By William James, Kylie MacLellan and Elizabeth Piper LONDON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - British lawmakers defeated Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit divorce deal by a crushing margin on Tuesday, triggering political chaos that could lead to a disorderly exit from the EU or even to a reversal of the 2016 decision to leave. After parliament voted 432-202 against her deal, … [Read more...]
UK Opposition Labour Party Rebukes Government Over Ferry Contract
LONDON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party on Monday criticized the government for awarding a 14 million pound ($18 million) contract to a ferry company with no ships to provide backup freight cover in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Labour's transport spokesman, Andy McDonald, said the transport ministry had failed to carry out proper checks on the company, … [Read more...]
Dredging Starts at UK Port That May Be Used in No-Deal Brexit
By Jonathan Saul LONDON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Work began on Thursday to extend a small British port that could serve as a back-up if the UK leaves the European Union with no trade deal, providing the government some respite after days of criticism. Less than three months before Britain leaves the EU on March 29, the transport minister has been forced to defend awarding a 14 … [Read more...]
UK Minister Defends Giving Brexit Ferry Contract to Company with No Ships
By Andrew MacAskill and Jonathan Saul LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Britain's transport minister has defended awarding a 14 million-pound ($18 million) contract for shipping goods after Brexit to a new ferry company that owns no ships. The government last week awarded three contracts to charter extra ferries to ease congestion if the United Kingdom fails to secure a trade deal … [Read more...]
U.K. to Spend $137 Million for No-Deal Ferry Routes, BBC Says
By Sharon Smyth (Bloomberg) -- The U.K. has awarded contracts worth 108 million pounds ($137.2 million) to charter extra ferries for freight shipments between southern England and the rest of Europe in the event that a no-deal Brexit creates bottlenecks at Dover’s port, the BBC said. Department for Transport officials hired Brittany Ferries of France, Danish shipping firm … [Read more...]