Matrix’s Legal Support Service will provide The view from outside, a weekly look at the UK’s relationship with the outside world.
UK & other courts
The British Government’s decision to co-operate with US authorities over the prosecution of two alleged Islamic State executioners without assurances that they will not face the death penalty, is to be challenged in the High Court.
UK and the UN
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written a report to the UN stating that one in five British people with disabilities are suffering an erosion of their rights because they are disabled.
Evaluation of UK’s international obligations
The House of Commons International Development Committee has published the Government response to its report on DFID’s Economic Development Strategy.
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact has published a review of DFID’s transport and urban infrastructure investments.
UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU
The Government is reportedly planned to woo Labour MPs in a bid to persuade them to defy Jeremy Corbyn and back its Brexit deal; however Labour MPs have rejected this approach by Theresa May.
Jean-Claude Juncker has claimed that Britain and the EU are “not far” from agreeing a Brexit deal. Meanwhile senior members of the Conservatives’ 60-strong European Research Group have told The Telegraph they would support EU officials being stationed at UK ports after Brexit to break the impasse with Brussels.
Some of the country’s most celebrated composers, producers and performers have written a joint letter issuing a stark warning that the “vast voice” of the music industry will be silenced inside a “self-built cultural jail” if Britain crashes out of the EU.
The EU has drafted tough contingency measures for a no-deal Brexit which could rattle the UK as they include potential flight cancellations and disruption to exporters.
The House of Lords has published a briefing considering the impact of leaving the EU on the Arts.
Brexiters have warned against fresh concessions to Brussels as Theresa May faces calls to change course. Meanwhile, David Davis has written to Conservative MPs warning that the party faces “dire” electoral consequences if the Prime Minister continues to pursue a Chequers-style deal with the EU27.
Michel Barnier has claimed a Brexit deal could be within reach by next Wednesday but warned the prime minister that only by abandoning a key red line and agreeing to a customs union can impediments on trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK be avoided. However, the DUP has threatened to vote against the Budget, in a move which could topple the Prime Minister, if Theresa May crosses any Brexit red lines. Meanwhile the EU has launched a direct sales pitch to Northern Ireland businesses in an attempt to drive a wedge between the Democratic Unionist party and Theresa May over the backstop solution for the Irish border in Brexit negotiations.
Up to 30 Labour MPs are considering defying their party leadership and voting for Theresa May’s Brexit deal – or abstaining – because they fear the economic consequences of the UK leaving the EU with no agreement.
In the Financial Times, Alex Barker and George Parker have written an article profiling Olly Robbins – the civil servant most responsible for the Brexit negotiations. Meanwhile for Brexit Central, David Heathcoat-Amory has argued that the UK Government has ignored the three basic principles of negotiation in the approach to the Brexit talks.
Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab, has given a statement in the House of Commons regarding the UK Government’s position on Brexit negotiations.
Concerns are growing in some quarters of Theresa May’s cabinet and party that she is prepared to agree an indefinite customs backstop to ensure an open border in Ireland.
The UK is in its final days of negotiation with Spain over Gibraltar.
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