House of Commons
Parliament

After two hours at the dispatch box, the debate has come to an end and the prime minister has left the chamber.

Speaker of the Commons, John Bercow, praises Boris Johnson and MPs for their conduct and "tone" - both in this debate and Wednesday's debate on the Domestic Abuse Bill.

He says it "represents a huge improvement on last week".

House of Commons
Parliament

The Lib Dem's Brexit spokesman, Tom Brake, praises the PM for some "rare consistency".

Referring to reports of some colourful language Mr Johnson was supposed to have used before being prime minister, Mr Brake says: "When he said 'f business', he really meant it!"

Mr Brake says Northern Irish businesses say this current proposal will leave them "being thrown under the bus" so asks which ones he consulted and which supported.

Mr Johnson says when Northern Ireland businesses came to No 10, they "supported a deal".

But he says he "won't be given any lessons about consistency from the Liberal Democrats" who recently changed their position on Brexit, saying they would cancel it if they won a majority, rather than putting it to a referendum.

Irish newspapers are resoundingly unimpressed with Boris Johnson's proposed Brexit deal and many commentators in Europe are similarly dismissive of it.

Several say the UK prime minister's description of the Irish border issue as a "technical" one shows a lack of sensitivity to its political meaning.

Many believe his plans have less to do with formulating a realistic agreement and more to do with preparing for a general election. Some are frustrated at what they perceive to be the deliberate opacity of Mr Johnson's intentions.

Broadly, the view is that the chances of a no-deal Brexit are increasing.

Read the full European press round-up here.

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Parliament

Tory MP Victoria Prentis says there has been a "collective sigh of relief that this might be the beginning of the end".

She asks the PM to "encourage everyone in this House to come together" and to "reach out to MPs on all sides on the details of this agreement".

Mr Johnsons says he doesn't know "if this is the beginning of the end or the beginning of the second half of the middle".

But he says there is "momentum now behind these proposals".

The PM adds: "I am not going to pretend this will be easy or that this is a done deal.

"The UK has moved a long way and I hope our partners will recognise that and move correspondingly."

Katya Adler
Europe Editor

MEP and chair of European Parliament Brexit Steering Committee Guy Verhofstadt tells me the European Parliament is "very sceptical" about Boris Johnson’s proposals. He says there is "not a serious alternative" to the backstop but rather a "repackaging of old proposals".

Mr Verhofstadt describes the PM's offer as neither realistic nor viable. He says the EU questioned whether Mr Johnson really was serious about striking a deal, especially he said after hearing reports of alleged No 10 memo instructing Tory MPs to blame EU if no new deal is agreed.

The European Parliament is poised to publish their main objections to the proposals. As you hear across EU now, the central concern is customs. Mr Verhofstadt says current UK proposal would endanger the Northern Ireland peace process and "dramatically" expose the single market to the risk of smuggling.

"What of Mr Juncker's talk of positive elements of proposals; Mr Barnier’s mention of progress?" I ask.

Mr Verhofstadt says the area the UK has most progressed in addressing EU concerns is alignment on goods regulations - but at the same time the PM's proposals give Northern Ireland power-sharing government a veto.

Mr Verhofstadt concludes the PM's proposals were "absolutely not an alternative to the backstop". He says it is "in the hands of Mr Johnson" whether or not a new Brexit deal can be struck.

If the PM presents "serious proposals", says Mr Verhofstadt, then a new agreement could be made.

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Parliament

Former Tory MP Alastair Burt, one of those expelled by Mr Johnson, earlier praised the PM's tone, with no talk of the Surrender Act, his derisive name for the law forcing him to seek a Brexit extension.

There is certainly a far less-heated atmosphere than during last week's now infamous debate on the unlawful prorogation of Parliament, as the PM appears to be reaching out to potential opposition allies.

One of those, Labour MP Barry Sheerman, appealed for the parties to come together for a deal.

He says to the PM that "most of the people in this country are not extreme Remainers or extreme Brexiteers" and it is the job of the House and the PM to bring them together.

"This is a bit of a deal," he says. "Perhaps we should restart cross party talks so [the PM] can evade the conclusion that he has to break the law and leave with no-deal.

"Could we restart sensible negotiations again?"

The PM says he has a "high regard" for Mr Sheerman and is "more than happy to talk to him about what we are proposing".

He does mention the Surrender Bill in his reply, however, adding "and I used that term advisedly".

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Parliament

Labour MP Sir George Howarth - a former Northern Ireland minister - says his experience in government makes him "all too painfully aware how fragile arrangements are" in Northern Ireland.

He says the PM's proposals are "contiogent" on the approval of the Northern Ireland Assembly, but adds: "Doesn't he realise that will only add to the fragile political situation?"

Mr Howarth asks: "Isn't there a case to consider, giving the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive isn't up a ruining, of putting the case to people of Northern Ireland in a referendum to see what they think?"

But Mr Johnson turns down his suggestion.

"Referendums do not have a great history in our country of bringing people together," he says.

"I appreciate his experience and sincerity... and he is right obviously to raise the concerns of both communities in Northern Ireland.

"But I think this offers a way forward for both communities".

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Parliament

The Westminster leader of Plaid Cymru, Liz Saville-Roberts, accuses the PM of playing a "blame game" and only seeking the "DUP's consent".

But she then pushes him on whether the Welsh Parliament could have more votes on whether it wants to be linked to the UK's constitution.

"Or does he hope and pray somebody will stop him?"

Mr Johnson says it is a "unique situation" in Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement .

But he says he is "willing to listen to her pleas and consider them closely".

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland's deputy premier says his government cannot support any Brexit deal that would give a Northern Irish party a veto over the operation of post-Brexit arrangements (as critics say Boris Johnson's current plans would do).

Simon Coveney says Mr Johnson's proposal for customs checks on the island also present a problem.

The PM wants to give the Northern Ireland Assembly a vote on whether to opt in to an all-island regulatory system post-Brexit, and also give the devolved legislature at Stormont - which is currently suspended - a say on whether it wants to continue the arrangement, after an initial four-year period.

Addressing the Dail parliament in Dublin, Mr Coveney says: "We cannot support any proposal that suggests that one party or indeed a minority in Northern Ireland could make the decision for the majority in terms of how these proposals would be implemented in the future.

"That is not consistent with the Good Friday Agreement. It is not something we could possibly support as part of any final deal."

Former Conservative MP Anna Soubry criticises Mr Johnson's approach to reaching a deal with the EU:

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Parliament

Brexit-backing Independent MP Frank Field - a former Labour minister - welcomes the prime minister's statement and asks for a vote on it before the EU Summit later this month.

Mr Johnson says he will "reflect" on the request.