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| May faces Corbyn in her first prime minister's questions - live | May faces Corbyn in her first prime minister's questions - live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.57pm BST | |
| 14:57 | |
| Jessica Elgot | |
| Angela Eagle’s local party in Wallasey has been suspended after allegations of bullying and intimidation at constituency meetings. | |
| There has been growing hostility between the local party and Eagle in the weeks since the EU referendum. Wallasey CLP, whose chair, vice-chair and secretary are all newly elected, has denied claims by Eagle that the MP was subjected to homophobic bullying at the AGM on June 24, as well as sustained intimidation since she announced her bid to be Labour leader. | |
| Paul Davies, the local vice-chair who is a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, said he would willingly pay for a lie detector test to prove there had been no homophobic language or other bullying in the party, saying several members of the CLP were gay themselves or had gay relatives. | |
| He called the allegations a “smear” and said he had only found out about the suspension from the media. “We expected [the suspension] since the day we said we would not support Angela Eagle, because that’s what the Labour party in London does,” he told the Guardian. | |
| “I want to challenge those who make the allegations to come with me and take a lie detector test. We can sort this out quickly, but there are lies, there’s no grey here. It’s outrageous. If there was any homophobic or racist abuse I would grab hold of them.” | |
| Davies said he expected to be expelled from the party, having previously been suspended in the 1980s and then re-instated. “I can say anything now, I have nothing to fear, but what I do fear is lack of truth,” he said. “This is binary, someone is telling lies.” | |
| A North West Labour spokesperson confirmed the branch had been suspended while an investigation was carried out said: “Any complaints of bullying or intimidation and allegations of misconduct are always taken very seriously. ” | |
| Local meetings have been banned during the Labour leadership election because of the climate of hostility between the Corbyn and anti-Corbyn factions in the party. | |
| Eagle’s CLP held an informal meeting instead of their official event, where a vote of no confidence in the MP was passed by 54 votes to nine. Corbyn later addressed some of the members on speakerphone in the local pub. | |
| 2.48pm BST | |
| 14:48 | |
| Kim Willsher | |
| A survey carried out by French pollsters Ifop showed that 53% of French want their country to remain in Europe and 26% wish to leave. | |
| On Brexit, the poll found mixed feelings between understanding the move and total incomprehension, but generally the French gave a shrug and considered Britain’s departure as “not so serious” as thought. The consecutive resignations of pro-Brexit campaign leaders - including Nigel Farage and- was seen as an important facture in halting the spread of Euro-scepticism in Europe. | |
| “The Brexit contagion that was supposed to happen hasn’t and pro-European sentiments have increased,” Ifop reported. | |
| A similar poll in Germany, Italy and Spain showed a majority in each country wish to remain in the EU. | |
| 2.28pm BST | 2.28pm BST |
| 14:28 | 14:28 |
| Labour has announced that Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, will also take the post of shadow Brexit secretary. And Barry Gardiner, the shadow energy secretary, will take the extra post of shadow international trade secretary. | Labour has announced that Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, will also take the post of shadow Brexit secretary. And Barry Gardiner, the shadow energy secretary, will take the extra post of shadow international trade secretary. |
| A spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn said the Labour leader had neither ruled out nor endorsed proposals for a second EU referendum after the Brexit negotiations are complete. The spokesman said: | A spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn said the Labour leader had neither ruled out nor endorsed proposals for a second EU referendum after the Brexit negotiations are complete. The spokesman said: |
| That has to be dealt with later. There needs to be some form of democratic accountability for what is negotiated. People voted in the referendum, but didn’t have a clear sense of what package was involved. But what form that accountability should take should be settled later. | That has to be dealt with later. There needs to be some form of democratic accountability for what is negotiated. People voted in the referendum, but didn’t have a clear sense of what package was involved. But what form that accountability should take should be settled later. |
| 2.17pm BST | 2.17pm BST |
| 14:17 | 14:17 |
| The House of Commons photographer, Jessica Taylor, was allowed into the Commons chamber to take pictures of PMQs. Apparently this is only the second time this has happened. Here are three of her pictures. | The House of Commons photographer, Jessica Taylor, was allowed into the Commons chamber to take pictures of PMQs. Apparently this is only the second time this has happened. Here are three of her pictures. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.21pm BST | at 2.21pm BST |
| 2.12pm BST | 2.12pm BST |
| 14:12 | 14:12 |
| Kate Connolly | Kate Connolly |
| There’s much excitement in Berlin ahead of Theresa May’s visit to the German capital in a few hours’ time, with media widely dubbing the event “May Day”. It is unclear whether this is a reference to the international distress signal or the spring holiday celebrations – or perhaps a touch of German irony that the visit has a whiff both of disaster and mirth about it. On the one hand, there is the deep German disappointment that Britain is to leave the EU, on the other, an uplifting mood that this is a historic encounter between the first female leaders Germany and Britain have had simultaneously. | There’s much excitement in Berlin ahead of Theresa May’s visit to the German capital in a few hours’ time, with media widely dubbing the event “May Day”. It is unclear whether this is a reference to the international distress signal or the spring holiday celebrations – or perhaps a touch of German irony that the visit has a whiff both of disaster and mirth about it. On the one hand, there is the deep German disappointment that Britain is to leave the EU, on the other, an uplifting mood that this is a historic encounter between the first female leaders Germany and Britain have had simultaneously. |
| Whilst the flagship news programme Tagesschau poses the pressing question that “having worn red pumps for her visit to Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, what shoes will she wear in Berlin?”, Bild Zeitung is leading with the headline “Bombshell Ahead of May’s Maiden Visit” after Britain announced it would not take up the rotating presidency of the EU in 2017. | Whilst the flagship news programme Tagesschau poses the pressing question that “having worn red pumps for her visit to Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, what shoes will she wear in Berlin?”, Bild Zeitung is leading with the headline “Bombshell Ahead of May’s Maiden Visit” after Britain announced it would not take up the rotating presidency of the EU in 2017. |
| Tagesschau points out that the two women have never met before, and have only telephoned once, a week ago, with Merkel calling to congratulate May and invite her to Berlin. | |
| It stresses again the extent to which the two women have quite a bit in common, which can only be of benefit to their working relationship, including the fact they are of the same generation – Merkel is 62, May 59 – both have held the position of general secretary of their respective parties, and both took over leadership when their parties were in crisis. (Merkel after a party donor scandal that marked the end of her predecessor Helmut Kohl’s political career). That’s not to mention the oft-dredged up pastor daughter/childless similarities. | It stresses again the extent to which the two women have quite a bit in common, which can only be of benefit to their working relationship, including the fact they are of the same generation – Merkel is 62, May 59 – both have held the position of general secretary of their respective parties, and both took over leadership when their parties were in crisis. (Merkel after a party donor scandal that marked the end of her predecessor Helmut Kohl’s political career). That’s not to mention the oft-dredged up pastor daughter/childless similarities. |
| Tagesschau says that a huge number of journalists have accredited for the press conference to be held in the cuboid chancellery in Berlin late this afternoon “and surely not just because everyone wants to know what shoes Theresa May is wearing today”. | Tagesschau says that a huge number of journalists have accredited for the press conference to be held in the cuboid chancellery in Berlin late this afternoon “and surely not just because everyone wants to know what shoes Theresa May is wearing today”. |
| Just in case anyone has any doubt that she is also a serious politician, Deutsche Welle says that “alongside her wardrobe, May is also known for her police reform and surveillance measures and she is considered to be a tough but polite negotiating partner”. | Just in case anyone has any doubt that she is also a serious politician, Deutsche Welle says that “alongside her wardrobe, May is also known for her police reform and surveillance measures and she is considered to be a tough but polite negotiating partner”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.12pm BST | |
| 1.35pm BST | 1.35pm BST |
| 13:35 | 13:35 |
| PMQs - Verdict from the Twitter commentariat | PMQs - Verdict from the Twitter commentariat |
| This is what political journalists and commentators are saying about PMQs on Twitter. | This is what political journalists and commentators are saying about PMQs on Twitter. |
| The general view is that it was a triumph for Theresa May. | The general view is that it was a triumph for Theresa May. |
| From the Spectator’s James Forsyth | From the Spectator’s James Forsyth |
| Theresa May wipes the floor with Jeremy Corbyn at her first PMQs: https://t.co/FVb05vNSD7 pic.twitter.com/0Lj2Dx7kWB | Theresa May wipes the floor with Jeremy Corbyn at her first PMQs: https://t.co/FVb05vNSD7 pic.twitter.com/0Lj2Dx7kWB |
| From the Sun’s Craig Woodhouse | From the Sun’s Craig Woodhouse |
| #PMQs verdict from @craigawoodhouse:Tezza blows Jezza away in emphatic first skirmish win https://t.co/usVIFvCbyc pic.twitter.com/Js0jRgM88g | #PMQs verdict from @craigawoodhouse:Tezza blows Jezza away in emphatic first skirmish win https://t.co/usVIFvCbyc pic.twitter.com/Js0jRgM88g |
| From the Guardian’s Polly Toynbee | From the Guardian’s Polly Toynbee |
| Seen May thrash Corbyn on PMQs? Only a few hours left for https://t.co/GYzehSIrkp Call everyone you know - or face Tory austerity forever | Seen May thrash Corbyn on PMQs? Only a few hours left for https://t.co/GYzehSIrkp Call everyone you know - or face Tory austerity forever |
| From the Mirror’s Jason Beattie | From the Mirror’s Jason Beattie |
| Snap verdict on PMQs: Maggie May leaves Corbyn at seahttps://t.co/duyVwD0EgD pic.twitter.com/RTbbG1BvHl | Snap verdict on PMQs: Maggie May leaves Corbyn at seahttps://t.co/duyVwD0EgD pic.twitter.com/RTbbG1BvHl |
| From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg | From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg |
| 1st impressions from May's PMQs - years of experience at despatch box really shows, and she's absolutely willing to taunt + mock Corbyn | 1st impressions from May's PMQs - years of experience at despatch box really shows, and she's absolutely willing to taunt + mock Corbyn |
| From the Telegraph’s Michael Deacon | From the Telegraph’s Michael Deacon |
| .@MichaelPDeacon wonderfully captures the exact moment @theresa_may went all Thatchery at #PMQs https://t.co/ZXjo7g4kOo | .@MichaelPDeacon wonderfully captures the exact moment @theresa_may went all Thatchery at #PMQs https://t.co/ZXjo7g4kOo |
| From the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn | From the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn |
| Impressive #PMQs debut from Theresa May, from remembering MPs' birthdays to utterly filleting Jeremy Corbyn. She may be around for a while. | Impressive #PMQs debut from Theresa May, from remembering MPs' birthdays to utterly filleting Jeremy Corbyn. She may be around for a while. |
| From the Sunday Times’ Tim Shipman | From the Sunday Times’ Tim Shipman |
| And we're off. One PMQs down. And it's 1-0 to May. | And we're off. One PMQs down. And it's 1-0 to May. |
| From Steve Richards | From Steve Richards |
| May more effective at PMQs than Cam because she's got to the top after more much more experience. Cam copied Blair. She can be herself. | May more effective at PMQs than Cam because she's got to the top after more much more experience. Cam copied Blair. She can be herself. |
| From the Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff | From the Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff |
| Based on that #pmqs may become a bit more boring, less angry (but not less aggressive), & Tory backbench Qs are going to get interesting | Based on that #pmqs may become a bit more boring, less angry (but not less aggressive), & Tory backbench Qs are going to get interesting |
| From the BBC’s Norman Smith | From the BBC’s Norman Smith |
| Is someone putting something in Theresa Mays tea ? First she culls the cabinet. Now she goes on the warpath at #PMQs | Is someone putting something in Theresa Mays tea ? First she culls the cabinet. Now she goes on the warpath at #PMQs |
| From the Sun’s Steve Hawkes | From the Sun’s Steve Hawkes |
| Thumping first PMQs from Theresa May's. What will cheer Labour MPs up no end is the fact she will only get better as she relaxes into it | Thumping first PMQs from Theresa May's. What will cheer Labour MPs up no end is the fact she will only get better as she relaxes into it |
| From the Evening Standard’s Joe Murphy | From the Evening Standard’s Joe Murphy |
| Golly, Theresa May continues to exceed expectations. Lots of happy Tory MPs after PMQs | Golly, Theresa May continues to exceed expectations. Lots of happy Tory MPs after PMQs |
| From the Guardian’s Peter Walker | From the Guardian’s Peter Walker |
| I'm less convinced than some by May at PMQs. Playing to jeers/cheers of Tory MPs goes well in Commons, but think can jar to watching public | I'm less convinced than some by May at PMQs. Playing to jeers/cheers of Tory MPs goes well in Commons, but think can jar to watching public |
| From politics.co.uk’s Adam Bienkov | From politics.co.uk’s Adam Bienkov |
| The worst thing about that #pmqs for Corbyn is that was actually one of his better performances. | The worst thing about that #pmqs for Corbyn is that was actually one of his better performances. |
| From the Scottish Mail on Sunday’s Michael Blackley | From the Scottish Mail on Sunday’s Michael Blackley |
| Very impressive first #PMQs from Theresa May - and she barely looked at her notes. | Very impressive first #PMQs from Theresa May - and she barely looked at her notes. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.36pm BST | at 1.36pm BST |
| 1.15pm BST | 1.15pm BST |
| 13:15 | 13:15 |
| PMQs - Verdict | PMQs - Verdict |
| PMQs - Verdict: When George Osborne first stood in for David Cameron at PMQs, even though he had spent five years as chancellor, he displayed a palpable nervousness. Everyone who has ever taken PMQs says it is a huge challenge, quite unlike anything else parliamentarians have to do, and Osborne seemed a little worried. The most important takeaway from Theresa May’s performance today was that she sounded confident and assured and prime ministerial (in the sense of up to the job). She was chosen as Tory leader primarily for her competence and today it was on display. | PMQs - Verdict: When George Osborne first stood in for David Cameron at PMQs, even though he had spent five years as chancellor, he displayed a palpable nervousness. Everyone who has ever taken PMQs says it is a huge challenge, quite unlike anything else parliamentarians have to do, and Osborne seemed a little worried. The most important takeaway from Theresa May’s performance today was that she sounded confident and assured and prime ministerial (in the sense of up to the job). She was chosen as Tory leader primarily for her competence and today it was on display. |
| But she was not selected for her comedy skills, and that made her Thatcher moment rather odd. Tory MPs seemed to like it, but it sounded a little too contrived and perhaps May would be better advised to stick to dull and boring (dull and boring is hugely underrated in politics). Her “mine is bigger than yours” dig at Tim Farron (see 12.39pm) also sounded a little crass. | But she was not selected for her comedy skills, and that made her Thatcher moment rather odd. Tory MPs seemed to like it, but it sounded a little too contrived and perhaps May would be better advised to stick to dull and boring (dull and boring is hugely underrated in politics). Her “mine is bigger than yours” dig at Tim Farron (see 12.39pm) also sounded a little crass. |
| May did not use her first PMQs to announce anything new and in many ways it sounded like business as usual. Perhaps she is more inclined to address questions than David Cameron was, but on the basis of just one performance it is hard to be sure. | May did not use her first PMQs to announce anything new and in many ways it sounded like business as usual. Perhaps she is more inclined to address questions than David Cameron was, but on the basis of just one performance it is hard to be sure. |
| The Commons goes into recess at the end of this week and so we will not get another PMQs until September. By that time May’s honeymoon may be over, and the Labour leadership contest will be nearly over. Politics may look very different by then. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.04pm BST | |
| 12.44pm BST | 12.44pm BST |
| 12:44 | 12:44 |
| I missed Angus Robertson’s question earlier, because I was writing up m snap verdict, and so here are the questions from the SNP leader at Wesminster. | I missed Angus Robertson’s question earlier, because I was writing up m snap verdict, and so here are the questions from the SNP leader at Wesminster. |
| He started by asking if Theresa May agreed that Scotland could remain part of the EU, and how her talks with Nicola Sturgeon were going. | He started by asking if Theresa May agreed that Scotland could remain part of the EU, and how her talks with Nicola Sturgeon were going. |
| May replied: | May replied: |
| I did discuss the arrangements in relation to negotiations ... I was very pleased that my first trip was to Scotland and that I was able to do that so early in our premiership ... I was also clear with the FM that i think there are some ideas being put forward that are impractical but I am willing to listen to ideas that are brought forward. | I did discuss the arrangements in relation to negotiations ... I was very pleased that my first trip was to Scotland and that I was able to do that so early in our premiership ... I was also clear with the FM that i think there are some ideas being put forward that are impractical but I am willing to listen to ideas that are brought forward. |
| Robertson then mentioned May’s trip to Berlin this afternoon. | Robertson then mentioned May’s trip to Berlin this afternoon. |
| Would the PM thank Chancellor Merkel for the interest of the members of her government and members of the bundestag, their interest in having Scotland remain members of the EU. And will she reassure that we will do everything – everything – to stay in the EU. | Would the PM thank Chancellor Merkel for the interest of the members of her government and members of the bundestag, their interest in having Scotland remain members of the EU. And will she reassure that we will do everything – everything – to stay in the EU. |
| May replied: | May replied: |
| I have to say - because this is a line he has been taking for some time - I do find it a little confusing given that only two years ago the SNP was campaigning for Scotland to leave the UK, which would have meant them leaving the European Union. | I have to say - because this is a line he has been taking for some time - I do find it a little confusing given that only two years ago the SNP was campaigning for Scotland to leave the UK, which would have meant them leaving the European Union. |
| 12.39pm BST | 12.39pm BST |
| 12:39 | 12:39 |
| Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, says May has come a long way since they were candidates together in Durham in 1992. It has been reported the new Brexit department will be hiring lawyers at a rate of £5,000 a day. | Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, says May has come a long way since they were candidates together in Durham in 1992. It has been reported the new Brexit department will be hiring lawyers at a rate of £5,000 a day. |
| May says the Brexit department needs to be properly staffed. And she says when she and Farron were both candidates, people would not have expected them both to lead parties. But hers is bigger than his, she says. | May says the Brexit department needs to be properly staffed. And she says when she and Farron were both candidates, people would not have expected them both to lead parties. But hers is bigger than his, she says. |
| And that’s it. | And that’s it. |
| 12.36pm BST | 12.36pm BST |
| 12:36 | 12:36 |
| Philip Davies, a Conservative, asks if May will keep her promise to get immigration below 100,000. | Philip Davies, a Conservative, asks if May will keep her promise to get immigration below 100,000. |
| May says the Brexit vote sent a very clear message about the need to control immigration. She is firm in her belief that net migration needs to come down to sustainable levels. She says to her that means getting it into the tens of thousands. | May says the Brexit vote sent a very clear message about the need to control immigration. She is firm in her belief that net migration needs to come down to sustainable levels. She says to her that means getting it into the tens of thousands. |
| 12.35pm BST | 12.35pm BST |
| 12:35 | 12:35 |
| Labour’s Barry Sheerman reminds May that he told her a few weeks ago that he thought she would end up prime minister. Will May soon give young millennials her vision of the future? | Labour’s Barry Sheerman reminds May that he told her a few weeks ago that he thought she would end up prime minister. Will May soon give young millennials her vision of the future? |
| May says she remembers Sheerman telling her she would “trounce the men”. The Tories came up with an all-woman shortlist without being told to, she says. She says she wants young people to know that their opportunities are not just in Europe. | May says she remembers Sheerman telling her she would “trounce the men”. The Tories came up with an all-woman shortlist without being told to, she says. She says she wants young people to know that their opportunities are not just in Europe. |
| 12.33pm BST | 12.33pm BST |
| 12:33 | 12:33 |
| Simon Hoare, a Conservative, asks May if she will consult farmers over Brexit. | Simon Hoare, a Conservative, asks May if she will consult farmers over Brexit. |
| May says she will consult widely as we leave the EU. Agriculture will be particularly affected, and farmers will be consulted. | May says she will consult widely as we leave the EU. Agriculture will be particularly affected, and farmers will be consulted. |
| 12.32pm BST | 12.32pm BST |
| 12:32 | 12:32 |
| The SNP’s Stuart Donaldson asks May if she will ratify the Istanbul convention. | The SNP’s Stuart Donaldson asks May if she will ratify the Istanbul convention. |
| May says she is committed to tackling violence against women and girls. But there is always more to do, she says. | May says she is committed to tackling violence against women and girls. But there is always more to do, she says. |
| 12.30pm BST | 12.30pm BST |
| 12:30 | 12:30 |
| May says the Conservative benches contain MPs brought up in council homes, MPs brought up by single mothers, and the Tory chairman is a former miner. The party will govern in the interests of everyone. | May says the Conservative benches contain MPs brought up in council homes, MPs brought up by single mothers, and the Tory chairman is a former miner. The party will govern in the interests of everyone. |
| 12.29pm BST | 12.29pm BST |
| 12:29 | 12:29 |
| Labour’s Imran Hussain asks for an assurance that the Northern schools strategy will continue. | Labour’s Imran Hussain asks for an assurance that the Northern schools strategy will continue. |
| May says it is important that children get the education they deserve. A review has been looking at this. The education secretary will make the position clear later. | May says it is important that children get the education they deserve. A review has been looking at this. The education secretary will make the position clear later. |
| 12.28pm BST | 12.28pm BST |
| 12:28 | 12:28 |
| Kelly Tollhurst, a Conservative, asks if the government has plans to strengthen the protection available to young women at risk of sexual abuse. | Kelly Tollhurst, a Conservative, asks if the government has plans to strengthen the protection available to young women at risk of sexual abuse. |
| May says since the Rotherham scandal the government has been putting more measures in place to help the police to address this. In the coming months arrangements will be strengthened. | May says since the Rotherham scandal the government has been putting more measures in place to help the police to address this. In the coming months arrangements will be strengthened. |
| 12.26pm BST | 12.26pm BST |
| 12:26 | 12:26 |
| Labour’s Catherine McKinnell asks about Heathrow expansion. Will May do better than “dithering Dave” on this? | Labour’s Catherine McKinnell asks about Heathrow expansion. Will May do better than “dithering Dave” on this? |
| May says the position has not changed. Further work has been done on air quality. The cabinet and government will take a decision in the proper way in due course. | May says the position has not changed. Further work has been done on air quality. The cabinet and government will take a decision in the proper way in due course. |