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MPs liberalise abortion and same-sex marriage law in Northern Ireland - live news MPs liberalise abortion and same-sex marriage law in Northern Ireland - live news
(32 minutes later)
Lord Triesman has given an interview to Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis about his decision to resign the Labour whip in the House of Lords today over antisemitism. (See 3.18pm.) This is what Triesman said about the decision.
It’s been building for a long time, with incident after incident. It’s like a mad psychodrama. You pick up the morning’s papers, and there’s another issue. And quite aside from the issues that are in the public domain, the stream of invective that you get on social media is absolutely unbelievable – I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. So I think we have got to the point now where it is just unsustainable to continue. You have to take a decision about what your own ethics are.
And this is what he said when asked to justify the claim he made in his resignation letter that Jeremy Corbyn is personally antisemitic. Asked for evidence of this, Triesman replied:
If you look at event after event after event, and there is now a huge list of events. And you ask yourself the question, in relation to any one has he made the right call on it? And the answer is not once, never. And in those circumstances, it’s hard not to come to the conclusion that he either is indifferent to the problem or he is part of the problem.
And here is a statement from Sinn Fein on the two votes. It’s from the Sinn Fein MP Elisha McCallion.
Marriage equality, like Irish language rights, victims and women’s rights should be addressed by the Assembly.
They have not been because rights have been repeatedly vetoed by the DUP, enabled by the British Government.
It was inevitable that the British government’s failure to defend basic rights available everywhere else on these islands would be confronted. This was the message coming out of Westminster today.
Rights delayed are rights denied and the obvious political imperative now is to ensure that all citizens are afforded rights and equality, regardless of where they live on these islands.
Here is Tony Lloyd, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, on tonight’s two Commons votes.
Today parliament has voted to ensure that love no longer has borders and women are not treated as second class citizens. The government must now act to bring forward legislation on marriage equality and abortion reform if the Northern Ireland assembly and Executive are not returned before the 21st October.
Labour has long called on the government to take action on these issues and will work with the government to see it implemented.
The size of the majority pays tribute to the campaigning of many in Northern Ireland and the determination of Labour MP’s Conor McGinn, Diana Johnson and Stella Creasy amongst others.
This is from Sky News.
U.S. Commerce Department says the meeting between secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has been cancelled
And here is the full list of 332 MPs who voted for the Stella Creasy amendment on liberalising the abortion law in Northern Ireland.
And here is the full list of the 99 MPs who voted against - 84 Tories, eight DUP, five Labour, two SNP and one independent. The other two DUP MPs were tellers.
Back in the Commons Dominic Grieve, the Conservative pro-European, is now speaking about his various amendments intended to stop the next prime minster proroguing parliament to facilitate a no-deal Brexit in the autumn.Back in the Commons Dominic Grieve, the Conservative pro-European, is now speaking about his various amendments intended to stop the next prime minster proroguing parliament to facilitate a no-deal Brexit in the autumn.
Steve Brine, a fellow Tory, asks if the amendments would prevent prorogation without new clause 14 being passed. NC14 is the one that is not being put to a vote. (See 2.07pm and 2.46pm.)Steve Brine, a fellow Tory, asks if the amendments would prevent prorogation without new clause 14 being passed. NC14 is the one that is not being put to a vote. (See 2.07pm and 2.46pm.)
Grieve says with NC14 his amendments would definitely stop prorogation in the autumn. But even without it, the others are worth having, he says.Grieve says with NC14 his amendments would definitely stop prorogation in the autumn. But even without it, the others are worth having, he says.
Sir Oliver Letwin, a fellow Conservative, asks Grieve if he agrees that the other amendments (saying MPs would have to make fortnightly reports to parliament and allow those reports to be debated - see 2.46pm) would allow someone to take a case to the supreme court if the PM did try to prorogue parliament.Sir Oliver Letwin, a fellow Conservative, asks Grieve if he agrees that the other amendments (saying MPs would have to make fortnightly reports to parliament and allow those reports to be debated - see 2.46pm) would allow someone to take a case to the supreme court if the PM did try to prorogue parliament.
Grieve does accept that. He also said that, if peers decide to include a version of NC14 when the bill is in the Lords, then MPs will get the chance to debate it when the bill comes back to the Commons.Grieve does accept that. He also said that, if peers decide to include a version of NC14 when the bill is in the Lords, then MPs will get the chance to debate it when the bill comes back to the Commons.
Letwin intervenes again. He says the Speaker probably decided not to allow a vote on NC14 because he considered it outside the “scope” of the bill (a technical parliamentary term). But he says that in the Lords peers apply a wider definition of scope.Letwin intervenes again. He says the Speaker probably decided not to allow a vote on NC14 because he considered it outside the “scope” of the bill (a technical parliamentary term). But he says that in the Lords peers apply a wider definition of scope.
Here is the full list of the 383 MPs who voted in favour of Conor McGinn’s same-sex marriage amendment.Here is the full list of the 383 MPs who voted in favour of Conor McGinn’s same-sex marriage amendment.
And here is the full list of the 73 MPs who voted against - 65 Tories and eight from the DUP. The other two DUP were acting as tellers.And here is the full list of the 73 MPs who voted against - 65 Tories and eight from the DUP. The other two DUP were acting as tellers.
Today’s majority of 310 in favour of same-sex marriage compares with the 225 majority in favour six years ago when MPs voted in favour of same-sex marriage for Britain. Today’s majority of 310 in favour of same-sex marriage compares with the 225 majority in favour six years ago when MPs voted in favour of same-sex marriage for England and Wales. The Scottish parliament voted for same-sex marriage in 2014.
MPs have passed the Creasy amendment to liberalise the abortion law in Northern Irelnd (see 5.30pm) by 332 votes to 99 - a majority of 233.MPs have passed the Creasy amendment to liberalise the abortion law in Northern Irelnd (see 5.30pm) by 332 votes to 99 - a majority of 233.
Back in the Commons MPs are now voting on Stella Creasy’s new clause 10 (NC10) on abortion.Back in the Commons MPs are now voting on Stella Creasy’s new clause 10 (NC10) on abortion.
It says:It says:
Clause 1, page 1, line 3, at end insert—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.”“(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.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.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”.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/hNeBWmyyVN1/2 @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.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 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.)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:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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/tedKHy6aT4