Gerry Adams jokes he means 'no harm' to the Queen as he warns Theresa May a deal with the DUP would 'breach the Good Friday Agreement'

Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Fein, has made a joke about the safety of the Queen while standing on the steps of Downing Street. 

Mr Adams said his party will not take its seats in Westminster or swear an oath to the Queen, adding: "No harm to her". 

The comment sparked upset because of Sinn Fein's former links to the IRA, which was responsible for the death of the Queen's cousin and her husband's uncle Lord Mountbatten in 1979.

It came as the Government announced that the State Opening of Parliament  will take place on Wednesday June 21.

The Queen's Speech, setting out the Government's programme, has been delayed from from Monday as Theresa May seeks support for her minority administration from the Democratic Unionist Party.

There have been suggestions that the announcement is intended to send a message to the DUP that the Government are prepared to form a minority Parliament without a deal if the talks break down. 

Queen Elizabeth II prepares to leave the Houses of Parliament
Queen Elizabeth II prepares to leave the Houses of Parliament Credit: WPA

A No 10 source said: "Talks with the DUP are progressing well and there is broad agreement on the principles of the Queen’s speech.

"Both parties are committed to strengthening the union, combating terrorism, delivering Brexit and delivering prosperity across the whole country.

"However, whilst talks are ongoing, it is important the government gets on with its business and we are confident there will be sufficient support across the House for passing the Queen’s speech."

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams (L) stands by Sinn Fein's Northern Leader Michelle O'Neill 
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams (L) stands by Sinn Fein's Northern Leader Michelle O'Neill  Credit: PAUL FAITH/AFP

It comes as The Prime Minister faces a showdown over the DUP deal with the Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in Downing Street this afternoon. 

The Prime Minister has invited Mr Adams and the leaders of Northern Ireland's other main political parties to No 10 in the hope of breaking the deadlock over Stormont power-sharing talks.

Philip Hammond has been accused of preventing Mrs May from concluding her deal with the DUP because of a row over airport taxes in Belfast.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Chancellor Philip Hammond 
Prime Minister Theresa May and Chancellor Philip Hammond  Credit: Stefan Rousseau

Whitehall sources have blamed “nitpicking” by the Treasury for the fact that no agreement had been reached by last night following two days of talks.

The Daily Telegraph has been told that the deal is “95 per cent agreed” but a key stumbling block is a demand by the DUP for an end to Air Passenger Duty at Northern Ireland’s airports. 

This afternoon it was confirmed that the crunch Brexit talks will start on Monday despite the delay to the Queen's Speech.

David Davis, the Brexit Secretary,  will begin talks in the Belgian capital with the European Union's chief negotiator Michel Barnier as expected, ending doubts over the timetable for the start of the process.

 

                                                                                                    

Northern Ireland's main parties discuss Tory-DUP deal 

Northern Ireland's main parties are holding talks with the Prime Minister in Downing Street to discuss the deal between the Conservatives and the DUP.  

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Gerry Adams calls for DUP talks to be 'public'

 

Gerry Adams warns PM she will breach Good Friday Agreement with DUP deal as he jokes he means 'no harm' to the Queen

Gerry Adams has been speaking outside No10 after meeting Theresa May this afternoon. He joked he means "no harm" to the Queen after stating the Government in Westminster has made a "mess" of the general election and subsequent fallout.

He said: "We told her very directly that she is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement" [if she strikes a power-sharing deal with the DUP].

He added that the Government has made "enough mess" of the election and therefore should allow Ireland to get on with striking its own deal. 

 

Brexit negotiations to start Monday

The expected June 19 start date for talks had been in doubt following the General Election, which saw Mrs May lose her majority in the Commons.

On Monday the European Commission insisted it was "fully prepared and ready for the negotiations to start" - indicating that any delay was on the British side.

In a hint at a softer approach, Mr Davis said on Monday "we will start down this process" by focusing on the divorce proceedings from the EU before moving on to trade.

May's personal ratings plummet

Theresa May personal ratings have plummeted while Jeremy Corbyn's popularity has surged since the General Election, according to the latest poll. 

The Prime Minister's net favourability score has  fallen from +10 in April to -34 , which is the level the Labour leader was on in November last year. 

YouGov’s latest figures show Mr Corbyn has secured his highest score to date after his popularity ratings surged from -42 in late April to +0. 

May's personal ratings plummet 

John McDonnell calls for mass protests

John McDonnell has called on his hard-left union allies encourage a million protesters to take to the streets to try and force another election and oust Theresa May from Downing Street.

The shadow chancellor reportedly told trade union bosses that Labour needed “every union mobilised” and for people to “get out on the streets”.

Left wing groups are planning a mass protest in London on July 1 to demand that Mrs May step aside after she failed to win a majority in the House of Commons at the general election.

Addressing the annual conference of the food-workers union the BFAWU, the Labour frontbencher said:

We need people doing everything they can to ensure the election comes as early as possible. “What we need now is the TUC mobilised, every union mobilised, get out on the streets.

Just think if the TUC put out that call - that we want a million on the streets of London in two weeks' time.'

John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn

No 10 defends DUP deal 

A Conservative spokesman has hit back at Peter Hain accused the Conservatives of "putting party before peace" by seeking an agreement with the DUP. 

They said:

Peter Hain played a significant role in Northern Ireland but on this issue he is misinformed and wrong.

An arrangement at Westminster between two parties would not in any way alter or undermine the Belfast Agreement.

It would not affect the role of the Secretary of State or the Conservative Party's commitment to the Agreement and its successors which, as we said at the election, remains steadfast.

Attempts by the Labour Party to seek arrangements at Westminster with Northern Ireland parties are well documented and a matter of record.

Hammond withdraws from Mansion House speech 

The Chancellor has pulled out of his annual Mansion House address to City leaders following the Grenfell Tower fire disaster. 

May orders public inquiry into Tower tragedy 

Prime Minister Theresa May has ordered a full public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire disaster.

After visiting emergency teams at the scene of the blaze in west London, Mrs May said a proper public investigation was needed to establish what happened.

Speaking at 10 Downing Street shortly after her return from the site, she said: "We need to ensure that this terrible tragedy is properly investigated."

Prime Minister Theresa May Credit: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images 

May accused of 'putting party before peace' 

Former Northern Ireland secretary Lord Hain has accused the Conservatives of "putting party before peace" by seeking an agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party to shore up Theresa May's minority administration in Parliament.

Lord Hain, who was Northern Ireland secretary from 2005 to 2007, warned that the situation is "very damaging" at a time when sensitive talks are under way over the restoration of powersharing at Stormont.

He told the Press Association the Government could not act as a "neutral facilitator" in Northern Ireland, as the Good Friday Agreement envisages, if it was dependent on one of the Northern Irish parties for its majority in the House of Commons.

He said: 

I cannot see for the life of me how you can be a neutral facilitator in bringing the parties together, at a very dangerous time for Northern Ireland politics to get self-government and the legislative assembly back up and running, when your prime ministerial life and your Government's life depends on one of the most influential parties - the biggest party - in Northern Ireland.

I just don't see how that works. I think it's a very damaging situation.

It corrodes confidence in the negotiating process.

I think it's very self-interested, putting party before peace in Northern Ireland - party interest before peace and stability in Northern Ireland - and I do think it's that serious.

May 'confident' of getting Queen's Speech through Commons 

Theresa May is "confident" of getting the Queen's Speech through the House of Commons whether or not a deal is reached with the Democratic Unionist Party by the time of the State Opening of Parliament on June 21.

Talks with the DUP on a deal to shore up a minority Conservative administration are "progressing well" and the parties have reached "broad agreement" on the principles of the Speech, which will set out the Government's legislative programme for the coming year, according to a senior Conservative source.

But the source confirmed there was no need for a deal on a so-called "confidence and supply" arrangement to be sealed in order to press ahead with the Speech, and said Mrs May wanted the Government to "get on with its business".

Talks with the DUP have been progressing well and there is broad agreement on the principles of the Queen's Speech.

Both parties are committed to strengthening the Union, combating terrorism, delivering Brexit and delivering prosperity across the whole country.

However, while talks are ongoing it is important the Government gets on with its business and we are confident there will be sufficient support across the House for passing the Queen's Speech.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster and Theresa May  Credit: AFP/PAUL FAITH

'The truth has got to come out' 

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said "the truth has got to come out" as he visited those affected by the Grenfell Tower blaze.

Mr Corbyn visited St Clements Church, where volunteers have set up a refuge centre.

He met with volunteers and community leaders as they showed him the donations that have been pouring in since the disaster.

"It's great that you're in place," he told them.

When asked about an investigation into the circumstances of the fire, he replied: "We have to get to the bottom of this.

"The truth has got to come out and it will."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn visits the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire Credit: Jack Taylor/Getty 

John McDonnell hits out at Labour MPs 

John McDonnell has hit out at Labour MP's for not being "generous" enough to Jeremy Corbyn, Politics Home report. 

The Shadow Chancellor told delegates at the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union's conference he had "never seen such behaviour".

Speaking yesterday he said: "I’ve never seen such behaviour in the [PLP], you wouldn’t tolerate it in your branches, I can tell you."

John McDonnell  Credit: Joe Giddens/PA

Is May calling the DUP's bluff? 

Queen speech delayed by 2 days 

Give workers a pay rise, says Tory MP

Stephen Crabb, the former Welsh Secretary, has said public sector workers deserve a pay rise. 

The Tory MP said anger over pay was party why his party failed to secure a majority in the election.

Speaking to The Wales Report on the BBC, he said:

I think we really need to tune our ear much more closely to the needs of the public sector in Wales and across the UK.

Clearly these seven years of wage restraint we've had, which has kept a limit on wage growth for people in the public sector, we probably need to be looking at that.

It's about time people across different sectors had a wage increase.

Former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Stephen Crabb Credit: Chris Radburn/PA 

Tim Farron 'brave and honourable'

Tim Farron resigned as Liberal Democrat leader last night claiming it would be "impossible" for him to continue in the role while remaining "faithful to Christ". 

It followed the resignation of one of his most senior advisers yesterday afternoon as Lord Brian Paddick claimed he could no longer serve because of Mr Farron's views on gay marriage. 

Former deputy leader Sir Simon Hughes said it was "brave and honourable to say what he did".

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme:

He said very clearly he had become the subject of suspicion because of what I believe or what my faith is ... and it would be the same for people of other faiths who have strong faith views.

Where there are issues which are very controversial within that faith community it became unfairly difficult that Tim was put in the firing line and felt that he couldn't adequately do justice to his faith while upholding the liberal values which he has argued for all his life.

Tim Farron Credit: SCOTT HEPPELL/AFP

Chancellor to give annual Mansion House speech 

Philip Hammond will outline plans to increase support for key infrastructure projects with extra government funding and guarantees to keep Britain building through Brexit.

The Chancellor will use his annual Mansion House speech on Thursday night to ensure key infrastructure projects are protected as the UK leaves the European Union.

In his first major speech since the general election, Mr Hammond will tell City leaders that the Treasury is working with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to ensure access to cheap funding for projects is maintained while the UK remains inside the EU.

Britain's Finance minister Philip Hammond Credit: RODGER BOSCH/AFP

Hammond accused of delaying DUP deal 

Philip Hammond has been accused of preventing Theresa May from concluding her all-important pact with the DUP because of a row over airport taxes in Belfast.

Whitehall sources have blamed “nitpicking” by the Treasury for the fact that no agreement had been reached by last night following two days of talks.

The Daily Telegraph has been told that the deal is “95 per cent agreed” but a key stumbling block is a demand by the DUP for an end to Air Passenger Duty at Northern Ireland’s airports, which have been described as “an anchor on tourism” to the province because the taxes are not levied in the Republic of Ireland.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Chancellor Philip Hammond  Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA

One Tory source even suggested Mr Hammond might be deliberately “foot-dragging” to delay Brexit talks and give him more time to argue for a softening of the Government’s position on Brexit.

Several financial issues remain unresolved between the two parties, and one of the most complex revolves around Air Passenger Duty, the subject of a long-running campaign in Northern Ireland.

The Government has already given the Stormont Executive the power to scrap APD on long-haul flights, but passengers on short-haul flights must still pay a tax of £13 each way.

The DUP wants the Treasury to give it the power to scrap the tax, but Mr Hammond is said to be concerned that if he gives Northern Ireland an opt-out it will mean Scotland also has to be given extra cash under the Barnett formula that determines how much money is allocated to the devolved powers.

Removing APD would mean a reduction of £55m in the block grant Northern Ireland receives from Westminster, to cover the revenue the Treasury receives from the tax.

The DUP wants to find a way to scrap the tax without losing money from the Treasury.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond Credit: REUTERS/Carl Court/Pool

One Tory source said they feared Mr Hammond could be “foot-dragging”.

The Chancellor is trying to garner support from colleagues in the Cabinet and the Conservative Party for a watered-down Brexit deal that involves staying in the customs union, which would give the UK access to the single market but prevent it from making its own trade deal with the rest of the world.

The source said: “Anything involving the Treasury is cumbersome. I am not sure Philip Hammond wants these talks to succeed.”

PM faces Gerry Adams in Downing Street 

Good Morning,

Theresa May will face a showdown over the DUP deal with the Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in Downing Street today.

The Prime Minister has invited Mr Adams and the leaders of Northern Ireland's other main political parties to No 10 in the hope of breaking the deadlock over Stormont power-sharing talks.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams Credit: REUTERS/Liam McBurney

But her conversation with Mr Adams and Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill will be dominated by the proposed DUP deal.

Mrs O'Neill yesterday warned the Prime Minister that she must do nothing to "undermine" the peace process in Ulster.

The former Conservative prime minister Sir John Major had previously warned Mrs May that making a deal with the DUP could result in violence returning to Northern Ireland.

The Queen's Speech, originally scheduled for next Monday, could be put back as far as June 27.

With no DUP deal in place last night, Mrs May will come under huge pressure from Sinn Fein over the proposed pact when she meets its leaders today.

Mrs O'Neill hinted that she might demand the scrapping of the DUP deal if it threatens the Good Friday Agreement, which commits the UK and Irish governments to demonstrate "rigorous impartiality" in their roles as co-guarantors of the peace process.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams (L) stands by Sinn Fein's Northern Leader Michelle O'Neill  Credit: PAUL FAITH/AFP

Mrs O'Neill said: "I will be making it very clear that any deal between the Tories and the DUP cannot be allowed to undermine the Good Friday and subsequent agreements.

"It's imperative that both [British and Irish] governments recommit to the word, spirit and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement if there is to be any prospect of re-establishing the [Stormont] executive."

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