Brexit: Eustice defends threat to override EU withdrawal agreement as just tidying up 'loose ends' - live

Government confirms it is preparing legislation that would apparently allow it to override parts of withdrawal agreementBoris Johnson to override EU withdrawal agreementReneging on Brexit deal ‘would strengthen case for breaking up UK’Global coronavirus updates – live 9.13am BST Good morning. Earlier in the year you would often hear commentators speculating about the prospects of the UK facing an autumn/winter nightmare scenario, where all the upheaval of a no-deal Brexit was combined with a second wave of coronavirus. We’re not there yet, but this morning the two main stories on the agenda do look like signposts towards that future.On the Covid front, the government is responding to the news that yesterday almost 3,000 people in the UK tested positive for Covid-19, a 50% increase in a single day and the highest daily total since May.The EU have been very clear about the timetable. I am too. There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on 15 October if it’s going to be in force by the end of the year. So there is no sense in thinking about timelines that go beyond that point. If we can’t agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on. Related: Brexit: Boris Johnson to override EU withdrawal agreement It is a very blunt instrument,” said one of those familiar with the matter. “The bill will explicitly say the government reserves the right to set its own regime, directly setting up UK law in opposition with obligations under the withdrawal agreement, and in full cognisance that this will breach international law.”No. We are not saying that at all. We have a withdrawal agreement, and that includes Northern Ireland protocol. And we are committed to implementing that.And there is negotiations ongoing through something called the joint committee process ... a separate process to the main negotiation on a future trade agreement. Related: Coronavirus live news: India sees one-day record of 90,000 cases; five teachers test positive at Suffolk school Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/sep/07/coronaviruss-live-news-brexit-withdrawal-agreement-eustice-defends-apparent-threat-to-override-eu-withdrawal-agreement-as-just-tidying-up-loose-ends-live-news #politics #coronavirus_outbreak #uk_news #brexit #european_union #boris_johnson #europe #george_eustice