Stephen Booth: Meanwhile, in Brussels, there are rumours of movement from the EU on the backstop

But the Commons has dug in against the Withdrawal Agreement. These immovable obstacles seemingly point in only one direction: a general election.

WATCH: Border Force has solutions for Northern Ireland and Britain should pay for them, says Javid

“No infrastructure on the border, because I believe passionately in that. It is necessary for our Union.”

Bim Afolami: Why I am joining the Commission seeking Alternative Arrangements for the Northern Ireland border

If you are sceptical, I understand. I was too. But this is the only viable way forward.

Henry Hill: Support for independence slumps in latest Scottish polling

Also: Dublin urged to ‘come clean’ over support for IRA during the Troubles; Welsh tax powers come into force; and Salmond inquiry tells Sturgeon not to destroy evidence.

Has May just delivered the coup de grâce to any imminent hope of reviving Stormont?

If she insists on a functioning Assembly before a no-deal Brexit, why on earth would Sinn Fein oblige her?

Would the EU abandon Varadkar? Perhaps. But it’s not at all likely.

The divisions and impatience exposed could well be real, but it doesn’t follow that Brussels is about to suddenly shift its policy.

Cox is out of line with Downing Street on the backstop

The Attorney General is asking difficult legal questions about it which Dublin, Brussels, and even many in London would rather draw a veil over.

WATCH: Hoey presses Lidington on Ireland’s preparations for Brexit

“There was no mention whatsoever of any infrastructure, any hard border” in Dublin’s preparations for a WTO Brexit.

Henry Hill: SDLP link-up with Fianna Fail has a rocky start as senior MLA quits

Also: Backlash grows against SNP’s new tax; Labour AM apologises for antisemitic comment; and Scottish Tories say they’ve stopped Johnson.

David Shiels: By talking up a No Deal Irish border poll, Ministers are playing into Sinn Fein’s hands

The topic is being discussed – including at Cabinet – but that in itself is not convincing evidence that such a major change is imminent.

WATCH: Varadkar – “Today is not a day for negotiations”

The Taoiseach was speaking ahead of today’s talks with Theresa May and Northern Irish political leaders.

WATCH: In Belfast, May reiterates her “unshakeable” opposition to a hard border

She sought to reassure the “many people…worried about what Parliament’s rejection of the withdrawal deal means for them.”

The Moggcast. “The backstop has to go.” Rees-Mogg sets out his red lines.

He talks Brady, Norway, prorogation, and postponing Article 50, and explains why the ERG is “not a fourth party”. Plus: does the Queen listen to the Moggcast?

Graham Brady: My amendment is still the best way to ensure that we get a proper Brexit

The Withdrawal Agreement is far from ideal, but strip it of its worst fault – the backstop – and we can build a viable majority to proceed.

WATCH: “The backstop…isn’t going to change”, says Coveney

Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister is blunt: “We have already agreed to a series of compromises.”