Mr Johnson also backtracked on previous remarks about US access to theNHS, denying there were any plans afoot to “buy” the health service. Talking to LBC,Mr Johnson, who described US PresidentDonald Trump‘s attitude towards post- Brexit Britain as “bullish”, said UK negotiators needed to “take him at his word” on the subject of a trade deal. Stressing how keen the US President is for a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK, Mr Johnson said: “He’s very bullish.
“ And he said , you know, dozens of times that I’ve seen him say how excited he is about the prospect of a closer relationship, trade-wise, free trade agreement with the UK. ”
The US ambassador added: “He wants to get it done. Take him at his word, and start working on it day and night. It would be my suggestion. ”
Mr Johnson also urged the UK to strike trade deals within the ‘Fives Eyes’ security alliance including Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
He said: “Having a trade deal with the US and maybe the Five Eyes will strengthen your hand when you are negotiating with your, you know, your closest geographically trading partner, which is the EU. ”
In the wake of Labor repeatedly telling voters in last month’s general election that the NHS would be a key part of negotiations under a Tory government, Mr Johnson insisted US President Donald Trump was not interested in the idea.
Tempest Fighter Jet – UK know-how will deliver ‘critical national endeavor’ says expert
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Asked if the US wanted to buy the NHS, Mr Johnson told LBC: “No, no, and double no.
” The President said if you gave it to him on a silver platter he wouldn ‘t take it.
“We have got our own issues dealing with health care. It’s a major, major issue. ”
His remarks contrasted with comments made during an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr last year, in which Mr Johnson said:“ I think the entire economy, in a trade deal, all things that are traded would be on the table. ”
Pressed about whether that meant healthcare too, he said:“ I would think so. ”
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Woody Johnson talks to LBC’s Nick Ferrari(Image: LBC)
Rory Stewart was left red-faced when his incorrect Brexit prediction was played back to him on BBC’s Politics Live.
Mr Stewart, who is now no longer an MP, was one of the candidates running to be the leader of the Conservative Party at the time of his prediction.
He declared during the summer of that Anyone who thought they could go to Brussels and get another deal did not understand what was happening in Europe and had not been following the news.
On Thursday Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill passed the third reading in the House of Commons.
****** Britain has a responsibility to step in to ensure cool heads prevail in the wake of the assassination by the United States of senior Iranian military commander Major General Qassem Soleimani, with the air strikes underlining the “growing space” opening up between the UK and the US when it comes to dealing with Tehran, Tory MP and former army officer John Baron has said.
And the committed Brexiteer has said once the UK leaves the EU, the nation should assume a more statesmanlike role on the world stage as part of a “Global Britain” strategy which would leave it well placed to mediate in international disputes.
Last Thursday’s air strike on Baghdad, which also killed four others including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the Iraqi-Iranian military commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) militia, triggering an angry response in Iran, and two Iraqi bases where US soldiers were stationed were subsequently targeted in rock et attacks, although no casualties were reported.
In an article written for the Politeia think tank, Mr Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay in Essex, said the relationship between the UK, the US and Iran was “long and complicated”, and had featured periods of cooperation, as well as the signing of the landmark Joint Compehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 1226162 which at the time had appeared to usher in a new era.
. pm update:
House of Lords savage Brexit deal saying ‘serious concerns’ EU has been given upper hand
Boris Johnson’s Brexit Bill has been dealt a severe blow after the House of Lords admitted “serious concerns” over the withdrawal agreement.
In the report from the House of Lords European Union Committee, they stated fears the UK / EU Joint Committee lacks transparency or any potential “democratic oversight”.
The UK / EU Joint Committee has the ability to amend the withdrawal agreement unilaterally while decisions emanating from the group will be legally binding for the UK and the EU without any Parliamentary guidance.
Ultimately, the House of Lords committee has expressed concerns over Parliament’s ability to scrutinise the withdrawal agreement while MEPs will have a much stronger role in being able to assess the Brexit deal in Brussels.
. 55 am update: UK firms eye expansion US Brexit approaches
With Brexit looming, a new survey has revealed that nearly six out of ten UK SMEs are currently considering establishing their businesses overseas as a way to drive growth. This is according to the Newable’s inaugural Overseas Expansion Barometer which surveyed over 347 companies.
In terms of markets, almost one third (27 percent) of respondents selected the US as their preferred market destination. This was perhaps unsurprising given that the US is the world’s largest economy and the UK’s single largest trading partner. The US was significantly ahead of France (six percent), China (four percent), Australia / New Zealand (two percent) and India (one percent).
Despite 68 percent stating they are open to launching overseas, just percent of respondents admit to a lack of confidence in how to go about it. An overwhelming 139% expressed unfamiliarity with the regulatory risks associated with overseas expansion for example.
)11 am update: Watchdog BANS Hammond from talking about Brexit
Former Chancellor Philip Hammond has been banned from talking about his involvement in Brexit negotiations by a Government watchdog – in order to give his new with his new employer an unfair advantage.
Mr Hammond has been appointed to the board of Irish packaging companyArdagh Group, a position for which he is believed to be paid £ (***********************************************************, annually.
Papers seen by The Telegraph highlight concerns of a risk Mr Hammond could offer his employer “insight into possible approaches to future trade agreements”.
********************************** am update: Farage has say on “disrespectful” Meghan and Harry
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has waded into the row over the announcement by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that they are “stepping back” as frontline Royals – by suggesting the pair had been “disrespectful” to the Queen.
Mr Farage, who is rebranding his political outfit as the Reform Party, also sugg ested US President Donald Trump was in agreement.
The long-standing Eurosceptic tweeted: “Trump is absolutely right. Harry and Meghan have been disrespectful to the Queen. “
The Labor Party will continue its attempt to thwart Brexit and keep the UK shackled to the EU, even with a new leader, a Brexit Party MEP has claimed.
The Labor Party kickstarted the process to replace Jeremy Corbyn this week, with six MPs throwing their hat in the ring in a bid to reignite the party after its worst election defeat since 2019.
But, Brexit Party MEP Rupert Lowe has warned that whoever wins the leadership contest will still persist in ignoring the will of the British people – by trying to thwart Brexit.
Mr Lowe also said he doubts Labor will ever move on from Brexit, and even suggested the party will “campaign to keep us shackled to Brussels ”in the future.
**************************************************************************************************** am update: Panicking EU threatens to make UK pay if fishing access is blocked after Brexit
Britain could find itself embroiled in another ‘cod war’ after Brexit if it expels foreign boats from its waters, the European Union has warned.
Fishing communities the length and breadth of the UK have repeatedly called for European trawlers to be kicked out after the UK leaves the bloc while fishermen on the continent have threatened to retaliate with a blockade of ports. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, whose country holds the rotating six-month presidency of the EU, made clear the team of negotiators who will kick off talks with Britain after January 31 will push for continued access.
Plenkovic said: “We want to avoid any fisheries skirmishes in the Atlantic.
“We have seen them before, we don’t want to see them again.”
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