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Michael Gove speaking in the House of Commons yesterday. House of Commons/PA Wire/PA Images

UK will leave the EU on 31 October, says senior cabinet minister

Michael Gove said that the government was aiming to leave the EU before the end of October.

LAST UPDATE | 20 Oct 2019

A SENIOR CABINET minister has insisted that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October, despite parliament forcing Boris Johnson to seek an extension yesterday. 

Michael Gove, the minister in charge of no deal planning, told Sky News today that the UK would still be leaving the EU on 31 October. 

The EU is currently weighing up how to respond to the prime minister’s extension request, which he sent yesterday after an embarrassing defeat in the House of Commons. 

Johnson called Taoiseach Leo Varadkar yesterday to discuss the latest Westminster developments. No further details on that call were released.

This morning, social protection minister Regina Doherty said that she expects that Boris Johnson’s letter to the EU will face a legal challenge this week. 

Johnson did not sign the extension request letter, which he accompanied with another letter to EU leaders telling them that his government did not want a delay. 

“I think there are very many smart lawyers in the UK looking at the letter and will probably challenge it next week,” Doherty told a special edition of RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme. 

Doherty also said that she was “disappointed” that the House of Commons had not voted yesterday to approve the deal negotiated between the UK and the EU.  

“We sincerely hope that the House of Commons can reach an agreement this week,” Doherty said. 

She said that it will be “interesting” to see how the letter is received by the EU, “considering it’s not signed”.

Johnson got a senior diplomat to send an unsigned photocopy of the request by MPs to delay withdrawal from the EU. In a second note to European Council president Donald Tusk, Johnson said a Brexit extension would be “deeply corrosive”.

brexit Sammy Wilson, right, said that his party was not seeking a second referendum. House of Commons / PA Wire/PA Images House of Commons / PA Wire/PA Images / PA Wire/PA Images

Labour branded the prime minister “churlish” and “juvenile” in his attitude as Johnson stressed to Brussels he was only sending the communication at parliament’s bidding.

The agreement failed to pass through the House of Commons after the DUP united with Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party to vote against the government to force Johnson to request an extension. 

Also speaking on RTÉ Radio One this morning, the DUP MP Sammy Wilson refused to say that Johnson had betrayed his party, which is still officially in a confidence and supply agreement with the UK government. 

Wilson said that Johnson could use the deal to hold an election and win a majority in parliament. 

“If the arithmetic in the House of Commons was different, I feel his ability to get a better deal would have been enhanced,” Wilson said. 

He also said that his party would try and amend the Withdrawal Agreement Bill as it passes through parliament to “deal with some of the issues we feel need to be dealt with”. 

The decision on whether to grant an extension will come down to the leaders of the remaining 27 EU nations, but it will be Donald Tusk’s job as head of the European Council to gather their views and he could call a special summit to approve an extension.

Tusk has confirmed yesterday evening that he received the letter seeking an extension.

Reaction

“We are going to deliver by the 31 October. We are going to ensure that we get this deal done,” Gove said. 

He said that he had made a bet with health secretary Matt Hancock that the UK will leave before the end of the month. 

Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell said also today that Boris Johnson could be in contempt of parliament and the courts over the letters. 

“He’s behaving like spoiled brat. Parliament made a decision and hes should abide by it,” McDonnell told Sky News.

“It drives at the heart of democracy that the prime minister must abide by the law,” he said. “A number of lawyers have already commented that this is seeking to undermine a decision of parliament.”

Legality of letter

There had been speculation that Johnson, who had committed to leaving the EU on 31 October, would refuse to sign the letter – placing him against the law and potentially in contempt of court. 

It remains unclear whether Johnson’s refusal to sign the letter or his decision to send another letter explaining why his government does not want an extension will prompt any legal action. 

Some legal experts suggested that the only thing that matters was that Johnson had indeed complied with the law and sent the letter, which was also accompanied by an explanatory letter from the UK’s ambassador to the EU. 

Immediately following his House of Commons defeat on the Letwin amendment, Johnson told MPs that he would not negotiate an extension with the EU. 

The Letwin amendment, a cross-party bid to seek an extension in order to ensure legislation backing up the new deal is through the House before Brexit happens, was passed yesterday afternoon by a margin of 322 to 306. 

It forced Johnson to seek an extension under the Benn Act, passed through parliament against the wishes of the government in September. 

That vote followed hours of debate as MPs convened for what was being billed by the UK media as ‘Super Saturday’. It was the first time parliament had been convened on a Saturday for 37 years. 

Hilary Benn, the Labour MP who gave his name to the act, said on Saturday: “After all the bluster, the Prime Minister has tonight sent a letter to the EU asking for an extension.”

“A bit churlish not to sign it though,” he added. 

Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg announced in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon that there will be another Meaningful Vote on Monday.

However, it remains unclear whether Speaker John Bercow will allow the motion or not. He told MPs he would rule on it on Monday. 

Second referendum

Thousands of people took to the streets of London yesterday to demand a second referendum. 

Speaking on the BBC Andrew Marr Show today, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said that he was inviting the DUP to talk to the Labour Party. 

Starmer said that his party will next week back any amendment brought forward calling for a second referendum on Johnson’s deal. 

There has been speculation that the DUP might even back an amendment on a second referendum when the legislation is brought before parliament. 

“Anybody who wants to improve on the situation, and they do, should be working together,” he said. 

“If you want to work with us on this to improve the situation we’re in, the door is open.”

However, in a statement released this morning Wilson said that the DUP was not seeking a second referendum. 

“The people of the United Kingdom were asked whether the UK should leave the EU, not whether Great Britain should leave Northern Ireland behind. We want to leave as one nation. That remains our goal,” he said. 

With reporting from Press Association and Daragh Brophy

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80 Comments
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    Mute Save Rainforest
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    Nov 14th 2023, 8:44 PM

    Extremely inefficient process, in many many countries buying a property takes 4-6 weeks not 4 to 6 months if you are lucky or a year if you’re not so lucky. Properties should not be put on sale without all documents, planning permits, ber certs and so on being ready. Also cutting off the solicitors would be great too, estate agents should be qualified to do the probate and conveyancing , at the moment they do sweet f. all

    315
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    Mute Mick Duvanny
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    Nov 14th 2023, 9:28 PM

    @Save Rainforest: Think of all the empty properties while the sale is waiting to close

    29
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    Mute
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    Nov 14th 2023, 10:31 PM

    @Save Rainforest: You can barely trust an Estate Agent to be genuine and not falsify bids etc. I’d much rather pay a solicitor I would trust and have them in my corner rather than an EA who just wants to close to get their commission.

    180
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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:24 AM

    @Save Rainforest: estate agents? The biggest gangsters ever are you hearing yourself as you type?

    53
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    Mute lastfewchocices
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    Nov 14th 2023, 10:15 PM

    I’ve recently sold a house. I applied for an nppr cert in early August. Got a reply yesterday. Property tax bands increase due to the sale price increased and were back dated. Solicitors fees include couriers for items I collected. An engineer charged 2000 euros to look into a shore and a tank and sign a document. Estate agent is uncontactable. And that’s just the sale.
    I’m also trying to buy. And that’s where I’ve lost the will to live.
    The real estate business is rotten to its very core. My heart breaks for those trying to get on the ladder They haven’t a hope.
    Nothing is transparent. Nobody is accountable. And the seller and buyer are being rode hard.
    It’s a disgraceful system. I’m furious.

    311
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 15th 2023, 9:12 AM

    @Peter Murray:
    The trolling is getting pretty sad around here.

    11
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    Mute Michael o connor
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    Nov 14th 2023, 8:43 PM

    When will The Journal be telling us the details of one of the anchors of RTEs Six One news High Court case against a national newspaper?

    Is this not having a chilling effect?

    Oh sorry, is that just when sinn fein are involved?

    170
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    Mute Damien Leahy
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    Nov 15th 2023, 5:51 AM

    @Michael o connor: maria bailey as well

    42
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    Mute Denis Rathsallagh Brady
    Favourite Denis Rathsallagh Brady
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    Nov 14th 2023, 8:36 PM

    Hire staff for councils and get back to building estates.
    Half a billion not spent by that eejit last year.
    Ive a pain in me aras with the lot of them

    168
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    Mute uUleRhCu
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    Nov 15th 2023, 6:48 AM

    @Denis Rathsallagh Brady: Look at the state of ‘council estates’ in this country?…Not a great poster boy for repeating it.If they are to build more,well then the old model needs to be ripped up.Start by deducting rent at source and maybe inspecting houses and deducting the cost of damage at source as well.

    49
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    Mute Denis Rathsallagh Brady
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    Nov 15th 2023, 7:48 AM

    @uUleRhCu: You’re talking about the bad areas. There are more decent good estates than bad. The one in the middle of my name being a fine example of how a good council estate is run.
    And besides, we need housing now

    22
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    Mute uUleRhCu
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    Nov 15th 2023, 11:16 AM

    @Denis Rathsallagh Brady: more good estate than bad….nonsense.

    6
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    Mute Denis Rathsallagh Brady
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:52 PM

    @uUleRhCu: Theres a whole generation out there with no chance of getting their own house.
    So what do we do, build tower blocks? Not a chance.
    Build single houses? Not a chance.
    In Wicklow alone there are 125 boarded up council houses. If they had more workers these could be given out.
    No workers = No houses

    5
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Nov 14th 2023, 9:21 PM

    Another expert group. Where would we be without them

    113
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    Mute SaraB
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    Nov 14th 2023, 8:41 PM

    Remove the bid process altogether. In England you make an offer and if it’s accepted it’s off the market same day. Easy to buy a property. The Scottish system is also just as bad as IE with sealed bids and I know people who have also struggled to buy. Only difference is you don’t know if you are close but it does prevent agents constantly pushing up prices. But please just remove the weeks of open house and bidding systems!

    101
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    Mute Jules Verne
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    Nov 14th 2023, 9:31 PM

    Roughly 40% of the price of a house is direct and indirect taxation. Vat, various arbitrary contributions to the County Council, etc. not including the costs of applying for planning permission. However, there is limited transparency,, so the circus will continue.

    93
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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Nov 14th 2023, 8:28 PM

    Make legislation and simplify regulations specifically for prefabs and log cabins. Surely with all the vendors now selling these products in ireland, a code of standards can be established. It would take so much pressure off

    85
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 15th 2023, 9:20 AM

    @Louis Jacob:
    Well said.
    For anyone with access to a site, probably mammy’s back garden it should an option for good quality log cabins.
    In reality it’s already happening, try buying a second hand mobile home at the moment.
    We had one in wexford as a holiday home when the kids were smaller. Sold it last year after 10 years for more than I paid for it.
    Young couple who didn’t want to pay rent while saving for a deposit.

    15
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    Mute Gar Fitz
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    Nov 14th 2023, 8:30 PM

    I love the way they’ve spun the word home in to thinking there doing well and meeting targets , 30000 homes is what , how many apartments how many houses , not enough thats wha

    81
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 15th 2023, 9:23 AM

    @Gar Fitz:
    And the next government, regardless of who they are, will do the same.
    Neither FG, FF or SF or anyone else will magic up more builders.

    12
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    Mute Pete Lee
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    Nov 14th 2023, 8:39 PM

    There is a major need for legal reform of
    Cost and time frame….
    Just look at any tribunal

    64
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    Mute
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    Nov 14th 2023, 10:50 PM

    After weeks of bidding and eventually out bidding the other potential buyers, the property owner decided he would like some more money. The plonker just wasted everyone’s time with his greed. The guide price was exceeded by more than 20k but maybe the agent deliberately put it lower to increase the interest in the property. The whole process is ridiculous. There’s very little transparency when it comes to the bidding and it just feels like the agents are out to squeeze what they can out of you.

    88
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    Mute Damian Moylan
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    Nov 14th 2023, 9:41 PM

    what’s the point in journal.ie w/o a comments section? i have seen numbers drop.

    52
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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Nov 14th 2023, 10:57 PM

    @Damian Moylan: Is this not a comment?

    12
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    Mute Eoin murtagh
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    Nov 14th 2023, 9:44 PM

    Why has this taken so long to start to tackle

    52
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    Mute BRENDAN O'CONNELL
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    Nov 14th 2023, 10:34 PM

    May someone can over see the corrupt Irish real estate business,put in some proper regulations the Irish as it’s a good old boys club.

    72
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    Mute
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    Nov 15th 2023, 12:55 AM

    When waiting for the sale of my dublin flat to conclude to allow me purchase a edinburgh house i recall my scottish solicitor not comprehending how awful the irish process was. The delay in funds almost cost lost me the edinburgh house. Far too many hangers on in the irish process taking a cut along the way and not taking any responsiblity.

    54
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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Nov 14th 2023, 10:53 PM

    If Jimmy from Clonmel can object to a house build in Raharny, then there’s something wrong! However, if you want to change that, then you need approval from Jimmy!

    32
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 15th 2023, 9:27 AM

    @Alan Kennedy:
    The problem isn’t Jimmy from clonmel, every country has those, it’s the fact he hold it up for so long, possibly years.
    And that is down to the legal system.

    6
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    Mute Cars
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    Nov 15th 2023, 8:17 AM

    Start with Estate Agents. They are no doubt part of the issue.

    22
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    Mute Philip Thompson
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    Nov 15th 2023, 4:51 AM

    Estate agents want the system changed too. This legislation was proposed and promoted by IPAV. As an estate agent I spend far more time trying to resolve problems in conveyancing than in selling houses. The stress for all who care is very high.

    9
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    Mute Mark Breathnach
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    Nov 15th 2023, 6:03 AM

    @Philip Thompson: no one he cares
    Up bidding is rife in the properties & estate agents are part of the issue

    20
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    Mute Nickb
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    Nov 15th 2023, 1:34 PM

    We currently have a situation in Wexford where one couple from the north of the county are the sole objectors to ABP over major development plans ( permission granted by Wexford Co Co ) at a hotel in Wexford town, 50km away. At minimum this will put the plans on hold for at least 6 months!

    7
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 15th 2023, 3:18 PM

    @Nickb:
    Your ire should be directed towards the legal system and the government that allows that to happen.
    Every developed nation has some form of planning objection system, there will always be a contrarian, especially now with environmental issues, but they seem to be able to deal with it in a few months rather than years in this country.

    5
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