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Brexit live: Ken Clarke says May 'bloody difficult', Gove 'wild' and Leadsom's views 'extremely stupid' Brexit live: Tory party leadership first-round result expected soon
(35 minutes later)
6.13pm BST
18:13
Confirmed. David Cameron did *not* vote in the ballot to choose his successor
6.12pm BST
18:12
Nick Boles, who is campaigning for Gove, cast Sir Nicholas Soames' proxy vote for May, came out to prove it
6.10pm BST
18:10
There are 330 Tory MPs.
If the Sky tally (see 6.01pm) is right, there are 108 MPs who have not declared. So that means the actual figures will be quite different.
6.10pm BST
18:10
Rajeev Syal
Sources close to Tom Watson said the Labour deputy leader’s talks with Len McCluskey are over for today.But Watson has agreed to clear his diary for the rest of the week in order to meet with other union general secretaries to continue discussions about a “negotiated settlement” over Labour’s “impasse”.
6.01pm BST
18:01
Here is a Sky News tally of how many Tory MPs have declared for each candidate from earlier today.
Latest Sky figures #ConservativeLeadership MAY:122CRABB:25GOVE:27FOX:8LEADSOM:40
And here is a Guido Fawkes tally.
#ToryLeadership DeclarationsTheresa May - 110Andrea Leadsom - 40Michael Gove - 25Stephen Crabb - 22Liam Fox - 8Undeclared - 125
5.57pm BST
17:57
In the past the results of ballots of Tory MPs have been announced off camera. But tonight a film crew is being admitted into the committee room where the count is taking place to record Graham Brady announcing the result.
5.55pm BST
17:55
Tory leadership result announced shortly
The Conservative leadership ballot closes at 6pm.
The votes will be counted immediately, and Graham Brady, chair of the backbench 1922 committee, is expected to announce the results at about 6.30pm.
The candidate who comes last drops out, and the others can all go into the next ballot, on Thursday. But it is possible that other candidates could drop out too.
5.52pm BST
17:52
A second Andrea Leadsom reading list
Earlier I posted an Andrea Leadsom reading list (see 1.56pm) reflecting the fact that she is probably the Conservative leadership candidate about whom least is known. Here is a second one with some more material about her. My colleagues Peter Walker and Jessica Elgot have contributed.
The other danger of a Leadsom leadership is UK Independence party entryism. Arron Banks, the millionaire donor who funded both Ukip and Leave. EU, is backing Ms Leadsom’s campaign. At the hustings, she would not rule out a partnership with Ukip and during a television interview, declined to say she would not give Nigel Farage a job.
Mr Banks has spoken about his desire to create a “rightwing Momentum”, a Brexit pressure group modelled on Mr Corbyn’s grass roots support base. A Tory party led by Ms Leadsom would provide the perfect opportunity for hard-right Brexit supporters to infiltrate the Conservatives (this cannot happen in time for the current leadership contest, however: the rules dictate you have to be a Tory member for three months to be eligible to vote).
5.22pm BST5.22pm BST
17:2217:22
Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson have held separate talks with the leader of the country’s biggest union in an attempt to resolve the crisis at the top of the Labour party, the Press Association reports.Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson have held separate talks with the leader of the country’s biggest union in an attempt to resolve the crisis at the top of the Labour party, the Press Association reports.
Deputy leader Mr Watson was holding a series of talks with union chiefs in an attempt to end the impasse over Corbyn’s position.Deputy leader Mr Watson was holding a series of talks with union chiefs in an attempt to end the impasse over Corbyn’s position.
Both Watson and Corbyn discussed the situation with Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, who has called for the unions to broker a peace deal in the deeply divided Labour party.Both Watson and Corbyn discussed the situation with Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, who has called for the unions to broker a peace deal in the deeply divided Labour party.
The position of the unions could prove crucial in determining the future of the party, and Watson told MPs that talks with them would be the “last throw of the dice” in efforts to persuade embattled leaderCorbyn to stand down.The position of the unions could prove crucial in determining the future of the party, and Watson told MPs that talks with them would be the “last throw of the dice” in efforts to persuade embattled leaderCorbyn to stand down.
A source close to Watson said there were “lengthy talks” between the deputy leader and McCluskey with the prospect of further discussions later, but they were “still exploring the lie of the land”.A source close to Watson said there were “lengthy talks” between the deputy leader and McCluskey with the prospect of further discussions later, but they were “still exploring the lie of the land”.
And here is Huffington Post’s Paul Waugh on the situation.And here is Huffington Post’s Paul Waugh on the situation.
Len McCluskey met Jeremy Corbyn, after meeting Tom Watson.JC + TM didn't meet. Labour leadership turning into Relate counselling sessionLen McCluskey met Jeremy Corbyn, after meeting Tom Watson.JC + TM didn't meet. Labour leadership turning into Relate counselling session
5.15pm BST5.15pm BST
17:1517:15
A German political party is attempting to woo British start-ups to Berlin following the UK’s vote to leave the EU, the Press Association reports.A German political party is attempting to woo British start-ups to Berlin following the UK’s vote to leave the EU, the Press Association reports.
The Free Democratic Party (FDP) hired an ad-van emblazoned with a billboard aimed at enticing companies to move to the German capital in the wake of the referendum result.The Free Democratic Party (FDP) hired an ad-van emblazoned with a billboard aimed at enticing companies to move to the German capital in the wake of the referendum result.
The Berlin branch of the FDP, a junior coalition party to Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats between 2009 and 2013, drove the van across London on Tuesday ahead of a key regional election in September.The Berlin branch of the FDP, a junior coalition party to Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats between 2009 and 2013, drove the van across London on Tuesday ahead of a key regional election in September.
The billboard reads: “Dear start-ups, Keep calm and move to Berlin” and has been pictured across central London on social media.The billboard reads: “Dear start-ups, Keep calm and move to Berlin” and has been pictured across central London on social media.
5.13pm BST5.13pm BST
17:1317:13
Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, told the European parliament today that national governments should stop criticising the EU because negative comments about it contributed to Britain voting to leave. He told the MEPs:Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, told the European parliament today that national governments should stop criticising the EU because negative comments about it contributed to Britain voting to leave. He told the MEPs:
In the current situation, attacks on the EU institutions, including the commission and the parliament, can only deepen the confusion.In the current situation, attacks on the EU institutions, including the commission and the parliament, can only deepen the confusion.
The national capitals must undertake an effort to stop accusing the EU and its institutions of weaknesses and failures. The referendum in the UK was lost also because the political elites have for years been building a negative and often unfair vision of the EU.The national capitals must undertake an effort to stop accusing the EU and its institutions of weaknesses and failures. The referendum in the UK was lost also because the political elites have for years been building a negative and often unfair vision of the EU.
Here is a full text of his remarks.Here is a full text of his remarks.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.24pm BSTat 5.24pm BST
5.04pm BST5.04pm BST
17:0417:04
There is some evidence that EU nationals due to come to the UK to work for the NHS are having second thoughts since the Brexit vote, the Press Association reports.There is some evidence that EU nationals due to come to the UK to work for the NHS are having second thoughts since the Brexit vote, the Press Association reports.
Professor Jane Dacre, president of the Royal College of Physicians, has said that there is “anecdotal evidence” that the NHS is struggling to recruit European staff following the referendum.Professor Jane Dacre, president of the Royal College of Physicians, has said that there is “anecdotal evidence” that the NHS is struggling to recruit European staff following the referendum.
She said: “There is a lot of chatter about around EU doctors who feel uncomfortable continuing to be here and are not applying for posts in the UK.”She said: “There is a lot of chatter about around EU doctors who feel uncomfortable continuing to be here and are not applying for posts in the UK.”
Saffron Cordery, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, said: “We have heard of emails from our member organisations asking us if any other trusts have been in the situation of having people they had specifically recruited now deciding not to come.”Saffron Cordery, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, said: “We have heard of emails from our member organisations asking us if any other trusts have been in the situation of having people they had specifically recruited now deciding not to come.”
5.00pm BST5.00pm BST
17:0017:00
Late voter spotted leaving the Committee corridor - the Chancellor - remaining tight lipped on who he has voted for, praising all candidatesLate voter spotted leaving the Committee corridor - the Chancellor - remaining tight lipped on who he has voted for, praising all candidates
4.59pm BST4.59pm BST
16:5916:59
The Conservatives, Labour and Ukip are not the only parties in the midst of leadership contests or crises. The Green party is looking for a new leader too, and today they have announced the six candidates (two of whom are proposing a job share).The Conservatives, Labour and Ukip are not the only parties in the midst of leadership contests or crises. The Green party is looking for a new leader too, and today they have announced the six candidates (two of whom are proposing a job share).
4.51pm BST4.51pm BST
16:5116:51
Robert BoothRobert Booth
Keen-eyed observers of this morning’s papers could not fail to miss the distinctive man in the triple-tweed ensemble behind Nigel Farage as he left his resignation press conference. The man with the short back and sides is Gawain Towler, his loyal press secretary of 12 years.Keen-eyed observers of this morning’s papers could not fail to miss the distinctive man in the triple-tweed ensemble behind Nigel Farage as he left his resignation press conference. The man with the short back and sides is Gawain Towler, his loyal press secretary of 12 years.
Towler, 48, a former Brussels correspondent for Private Eye, is now looking for a new position. He has a reasonable claim to be one of the most experienced crisis PR operators in Westminster.Towler, 48, a former Brussels correspondent for Private Eye, is now looking for a new position. He has a reasonable claim to be one of the most experienced crisis PR operators in Westminster.
Among journalists Towler has a reputation as accessible and friendly, and was often found smoking cigarettes and drinking pints of bitter, like his boss, outside Westminster pubs.Among journalists Towler has a reputation as accessible and friendly, and was often found smoking cigarettes and drinking pints of bitter, like his boss, outside Westminster pubs.
As Farage’s flak catcher he had to deal with the outcry after a Ukip councillor said in 2014 that serious floods in the UK were the direct result of the legalisation of gay marriage; Godfrey Bloom calling recipients of UK aid budgets “Bongo-Bongo land” in 2013 and Farage last month launching his “breaking point” referendum poster showing refugees from the Syrian war queuing at the Slovenian border rather than EU migrants, which drew accusations of racist propaganda.As Farage’s flak catcher he had to deal with the outcry after a Ukip councillor said in 2014 that serious floods in the UK were the direct result of the legalisation of gay marriage; Godfrey Bloom calling recipients of UK aid budgets “Bongo-Bongo land” in 2013 and Farage last month launching his “breaking point” referendum poster showing refugees from the Syrian war queuing at the Slovenian border rather than EU migrants, which drew accusations of racist propaganda.
The son of a military family who grew up in Dorset, Towler chaired the student Conservatives at York University and worked in parliament for Nirj Deva, a Conservative MP until 1992 before running as a member of the Scottish parliament against George Galloway in 2001. He joined Ukip in Brussels as press spokesman for Farage’s group in the European parliament.The son of a military family who grew up in Dorset, Towler chaired the student Conservatives at York University and worked in parliament for Nirj Deva, a Conservative MP until 1992 before running as a member of the Scottish parliament against George Galloway in 2001. He joined Ukip in Brussels as press spokesman for Farage’s group in the European parliament.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.55pm BSTat 4.55pm BST
4.50pm BST4.50pm BST
16:5016:50
Theresa May has told the Evening Standard in an interview that she would expect EU leaders to engage in informal talks about Brexit before the UK triggers the formal withdrawal process. The most senior EU leaders have rejected this idea. But May told the Standard:Theresa May has told the Evening Standard in an interview that she would expect EU leaders to engage in informal talks about Brexit before the UK triggers the formal withdrawal process. The most senior EU leaders have rejected this idea. But May told the Standard:
In the European negotiations I have been involved in, you often have preliminary talks before you actually reach the formal position. This will be a point of discussion ...In the European negotiations I have been involved in, you often have preliminary talks before you actually reach the formal position. This will be a point of discussion ...
I would hope that we would see that everybody recognises it is not just for the UK’s benefit but actually for the benefit of the EU that we have sensible discussions that are undertaken in a good spirit of willingness to get a deal that is right for us but also a sensible deal for the EU.I would hope that we would see that everybody recognises it is not just for the UK’s benefit but actually for the benefit of the EU that we have sensible discussions that are undertaken in a good spirit of willingness to get a deal that is right for us but also a sensible deal for the EU.
4.40pm BST4.40pm BST
16:4016:40
The Labour MP Ian Austin is rather envious of the efficiency with which the Conservative party is getting round to selecting a new leader.The Labour MP Ian Austin is rather envious of the efficiency with which the Conservative party is getting round to selecting a new leader.
Tory MPs just started voting. for their new leader. Could all be done and dusted by next week. That's how a serious political party acts.Tory MPs just started voting. for their new leader. Could all be done and dusted by next week. That's how a serious political party acts.
4.36pm BST
16:36
No 10 says Theresa May has done 'a very good job as home secretary'
At the afternoon lobby briefing the prime minister’s spokeswoman was asked if he, like Ken Clarke, finds Theresa May “difficult” to work with. She replied:
He has found she has done a very good job as home secretary and they have worked very closely together on a whole range of issues.
Asked if this amounted to an endorsement, the spokeswoman said:
I think it reflects the working relationship between prime minister and home secretary. It’s not that different to how he works with other cabinet ministers.
That may not be an official endorsement, but it’s not far off ...
4.29pm BST
16:29
The Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman Tom Brake has tabled a 10-minute rule bill to give EU nationals the right to stay in the UK. It will be debated next Tuesday (for 10 minutes). The motion may well get approved without a vote, but 10-minute rule bills almost never become law. The procedure is intended to allow MPs to raise an issue, not to pass legislation.
4.17pm BST
16:17
Libby Brooks
The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will write to all EU nationals living in Scotland, sending them a message of reassurance that her government will “pursue every option to protect Scotland’s position in Europe and, by extension, the interests of EU citizens who live and work here”.
The announcement came after Sturgeon met consuls and diplomats from 18 EU countries earlier today. Immediately following the meeting she branded “inhumane” the UK government’s refusal to guarantee the rights of EU nationals living in Scotland.
She also called on David Cameron and his potential successors to give “an immediate guarantee that the existing rights of the 173,000 EU nationals in Scotland will be protected”.
Updated
at 4.23pm BST
4.13pm BST
16:13
Ken Clarke is unrepentant too, LBC’s Theo Usherwood reports.
.@KayBurley and @SkyNews can rest easy. A jovial Ken Clarke tells me: "There's no point denying it, they are my views."
4.11pm BST
16:11
Rifkind says 'high proportion of the human race' agree with him about Gove being unfit to be PM
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former Conservative foreign secretary, has no regrets about being recorded criticising Michael Gove. In supposedly private remarks broadcast by Sky News (see 2.22pm) Rifkind said:
I don’t mind who wins as long as Gove comes third. As long as Gove doesn’t come in the final two I don’t mind what happens.
Asked about his comment, he told the Press Association:
My comments speak for themselves, and they appear to be shared by quite a high proportion of the human race.
Commenting on Sky’s decision to broadcast the clip, he said:
It all adds to the sum of human life. It was a bit naughty of them.
4.02pm BST
16:02
Scotland Yard received more than 200 hate crime reports after referendum
Scotland Yard received more than 200 hate crime reports in the days after the EU referendum, the Press Association reports.
Britain’s largest force logged 232 allegations from Friday June 24 to Tuesday June 28.
Of these, eight were targeted against Polish or other European communities, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said, while 23 are considered to be related to the referendum “in as much as” it was “directly referenced or alluded to” during the alleged offence.
On average the force receives between 20 and 50 reports of hate crime a day. This increased to 62 on Sunday June 26 - two days after the result was announced - and then 64 last Tuesday.
In a letter to Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, Hogan-Howe stressed the Met takes hate crime “extremely seriously”.
He said that on Sunday June 26 they decided to move their policing approach from a “monitoring position” to a “proactive pan-London policing operation”.
Patrol plans were adjusted to deliver a visible presence in areas considered most affected.
3.45pm BST
15:45
Archbishop says Brexit vote has led to worst “out-welling of poison and hatred” seen for years
In the House of Lords debate on the EU referendum the archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, said the Brexit vote had led to the worst “out-welling of poison and hatred” he had seen for years.
The events of the last two weeks have led to some of the most dramatic and dynamic changes that we’ve known. The course of the campaign was both robust, as it properly should be on such great issues, but at times veered over the line on both sides into being not merely robust but unacceptable.
Through those comments were created cracks in the thin crust of the politeness and tolerance of our society, through which, since the referendum, we have seen an out-welling of poison and hatred that I cannot remember in this country for very many years.
It is essential, not only in this House but for the leaders of both sides, and throughout our society, to challenge the attacks, the xenophobia and the racism that seem to have been felt to be acceptable, at least for a while.
He also said that, to repair the damage, more needed to be done to tackle inequality.
The biggest thing it seems to me that we must challenge, my Lords, if we are to be effective in this creation of a new vision for Britain – a vision that enables hope and reconciliation to begin to flower – is to tackle the issues of inequality. It is inequality that thins out the crust of our society. It is inequality that raises the levels of anger and bitterness.
We have done it before, my Lords. This is not new. In the 19th century we tackled inequality. In the great governments following 1945 we tackled the inequality that had been so ruinous to our society in the 1930s and led to the failures of that time.
The tools to tackle inequality are as readily available as they ever were, my Lords. They are the obvious ones of education, of public health – and we would add today mental health – of housing. But those tools are tools that we have to take up and invest in.
The full text of his speech is on his website here.
Updated
at 3.49pm BST
3.18pm BST
15:18
Embassies have seen a “wave of interest” in passport and citizenship inquiries during the week after Britain voted to leave the European Union, the Press Association reports.
Polish, Italian and Canadian embassies reported increased levels of interest since the Brexit side claimed victory, while Ireland’s post offices ran out of passports after a surge in demand.
Poland’s embassy in London said its consulate had received at least 200 emails and 600 phone calls regarding Polish citizenship and passports in the six days after the referendum vote, mainly from people with Polish origins.
A spokeswoman said: “There is a wave of interest in getting Polish passports.
“Normally monthly we get around 10 emails and calls regarding this issue. After the referendum, since last Friday, they have had around 250 inquiries daily.”
These requests were mainly from British citizens with Polish heritage but also from married couples where one spouse was Polish, especially when the pair had children, she said.
Italy’s embassy said its two consulates in London and Edinburgh had received at least 500 emails about obtaining Polish citizenship since Friday 24 June, the majority of them from British nationals with Italian ancestry who specified the Brexit vote as motivation.
“They are applying because they have the right to, but this is the thing that pushed them,” a spokesman said.
This was a “huge increase” from the norm, he said, adding that the consulates received 446 emails requesting citizenship following marriage in the first six months of 2016.
The Canadian embassy said there was a 325% increase in UK users accessing its Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website on 24 June – the day after millions went to the polls to cast their votes.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs had to appeal for calm after post offices ran out of Irish passport applications following the referendum result.
Updated
at 3.22pm BST
3.15pm BST
15:15
This is from Sky’s Jon Craig.
80% of Conservative MPs have now voted in round one of Tory leadership election, minister who supports Theresa May tells me.
3.07pm BST
15:07
Crabb says he would put pressure on Northern Ireland to accept gay marriage
Stephen Crabb, the work and pensions secretary, has said that as prime minister he would put pressure on Northern Ireland to accept marriage equality. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where gay marriage is still illegal.
Crabb made the comment in an interview with Pink News. Referring to marriage equality, he said:
If I was prime minister of the United Kingdom, I think it’s a hallmark of an integrated, cohesive state that you have equal rights. There shouldn’t be a patchwork of rights.
I know what the sensitivities are in Northern Ireland but given the overwhelming referendum in the south and given where the rest of Britain is, I think that there is a really good case to sit down with Northern Ireland ministers constructively and say, ‘Look, come on, we’re a United Kingdom let’s at least have a united framework and coherent framework of rights.’
Updated
at 3.09pm BST