Brexit

Countdown to Brexit:

First minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon: will introduce legislation allowing for a second referendum on Scottish independence by 2021 if Brexit goes ahead. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Tory MPs ask Theresa May to set out resignation timetable

British PM deemed likely to step down if Tories contest MEP elections on May 23rd

Win any (pub) argument with our Brexicon. These pro- and anti-Brexit protesters outside the British parliament have definitely read it. File photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters Brexit: An idiot's guide to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union
Brexit battle: like English players at Wimbledon, Theresa May has been hyped up far beyond her merits and promoted to Centre Court. Photograph: Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Fintan O’Toole: Don’t even feel a bit sorry for Theresa May

Welsh flag: the political landscape has changed irrevocably since 2009, creating room for a more defined and closer relationship between Dublin and Cardiff. Photograph: Thinkstock Ireland takes steps towards cementing Wales and Scotland as allies
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage (centre) with party candidates for the possible British involvement in upcoming EU elections. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Farage in pole position for European Parliament elections
The notion of John Hume’s “agreed Ireland” wasn’t just an aspirational soundbite, but was being practised at political level, and was feeding into the more optimistic public mood. The future seemed to look neither hard green nor orange, but a lighter mix of the two. Photograph: Getty Images Brexit lights touchpaper for next political firestorm – Irish unity
Europoll Irish Times view on the European elections
Daniel Stewart on his journey around Northern Ireland. Photograph: Lily Duffield Cycling the Border: ‘Unhindered, unchecked, unharmed; I cycle past the post’
Lindan and Ray Wootten: “Theresa May has got to go. She’s had enough time. And now it’s time for somebody like Boris Johnson.” Photograph: Jennifer O’Connell ‘It’s beyond Brexit. It’s about who governs this country’
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council president Donald Tusk give a press conference in Brussels after the Brexit deadline was extended until October 31st. File photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA EU shifts focus to US trade with Brexit ball firmly in UK’s court
Lyra McKee was shot dead riots in the Creggan area of Derry, in what police are treating as a terrorist incident. Photograph: Jess LOWE/AFP/Getty images The Irish Times view on the death of Lyra McKee
Ronan Higham, managing director of Pure Fitout, a Belfast-based firm ‘We are as ready as we can be given the ongoing uncertainty’

First minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon: will introduce legislation allowing for a second referendum on Scottish independence by 2021 if Brexit goes ahead. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Tory MPs ask Theresa May to set out resignation timetable
Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor John McDonnell: cross-party talks have resumed following the Easter break. Photograph: Andy Rain Conservatives and Labour trade accusations over Brexit progress
Rachel Johnson, candidate for the new pro-EU political party, Change UK takes part in the launch of their European election campaign in Bristol. Photograph: Getty Images Boris Johnson’s sister announced as Change UK candidate
Emma DeSouza (left) with her husband Jake (right) at the rally outside Belfast City Hall. Photograph: Amanda Ferguson Brexit will leave Irish citizens in NI ‘especially vulnerable’ says activist
Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission. Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg Negative Brexit consequences are UK’s responsibility – Juncker
US congressman Richard Neal said the UK and EU must preserve the sanctity of the Belfast Agreement. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters US Congress would oppose an EU trade deal that endangered NI peace, Neal says
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DUP leader Arlene Foster: “People are using the Belfast Agreement for all sorts of spurious reasons.” Photograph: Reuters Emma DeSouza and human rights body criticise DUP over citizenship stance
House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi and congressman Richard Neal address the media at the Irish Border. Photograph: PA Brexit should be ‘aberration’ in discussion on NI peace, says Nancy Pelosi
Photograph: iStock British shoppers keep spending despite worries about Brexit
Photograph: iStock Sterling stagnates despite strong UK retail sales
From left to right: DUP MP Gavin Robinson, party leader Arlene Foster, MEP candidate Diane Dodds and Westminster leader Nigel Dodds launch Mrs Dodds’s campaign for the European election. Photograph: Michael McHugh/PA Wire DUP targets English voters for funds with pro-Brexit adverts
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi talks with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Government Buildings in Dublin. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne - Pool/Getty Images Leo Varadkar says US will back efforts to prevent a hard Border
Efforts to make senior banking executives more accountable for their actions are delayed due to Brexit, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said. File photograph: iStockPhoto Brexit delaying bid to make bank officials more accountable - Donohoe
European Research Group chairman Jacob Rees-Mogg was involved in “frank exchanges” on the Border issue with the US delegation, led by Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. Photograph: Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA US politicians and Brexiteers clash on ‘concocted Border issue’
Jim Allister: the Traditional Unionist Voice leader could have a chance of sneaking the third seat if he decides to run. Photograph: Getty Images Intriguing contest for third seat in European election in North
Tánaiste Simon Coveney has said that ‘right from the outset we have been working to ensure that Irish and British citizens in Northern Ireland would continue to access rights and privileges that come with EU citizenship’. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Government will pay NI’s €4m health insurance post-Brexit – Tánaiste
US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi makes a speech at Iveagh House, Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA US politicians ‘not taking sides’ with Irish in Brexit - Pelosi
European Council president Donald Tusk speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday. Photograph: Jean-Francois Badias/AP Donald Tusk urges UK to use Brexit breathing space wisely
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas: “You cannot drag out Brexit for a decade.” Germany warns Britain cannot have further Brexit extension
US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi addressing the London School of Economics in London. Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg Pelosi warns no US-UK trade deal if Belfast Agreement weakened by Brexit
Martin Higgins (32) from Galway for integrated medicine and Deirdre Gill (40) from Roscommon attending the nursing jobs fair in London. Photograph: Ellen O’Riordan Irish hospitals hope to recruit Irish nurses in UK worried about Brexit
‘Unfortunately, some [businesses] will react by postponing any preparations.’ Photograph: Revenue Brexit: Departure date confusion hampering Irish businesses
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visiting the Sikh Temple in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, on Sunday, the day after the centenary of the Amritsar massacres in 1919. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times Customs union would give UK a say in trade deals, says Varadkar
Labour MP David Lammy is questioned by host Andrew Marr today on the BBC One current affairs programme, The Andrew Marr Show. Photograph: BBC/PA Comparing ERG to Nazis ‘not strong enough’, says Labour MP
Jeremy Corbyn: insists Theresa May must compromise on her Brexit red lines if cross-party talks are to succeed. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Brexit: Corbyn urged to clearly back second referendum
Scottish constitutional relations secretary Mike Russellhas pleaded with Theresa May to open talks with Cardiff and Holyrood. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Brexit: Theresa May urged to open talks with Wales and Scotland
Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, wears Union Jack socks during the party’s European Parliament elections campaign launch in Coventry, UK, on Friday. Photograph: Bloomberg Brexit: pro-EU parties in UK to use elections as ‘soft referendum’
British chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond in Washington, DC, on Friday. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg Hammond plays down talk of UK holding second Brexit referendum
A file photograph of trucks waiting for a ferry to Dublin in Holyhead, Wales last October. File image: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images. Delays at Holyhead raise concerns about possible Brexit impact
Nigel Farage addresses the launch of The Brexit Party’s European Parliament election campaign in Coventry. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Jacob Rees-Mogg’s sister to stand for Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party
Angela McGowan, the CBI’s regional director for Northern Ireland: “The type of Brexit that Brexiteers are pursuing has never been adequately defined.” Photograph: Pacemaker 'Thundering disgrace' - Business hits out at North’s lack of Brexit influence
Iain Duncan-Smith and Arlene Foster arrive at the European Commission to meet Michel Barnier. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Brexit: Foster says extension should be used to change backstop
Labour MP Hilary Benn: ‘This is one example of how Brexit is proving to be very costly for our country.’ Photograph: AFP/Getty Images UK stands down 6,000 no-deal Brexit staff after spending £1.5bn
British prime minister Theresa May during a news conference following the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels where the Brexit extension was announced. Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg Irish businesses welcome Brexit extension
Tory Brexiteer Bill Cash speaking on Thursday in the House of Commons, where he suggested prime minister Theresa May should resign. Photograph: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Wire Theresa May rejects call for her resignation from Tory Brexiteers
A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament’s Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) shows Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May. Photograph: HO / various sources / AFP/Getty Images Brexit: Downing Street warns talks with Labour will not continue ‘for the sake of it’
Diane Dodds MEP and DUP leader Arlene Foster. Photograph: PA DUP preparing to contest European elections
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar reacts as he leaves after an extraordinary European Union leaders summit to discuss Brexit, in Brussels. Photograph: Eva Plevier/Reuters October deadline paves way for de facto Brexit ‘plebiscite’ – David Davis
British prime minister Theresa May holds a press conference after the European Council meeting on Brexit in Brussels. Photograph: by Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images May vows to ‘press on’ with talks as Brexit is delayed until October 31st
French president Emmanuel Macron with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar after the special EU summit in Brussels. Photograph: EPA/Stephanie Lecocq Macron says ‘Non’ to long Brexit extension as European elections loom
Britain’s prime minister Theresa May and Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel in discussion with European Council president Donald Tusk, ahead of the meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/Pool via Reuters UK offered six-month Brexit extension as talks go on late into night
Dublin Port: The new charges and restrictions will apply from June 1st to one of three container terminals at the port. Photograph: Alan Betson Dublin Port sets new container charges to make space for Brexit
UK prime minister Theresa May arrives for an EU summit in Brussels. Photograph: Francisco Seco/AP Brexit: EU looks likely to offer UK extension to end of year
UK prime minister Theresa May hopes parliament will approve her deal within the next few weeks. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/Pool via Reuters Brexit: UK will hold EU elections if deal not passed soon, May says
Chris Morrow and Ann McGregor of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, with Maureen O’Reilly, economist for the QES, and Brian Murphy of BDO Number of firms in North making ‘tangible preparations’ to leave EU
Exporters will also not be required to register for approved status as the control of animal movements and health will be monitored through a special EU-wide database to which the UK will maintain access. Photograph: Getty Images UK to maintain SPS regulatory alignment with EU for nine months in no deal
Ulster fry: a Northern Irish staple. Photograph: Getty Ulster fry jumps almost 7% in price since Brexit vote
Ulster fry: a Northern Irish staple. Photograph: Getty Ulster fry jumps almost 7% in price since Brexit vote
Checking out house prices in Dublin. “In Dublin you could see increased demand because of more people moving in to work” Brexit could hit house prices in most of Republic but drive up Dublin demand
British prime minister Theresa May during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons in Westminster. Image: EPA/UK parliamentary recording unit Merkel warns EU is likely to agree to lengthy Brexit delay
The figures follow on from an unexpectedly strong growth in January. Photograph: Reuters UK economy grew faster than forecast at start of 2019
Minister for Transport Shane Ross has a testy relationship with Imelda Munster. Photograph: Dave Meehan Ross’s no-deal Brexit plan mistakenly sent to TD he called a donkey
Ships in Dublin Port being loaded with goods for export. File photo. Photographer: Dara MacDonaill Small businesses too ‘time poor’ to prepare for Brexit – industry group
French president Emmanuel Macron and British prime minister Theresa May in Paris: ratification of the withdrawal accord would be France’s “preferred scenario”. Photograph: Ian Langsdon France to insist on conditions in granting UK Brexit delay
British prime minister Theresa May with French president Emmanuel Macron ahead of Brexit talks in Paris. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Brexit: EU leaders due to grant delay but might seek longer extension
Attendees hold placards and shout during the People’s Vote Rally in Westminster on April 9th, 2019. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP May’s request to stall Brexit until end of June passes by large majority
In his ruling, Mr Justice Peter Kelly said he was satisfied to take the boy into wardship once the special care order expires. Photograph: Aidan Crawley Brexit uncertainty probably behind delay in moving at risk boy to UK, judge says
British prime minister Theresa May embraces chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Tuesday. Photograph: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg Brexit: May and Merkel find ‘good reasons’ to talk in Berlin
Peter Oborne said: “The Brexiteers, of whom I was one, made a series of statements during the Brexit referendum campaign two-and-a-half years ago which have subsequently turned out to be untrue.” Photograph: Getty Images Arch-Brexiteer changes mind over ‘upset’ at dip in Anglo-Irish relations
Michel Barnier, EU chief Brexit negotiator, at Government Buildings speaking to media following meeting. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Barnier warns extending Brexit deadline without clear plan ‘dangerous’
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier: EU and Irish officials will find “operational solutions” to check goods moving south into the Republic while maintaining an open border. Photograph: Charles McQuillan No-deal Brexit checks to avoid hard border will need more staff
Guy Verhofstadt: not in favour of the withdrawal negotiations persisting. Photograph: EPA/PATRICK SEEGER Verhofstadt says UK unlikely to crash out of EU
Street art work by Combo on a Paris wall depicts French president Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s prime minister Theresa May. Photograph: Christian Hartmann Curbs on UK role in EU sought as May set to visit Germany, France
European Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier, meeting Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar at Government Buildings. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times Brexit: Varadkar tells May of openness to deadline extension
The border crossing-point from Louth as through the southern most tip of Co Armagh. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times Brexit: No clarity on food, animal imports from North in no-deal rules
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald (right) and vice-president Michelle O’Neill talk to the media outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Monday. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters Mary Lou McDonald accuses Karen Bradley of ‘dangerous’ comments on Border poll
EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said the union had considerable experience in intervening in agri-food crises and stood ready to help out. Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images EU may facilitate storage of Irish beef if UK crashes out on Friday
Applications for Irish passports have risen to record levels, with almost 250,000 requests since January, a 30 per cent increase from the same period last year, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Photograph: Getty Images ‘I identify myself as being a Brexit refugee’ says a Brexile in Dublin
West Cork. “Much of my UK market now comes through tour operators, and the key thing is we don’t want to lose our UK market.” Photograph: Getty Images Cork hotel sees big decline in UK customers since Brexit vote
Theresa May says there is a risk that Brexit could “slip through our fingers” May says compromise with Labour the only way of ensuring UK leaves EU
Books in the Law Library in the Four Courts, Dublin. Photograph: David Sleator Brexit-driven surge in UK solicitors joining Irish roll hits record
Theresa May promised on a visit to Belfast in February to review the concerns of Irish citizens in Northern Ireland about how British immigration rules treat their rights to be Irish under the 1998 Belfast Agreement. Photograph: Getty Images UK should resolve post-Brexit rights of Irish citizens - watchdog
EU Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who will meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe in Dublin on Monday. Photograph: Jean-Francois Monier/AFP/Getty Images Government expects EU to allow Brexit delay - but with UK plan
A weakening sterling has caused issues for O’Donnell’s Furniture. Photograph: Bloomberg Cork furniture business putting in the time to ensure it is Brexit-ready
Labour is deeply split over the issue of a second referendum, with a letter signed by 25 MPs on Thursday arguing against another public vote. Photograph: PA Wire Eighty Labour MPs tell Jeremy Corbyn to secure second Brexit referendum
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at a press event in Dublin on Saturday. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Taoiseach expects checks at Northern Ireland ports in no-deal Brexit scenario
Theresa May and European Council President Donald Tusk pictured in Brussels last year. File photograph:Julien Warnand/ EPA Brexit: Holding EU elections would be ‘suicide note’ for Tory party
A woman walks past an art work depicting French president Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s prime minister Theresa May on a wall in Paris. Photograph: Reuters/Christian Hartmann Diplomats and EU officials confident May will get extension until June 30th
Clare Guinness, chief executive of Warrenpoint Port: ‘I think Theresa May’s job is like herding cats’ No-deal Brexit anxiety mounts for Northern Irish businesses
Handout photo taken from the Twitter feed of SpinHBarone of her new passport (left) and her old passport. Photograph: @SpinHBarone/PA Wire Britain starts to issue passports without words ‘European Union’
Gerard Hogan, advocate general of the European Court of Justice. Photograph: Conor McCabe Photography Brexit likely to ‘tear’ Ireland from common law system – judge
Northern Secretary Karen Bradley. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA SF accuses Bradley of ‘staggering ignorance’ of Belfast Agreement
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is set to meeting EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday. File image: Reuters/Yves Herman Barnier to visit Dublin as May seeks further Brexit delay
New customs posts in Dublin Port. Photograph: Jason Forde Revenue warns over non-registration threat to UK access
Nigel Farage has announced that he will stand in the European Parliament elections next month for his new Brexit Party. File Photograph:Toby Melville/Reuters Nigel Farage to stand in European Parliament elections next month
British prime minister Theresa May write to Donald Tusk on Friday. Photo by Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty ‘Dear Donald: This impasse cannot be allowed to continue’
Director of economics and statistics at the Central Bank Mark Cassidy. Photograph: James Forde No-deal Brexit will lead to euro-sterling parity, Central Bank warns
The Ulster Farmers’ Union, the North’s Livestock and Meat Commission, and Meat Exporters’ Association have demanded “every effort” is made to avoid Britain crashing out of the EU. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images No-deal Brexit threatens North’s £1.3bn beef and lamb industry, organisations warn
Tánaiste Simon Coveney said there was no alternative arrangement or “magic solution” that does the same job as the border backstop. Photograph: Reuters Government fears MPs would ‘twist’ Irish no-deal Brexit plans
Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee said the Government has been ‘actively exploring ways in which we can protect access to EU entitlements for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland wherever possible’ if there is a hard Brexit. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill UK needs to assure people in NI their Irish and EU rights are protected
Commission officials briefing on no-deal planning for food and health product imports confirmed prohibitions on material crossing the Irish Border, including ham sandwiches, whether or not there are border posts and controls on it. Photograph: Getty Images Brexit: Buying ham sandwich in Derry to eat in Donegal could be illegal from Saturday week
German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses the media in Neudietendorf near Erfurt, Germany, yesterday. Photograph: Ralph Orlowski/Reuters Merkel will ‘personally inform herself’ about Border during Dublin visit
EU and Irish officials are exploring the possibility of carrying out “factory gate” customs checks. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Agri firms raise concerns on no-deal Brexit plans to avoid hard border
Austin Hughes, chief economist KBC Bank Ireland: consumers conscious of some modest improvements in their household finances Consumers anxious but not ‘apocalyptic’ about Brexit
US speaker Nancy Pelosi: renewed efforts to seal a landmark American visa deal for Irish citizens. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters Pelosi to lead US delegation to Ireland amid push for visa deal
German chancellor Angela Merkel: Irish Border issue is about “violence or non-violence”. Photograph: Ralph Orlowski/Reuters Merkel says Border is question of war and peace
Preparations for dealing with the EU frontier on the island of Ireland will be one of the main items on the agenda when the German chancellor Angela Merkel visits Dublin today for talks with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters Many Border checks could be done remotely if needed, says Varadkar
Britain’s prime minister Theresa May in the House of Commons. A Downing Street spokesman said the prime minister held constructive talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday. Photograph: Mark Duffy/UK Parliament/AFP Commons approves Bill urging May to seek long delay to Brexit
MPs voting in the House of Commons in London, Britain, on Wednesday. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Brexit: Commons backs Bill seeking further delay
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (C), shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer and shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey in the Houses of Parliament in London preparing for a meeting with prime minister Theresa May. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn hold ‘useful’ Brexit talks