Daily Express Tuesday, July 30, 2019 5DX1STFOR BREXIT
backstop is dead...but
scope for a new deal’
paign backed by the necessary fund-
ing and that is to ensure that
businesses and citizens have the
information they need to adequately
prepare,” the spokeswoman said.
“You can expect to see a variety
of different channels to maximise
the reach,” she added.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Johnson’s
newly appointed Foreign Secretary
Dominic Raab insisted the UK will
quit the EU without a deal this
autumn unless the bloc’s leaders
drop their refusal to renegotiate the
exit deal.
Ramping up the pressure, he said:“We’ll keep straining every sinew if
there is a deal to be done, but the
EU will need to move and, if they
don’t, it is incredibly important that
we are ready for eventualities.”
He accused the EU of adopting a
“series of fairly stubborn positions”
and said the Government has to be
able to offer “finality” for people by
preparing for no-deal.
Meanwhile, International Trade
Secretary Liz Truss met Woody
Johnson, the US ambassador to the
UK, yesterday to discuss plans for a
transatlantic trade deal.
She said: “Negotiating and signingexciting new free-trade agreements
is my top priority – and none are
more important than with the
United States.
“This deal has the potential to
deliver new markets for great British
products and services and lower
prices and more choices for British
shoppers.
“We are fast-tracking these deals,
and making sure British businesses
are ready to trade so they can take
advantage of the golden opportuni-
ties ahead.”OPINION: PAGE 12Carrie moves to Downing St
By Tom MartinTense
Ms Symonds... no extra costBORIS Johnson and his girlfriend
Carrie Symonds moved into Downing
Street yesterday, ending speculation
about their living arrangements.
Officials confirmed that the couple
will live together at his grace-and-
favour residence. They also insisted
Ms Symonds’ presence in the apart-
ment at No 11 will not lead to any
extra cost to taxpayers.
During the Tory leadership race,
questions were raised about whether
Mr Johnson, 55, would be joined by
31-year-old Ms Symonds in the PrimeMinister’s official home. A Downing
Street spokeswoman said: “The PM
is officially moving in today and his
partner will be living there.”
The spokeswoman said the couple
will not get taxpayers’ money to
cover moving costs or provide furni-
ture in the flat.
Mr Johnson and his girlfriend will
be the first unmarried couple to
openly live in Downing Street.
Chancellor Sajid Javid, who is mar-
ried with four children, is expected to
live in the Number 10 flat.determination for a no-deal
outcome.”
Mr Johnson later had a
private meeting with
Ms Davidson, then talks
with Ms Sturgeon at her
official Bute House
residence in Edinburgh.
Last week Ms Sturgeon
threatened to step up her
timetable for a second
Scottish independence
referendum.
Yesterday Mr Johnson
said there was no reason
for another vote, but did not
unequivocally rule out
giving Ms Sturgeon the
powers for a re-run.
He also said alleged
opinion poll hostility to him
was exaggerated and
highlighted a recent trip to
Aberdeen, where he was
greeted enthusiastically by
a hen party.
Following her “incredibly
constructive” meeting
with the Prime Minister,
Ms Davidson said they
talked “about Brexit, the
need to make sure we can
get a deal across the line,
and I support the Prime
Minister wholeheartedly in
getting that deal”.
Mr Johnson also visited
HM Naval Base Clyde at
Faslane, the home of
Britain’s nuclear deterrent.Boris offers Scots
Tories peace...
with a warning
Mr Johnson views a submarine at HM Naval Base Clyde, the home of the UK’s nuclear defence, yesterdayBORIS Johnson offered an
olive branch to Scottish
Tory leader Ruth Davidson
yesterday, but slapped
down her demands to
remove the threat of a
no-deal Brexit.
The Prime Minister
offered to back Ms
Davidson’s campaign to
become First Minister in
2021, but declared no-deal
Brexit preparations must
continue “with high hearts
and growing confidence”.
On his first visit to
Scotland since becoming
Prime Minister, Mr Johnson
said there was a “very good
chance” of a deal with
Brussels.
Ahead of tense talks with
Ms Davidson and SNP First
Minister Nicola Sturgeon,
he also dismissed opinion
polls suggesting he is
deeply unpopular north of
the Border.
Ms Davidson was said to
be “livid” last week when
Mr Johnson sacked close
ally David Mundell as
Scottish secretary, despite
her urging the PM to keep
him in place.She was clear she would
oppose a no-deal Brexit
and insisted she did not
have to sign up to his policy
to continue as leader.
Mr Johnson yesterday
insisted he had “very good
relations” with Ms Davidson
and was “lost in admiration”
for her success in reviving
the party north of the
border.
He said: “I’m totally with
Ruth in her political
ambitions. I hope that she
succeeds here in Scotland.
“I’ll be doing everything I
can to assist here.”
Mr Johnson also said he
was “with Ruth in wanting
to avoid a no-deal Brexit”,
but added: “Clearly, if we
are going to make a
success of these
negotiations, then we have
to prepare with a great
deal of confidence andAnti-no deal... Ruth Davidson