Brexit news – live: France tells Boris Johnson ‘no new approach’ from EU, as Brussels warns time running out

Tory MP accuses deputy Labour leader of calling him ‘scum’

Conservative MP Christopher Clarkson has accused Angela Rayner of calling him “scum” in the House of Commons. “Excuse me! Did the honourable lady just call me scum?”

Deputy speaker Dame Eleanor Laing said: “We will not have attacks like that … not at all.”

Rayner then said that Clarkson’s claim was “inaccurate” and asked him to “withdraw it”, before Clarkson said “that’s what I heard”.

UK and Norway sign Brexit deal

Norway and Britain have signed a temporary, limited agreement to help maintain trade in goods in case there is no final Brexit trade deal in place by year-end, the Norwegian Industry ministry said on Wednesday.

Talks to put in a place a permanent, comprehensive free trade agreement were still ongoing, the ministry added. “Norway and Britain realise it is unrealistic to have a deal in place by Jan. 1 and so have put in place a temporary agreement for goods,” the industry ministry said.

Norway is not in the EU, but trades under the same market rules of the European Economic Area (EEA), comprised of EU and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) member states.

No 10: Michel Barnier’s comments were ‘significant’

So, are we any further forward in resolving the Brexit deadlock? Boris Johnson’s envoy Lord Frost will have further discussions with Michel Barnier on Wednesday, Downing Street said – calling the EU chief negotiator’s earlier comments “significant”.

A No 10 spokesman said: “We note with interest that the EU’s negotiator, speaking to the European parliament this morning, has commented in a significant way on the issues behind the current difficulties in our talks.

“We are studying carefully what was said. David Frost will discuss the situation when he speaks to Michel Barnier later today.”

Earlier on Wednesday we heard Barnier say a trade deal is “within reach” if there were “compromises on both sides” – telling No 10 officials he is ready to work on legal texts if they wish.

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone has this write-up on the day so far:

PM’s Brexit bill ‘will not survive’, peers claim

The controversial Brexit legislation will not survive in its current state because it is a rule of law issue and not a Brexit one, peers have claimed.

Members of the Lords told Irish politicians on the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee that the contentious provisions in the UK Internal Market Bill were “brinkmanship” and an attempt to force negotiations with the EU.

“This is more about the rule of law than Brexit, and that has political force,” Stewart Wood, a leading Labour peer told the committee. “I don’t see how the Bill can proceed unamended.”

The government suffered a massive defeat on Tuesday, with peers backing a “regret” amendment condemning the controversial provisions by a majority of 226.

Opinion: Boris Johnson would be smart to devolve more power to Burnham and other big-city mayors. They’re just the scapegoats he needs

Andy Burnham has become a far more potent figure from Manchester than he ever was in Westminster, writes James Moore.

The prime minister’s vast reservoir of spite in the face of Burnham standing his ground for his city means it is now locked down with what amounts to tuppence ha’penny of support.  

Opinion: The battle between Boris Johnson and Andy Burnham shows the need for more devolution across the UK

It was World King (which Boris Johnson wanted to be as a child) 1, King of the North (Andy Burnham) 0 (after extra time). Johnson might have won his game of poker with the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, but might well come to rue the day he imposed Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions on the region, writes Andrew Grice.

Victory might prove pyrrhic. The risk is that voters in the north no longer think Johnson is “on our side”. Labour, which needs to regain the former “red wall” painted blue by the Conservatives in last December’s election, senses this is a big moment and a huge opportunity. It might well be right.  

Khan hits back at PM over TfL ‘bankrupt’ attack

Sadiq Khan has responded forcefully to Boris Johnson’s attack on his management of Transport for London, saying he has slashed the deficit the service had accrued under his predecessor… Boris Johnson.

Rob Merrick has the full story on the battle between the pair.

Rashford takes on another Tory MP  

We heard earlier about Marcus Rashford’s dispute with Tory MP Steve Baker. The Manchester United striker has now taken on Tory MP Ben Bradley.

Rashford has objected to Bradley’s claim free school meals over the upcoming holidays amount to “extending freebies” and are merely a “sticking plaster”.  

The footballer said it was about “long-term stability, not sticking plasters or ‘freebies’”, adding: “I’m asking we work together to protect our most vulnerable children dealing with the devastating effects of the pandemic.”

No-deal Brexit will hit British research, scientists warn

Scientists have urged the UK and EU to agree a Brexit trade deal, waring of “fundamental and long-term consequences” will result if no agreement is reached.

It comes amid fears that the UK will no longer be able to take part in Horizon Europe, the EU’s £10bn-a-year research and development scheme.

“This is the final opportunity to use these negotiations to ensure that future generations everywhere can continue to benefit from the results of UK-EU scientific collaboration,” states a letter signed by Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, along with several other leading figures.

PM: Sadiq Khan has ‘bankrupted’ London transport  

Boris Johnson has been boasting about his time as London mayor – claiming he left Transport for London (TfL) in “robust health”. He also claimed Sadiq Khan had “bankrupted” the body.  

He said the current black hole in TfL finances was “entirely the fault of the current Labour mayor of London, with his grossly irresponsible, demagogue fare policies”.