Later in Hamish Falconer’s statements to the Commons, the crucial line, that US concerns are “very significant“:
“We are now discussing those concerns with the United States directly. We have a process going through Parliament in relation to the treaty. We will bring that back to Parliament at the appropriate time. We are pausing for discussions with our American counterparts.”
Out of Parliament…
UPDATE: The Foreign Office is now trying to insist that Falconer misspoke. A spokesman says:
“There is no pause. We have never set a deadline. Timings will be announced in the usual way. We are continuing discussions with the US, and we have been clear we will not proceed without their support.”
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”