The EU's chief Brexit negotiator is set to meet a cross-party group of British pro-European MPs on Monday. Mr Barnier will meet with a delegation chaired by Conservative MP Anna Soubry and Labour backbencher Chuka Umunna in Brussels. The Guardian reports that he is keen to "engage directly with British parliamentarians" rather than exclusively with British government officials. The meeting comes as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced increasing pressure from party members to back UK membership of the European single market. But in an appearance on ITV's Peston on Sunday, Mr Corbyn said: "The single market is dependent on membership of the European Union." Mr Umunna was quick to discredit this claim, pointing to Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland - all of which participate in the single market without full EU membership. The controversy comes as Nigel Farage admitted the Brexit vote could be overturned as Remainers have "seized control of the debate" … [Read more...] about EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to meet pro-European MPs
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Mathieu Bastareaud investigated for ‘homophobic slur’ on Sebastian Negri in Toulon’s European Champions Cup win vs Benetton
FRANCE star Mathieu Bastareaud is being investigated by Europe's rugby chiefs after being caught on TV appearing to make a foul-mouthed and homophobic jibe at a rival.Shocked commentators apologised to viewers when the angry Toulon centre seemed to call Benetton's Sebastian Negri a "f***ing f****t in a last-minute bust-up.Bastareaud, 29, appeared to be furious with something Negri said to him as the pair got up from the Stade Mayol turf during Toulon's 36-0 European Champions Cup win.A European Professional Club Rugby spokesman said: "The citing commissioner is considering the incident as part of his routine review of the match, and will make a decision when he has concluded his enquiries."And the EPCR also said the matter "will be considered as part of EPCR’s customary extensive post-round review".Among the first and fiercest of Bastareaud's critics on social media was former England fly-half Andy Goode.The 37-year-old tweeted: "No place in the game for homophobia.Absolutely … [Read more...] about Mathieu Bastareaud investigated for ‘homophobic slur’ on Sebastian Negri in Toulon’s European Champions Cup win vs Benetton
SNP and Scottish Tories urge clause amendment in European withdrawal bill
Home / News / Scotland by Press Association 14/01/2018, 6:03 pm Updated: 14/01/2018, 7:33 pm FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter The SNP and the Scottish Conservatives have agreed that a contentious clause needs to be amended before the European withdrawal bill can proceed. Scottish Brexit Minister Mike Russell said on Sunday clause 11 of the bill needs to be amended to restore the spirit of the Scotland Act. His opinions were backed by Adam Tomkins, constitution spokesman with the Scottish Conservatives in an interview on the Sunday Politics programme, who said his party agreed with the move. He said: “There is a fundamental principal on which Scottish devolution rests and has rested since its creation 20 years ago which is that everything is devolved unless it is expressly reserved. “And that is the principle that clause 11 needs to be amended to comply with and that is our position too.” … [Read more...] about SNP and Scottish Tories urge clause amendment in European withdrawal bill
200 days to go until 2018 European Championships in Glasgow
0 Have your say Organisers of the biggest sporting event to be staged in Scotland since the 2014 Commonwealth Games have promised an ‘unforgettable’ experience with 200 days to go until kick-off. The 2018 European Championships, a new multi-sport event that will bring some of the continent’s leading athletes to Glasgow and other venues around the country, takes place from August 2-12.The event sees existing Europe-wide competitions for aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon centred around one city for the first time. Around 3,000 athletes from 52 nations will take part across 12 venues, with some 8,000 officials and media representatives due to attend. A total of 1278 medals will be won across 151 medal events.Track and field events will be held in Berlin as part of a new two-city approach designed to boost the profile of the championships.Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “In just 200 days we will make sporting history on the global … [Read more...] about 200 days to go until 2018 European Championships in Glasgow
Countdown on for European Championships in Glasgow
IT is just 200 days until the opening of the biggest sporting event in Scotland since the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The first European Championships will see around 3000 athletes compete in six sports at 12 venues across Scotland. They will host 84 sessions in athletics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon. READ MORE: Glasgow restaurant launches Burns themed Afternoon Tea The new multi-sport event is set to celebrate the country’s young talent coinciding with the Year of Young People. One of them will be BMX racer Mia Paton, 18, from Glasgow who will benefit from the new Olympic standard BMX track being built at Knightswood Park which will host Europe’s best bike racers during the championships. Fraser Lynes, 14, a gymnast from East Ayrshire who studies and trans at Glasgow School of Sport, believes the Glasgow 2018 competition at the Hydro will encourage more people into gymnastics. City council Susan Aitken said: “The Glasgow 2018 European … [Read more...] about Countdown on for European Championships in Glasgow