Donald Trump undermines Theresa May during his first visit to the UK as President. After a chaotic NATO summit in Brussels where the President threatened allies with the USA’s withdrawal, he arrived in the UK for meetings with the Prime Minister. In an interview with The SunPresident Trump said the government’s current Brexit negotiating position would “kill” any chance of a trade deal with the United States, complaining that Theresa May had rejected his personal advice on dealing with the EU. He partially reversed his comments at an awkward press conference with the Prime Minister at Chequers. The Prime Minister revealed that the President’s advice was to “sue the European Union.”

Government publishes Brexit White Paper. Outlining her proposals for ‘the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union’, two years after the referendum, Theresa May argues that the proposals would allow the UK to ‘take back control’ of its borders, money and laws. Brexiteer MPs have been critical of the plan, and have tabled four amendments to the government’s Trade Bill. Jacob Rees-Mogg has become increasingly critical of the Prime Minister’s leadership, claiming she as “remained a Remainer.” The DUP’s Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says there is “no room for manoeuvre” on the White Paper.

Police attacked by dissident republicans in Derry/Londonderry and by loyalists in Greater Belfast. In Derry there were six consecutive nights of violence; 75 petrol bombs and two improvised explosive devices were thrown at officers. Children as young as eight were involved, with masked men apparently coordinating attacks. The home of former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was attacked in West Belfast, prompting him to call on those responsible to have the “gumption and guts” to explain their actions. Meanwhile, the PSNI accused the East Belfast UVF of orchestrating disorder in Dundonald and Newtownards, leaving vehicles burnt out and a bomb alert at George Best Belfast City Airport. All five party leaders issued a joint call for calm.

Irish Tourism Minister visits Belfast for the Twelfth. Brendan Griffith was presented with a tie by the Orange Order as he watched the parade from the Dublin Road in Belfast City Centre. It marked the first time a minister of the Irish government was in official attendance. “It would once have been unthinkable,” said the Fine Gael minister, adding: “It would probably have been unthinkable as well that the leader of the DUP would have attended an Ulster final in Clones – and that has happened.” Parades to commemorate the 228thanniversary of the Battle of the Boyne took place across Northern Ireland, passing off peacefully.

12 Russians indicted in Special Counsel investigation. President Trump continues to dismiss the investigation as a “witch hunt” against him, but the indictments filed on Friday by Robert Mueller spell out in great detail how Russian intelligence officials hacked into computers run by Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. The 29-page document claims that on 27 July 2016 Russian hackers tried to access Hillary Clinton’s personal servers – on the same day that President Trump publicly called on Russia to hack his opponent’s emails. Mr Trump now heads to Finland for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr Mueller’s investigation continues.

 

 

Also published on Medium.