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Three Labour peers, including former general secretary, resign whip as antisemitism row escalates - live news MPs vote in favour of extending same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland by 383 to 73 - live news
(32 minutes later)
In the Commons MPs are now voting on Conor McGinn’s new clause 1 (NCI1) amendment on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. Back in the Commons MPs are now voting on Stella Creasy’s new clause 10 (NC10) on abortion.
It says:
Clause 1, page 1, line 3, at end insert—
“(2) This section comes into force on the day after the secretary of state has laid before both Houses of Parliament regulations to enable the effective application in Northern Ireland of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in order to guarantee the rights of all women in Northern Ireland.”
And here is Creasy’s explanatory statement.
The report of the inquiry concerning the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland under article 8 of the optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women called on the UK government to take all measures necessary to ensure the effective application of the convention to guarantee the rights of all women in Northern Ireland, in the absence of a functioning government in Northern Ireland since January 2017.
Jeremy Hunt, the underdog in the Tory leadership contest, has told President Trump on Twitter his comments about Theresa May “disrespectful and wrong”.
1/2 @realDonaldTrump friends speak frankly so I will: these comments are disrespectful and wrong to our Prime Minister and my country. Your diplomats give their private opinions to @SecPompeo and so do ours! You said the UK/US alliance was the greatest in history and I agree... https://t.co/hNeBWmyyVN
2/2...but allies need to treat each other with respect as @theresa_may has always done with you. Ambassadors are appointed by the UK government and if I become PM our Ambassador stays.
Hunt says he would keep Sir Kim Darroch as UK ambassador to the US, despite President Trump saying he won’t deal with him.
Hunt’s comments contrast with the approach taken by Boris Johnson, the clear favourite in the leadership contest, who did not criticise President Trump when asked about this earlier and instead boasted about his “good relationship” with Trump’s White House. (See 3pm.)
MPs have voted to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, unless the power-sharing executive is revived by 21 October, by 383 votes to 73 - a majority of 310.
From my colleague Peter Walker
It seems that NI minister John Penrose, having warned MPs on behalf of the government of the complications of extending same-sex marriage to NI, has now voted for Conor McGinn's amendment which would do this. It is a free vote.
Here is John Simpson, the BBC’s former world affairs editor, on President Trump’s outburst and the UK’s response.
Should Liam Fox go ahead with meetings in Washington if @KimDarroch is excluded by the diktat of @realDonaldTrump? Britain wouldn’t accept that from Russia or China; why from theUS? Hello
Here are some quotes from the debate.
From Labour’s Conor McGinn
At the minute the executive and the assembly exists in the ether or as a concept, not a reality. So if they can’t make this [same-sex marriage] law, we will make it here because - as I have said often - rights delayed are rights denied. We will make the law here and then when the Assembly is back up and running the power remains for them to change it.
From Labour’s Stella Creasy
I am a passionate defender of women’s rights, I believe powerfully that if women are not able to have equal control over their bodies as men are then we will never have true freedom. If we say to women we will force you to continue an unwanted pregnancy, they will always be second class citizens to male counterparts ...
I ask the House, how much longer are the women of Northern Ireland expected to wait? How much more are they expected to suffer until we speak up for the best of what this place does as human rights defenders, not human rights deniers?
From Karin Smyth, the shadow Northern Ireland minister
We heard [on the day of Lyra McKee’s funeral] was that Lyra was making arrangements for her own marriage to her partner. It really struck me sitting in the cathedral of the huge sadness, the huge irony, when we rightly praised this remarkable young woman for being a child of the peace process, for being so openly happy with her own sexuality, with having touched every part of Northern Ireland society with her optimism.
That she was making those plans for her own marriage to the woman that she loved but what her own society was saying to her was essentially ‘away you go to Donegal, you can’t do that here’.
What a great testament it would be to her memory and the thousands of people across Northern Ireland who simply want to express their love that we would make progress on this issue.
From the DUP’s Ian Paisley
There is no right under the international treaties to terminate an unborn life, that is the fact of the matter, and we have got to make sure that that right, the right to life, is upheld.
And this is what McGinn’s NC1 actually says.
Marriage of same-sex couples in Northern Ireland
(1) The secretary of state must make regulations to change the law relating to marriage in Northern Ireland to provide that marriage between same-sex couples is lawful.
(2) Regulations under this section must be in force no later than 21 October 2019, subject to subsections (3) and (4).
(3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1) —
(a) must be laid before both Houses of Parliament;
(b) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(4) If a Northern Ireland executive is formed before the regulations under this section come into force, any regulations made under this section and any extant obligations arising under subsection (1) shall cease to have effect.
And here is the McGinn’s explanatory statement saying that this actually means in practice.
This new clause would require UK secondary legislation to extend same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland unless a Northern Ireland executive is formed by 21 October 2019.
In the Commons MPs are now voting on Conor McGinn’s new clause 1 (NC1) amendment on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
The Labour party has issued this response to the claims about the party being antisemitic made by Lord Triesman in his letter resigning the party whip in the Lords. (See 3.18pm.) A party spokesperson said:The Labour party has issued this response to the claims about the party being antisemitic made by Lord Triesman in his letter resigning the party whip in the Lords. (See 3.18pm.) A party spokesperson said:
We completely reject these false and offensive claims. The Labour party at all levels is implacably opposed to antisemitism and is determined to root out this social cancer from our movement and society.We completely reject these false and offensive claims. The Labour party at all levels is implacably opposed to antisemitism and is determined to root out this social cancer from our movement and society.
Labour is taking decisive action against antisemitism, doubling the number of staff dedicated to dealing with complaints and cases. And since Jennie Formby became general secretary, the rate at which antisemitism cases have been dealt with has increased four-fold.Labour is taking decisive action against antisemitism, doubling the number of staff dedicated to dealing with complaints and cases. And since Jennie Formby became general secretary, the rate at which antisemitism cases have been dealt with has increased four-fold.
Our records show that antisemitism cases that have gone through the stages of our disciplinary procedures since September 2015 account for about 0.06% of the party’s membership. This represents a tiny minority, but one antisemite is one too many, and we will continue to act against this repugnant form of racism.Our records show that antisemitism cases that have gone through the stages of our disciplinary procedures since September 2015 account for about 0.06% of the party’s membership. This represents a tiny minority, but one antisemite is one too many, and we will continue to act against this repugnant form of racism.
These are from Ian Blackford, the SNP’s leader at Westminster, explaining why SNPs MPs will be voting on the amendments to allow same-sex marriage and abortion in Northern Ireland even though the party normally abstains on devolved matters.These are from Ian Blackford, the SNP’s leader at Westminster, explaining why SNPs MPs will be voting on the amendments to allow same-sex marriage and abortion in Northern Ireland even though the party normally abstains on devolved matters.
For those asking, I strongly support equal marriage, and women’s right to choose on abortion.For those asking, I strongly support equal marriage, and women’s right to choose on abortion.
I'm very proud that @theSNP government introduced the UK’s most progressive equal marriage law, and that Scotland is the only part of the UK where couples from Northern Ireland can convert their civil partnership to a same-sex marriageI'm very proud that @theSNP government introduced the UK’s most progressive equal marriage law, and that Scotland is the only part of the UK where couples from Northern Ireland can convert their civil partnership to a same-sex marriage
While @theSNP will always defend the principle of devolution, there are a specific set of circumstances in Northern Ireland where there has been no functioning Assembly for an extended period.While @theSNP will always defend the principle of devolution, there are a specific set of circumstances in Northern Ireland where there has been no functioning Assembly for an extended period.
In these circumstances, we believe it is right to give MPs a vote on these important human rights issues. If the amendments are called to a vote, I will be voting in favour.In these circumstances, we believe it is right to give MPs a vote on these important human rights issues. If the amendments are called to a vote, I will be voting in favour.
Labour is now committed to campaigning for remain in any referendum on a Tory Brexit deal, or on a no-deal Brexit.Labour is now committed to campaigning for remain in any referendum on a Tory Brexit deal, or on a no-deal Brexit.
But what remains unresolved is what Labour would propose if there were a general election before Brexit took place. In an interview with the BBC, when asked what Labour’s position would be in an election if the UK were still in the EU, Jeremy Corbyn replied:But what remains unresolved is what Labour would propose if there were a general election before Brexit took place. In an interview with the BBC, when asked what Labour’s position would be in an election if the UK were still in the EU, Jeremy Corbyn replied:
Well the next election will come when it comes, it could be this October, it could be next year, if could be in 2022. I don’t know anymore than you do. What you’ve probably gathered from this discussion is that we have a very large party, a very large membership and many parts to our party and our movement. We have a democratic process, we will decide very quickly at the start of that campaign exactly what our position will be.Well the next election will come when it comes, it could be this October, it could be next year, if could be in 2022. I don’t know anymore than you do. What you’ve probably gathered from this discussion is that we have a very large party, a very large membership and many parts to our party and our movement. We have a democratic process, we will decide very quickly at the start of that campaign exactly what our position will be.
But Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Commons Brexit committee, told the World at One that he did not think Labour could win an election unless it was opposed to Brexit. He said:But Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Commons Brexit committee, told the World at One that he did not think Labour could win an election unless it was opposed to Brexit. He said:
As I understand it no decision has been taken yet on [Labour’s election position on Brexit]. But, look, if we do end up at an election we are going to have to be absolutely clear. And my position is this: If Labour goes into that election saying we’re going to try and deliver Brexit then I think we’d find it very, very hard indeed to win that general election.As I understand it no decision has been taken yet on [Labour’s election position on Brexit]. But, look, if we do end up at an election we are going to have to be absolutely clear. And my position is this: If Labour goes into that election saying we’re going to try and deliver Brexit then I think we’d find it very, very hard indeed to win that general election.
Here is Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, on President Trump’s latest outburst.Here is Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, on President Trump’s latest outburst.
Extraordinary stuff. And huge litmus test for next PM - will he stand up for the ability of diplomats to do their jobs or give in to this kind of behaviour by the US President? https://t.co/tedKHy6aT4Extraordinary stuff. And huge litmus test for next PM - will he stand up for the ability of diplomats to do their jobs or give in to this kind of behaviour by the US President? https://t.co/tedKHy6aT4
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.
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.”
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”
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.
BREAK: 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.
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 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.
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.
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/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:
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.
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.
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).
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/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.
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.
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.
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.