This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/jul/09/theresa-may-stands-by-uk-ambassador-in-wake-of-trump-criticism-politics-live

The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Three Labour peers, including former general secretary, resign whip as antisemitism row escalates - live news Three Labour peers, including former general secretary, resign whip as antisemitism row escalates - live news
(32 minutes later)
Sky’s Deborah Haynes has found an entrepreneur (not Jeremy Hunt).
Outside @UKParliament - @realDonaldTrump toilet paper up for grabs. “If you want to take a dump, do it on Trump,” says the guy waving rolls around #specialrelationship pic.twitter.com/bCguKg5MH1
Sir Kim Darroch, the British ambassador to the US who has now been declared persona non grata by President Trump, will not be accompanying Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, to the White House for a meeting with Ivanka Trump, journalists were told at the Downing Street afternoon lobby briefing.
BREAKING Number 10 confirms Sir Kim Darroch will NOT attend a meeting in the White House this afternoon between Liam Fox and Ivanka Trump. The PM’s official spokesman says Sir Kim will “be supporting Liam Fox in other ways”.
LATEST Theresa May’s official spokesman on Sir Kim Darroch: “The PM has let him know personally that he has her full support.”
And here is some comment from Jon Sopel, the BBC’s North America editor.
So if I understand this correctly, UK govt has full confidence in @KimDarroch as its ambassador, but happy for him to be left behind from key meeting https://t.co/4D0A7F9KFp
The Irish government has said it has “no easy answers” to avoid checks on the Irish border in the event of the UK crashing out of the EU with no deal.The Irish government has said it has “no easy answers” to avoid checks on the Irish border in the event of the UK crashing out of the EU with no deal.
After a special cabinet meeting heard of the “dire” consequences, it released a 117-page report (pdf) outlining the country’s contingency plans for no deal warning of “profound” effects for Northern Ireland and Ireland.After a special cabinet meeting heard of the “dire” consequences, it released a 117-page report (pdf) outlining the country’s contingency plans for no deal warning of “profound” effects for Northern Ireland and Ireland.
It warns the “consequences of a no-deal Brexit for the political process in Northern Ireland could be very damaging” and that a “no-deal Brexit risks significantly undermining wider community relations and political stability in Northern Ireland with potential related security concerns.”It warns the “consequences of a no-deal Brexit for the political process in Northern Ireland could be very damaging” and that a “no-deal Brexit risks significantly undermining wider community relations and political stability in Northern Ireland with potential related security concerns.”
The report said the government’s assessment was that there was now “a significant risk of a no deal Brexit on 31 October” and preparation for such an event was now a priority.The report said the government’s assessment was that there was now “a significant risk of a no deal Brexit on 31 October” and preparation for such an event was now a priority.
No deal would be “highly disruptive and will have profound political, economic and legal implications, first and foremost for the UK, including most significantly Northern Ireland, as well as having significant impacts on Ireland and the rest of the EU”No deal would be “highly disruptive and will have profound political, economic and legal implications, first and foremost for the UK, including most significantly Northern Ireland, as well as having significant impacts on Ireland and the rest of the EU”
It warned of a potential £6bn cost to the Irish economy and “significant short term risks” with an estimated increase in unemployment of 50-55,000 “after the UK leaves the EU”.It warned of a potential £6bn cost to the Irish economy and “significant short term risks” with an estimated increase in unemployment of 50-55,000 “after the UK leaves the EU”.
A third peer, Lord Turnberg, is resigning the Labour whip, according to the BBC’s Mathew Harris. Turnberg is another eminent doctor. He was made a Labour peer in the 1990s.A third peer, Lord Turnberg, is resigning the Labour whip, according to the BBC’s Mathew Harris. Turnberg is another eminent doctor. He was made a Labour peer in the 1990s.
BREAK: Now a 3rd Labour peer, Lord Turnberg, also confirms to me he too has resigned the Labour Whip. #newsnightBREAK: Now a 3rd Labour peer, Lord Turnberg, also confirms to me he too has resigned the Labour Whip. #newsnight
According to BBC Newsnight, Ara Darzi, a surgeon who was made a peer and a health minister by Gordon Brown, is also resigning the Labour whip.According to BBC Newsnight, Ara Darzi, a surgeon who was made a peer and a health minister by Gordon Brown, is also resigning the Labour whip.
BREAKING: Former Labour Health Minister Lord Darzi has confirmed to #newsnight that he too is resigning the Labour whip."As an Armenian survivor of the Armenian genocide, I have zero tolerance to anti-Semitism, Islamophobic or any other discrimination against religion or race."BREAKING: Former Labour Health Minister Lord Darzi has confirmed to #newsnight that he too is resigning the Labour whip."As an Armenian survivor of the Armenian genocide, I have zero tolerance to anti-Semitism, Islamophobic or any other discrimination against religion or race."
Lord Darzi will now sit as an independent.He told #newsnight that "this decision has not been taken lightly".Lord Darzi will now sit as an independent.He told #newsnight that "this decision has not been taken lightly".
Lord Triesman, who was Labour’s general secretary under Tony Blair and who subsequently served as a minister under Blair and Gordon Brown, has announced today that he is resigning the Labour whip.Lord Triesman, who was Labour’s general secretary under Tony Blair and who subsequently served as a minister under Blair and Gordon Brown, has announced today that he is resigning the Labour whip.
In a letter to Angela Smith, the Labour leader in the Lords, he says some of the party’s policy positions (primarily on Brexit, Russia and defence) are “impossible to take seriously”, but mostly he focuses on antisemitism, saying Labour is no longer a safe political environment for Jewish people.In a letter to Angela Smith, the Labour leader in the Lords, he says some of the party’s policy positions (primarily on Brexit, Russia and defence) are “impossible to take seriously”, but mostly he focuses on antisemitism, saying Labour is no longer a safe political environment for Jewish people.
He says:He says:
My sad conclusion is that the Labour party is very plainly institutionally antisemitic, and its leader and his circle are antisemitic, having never once made the right judgment call about an issue reflecting deep prejudice. The number of examples is shocking.My sad conclusion is that the Labour party is very plainly institutionally antisemitic, and its leader and his circle are antisemitic, having never once made the right judgment call about an issue reflecting deep prejudice. The number of examples is shocking.
It is no longer a safe political environment for Jewish people or other opponents of antisemitism. It it time to recognise the reality. I always said it was worth hanging on to fight so long as there was a prospect of winning. I now don’t believe with this leadership there is.It is no longer a safe political environment for Jewish people or other opponents of antisemitism. It it time to recognise the reality. I always said it was worth hanging on to fight so long as there was a prospect of winning. I now don’t believe with this leadership there is.
BREAKING: Lord Triesman has resigned the Labour whip, citing "institutional anti-Semitism"."We may one day be the Party of anti-racism once again but it certainly isn't today," the former Labour Party general secretary writes in his resignation letter#newsnight pic.twitter.com/LJ945I33PyBREAKING: Lord Triesman has resigned the Labour whip, citing "institutional anti-Semitism"."We may one day be the Party of anti-racism once again but it certainly isn't today," the former Labour Party general secretary writes in his resignation letter#newsnight pic.twitter.com/LJ945I33Py
During a visit to Manchester airport, Boris Johnson, the favourite in the Tory leadership contest, said he was not embarrassed to say he had good relations with the Trump White House. He said:During a visit to Manchester airport, Boris Johnson, the favourite in the Tory leadership contest, said he was not embarrassed to say he had good relations with the Trump White House. He said:
I have got a good relationship with the White House and I have no embarrassment in saying that.I have got a good relationship with the White House and I have no embarrassment in saying that.
I think it’s very important that we have a strong relationship with our most important ally. The United States is, has been, will be and for the foreseeable future our number one political military friend.I think it’s very important that we have a strong relationship with our most important ally. The United States is, has been, will be and for the foreseeable future our number one political military friend.
Asked whether the president was right to criticise Theresa May and the way Brexit talks have been handled, Johnson replied:Asked whether the president was right to criticise Theresa May and the way Brexit talks have been handled, Johnson replied:
Myself, I have said some pretty critical things about the Brexit negotiations so far and that’s one of the reasons I am standing tonight and one of the reasons I am putting myself forward.Myself, I have said some pretty critical things about the Brexit negotiations so far and that’s one of the reasons I am standing tonight and one of the reasons I am putting myself forward.
I think there is a chance to do things differently, a chance to break away from the failed old can-kicking approaching. Now is the time to really get a grip on this. Stop being so defeatist in our approach to the EU negotiations and maybe be a lot more positive about our country and what it can do.I think there is a chance to do things differently, a chance to break away from the failed old can-kicking approaching. Now is the time to really get a grip on this. Stop being so defeatist in our approach to the EU negotiations and maybe be a lot more positive about our country and what it can do.
From the Press Association report, it is not clear whether Johnson was aware of President Trump’s latest criticism of May (she was “foolish” and her policy a “disaster” - see 1.47pm) when he was speaking, or whether Johnson was just commenting in relation to what Trump said about May yesterday (she made a “mess” of it).From the Press Association report, it is not clear whether Johnson was aware of President Trump’s latest criticism of May (she was “foolish” and her policy a “disaster” - see 1.47pm) when he was speaking, or whether Johnson was just commenting in relation to what Trump said about May yesterday (she made a “mess” of it).
According to Bloomberg’s Robert Hutton, the Tory MP Dominic Grieve is relaxed about his main amendment not being called (see 2.07pm) because he thinks his other amendments which are due to be put to a vote would stop a new PM proroguing parliament to facilitate a no-deal Brexit.According to Bloomberg’s Robert Hutton, the Tory MP Dominic Grieve is relaxed about his main amendment not being called (see 2.07pm) because he thinks his other amendments which are due to be put to a vote would stop a new PM proroguing parliament to facilitate a no-deal Brexit.
Grieve Brexit amendments latest: Grieve says Operation No Prorogue is still very much on: https://t.co/Wqn3wF7X3i pic.twitter.com/rtvTGuVwO4Grieve Brexit amendments latest: Grieve says Operation No Prorogue is still very much on: https://t.co/Wqn3wF7X3i pic.twitter.com/rtvTGuVwO4
The other Grieve amendments (14, 15 and 17) would require ministers to make fortnightly reports to parliament about progress towards restoring the power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland (and subject of the bill) and for those reports to be debated.The other Grieve amendments (14, 15 and 17) would require ministers to make fortnightly reports to parliament about progress towards restoring the power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland (and subject of the bill) and for those reports to be debated.
It is questionable whether these amendments would stop a new PM proroguing parliament in the autumn. But Bloomberg argue that they could provide legal grounds for someone to challenge a decision to prorogue parliament in court.It is questionable whether these amendments would stop a new PM proroguing parliament in the autumn. But Bloomberg argue that they could provide legal grounds for someone to challenge a decision to prorogue parliament in court.
The first set of votes this afternoon, including on the amendments on same-sex marriage and abortion, will take place at around 5pm.The first set of votes this afternoon, including on the amendments on same-sex marriage and abortion, will take place at around 5pm.
Nick Boles, the former Tory who now sits as an independent, says that when the second stage of the debate starts after those votes, he intends to raise President Trump’s latest comments (see 1.47pm) on a point of order.Nick Boles, the former Tory who now sits as an independent, says that when the second stage of the debate starts after those votes, he intends to raise President Trump’s latest comments (see 1.47pm) on a point of order.
I have advised the Chair that I intend to raise President Trump’s disgraceful and offensive attack on HM Government in a point of order at the start of debate on the second group of amendments. I hope MPs from all parties will join me in demanding an apology.I have advised the Chair that I intend to raise President Trump’s disgraceful and offensive attack on HM Government in a point of order at the start of debate on the second group of amendments. I hope MPs from all parties will join me in demanding an apology.
In the Northern Ireland debate the Labour MP Stella Creasy is speaking now about her amendment, which would extend the right to abortion in Northern Ireland by saying the government would have to comply with the UN convention for the elimination of discrimination against women.In the Northern Ireland debate the Labour MP Stella Creasy is speaking now about her amendment, which would extend the right to abortion in Northern Ireland by saying the government would have to comply with the UN convention for the elimination of discrimination against women.
She says women in Northern Ireland risk prison for procuring abortion pills. She says the UK cannot tell other countries to enforce human rights standards when it is denying basic rights to women in Northern Ireland.She says women in Northern Ireland risk prison for procuring abortion pills. She says the UK cannot tell other countries to enforce human rights standards when it is denying basic rights to women in Northern Ireland.
More on the Dominic Grieve amendments. (See 12.37pm.) Although new clause 14 (NC14), the central Grieve amendment intended to stop a new prime minister proroguing parliament in the autumn to facilitate a no-deal Brexit, has not been called, other Grieve amendments have been called. But, as Nikki da Costa, a former director of legislative affairs in Downing Street explains, the other Grieve amendments would not necessarily stop a new PM proroguing parliament. She explains why in these tweets.
NB 3 Grieve amdts WERE selected just not prorogation one. One is just incidental, but the others require a report on or before 9 October and at least every 14 calendar days thereafter until 18 Dec/an Exec, and a vote to approve each report within 3 sitting days https://t.co/gTGmAT9Se2
pic.twitter.com/fOPM773Psw
Despite Nick Boles' hopefulness It is doubtful that these amendments would require Parliament to be in session - see @sc_laws ' piece for ConHome and report for Policy Exchange. https://t.co/nrySIIOKEG 1/ https://t.co/fE3nhlmPWW
See full article, but here's an extract pic.twitter.com/hfNbJ79nLj
You can read the text of all the amendments to the bill here (pdf).
Theresa May faces a full-blown diplomatic standoff with the US after Donald Trump condemned Britain’s “stupid” ambassador to Washington over leaked memos critical of the White House, as Downing Street insisted Sir Kim Darroch had its full support, my colleague Peter Walker reports. The escalating crisis began after a Sunday newspaper printed extracts of confidential memos in which Darroch labelled Trump’s administration “inept” and “dysfunctional”. The US president announced on Monday that he would no longer deal with the ambassador. In a fresh volley of tweets on Tuesday morning, Trump again condemned Darroch, and renewed his criticism of the prime minister over her Brexit negotiations, which he had praised on his state visit to the UK just over a month ago.
Here is Peter’s story.
Trump calls May foolish as diplomatic row escalates
And here are the Trump tweets.
The wacky Ambassador that the U.K. foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy. He should speak to his country, and Prime Minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was...
...handled. I told @theresa_may how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way-was unable to get it done. A disaster! I don’t know the Ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool. Tell him the USA now has the best Economy & Military anywhere in the World, by far...
....and they are both only getting bigger, better and stronger.....Thank you, Mr. President!
Ireland will not be providing options for dealing with animals and agrifood as they cross the Irish border in its no-deal contingency plans to be published later today.
It will say, instead, that more talks are needed on the issue with the European Commission.
The last time the UK was on the precipice of a no-deal Brexit, sources told the Guardian that checks on animals and agrifood would be mandatory from day one, meaning overnight disruption for trade of milk and lamb from Northern Ireland into the republic.
At a special cabinet meeting this morning, Irish ministers were briefed by the deputy prime minister Simon Coveney on the “dire consequences” of no-deal for Ireland the all-island economy.
The taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, is expected to be questioned by opposition MPs in the Dail at 2pm, with Coveney giving a briefing to the media at 4pm on the updated no deal plans.
Nigel Dodds, the DUP leader at Westminster, is speaking in the debate now.
He says it is wrong that this bill, which is about allowing the suspension of the Northern Ireland assembly to continue, has been hijacked for other purposes.
He says, under the McGinn amendment, if it is passed, there would be no further vote in the Commons before the law was changed to allow same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland (assuming the powers-sharing executive is not restored by 21 October).
The DUP’s Sammy Wilson says MPs have repeatedly complained about the use of Henry VIII powers. But he says the amendment would allow a Henry VIII power to be used to impose same-sex marriage on Northern Ireland.
Dodds agrees that this is not an appropriate way to decide this matter for Northern Ireland.
Maria Miller, the Conservative chair of the women and equalities committee, is speaking in the debate now. She says she was equalities minister when same-sex marriage was introduced. She says the law was not extended to Northern Ireland because the government wanted to respect the devolution settlement.
She says she will not decide how she is going to vote tonight until she has heard the government make its case. She says her heart is telling her to vote for the McGinn amendment. But her head needs to be convinced, because of the concerns about the need to respect the principle of devolution.
In the Commons Conor McGinn says the House of Commons failed people in Northern Ireland by not decriminalising homosexuality in Northern Ireland when it was decriminalised in England. And he says it has failed them by not extending same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland. He ends his speech by saying tonight MPs must no longer let it down.
We have already posted reaction to today’s announcement from Jeremy Corbyn about Labour’s latest shift on Brexit from the Liberal Democrats (see 12.03pm).
Here is some more reaction.
From Labour MP Phil Wilson, in a statement released by the People’s Vote campaign, which is campaigning for a second referendum
Jeremy Corbyn’s public insistence that the next Conservative prime minister put any Brexit proposal to a final say referendum, where we will all have the chance to stay in the EU, is a positive step forward for Labour. It is an outrage that Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt believe this decision can be confined to the 0.25% of the population who are Conservative members. It must be for the people to decide our future and give their explicit consent for a specific form of Brexit in a people’s vote.
But one email to Labour members and a press release do not make a campaign. Labour has the chance to speak up for its values and to channel the growing anger in the country about the negation of democracy that is being imposed on us all. Our voters and our members will not tolerate further confusion or foot-dragging. Instead, we now need to join together with all those from across the political spectrum who have long since been demanding that the people get the final say on Brexit.
From Chris Leslie, the former Labour MP who now represents the Independent Group for Change
Corbyn has confirmed that if you vote Labour, you’ll get Brexit. His commitment to campaign against Brexit only if the Conservatives are in government simply isn’t good enough.
Brexit - whether a Labour Brexit or a Conservative Brexit - will cost people’s jobs, put businesses in jeopardy, and diminish Britain in the eyes of our neighbours. Corbyn’s refusal to be honest about that fact is a deep betrayal of the people Labour used to represent.
From Naomi Smith, CEO of the the anti-Brexit group Best for Britain
This is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but Labour can’t believe that both their own deal and remaining are best for Britain.
It’s decision time for the Labour leadership. If they don’t settle on campaigning to stop Brexit then they will be letting down the vast majority of their membership, voters and the country.
From Michael Chessum from Another Europe is Possible, a leftwing group campaigning for remain
Today’s move is significant and a big victory for the grassroots of the Labour party. We now need Labour to throw its huge weight behind the campaign to stop Brexit. Only a radical politics which promises fundamental change, more equality and public investment can beat Brexit - not status quo centrism.
Good though today’s news is, Labour still needs to clearly commit to opposing Brexit, and to unequivocally defending free movement and transforming Europe. Ultimately, policy must be made by members, not in backrooms. We will continue to campaign from the grassroots up, and we are mobilising another huge wave of motions for conference in September.
MPs are now starting their debate on the Northern Ireland bill.
The Labour MP Conor McGinn starts. His amendment, new clause 1 (NC1), says, if the power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland is not restored by 21 October, the UK parliament should legislate to allow same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
If the power-sharing executive is restored before that, it would be up to them, he says.
And if the executive is revived after Westminster has changed the law, it will have the power to change the law back, he suggests.
The DUP MP Ian Paisley says, if this amendment passes, it could give one party in Northern Ireland an incentive not to revive the executive.
McGinn says Paisley is referring to Sinn Fein. He says he has spoken to Sinn Fein, and he knows Sinn Fein wants the devolved assembly to make this decision.
John Bercow, the Speaker, is now making a statement about the Northern Ireland bill.
He says last night his office received a call from a “tabloid scribbler” who had heard the Speaker would not be chairing the proceedings this afternoon. He says kindness and generosity of spirit prevent him from naming the individual. But he says it is a long-established convention that the Speaker does not chair proceedings for a committee of the whole house (ie, when the committee stage of a bill is being considered by all MPs, not just a committee of about 20 of them - as is happening this afternoon.). He says this is a rule going back to the 17th century. He says he hopes the “chappie has now got the point”.
Good Afternoon. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Sarah Marsh, who has been writing the blog this morning.
Quite soon MPs will start the second and final day’s debate on the Northern Ireland (executive formation) bill.
As Seth Jacobson reports, the Tory pro-European Dominic Grieve tabled an amendment intended to ensure that the next prime minister could not prorogue parliament in September and October to stop MPs blocking a no-deal Brexit.
But it has just emerged that John Bercow, the Speaker, is not calling the amendment, which means it will not be put to a vote.
Bercow blocks vote on amendment intended to stop next PM proroguing parliament for no-deal.
Selections of Amdts for #northernIrelandBill. @ConorMcGinn NC1 on equal marriage selected, NC14 from Grieve on recall from prorogation is not selected. pic.twitter.com/eu1kQC7TdQ