Category: Europe
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IRD, MI6 and the eurocommunists
The stream of revelations from the files of Britain’s cold war propaganda unit, the Information Research Department (IRD), continues in the Observer today. The paper reports on how the IRD worked with MI6 in the 1970s to undermine the Italian Communist Party, in spite of the Eurocommunist trend which saw the party taking a more…
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Greeks turn to MI5 after bugging scandal
The Greek government has enlisted a former senior MI5 officer to reform its intelligence services, the daily Kathemirini reported earlier this month. The government has reportedly opted for a British model to restructure Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) in an optimal and effective way. The changes are being initiated in the wake of the tapping…
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New Foreign Office Advisor called for trade border between Ireland and the EU
When Liz Truss’s press secretary was asked for a list of the new Prime Minister’s advisors earlier this month, journalists were told that ‘you can refer to the Guido Fawkes website.’ So we must take take Guido as authoritative when it reports tonight that ‘Victoria Hewson is leaving the IEA to join the Foreign Office…
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Breakthrough on Ireland’s Brexit border
Negotiators for the UK and the EU have today reached agreement on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement in relation to Northern Ireland. As part of the deal, the UK will withdraw planned legislation that would have over-ridden international law.
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One week: two worlds – Brexit and the US election
It’s been a surprisingly quiet week in Brexit negotiations, given that the end of the withdrawal period is now less than two months away. That this is probably a good sign was confirmed by Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney on Tuesday, when he suggested that some form of long term agreement is now likely. The…
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Tory rebellion over internal market bill
When Boris Johnson's Conservatives won an 81 seat majority last December, it looked as if we wouldn't have to worry about close parliamentary votes on Brexit anymore. Johnson may have begun to squander that advantage with the admission that the Internal Market Bill breaks international law. Hufffpost's Arj Singh is reporting estimates of up to…
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Internal market bill lives up to its billing
Reports that the UK Internal Market Bill would tear up the EU withdrawal agreement have been causing political ructions all week. Today, the full text of the bill was published, and it looks very much as advertised. Section 45 of the bill states that ministerial regulations apply "notwithstanding any relevant international or domestic law with…
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UK Government points tactical nuke at the Irish border
Today’s Financial Times reports that the British Government is planning legislation to over-ride parts of the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union, threatening the protocol that ensures there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland.
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Brexit round-up: Northern Ireland deal comes back into focus
In a deep political crisis, all possible solutions come under scrutiny until a way out emerges. After months in which the British government has rejected the EU’s demand for a Northern Ireland backstop, it’s clear that negotiations are moving towards detailed consideration of Northern Ireland specific arrangements. Here are a few of the latest developments:
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Fag-packet politics – The numbers for no-deal legislation
A quick look at the numbers for a parliamentary move to block no deal, expected tomorrow. My conclusion is that if Tory rebels turn out in the numbers anticipated, the Government will need a substantial Labour rebellion to stave off defeat. The situation is fluid, but there doesn’t seem to be much sign of that…