No. 10 is accused of plotting to drag the King into Brexit storm

February 24, 2023

Downing Street is accused of plotting to drag the King into Brexit storm as Charles prepares to host European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen

King Charles had been lined up to meet Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor today
The proposed audience with the King has been axed for unspecified reasons

King Charles was at risk of being dragged into politics last night as it emerged he had been lined up to meet the EU president as Brexit negotiations came to a head.

Details emerged of an extraordinary plan for the King to host European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor today as negotiations with Rishi Sunak over Northern Ireland reached a critical stage.

The Prime Minister is on the brink of hammering out the details of a new trade deal governing Northern Ireland, despite warnings it could destabilise his premiership.

Further talks were due to have been held at No 10 today before Ms von der Leyen’s proposed audience with the King.

Sources said the two leaders had made ‘significant progress’ and would hold further talks in the coming days after making ‘positive breakthroughs’ this week.

King Charles was at risk of being dragged into politics last night as it emerged he had been lined up to meet the EU president as Brexit negotiations came to a head

Further talks were due to have been held at No 10 today before Ms von der Leyen’s proposed audience with the King

The King’s meeting with the European President at such a sensitive time would have been highly unusual – and is likely to raise questions about the judgment of both No 10 and the Palace.

Although the monarch would not have taken part in political negotiations, his involvement in any form would have given the impression that he had given the deal his blessing.

There were even discussions about calling the deal the Windsor Agreement, according to Sky News.

Some may have hoped the impression of royal authority would help win over unionists in Northern Ireland, whose support is crucial if new trading arrangements are to be agreed.

But it risked accusations that the PM was dragging the monarch into a controversial political issue.

The proposed audience with the King has now been cancelled for unspecified reasons. No 10 and Buckingham Palace both declined to comment last night.

Yesterday Downing Street was tight-lipped about the timetable for an agreement, but one Whitehall source said it was likely to come ‘in the next 72 hours’, or even tomorrow.

Cabinet ministers have been put on standby for a possible conference call to discuss the details this weekend, and MPs believe an agreement could be unveiled to Parliament on Monday.

The Prime Minister is on the brink of hammering out the details of a new trade deal governing Northern Ireland, despite warnings it could destabilise his premiership

Mr Sunak is also expected to hold further talks with DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in a bid to win his backing

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly yesterday insisted Mr Sunak is ‘not going to sign’ a Brexit deal that fails to meet the demands of the DUP

However, it is not clear when – or even if – MPs will be given a vote on the deal. A senior Tory, who met the PM this week, discouraged him from putting it to MPs, saying: ‘If you hold a vote you just cement divisions.’

Mr Sunak is also expected to hold further talks with DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in a bid to win his backing.

Eurosceptic MPs including Boris Johnson have signalled they could try and vote against the deal if the Prime Minister cedes too much ground to Brussels, with threats of resignations.

But Foreign Secretary James Cleverly yesterday insisted Mr Sunak is ‘not going to sign’ a Brexit deal that fails to meet the demands of the DUP.

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