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Confusion over Boris Johnson as foreign secretary cancels meetings – politics live Brexit thrown into disarray as Boris Johnson resigns as foreign secretary – politics live
(35 minutes later)
This is from the Evening Standard’s Jim Armitage.
Just when you thought the govt might not totally screw up brexit, Boris resigns. Sterling sighs in resignation. pic.twitter.com/8usYMadzq6
This is from the Guido Fawkes website.
Source: Permanent Secretary and SpAds have just been called into Liam Fox's office at DIT.
This is from the Spectator’s James Forsyth.
Understand that Boris now thinks that ‘no deal’ would be better than the Chequers plan. We’re about to find out how many Tory MPs agree with him https://t.co/VZ6DpG6gxz
The government is in “complete and utter chaos”, Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, has said.
Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, responding to Boris Johnson’s resignation, said: “Theresa May’s Government is in meltdown. This is complete and utter chaos."
Boris Johnson is about to leave his official residence at Carlton Gardens, the BBC reports.
David Davis’s resignation as Brexit secretary did not trigger an immediate threat to Theresa May’s leadership. He insisted that he wanted her to stay as prime minister and, by lunchtime today, despite numerous Tory Brexiters taking to the airwaves denouncing May’s Brexit plan, we had not heard any calls for her departure. That was because, with most cabinet ministers supporting her, it seemed very likely that May would win a confidence vote hansomely.
Now, though, the Brexiters have got an alternative candidate - assuming Johnson does mount a leadership challenge. Whether he will or not is unclear at this point; as I write, we have not heard any statement from Johnson. And, after the Heathrow expansion vote no-show and Johnson’s decision to back May’s plan at Chequers on Friday after telling cabinet ministers that doing so amounts to “polishing a turd”, Johnson is a diminished figure. But he has wanted to be prime minister since he was a child (or “king of the world”, as he described his goal then) and this is probably he last chance. A challenge does seem very likely.
Could he win? It would be very hard. Only 129 Conservative MPs voted leave - less than half - and even many of those have reservations about the hard Brexit vision set out by Johnson, which the cabinet comprehensively rejected on Friday. Also, amongst colleagues, trust in Johnson is low. Johnson is popular with Conservative party members. But they would only get to vote in a leadership contest if May were to lose a vote of confidence, and May is reportedly keen to fight and win such a contest.
Here is our story about Boris Johnson’s resignation.
Boris Johnson has resigned.
Downing Street put out this statement.
This afternoon, the prime minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as foreign secretary. His replacement will be announced shortly. The prime minister thanks Boris for his work.
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has got some info from the ministerial drivers - normally the best-informed people in Whitehall when it comes to imminent reshuffles and resignations.
Apparently Johnson’s drivers have been told three times he’s going to leave to go to work then he hasn’t -
Gavin Barwell, the prime minister’s chief of staff, will not now be briefing opposition MPs on Theresa May’s Brexit plan. (See 9.29am.) Labour MPs were invited to a briefing by Barwell this afternoon. But the news infuriated Tory Brexiters, who were unhappy about the idea of Barwell consorting with the enemy, and now the briefing will still go ahead, but with officials doing the briefing, not Barwell.
This is from my colleague Pippa Crerar, a former Evening Standard City Hall editor.This is from my colleague Pippa Crerar, a former Evening Standard City Hall editor.
Boris Johnson is currently holed up in his official residence with his closest advisors. As a Boris watcher of many years standing, have to say it's looking ominous.Boris Johnson is currently holed up in his official residence with his closest advisors. As a Boris watcher of many years standing, have to say it's looking ominous.
Theresa May is losing the support of Conservative supporters who voted leave, which is more than half of them, YouGov reports.Theresa May is losing the support of Conservative supporters who voted leave, which is more than half of them, YouGov reports.
Our new survey of Conservative members finds that Theresa May is starting to lose support among Leave-voting members...Think May is doing well: Sep 2017 / July 2018Leave-voting members: 73% / 52%Remain-voting members: 70% / 78%https://t.co/UCngzUeSzG pic.twitter.com/MAVCrtwhNAOur new survey of Conservative members finds that Theresa May is starting to lose support among Leave-voting members...Think May is doing well: Sep 2017 / July 2018Leave-voting members: 73% / 52%Remain-voting members: 70% / 78%https://t.co/UCngzUeSzG pic.twitter.com/MAVCrtwhNA
This is from ITV’s Robert Peston.This is from ITV’s Robert Peston.
Friends of @BorisJohnson think he is quitting. Not definite. But he is ensconced in his official residence with his advisers, which sends a powerful signal. As one said, "very hard for him not to quit now that Davis has, given that everyone knows they both hate May's Brexit plan"Friends of @BorisJohnson think he is quitting. Not definite. But he is ensconced in his official residence with his advisers, which sends a powerful signal. As one said, "very hard for him not to quit now that Davis has, given that everyone knows they both hate May's Brexit plan"
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has more on the hunt for Boris Johnson.The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has more on the hunt for Boris Johnson.
Drivers waiting outside Boris Johnson’s house and it looks like, delivering a new wine fridge - or is it removal van? Kidding #boriswatch - if anyone is at Cobra and knows he is actually there do please let us know pic.twitter.com/2rp8vXIpSmDrivers waiting outside Boris Johnson’s house and it looks like, delivering a new wine fridge - or is it removal van? Kidding #boriswatch - if anyone is at Cobra and knows he is actually there do please let us know pic.twitter.com/2rp8vXIpSm
Hear he was not at Cobra and cancelled the lunch at the summit too https://t.co/7jdwPgkfePHear he was not at Cobra and cancelled the lunch at the summit too https://t.co/7jdwPgkfeP
Still said to be expected at the summit at 3 - who knows https://t.co/l0sSxJqJKaStill said to be expected at the summit at 3 - who knows https://t.co/l0sSxJqJKa
Dominic Raab, a Brexit-supporting minister, has been promoted to replace David Davis as Brexit secretary, No 10 has announced. Theresa May had embark on a mini reshuffle after Davis announced his resignation late last night, saying that he could not defend the Brexit plan agreed by the cabinet at Chequers on Friday. Davis’s resignation came as May was already facing an angry backlash from Conservative Brexiters who believe that her plan to ensure the UK accepts a “common rulebook” with the EU on goods (ie, the EU’s rulebook) means that Britain will remain a “ruletaker” after Brexit. The outburst of Brexiter anger poses a potential threat to May’s leadership, but not necessarily an imminent one. Davis has said he does not want to see May replaced (see 9.43am), and although many Brexiters are saying May’s plan is unacceptable, we have not heard any of them today saying May must quit. May is preparing to defend her strategy, in a statement to MPs at 3.30pm and then in a private meeting with Conservative MPs at 6pm.Dominic Raab, a Brexit-supporting minister, has been promoted to replace David Davis as Brexit secretary, No 10 has announced. Theresa May had embark on a mini reshuffle after Davis announced his resignation late last night, saying that he could not defend the Brexit plan agreed by the cabinet at Chequers on Friday. Davis’s resignation came as May was already facing an angry backlash from Conservative Brexiters who believe that her plan to ensure the UK accepts a “common rulebook” with the EU on goods (ie, the EU’s rulebook) means that Britain will remain a “ruletaker” after Brexit. The outburst of Brexiter anger poses a potential threat to May’s leadership, but not necessarily an imminent one. Davis has said he does not want to see May replaced (see 9.43am), and although many Brexiters are saying May’s plan is unacceptable, we have not heard any of them today saying May must quit. May is preparing to defend her strategy, in a statement to MPs at 3.30pm and then in a private meeting with Conservative MPs at 6pm.
Davis has said that May’s claim that her plan will return power to the House of Commons is “illusory”. (See 9.43am)Davis has said that May’s claim that her plan will return power to the House of Commons is “illusory”. (See 9.43am)
Andrea Leadsom, the Brexiter leader of the Commons, has said that there must be “no special favours” for EU nationals after Brexit - contradicting May, who has specifically left open this option. (See 12.38pm.)Andrea Leadsom, the Brexiter leader of the Commons, has said that there must be “no special favours” for EU nationals after Brexit - contradicting May, who has specifically left open this option. (See 12.38pm.)
Steve Baker, the Brexit minister who resigned alongside Davis, has said that anti-Brexiter briefing by Number 10 last week was “childish nonsense”. (See 12.26pm.) May has not yet replaced him as a minister of state in the Brexit department. But the department has confirmed that Suella Braverman, another prominent leave voter, is remaining as a Brexit minister. Last night it was reported that she had quit too, and earlier this morning the department could not say whether or not she was still in post.Steve Baker, the Brexit minister who resigned alongside Davis, has said that anti-Brexiter briefing by Number 10 last week was “childish nonsense”. (See 12.26pm.) May has not yet replaced him as a minister of state in the Brexit department. But the department has confirmed that Suella Braverman, another prominent leave voter, is remaining as a Brexit minister. Last night it was reported that she had quit too, and earlier this morning the department could not say whether or not she was still in post.
Labour MPs have been invited to a Downing Street briefing about May’s Brexit plan. The move is being seen as a sign that, with Tory Brexiters determined to vote against it, May will only get her proposals through the Commons with the support of the opposition.Labour MPs have been invited to a Downing Street briefing about May’s Brexit plan. The move is being seen as a sign that, with Tory Brexiters determined to vote against it, May will only get her proposals through the Commons with the support of the opposition.
Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, has said that the prospective UK-US trade deal is now “up in the air” in the light of the Chequers plan. (See 12.57pm,)Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, has said that the prospective UK-US trade deal is now “up in the air” in the light of the Chequers plan. (See 12.57pm,)
Boris Johnson has missed a scheduled appearance at the West Balkans summit. There are also reports that he missed this morning’s Cobra meeting about the Wiltshire novichok poisoning, prompting speculation that he will announce his resignation as foreign secretary later today.Boris Johnson has missed a scheduled appearance at the West Balkans summit. There are also reports that he missed this morning’s Cobra meeting about the Wiltshire novichok poisoning, prompting speculation that he will announce his resignation as foreign secretary later today.
Sir Graham Brady, the Conservative MP who chairs the backbench 1922 committee, has refused to say if any MPs have submitted letters calling for a no confidence vote in Theresa May. He said:
My view ever since I became chairman of the ‘22 is that it would be entirely improper ever to comment in any way on that subject, because inevitably a commentary could influence the course of events.
Here is the Lib Dem MP Layla Moran responding to Andrea Leadsom saying EU nationals should not get preferential access to the UK after Brexit. (See 12.38pm.) Moran is a supporter of the anti-Brexit group Best for Britain, which issued her remark. She said:
Leadsom has undermined the Prime Minister in an attempt to shut down any possibility of preferential access for EU workers post-Brexit, as the cracks in the cabinet continue to worsen.
This would be a senseless and ideological move, leading to even more pressure on sectors which greatly rely on labour from the continent, not least our NHS and agricultural industries.
Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader, says Boris Johnson will be a “hero” if he resigns.
Boris Johnson now has the chance to save Brexit, he will be a hero if he walks away from the betrayal of voters’ trust.
And more from the Sun’s Matt Dathan.
BUT now the source rings back and says they're not sure Boris did turn up to Cobra after all. He was scheduled to but no one knows where he is. https://t.co/0hffDF1JiX
More from ITV’s Paul Brand on Boris Johnson.
BREAKING: Chief whip tells me “I don’t know where Boris is”. Sounds familiar
ITV’s Paul Brand claims there has been another Boris Johnson no-show. (See 1.20pm.)
I’m told he was also due at COBRA meeting - again, hasn’t turned up. #wheresboris https://t.co/QIk1f6xguO
But the Sun’s Matt Dathan says Boris Johnson is at the Cobra meeting.
Boris Johnson is currently attending the Government's Cobra meeting on the Amesbury incident, Whitehall source confirms.
This is from the Times’ Sam Coates.
Breaking: DexEUI’m told officials may be considering pairing back the department“A Robbins’ vivisection .... or perhaps amputation”Stand by......
And this is from my colleague Pippa Crerar.
Government insiders say that DExEu will still exist and be the lead department. But without the negotiating clout? Stand by for @DominicRaab announcement. https://t.co/XSXoHkUvlj
This is from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg.
Boris Johnson was due at Western Balkans summit by now - he hasn't turned up yet
Paul Goodman, the former Tory MP who now edits the ConservativeHome website, is a close friend of David Davis’s. He has written a revealing post about what drove Davis to resign which says that Davis first drafted a resignation letter at least a month ago. Here is how Goodman’s article starts.
“It is possible that you are right and I am wrong,” David Davis writes to Theresa May in his resignation letter. The phrase was in a draft that I saw just over a month ago on the evening of June 6. Earlier in the day, he had been asked, after delivering a speech at RUSI, whether or not he would resign if the prime minister did not offer a date by which, in the event of a Brexit deal, the backstop arrangement over the UK-Ireland border would end. “That’s a question, I think, for the prime minister, to be honest,” he replied. This was less of an evasion than a confession. The Brexit secretary was trying to think through, using the logic tree methods that he loves to deploy, what to do for the best – and what the range of outcomes of a resignation might be. He hadn’t made up his mind what to do.
Goodman also defends Davis from the charge of not spending enough time talking to his EU opposite number, Michel Barnier. Goodman says:
Davis feared that if the Commons wasn’t presented with a detailed trade proposal in the autumn, it would vote the deal down, projecting the government and the country into unknown and unknowable political territory. Hence the urgent need to get a move on: get a proper customs policy – the stand-off over agreeing one was helping to tick the clock down – get a broader approach agreed and a white paper published; get back round the negotiating table. That he had spent only four hours since Christmas negotiating with Michel Barnier had been well reported. The bleeding obvious had gained less traction: that, until or unless the government had first closed its divisions, there wasn’t much to talk about.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Conservative chair of the pro-Brexit European Research Group who seems to appear on TV roughly every ten minutes today, has spoken to BBC News and has a couple of extra things to say. Firstly, he has praised Dominic Raab’s appointment – but only if he has some power:
Dominic is very able. But the key is – who will be doing these negotiations? Will it continue to be 10 Downing Street or will it be done by Dominic?
Secondly, Rees-Mogg claimed May would be able to get a hard Brexit-friendly Canada-style deal through the Commons, as Tory MPs would support it if the only other option was a no-deal departure. “So the parliamentary arithmetic is much more on the prime minister’s side than some commentators seem to think,” he said.