is ready to shift position and accept the agreement.
The reports come despite the unionists having set red lines that looked very difficult to meet – including completely removing the role of the European Court of Justice. Having the DUP on board would pave the way for the restoration of powersharing at Stormont.
Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson played down the claims in the Irish News, tweeting: ‘We’ll take our time to consider the detail and measure a deal against our seven tests.’
In other positive noises for Mr Sunak, Northern Ireland minister and self-styled ‘Brexit hard man’ Steve Baker – who has been on ‘resignation watch’ over the past few days – said this afternoon that the government is on the verge of a ‘fantastic’ deal.
Mr Sunak could still face a rough ride from Tories when he makes a statement to the Commons this evening.
Allies of Mr Sunak are waiting nervously to see how Boris Johnson will react to the revised terms.
Meanwhile, the government is facing a furious backlash for dragging the King into the political pressure-cooker – as Charles will meet Ms von der Leyen separately this afternoon during her visit.
The Prime Minister and Ms von der Leyen (pictured striding through St Pancras today) met to agree a deal today
Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker was in Downing Street again today, amid rumours that whips have put him on ‘resignation watch’
Mr Sunak tweeted ahead of the meeting with Ms von der Leyen
Jeffrey Donaldson tried to cool claims the DUP is ready to back the PM’s Brexit deal for NI
Former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries dismissed the warm words from Mr Baker
Brussels is thought to have agreed to ditch checks and paperwork on almost all goods and produce sent from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland. Red and green customs channels will be used to distinguish what is bound for the province and the Republic, which remained inside the EU
Mr Sunak is believed to have secured a package that removes single market rules from 90 per cent of products made in Northern Ireland, as long as they are not bound for the EU.
Although Northern Ireland might still be covered by future EU legislation, there will be a democratic mechanism intended to ensure the province’s politicians have a say and consultation with London.
In one of the potential flashpoints, the European Court of Justice will stay as the final arbiter on single market rules in Northern Ireland. But there will be protections designed to demonstrate that cases cannot be referred directly by the EU.
In what could be a crucial win, Mr Sunak appears to have persuaded the bloc that the text of the protocol should be tweaked – something it had previously refused to do.
Sir Jeffrey said before the announcement: ‘I’m neither positive nor negative. I think we need to take time to look at the deal, what’s available, and how does that match our seven tests.’
What could Rishi’s new Brexit deal for NI include?
Brussels is thought to have agreed to ditch checks and paperwork on almost all goods and produce sent from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland. Red and green customs channels will be used to distinguish what is bound for the province and the Republic, which remained inside the EU
Mr Sunak is believed to have secured a package that removes single market rules from 90 per cent of products made in Northern Ireland, as long as they are not bound for the EU.
Although Northern Ireland might still be covered by future EU legislation, there will be a democratic mechanism intended to ensure the province’s politicians have a say and consultation with London.
In one of the potential flashpoints, the European Court of Justice will stay as the final arbiter on single market rules in Northern Ireland. But there will be protections designed to demonstrate that cases cannot be referred directly by the EU.
In what could be a crucial win, Mr Sunak appears to have persuaded the bloc that the text of the protocol should be tweaked – something it had previously refused to do.
Tory Eurosceptics were largely keeping their powder dry this morning.
But Mr Baker moved to quash rumours he will quit after another bout of talks in No10.
He told broadcasters: ‘I can only say this: that the Prime Minister is on the cusp of securing a really fantastic result for everyone involved.’
In a round of interviews this morning, Jacob Rees-Mogg did not rule out backing the plan, but suggested Mr Sunak will fail to win over the DUP.
The ex-Cabinet minister told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: ‘There are two things we need to know: one is what the DUP thinks, because the protocol itself sets out in its first article that it is subsidiary to the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement.
‘So, if the DUP doesn’t think that it meets test, that will be very influential among Conservative MPs.
‘I’m afraid with all the EU deals the devil is in the detail, so when people say ‘we need to see the legal text’, they are not larking about, they really want to see it to understand what the effect is.’
Ms von der Leyen is also holding talks with King Charles during her visit to Windsor.
That has caused a wave of anger among DUP and Eurosceptic figures that the monarch is being dragged into the contentious politics of Brexit.
Buckingham Palace seemed to point the finger at ministers by saying the government had advised that the King should meet the visiting dignitary.
Ex-DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted: ‘I cannot quite believe that No10 would ask HM the King to become involved in the finalising of a deal as controversial as this one.
‘It’s crass and will go down very badly in NI. We must remember this is not the King’s decision but the Government who it appears are tone deaf.’
Mr Rees-Mogg said was ‘constitutionally unwise’ for the King to meet EU chief Ursula von der Leyen around the signing of the new post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland.
The leading Conservative Brexiteer said: ‘It is surprising that the King will meet Ursula von der Leyen today as it antagonises the people the Prime Minister needs to conciliate.
‘It is also constitutionally unwise to involve the King in a matter of immediate political controversy.’
The PM’s official spokesman said Rishi Sunak believes ‘fundamentally’ the decision was for Buckingham Palace.
‘He firmly believes it’s for the King to make those decisions,’ the official said.
‘It’s not uncommon for His Majesty to accept invitations to meet certain leaders, he has met President Duda and President Zelensky recently. He is meeting with the president of the EU today.’
Asked why the final protocol talks were taking place in Windsor, the spokesman said: ‘There are a number of occasions when these sorts of talks have been held in significant occasions, this is no different.’
Downing Street has stressed that there are still substantive issues for the PM and Ms von der Leyen to address this afternoon, although they are thought to have tied up the main elements in talks by phone yesterday.
Irish deputy leader Micheal Martin has said that European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to London is a sign of ‘very significant and substantial progress’ in protocol negotiations between the UK and EU.
‘I think we’ll leave it to both the President of the Commission and the British Prime Minister to announce whatever has to be announced this afternoon, but I think it’s clear that very significant progress has been made,’ he told RTE Radio.
‘Over the last number of months, trust did build up between the two parties. Very substantial and serious negotiations have taken place in fairly significant detail, working up fairly substantive papers.’
Mr Martin said the customs data agreement struck earlier this year was a ‘gamechanger’ that ‘facilitated a new fresh approach to that issue’.
The foreign affairs minister said the primary concerns that have been articulated by unionism in particular – include the bureaucratic barriers to goods being sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, the ‘democratic deficit’ on what input Northern Ireland would have on any future EU regulations, and state aid issues – had been heard.
‘All of these issues, I think, have been responded to. I think the European Union has listened,’ he said.
Ms von der Leyen and Mr Sunak chat as they go into the Fairmont Windsor Park hotel today
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan (left) and Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden (right) were in Downing Street for the Cabinet meeting this afternoon
Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt was at the Cabinet discussion to sign off the deal today
What is the Brexit row about and what has been the impact on Northern Ireland?
The UK and the EU have been engaged in intense negotiations over the workings of the Northern Ireland Protocol of the original withdrawal agreement that allowed the UK to leave the EU.
It was designed to ensure the free movement of goods across the Irish land border with Ulster after Brexit.
Rather than being an internal EU line between two countries, with Brexit it became a border between the bloc and a third party country with different customs and trade rules.
In any other cases it would be solved simply by creating a ‘hard’ border – physical checks on vehicles and people travelling between the two.
But the Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of violence in 1998, expressly prohibits a return to such checkpoints on the island of Ireland.
To get around this the protocol instead created economic barriers on trade being shipped from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
It has proven to be deeply unpopular with unionists, who claim it has weakened Northern Ireland’s place within the UK.
Last year the DUP collapsed the powersharing institutions at Stormont in protest at the arrangements. It came as the party was replaced as the largest in the powersharing government by Sinn Fein for the first time.
And the DUP is refusing to back a deal and restart powersharing unless their concerns are realised. They have set seven tests that it must pass to be approved.
Mr Sunak has said the deal ‘will show that Brexit truly works and will finish the job’, adding: ‘This deal will work better for business and communities and get goods moving.
‘It will resolve the issues so we can all move forward. This will give Northern Ireland control of their own destiny. This is something very positive.’
The package is expected to include a ‘Stormont lock’ designed to give Northern Ireland a say – but not a veto – over new EU trade laws that will continue to apply in the province.
The PM held private talks in No 10 with Mr Baker yesterday in a sign of concern about resignations, while a survey by the grass-roots Conservative Home website found Tory activists oppose the idea of Mr Sunak’s plan by 41 per cent to 36.
Former Brexit minister Lord Frost has urged the PM to revive the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, saying it was vital to be ‘really tough’ with Brussels.
The European Research Group (ERG) of Tory MPs has said it will establish a ‘star chamber’ of lawyers to examine whether the new deal meets their sovereignty tests.
Meanwhile, DUP MP Sammy Wilson said it was a ‘red line’ for his party that ‘there should be no EU law applying to this part of the UK’.
Cabinet ministers, who will be formally briefed on the plans this afternoon, were last night ringing round Conservative MPs to shore up support.
Mr Sunak is expected to unveil the details in a statement to Parliament this afternoon.
However, there has been concern that MPs have not yet been guaranteed a vote on the deal.
Some are concerned that they have been left in the dark during talks.
One MP claimed Downing Street had kept them out of the loop to ‘set everything up’ and present the deal as ‘a fait accompli’.
Downing Street has not fully committed to giving Parliament a vote on the agreement, as demanded by the European Research Group (ERG), made up of Eurosceptic Tory MPs.
No10 has been warned that rebels will force an indicative vote whether they want one or not.
The PM will tell MPs that his deal will secure Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and protect the future of the Good Friday Agreement.
It is expected to lead to the scrapping of a barrage of EU checks on goods sent to the province from the rest of the UK, which have caused major problems for businesses and families, and led to unionist fears that Northern Ireland could be forced out of the UK.
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said Mr Sunak was ‘on the cusp’ of a deal that would result in the ‘substantial scaling back’ of the role of the European Court of Justice in Northern Ireland.
Mr Raab said the deal would mark a ‘paradigm shift’ in relations and ‘would be very good news for the communities of Northern Ireland and I think for the Good Friday Agreement as well’.
Ministers are optimistic that they can win over most Eurosceptic Tory MPs with a deal which Mr Raab said would ‘properly and fully get Brexit done’ and open the door to warmer relations with the EU.
But senior figures in the DUP warned that they were not yet convinced the deal would deliver enough to persuade them to re-enter power-sharing in Northern Ireland, a key objective of the PM.
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