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| Donald Trump meets Brexiters Nigel Farage and Iain Duncan Smith – live news | Donald Trump meets Brexiters Nigel Farage and Iain Duncan Smith – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The Conservatives have agreed to a rule change that will raise the threshold for those wishing to stand for the party’s leadership – as 11 candidates vie for the role. | |
| The 1992 Committee, which represents backbench Tory MPs, and the Conservative Party Board met today to agree the changes and have announced a schedule for the contest. | |
| In short, candidates will have from 10am to 5pm next Monday to formally enter the race. They’ll need a proposer and a seconder, as well as the support of six other MPs. | |
| A process of ballots among MPs will follow over the next fortnight, with the lowest-ranked falling out at each stage. Any candidate failing to secure the support of at least 5% (in effect, 16 votes) at the first stage on 13 June, will be eliminated. At the second, on 18 June, they will require at least 10% (or 32 votes). | |
| Further ballots are scheduled for the following two days and the process will be repeated until only two candidates remain. They will then face the party’s membership, who’ll decide the next leader. | |
| Once the parliamentary process is completed, CCHQ will assume responsibility for the administration of hustings and the vote of the Conservative party membership. This stage of the process will be completed in the week beginning Monday 22nd July, with the first membership hustings planned for the 22ndJune. Further details will be published in due course. | |
| Earlier, we reported that six of Change UK’s 11 MPs had decided to leave the party (see: 4.14pm). The remaining five – Anna Soubry, Chris Leslie, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes and Joan Ryan – have now released a statement saying they plan to fight on with Soubry as their leader. | Earlier, we reported that six of Change UK’s 11 MPs had decided to leave the party (see: 4.14pm). The remaining five – Anna Soubry, Chris Leslie, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes and Joan Ryan – have now released a statement saying they plan to fight on with Soubry as their leader. |
| Challenging the established political parties was never going to be easy. But we remain determined to fix Britain’s broken politics and we are in this for the long haul. | Challenging the established political parties was never going to be easy. But we remain determined to fix Britain’s broken politics and we are in this for the long haul. |
| You may have heard the news that some of our MPs group have decided to leave Change UK, which is saddening and disappointing just at the moment we need to roll up our sleeves, challenge the Brexit emergency and champion sensible evidence-based policy-making in the face of the main parties drifting to the ideological fringes. | You may have heard the news that some of our MPs group have decided to leave Change UK, which is saddening and disappointing just at the moment we need to roll up our sleeves, challenge the Brexit emergency and champion sensible evidence-based policy-making in the face of the main parties drifting to the ideological fringes. |
| We regret their decision, but it is vital we continue to lead and look forward to future elections – and get started on building our policies and party across the country. | We regret their decision, but it is vital we continue to lead and look forward to future elections – and get started on building our policies and party across the country. |
| We have a responsibility to our amazing European election candidates and 100,000 supporters and the near-600,000 people who voted for us – as well as a duty to the country – to continue this task. The British people need more than regrets about the state of our politics, they need solutions. | We have a responsibility to our amazing European election candidates and 100,000 supporters and the near-600,000 people who voted for us – as well as a duty to the country – to continue this task. The British people need more than regrets about the state of our politics, they need solutions. |
| We are delighted that Anna Soubry has taken on the role as our new leader, and our hope is to quickly broaden out our nationwide leadership to include some of our key supporters and activists from across the country. Change UK doesn’t just belong to MPs. It belongs to the country and those looking for a sense of hope and leadership to genuinely change our politics, not simply settle for the existing party status quo. | We are delighted that Anna Soubry has taken on the role as our new leader, and our hope is to quickly broaden out our nationwide leadership to include some of our key supporters and activists from across the country. Change UK doesn’t just belong to MPs. It belongs to the country and those looking for a sense of hope and leadership to genuinely change our politics, not simply settle for the existing party status quo. |
| We hope that you agree this is a cause worth fighting for – and we will need your help and support going forward. While British politics slips into chaos around us, now is the time to stand firm in our beliefs and champion the mainstream centre ground values we articulated when we left our former parties in the first place. | We hope that you agree this is a cause worth fighting for – and we will need your help and support going forward. While British politics slips into chaos around us, now is the time to stand firm in our beliefs and champion the mainstream centre ground values we articulated when we left our former parties in the first place. |
| Nigel Farage is not the only Brexiter who has been to the US ambassador’s resident to meet President Trump this afternoon. Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, and Owen Paterson, the Conservative former environment secretary, have both seen the president. They were photographed leaving. | Nigel Farage is not the only Brexiter who has been to the US ambassador’s resident to meet President Trump this afternoon. Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, and Owen Paterson, the Conservative former environment secretary, have both seen the president. They were photographed leaving. |
| That’s all from me for today. | That’s all from me for today. |
| My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over now. | My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over now. |
| Piers Morgan, a friend of Donald Trump’s since he appeared on Trump’s US show Celebrity Apprentice, has interviewed the US president for Good Morning Britain, the ITV show he now co-presents. | Piers Morgan, a friend of Donald Trump’s since he appeared on Trump’s US show Celebrity Apprentice, has interviewed the US president for Good Morning Britain, the ITV show he now co-presents. |
| WORLD EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump will be talking to Piers Morgan about meeting the Queen, Brexit, talks with Iran and more.Make sure you watch Good Morning Britain tomorrow morning from 6am to see the full interview. #GMBTrump@realDonaldTrump |@piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/WODkKgl0a4 | WORLD EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump will be talking to Piers Morgan about meeting the Queen, Brexit, talks with Iran and more.Make sure you watch Good Morning Britain tomorrow morning from 6am to see the full interview. #GMBTrump@realDonaldTrump |@piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/WODkKgl0a4 |
| Kit Malthouse has withdrawn from the Tory leadership contest. | Kit Malthouse has withdrawn from the Tory leadership contest. |
| In his statement explaining why, he does not quite say he had no realistic chance of winning - the explanation offered by James Cleverly this morning when he announced he was withdrawing his own candidacy. (See 11.32am.) Instead he argued that a relative unknown like himself (someone from “a new generation”) could only win if there were a lengthy contest but that he accepted the party wanted this contest over as soon as possible. | In his statement explaining why, he does not quite say he had no realistic chance of winning - the explanation offered by James Cleverly this morning when he announced he was withdrawing his own candidacy. (See 11.32am.) Instead he argued that a relative unknown like himself (someone from “a new generation”) could only win if there were a lengthy contest but that he accepted the party wanted this contest over as soon as possible. |
| I have decided to withdraw from the contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Thank you to all those who have supported me. pic.twitter.com/9alByxmvT3 | I have decided to withdraw from the contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Thank you to all those who have supported me. pic.twitter.com/9alByxmvT3 |
| In the ConservativeHome tally this morning, Malthouse had just six declared supporters - two more than Cleverly. | In the ConservativeHome tally this morning, Malthouse had just six declared supporters - two more than Cleverly. |
| There are still 11 contenders left in the field. | There are still 11 contenders left in the field. |
| Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, has tweeted about his meeting this afternoon with President Trump. | Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, has tweeted about his meeting this afternoon with President Trump. |
| Good meeting with President Trump – he really believes in Brexit and is loving his trip to London. | Good meeting with President Trump – he really believes in Brexit and is loving his trip to London. |
| Here are the main points from the Trump/May press conference. | Here are the main points from the Trump/May press conference. |
| Donald Trump, the US president, confirmed that the US would want to include access to the NHS market in any US-UK trade talks. Woody Johnson, the US ambassador, said this at the weekend, and Trump was asked if he agreed with Johnson that the entire economy should be on the table in trade talks, including the NHS. He replied: | Donald Trump, the US president, confirmed that the US would want to include access to the NHS market in any US-UK trade talks. Woody Johnson, the US ambassador, said this at the weekend, and Trump was asked if he agreed with Johnson that the entire economy should be on the table in trade talks, including the NHS. He replied: |
| I think everything with a trade deal is on the table. When you’re dealing in trade, everything is on the table - so NHS or anything else, a lot more than that, but everything will be on the table, absolutely. | I think everything with a trade deal is on the table. When you’re dealing in trade, everything is on the table - so NHS or anything else, a lot more than that, but everything will be on the table, absolutely. |
| But, as my colleague Patrick Wintour points out, Theresa May had to explain to Trump what the NHS was. | But, as my colleague Patrick Wintour points out, Theresa May had to explain to Trump what the NHS was. |
| Trump fails to recognize acronym "NHS". May tells him it's "our national health service". Trump then says "everything should be on the table" in a US-UK free trade deal. Says a deal can double/treble trade. | Trump fails to recognize acronym "NHS". May tells him it's "our national health service". Trump then says "everything should be on the table" in a US-UK free trade deal. Says a deal can double/treble trade. |
| In response, Theresa May pushed back, saying that there would only be a deal if both sides agreed. | In response, Theresa May pushed back, saying that there would only be a deal if both sides agreed. |
| The point in making trade deals is of course that both sides negotiate and come to an agreement about what should or should not be in that trade deal for the future. | The point in making trade deals is of course that both sides negotiate and come to an agreement about what should or should not be in that trade deal for the future. |
| Trump’s answer has generated a row, with both Labour and Tory politicians insisting that the NHS would not be included in a potential US-UK trade deal. (See 3.53pm and 4.04pm.) But Sam Lowe, a trade expert at the Centre for European Reform, reckons that the whole row is a red herring because US trade deals never oblige governments to privatise public services like the NHS in the ways critics claim this deal might. | Trump’s answer has generated a row, with both Labour and Tory politicians insisting that the NHS would not be included in a potential US-UK trade deal. (See 3.53pm and 4.04pm.) But Sam Lowe, a trade expert at the Centre for European Reform, reckons that the whole row is a red herring because US trade deals never oblige governments to privatise public services like the NHS in the ways critics claim this deal might. |
| An anonymous British trade official messages me to say: pic.twitter.com/5GN6nUoN1p | An anonymous British trade official messages me to say: pic.twitter.com/5GN6nUoN1p |
| Trump withdrew the US threat to stop sharing intelligence with the UK because of its policy over Huawei and 5G, claiming that the two countries now agreed on this issue. Asked if the US would impose limits on intelligence-sharing if the UK used Huawei infrastructure, he replied: | Trump withdrew the US threat to stop sharing intelligence with the UK because of its policy over Huawei and 5G, claiming that the two countries now agreed on this issue. Asked if the US would impose limits on intelligence-sharing if the UK used Huawei infrastructure, he replied: |
| No, because we’re gonna have absolutely an agreement on Huawei and everything else. | No, because we’re gonna have absolutely an agreement on Huawei and everything else. |
| We have an incredible intelligence relationship and we will be able to work out any differences. | We have an incredible intelligence relationship and we will be able to work out any differences. |
| We did discuss it - I see absolutely no limitations, we’ve never had limitations. | We did discuss it - I see absolutely no limitations, we’ve never had limitations. |
| This is a truly great ally and partner and we’ll have no problem with that. | This is a truly great ally and partner and we’ll have no problem with that. |
| The Telegraph’s Ben Riley-Smith claims this is a win for May. | The Telegraph’s Ben Riley-Smith claims this is a win for May. |
| Overshadowed by the other glitzier news lines - Trump ruled out limiting UK-US intelligence sharing over Huawei row. [Which is a win for May] | Overshadowed by the other glitzier news lines - Trump ruled out limiting UK-US intelligence sharing over Huawei row. [Which is a win for May] |
| But it is not clear what the “agreement” is that Trump was referring to, because Downing Street said this matter was still being reviewed. | But it is not clear what the “agreement” is that Trump was referring to, because Downing Street said this matter was still being reviewed. |
| Trump criticised Jeremy Corbyn as a “negative force” and said the Labour leader had requested a meeting with him - despite boycotting the state banquet held in Trump’s honour. Asked about Corbyn, Trump said: | Trump criticised Jeremy Corbyn as a “negative force” and said the Labour leader had requested a meeting with him - despite boycotting the state banquet held in Trump’s honour. Asked about Corbyn, Trump said: |
| [Corbyn] wanted to meet today or tomorrow and I decided I would not do that. | [Corbyn] wanted to meet today or tomorrow and I decided I would not do that. |
| I think he is, from where I come from, somewhat of a negative force. | I think he is, from where I come from, somewhat of a negative force. |
| I think the people should look to do things correctly as opposed to criticise. | I think the people should look to do things correctly as opposed to criticise. |
| I really don’t like critics as much as I like and respect people who get things done - so I decided not to meet. | I really don’t like critics as much as I like and respect people who get things done - so I decided not to meet. |
| Trump backed Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt as candidates for next prime minister, but claimed he did not know what Michael Gove would be like. He said: | Trump backed Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt as candidates for next prime minister, but claimed he did not know what Michael Gove would be like. He said: |
| I know Boris. I like him. I have liked him for a long time. I think he would do a very good job. I know Jeremy, I think he would do a very good job. | I know Boris. I like him. I have liked him for a long time. I think he would do a very good job. I know Jeremy, I think he would do a very good job. |
| I don’t know Michael - would he do a good job? Tell me. | I don’t know Michael - would he do a good job? Tell me. |
| Trump defended his decision to criticise Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London. He said: | Trump defended his decision to criticise Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London. He said: |
| I think he has been a not very good mayor from what I understand. | I think he has been a not very good mayor from what I understand. |
| He has done a poor job, crime is up, a lot of problems, and I don’t think he should be criticising a representative of the US that can do so much good for the UK ... | He has done a poor job, crime is up, a lot of problems, and I don’t think he should be criticising a representative of the US that can do so much good for the UK ... |
| He should be positive not negative - he is a negative force not a positive force. | He should be positive not negative - he is a negative force not a positive force. |
| If you look at what he said, he hurts the people of this great country and I think he should actually focus on his job, it would be a lot better if he did that - he could straighten out some of the problems that he has caused. | If you look at what he said, he hurts the people of this great country and I think he should actually focus on his job, it would be a lot better if he did that - he could straighten out some of the problems that he has caused. |
| He said that May deserved “a lot of credit” for her work on Brexit. He said a deal was now “teed up”. He said: | He said that May deserved “a lot of credit” for her work on Brexit. He said a deal was now “teed up”. He said: |
| I think it will happen and I believe the prime minister has brought it to a very good point where something will take place in the not-too-distant future. I think she’s done a very good job. | I think it will happen and I believe the prime minister has brought it to a very good point where something will take place in the not-too-distant future. I think she’s done a very good job. |
| He said Brexit “probably should happen” - but he refused to say Britain should definitely leave at the end of October with or without a deal. Asked if the UK should go ahead and leave the UK on 31 October without a deal, he refused to answer, implying that he had not been following the issue in enough detail. On Brexit generally, he said: | He said Brexit “probably should happen” - but he refused to say Britain should definitely leave at the end of October with or without a deal. Asked if the UK should go ahead and leave the UK on 31 October without a deal, he refused to answer, implying that he had not been following the issue in enough detail. On Brexit generally, he said: |
| I would think that it will happen and it probably should happen. This is a great, great country and it wants its own identity ... I believe it would be good for the country, yes. | I would think that it will happen and it probably should happen. This is a great, great country and it wants its own identity ... I believe it would be good for the country, yes. |
| In the past Trump was much more positive about Brexit, telling a press conference with May in January 2017 that it would be “a wonderful thing” for Britain. | In the past Trump was much more positive about Brexit, telling a press conference with May in January 2017 that it would be “a wonderful thing” for Britain. |
| He claimed (falsely - see 3.49pm) that thousands of people had been cheering him on the streets of London. Asked about the protests, he said: | He claimed (falsely - see 3.49pm) that thousands of people had been cheering him on the streets of London. Asked about the protests, he said: |
| We left the prime minister, the Queen, the royal family, there were thousands of people on the streets cheering. | We left the prime minister, the Queen, the royal family, there were thousands of people on the streets cheering. |
| Even coming over today there were thousands of people cheering. | Even coming over today there were thousands of people cheering. |
| Then I heard there were protests, I said ‘Where are the protests? I don’t see any protests’. | Then I heard there were protests, I said ‘Where are the protests? I don’t see any protests’. |
| I did see a small protest today when I came - very small - so a lot of it is fake news I hate to say. | I did see a small protest today when I came - very small - so a lot of it is fake news I hate to say. |
| He said Nato countries should spend more on defence if they were not meeting the 2% target. Nato countries are supposed to spend 2% of GDP on defence. Trump said: | He said Nato countries should spend more on defence if they were not meeting the 2% target. Nato countries are supposed to spend 2% of GDP on defence. Trump said: |
| The United Kingdom is also a key partner in Nato. The prime minister and I agree that our Nato allies must increase their defence spending. | The United Kingdom is also a key partner in Nato. The prime minister and I agree that our Nato allies must increase their defence spending. |
| They have no choice, they must fulfil their obligations. | They have no choice, they must fulfil their obligations. |
| Nigel Farage has arrived at the US ambassador’s residence for a meeting with Donald Trump, Reuters is reporting. | Nigel Farage has arrived at the US ambassador’s residence for a meeting with Donald Trump, Reuters is reporting. |
| BREXIT PARTY LEADER FARAGE ARRIVES AT U.S. AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN LONDON - REUTERS PHOTOGRAPHER | BREXIT PARTY LEADER FARAGE ARRIVES AT U.S. AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN LONDON - REUTERS PHOTOGRAPHER |
| And here is the picture. | And here is the picture. |
| Earlier my colleagues Heather Stewart and Jessica Elgot reported that Change UK, the new party set up by eight Labour MPs and three Tories after they left their respective parties, was about to split. (See 12.26pm.) | Earlier my colleagues Heather Stewart and Jessica Elgot reported that Change UK, the new party set up by eight Labour MPs and three Tories after they left their respective parties, was about to split. (See 12.26pm.) |
| Heidi Allen, who was Change UK’s interim leader, has now put out a statement confirming this. Six of the party’s 11 MPs are leaving to sit as independents. | Heidi Allen, who was Change UK’s interim leader, has now put out a statement confirming this. Six of the party’s 11 MPs are leaving to sit as independents. |
| Statement from @ChukaUmunna @angelasmithmp @gavinshuker @lucianaberger @sarahwollaston and I pic.twitter.com/dQKy2io1hR | Statement from @ChukaUmunna @angelasmithmp @gavinshuker @lucianaberger @sarahwollaston and I pic.twitter.com/dQKy2io1hR |
| Jeremy Corbyn claims that the NHS would end up up for sale under the “no-deal disaster capitalism plans” for a trade deal with the US championed by Tory leadership contenders. (See 3.53pm.) | Jeremy Corbyn claims that the NHS would end up up for sale under the “no-deal disaster capitalism plans” for a trade deal with the US championed by Tory leadership contenders. (See 3.53pm.) |
| But Dominic Raab, one of the most rightwing leadership contenders, and one of those most relaxed about the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, says Corbyn is wrong. | But Dominic Raab, one of the most rightwing leadership contenders, and one of those most relaxed about the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, says Corbyn is wrong. |
| I want to see the UK get fair deals on trade with the US and many other countries when we leave the EU. But the NHS is not for sale to any country and never would be if I was Prime Minister. | I want to see the UK get fair deals on trade with the US and many other countries when we leave the EU. But the NHS is not for sale to any country and never would be if I was Prime Minister. |
| And Matt Hancock, the current health secretary and another leadership contender, is saying the same thing. | And Matt Hancock, the current health secretary and another leadership contender, is saying the same thing. |
| Dear Mr President. The NHS isn’t on the table in trade talks - and never will be. Not on my watch. | Dear Mr President. The NHS isn’t on the table in trade talks - and never will be. Not on my watch. |
| Yesterday Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary and another leadership contender, said he agreed with Hancock on this issue. | Yesterday Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary and another leadership contender, said he agreed with Hancock on this issue. |
| And Sam Gyimah, the leadership contender seen as having the least chance of winning, also says the NHS should not be on the table in a US-UK trade deal. | And Sam Gyimah, the leadership contender seen as having the least chance of winning, also says the NHS should not be on the table in a US-UK trade deal. |
| Let me state unambiguously that the NHS should not be used as a bargaining chip in any future trade talks. | Let me state unambiguously that the NHS should not be used as a bargaining chip in any future trade talks. |
| This is from Jeremy Corbyn on the Trump/May press conference. | This is from Jeremy Corbyn on the Trump/May press conference. |
| Theresa May stood next to @realDonaldTrump as he said the NHS will be "on the table" in a US trade deal. And that’s what Tory leadership contenders and Farage are lining up for the No Deal disaster capitalism plans they have.They all need to understand: our NHS is not for sale. | Theresa May stood next to @realDonaldTrump as he said the NHS will be "on the table" in a US trade deal. And that’s what Tory leadership contenders and Farage are lining up for the No Deal disaster capitalism plans they have.They all need to understand: our NHS is not for sale. |
| This is from the BBC’s James Cook. | This is from the BBC’s James Cook. |
| I have spent all day on the streets of London. We struggled through throngs of anti-Trump protestors, many tens of thousands of them. I also saw tiny handfuls of Trump fans. This is not fake news. We have the pictures. https://t.co/Cs2gQjrT7S | I have spent all day on the streets of London. We struggled through throngs of anti-Trump protestors, many tens of thousands of them. I also saw tiny handfuls of Trump fans. This is not fake news. We have the pictures. https://t.co/Cs2gQjrT7S |
| The Daily Mirror’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, thinks Labour should have admitted that President Trump refused to meet Jeremy Corbyn before Trump said so at this press conference. | The Daily Mirror’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, thinks Labour should have admitted that President Trump refused to meet Jeremy Corbyn before Trump said so at this press conference. |
| It was a bad call from Labour not to say beforehand that Trump had refused a meeting with Corbyn. They could've acted like the grown-ups in the room. But instead Corbyn ends up looking less than candid. https://t.co/zs1eQAJYM5 | It was a bad call from Labour not to say beforehand that Trump had refused a meeting with Corbyn. They could've acted like the grown-ups in the room. But instead Corbyn ends up looking less than candid. https://t.co/zs1eQAJYM5 |
| This is from the Toronto Star’s Daniel Dale, confirming the point I made earlier about President Trump’s lying about crowd sizes being habitual. | This is from the Toronto Star’s Daniel Dale, confirming the point I made earlier about President Trump’s lying about crowd sizes being habitual. |
| Other times Trump has made things up about large pro-Trump crowds greeting him on his trips: pic.twitter.com/8Jte6xidmR | Other times Trump has made things up about large pro-Trump crowds greeting him on his trips: pic.twitter.com/8Jte6xidmR |