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| Hague urges Johnson to 'rule out suspending parliament' for a no-deal Brexit - Politics live | Hague urges Johnson to 'rule out suspending parliament' for a no-deal Brexit - Politics live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| On the issue of plastic, Sir David said: “I’ve been going on about plastics for 20 years. Anybody who swims know that, or anyone who travels can see, the horrors of what plastic pollution can do. | |
| “I’ve been putting it in programmes for years, and nobody took any notice”. | |
| Then a two-minute clip in his programme Blue Planet II “rang a bell with people”, he added. | |
| Sir David Attenborough is in parliament talking about climate change. He said the most vivid example he has seen of the changing climate was revisiting the Great Barrier Reef and seeing how it had bleached because of rising temperatures. He told Parliament’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee that when visiting the Australian landmark in the 1950s he had “the extraordinary experience of diving on the reef and suddenly seeing this multitude of fantastic beautiful forms of life.” But of returning 10 years ago, he said: “Instead of multitudes of wonderful forms of life I was struck by how it was bleached white because of the rising temperatures and increasing acidity of the seas”. When he started out in natural history, Sir David did not talk about climate change, because “we didn’t know, I didn’t believe we could change the climate, or worse the changes we were going to inflict were irreversible, which they are if we go on as we are.” And he said: “I’m not by nature a propagandist”, but added “if you become aware of what is happening you don’t have any alternative”. | |
| Ireland’s deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney is to warn the Irish cabinet this morning over the “dire” consequences of no deal in Ireland and for the all-Ireland economy. | Ireland’s deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney is to warn the Irish cabinet this morning over the “dire” consequences of no deal in Ireland and for the all-Ireland economy. |
| On Tuesday, he will deliver three reports to a special cabinet meeting with the principle paper running to more than 100 pages. | On Tuesday, he will deliver three reports to a special cabinet meeting with the principle paper running to more than 100 pages. |
| Irish ministers meet to discuss 'dire' outcomes of no-deal Brexit | Irish ministers meet to discuss 'dire' outcomes of no-deal Brexit |
| It is understood that checks on goods crossing the border from Northern Ireland could be conducted elsewhere in relation to customs and VAT but the unsolved challenge is mandatory checks on animals and agrifood including the one third of Northern Ireland milk that goes south for cheese, butter and dried milk products for exported infant formula and confectionary. | It is understood that checks on goods crossing the border from Northern Ireland could be conducted elsewhere in relation to customs and VAT but the unsolved challenge is mandatory checks on animals and agrifood including the one third of Northern Ireland milk that goes south for cheese, butter and dried milk products for exported infant formula and confectionary. |
| Northern Ireland faces prospect of no-deal Brexit ‘milk lake’ | Northern Ireland faces prospect of no-deal Brexit ‘milk lake’ |
| One option being considered by the EU agriculture department is to disrupt the all-Ireland economy. At present, this involves one third of milk from Northern Ireland being processed south of the border and more than 400,000 sheep being slaughtered annually in abattoirs hundreds of miles away in the republic. | One option being considered by the EU agriculture department is to disrupt the all-Ireland economy. At present, this involves one third of milk from Northern Ireland being processed south of the border and more than 400,000 sheep being slaughtered annually in abattoirs hundreds of miles away in the republic. |
| Environment secretary Michael Gove has said that Britain cannot “offshore” responsibilities for food standards in any future trade deals including agreement with the US which chlorinates its chicken before sale. He said animal welfare standards of British farming had to be “protected” to guarantee consumer trust in what they eat. | Environment secretary Michael Gove has said that Britain cannot “offshore” responsibilities for food standards in any future trade deals including agreement with the US which chlorinates its chicken before sale. He said animal welfare standards of British farming had to be “protected” to guarantee consumer trust in what they eat. |
| “What we cannot have is an approach towards trade that tries to offshore our responsibilities and undermine high standards that British farmers produce,” he told the National Farmers’ Union summer party in Westminster on Monday evening. | “What we cannot have is an approach towards trade that tries to offshore our responsibilities and undermine high standards that British farmers produce,” he told the National Farmers’ Union summer party in Westminster on Monday evening. |
| His front bench future is in the balance and his consistent advocacy for continuing animal welfare standards has not been shared by everyone around the cabinet table. | His front bench future is in the balance and his consistent advocacy for continuing animal welfare standards has not been shared by everyone around the cabinet table. |
| Gove said: “We’ve been very clear that the problems that exist with chlorinated chicken are a direct result of lower animal welfare standards in some parts of the United States than here and we have to maintain and protect the high animal welfare standards that are number one in British agriculture.” | Gove said: “We’ve been very clear that the problems that exist with chlorinated chicken are a direct result of lower animal welfare standards in some parts of the United States than here and we have to maintain and protect the high animal welfare standards that are number one in British agriculture.” |
| He added: “One of the things that underpins agriculture is high agriculture standards and the provenance of that which we sell. That needs to be protected ... Protection is not a dirty word when it comes to ensure that we have standards in which consumers can trust. “ | He added: “One of the things that underpins agriculture is high agriculture standards and the provenance of that which we sell. That needs to be protected ... Protection is not a dirty word when it comes to ensure that we have standards in which consumers can trust. “ |
| NFU president Minette Batters said she was “massively concerned” that Gove’s pledges would be reneged on in a future cabinet. “It’s not opposition to leaving, it’s about a managed deal that can enshrine our values” | NFU president Minette Batters said she was “massively concerned” that Gove’s pledges would be reneged on in a future cabinet. “It’s not opposition to leaving, it’s about a managed deal that can enshrine our values” |
| William Hague has urged Boris Johnson to rule out suspending parliament in a no-deal Brexit scenario. | William Hague has urged Boris Johnson to rule out suspending parliament in a no-deal Brexit scenario. |
| The former Conservative Party leader said Johnson must avoid suspending Parliament in order to try to get a no-deal Brexit through if he becomes prime minister. Lord Hague said the frontrunner in the battle for Downing Street should use a head-to-head TV debate with rival Jeremy Hunt on Tuesday to make clear he would not use a parliamentary “manoeuvre” in this way.The call came as former attorney general Dominic Grieve has tabled an amendment to the Northern Ireland Bill - intended to keep government in the province running in the absence of the devolved institutions - requiring Parliament to come back to the issue in October. The move is designed to try to ensure the next prime minister cannot push through a no deal on October 31, the current EU deadline for agreeing on a deal, simply by suspending - or “proroguing” - Parliament. Commons Speaker John Bercow is expected to announce on Tuesday whether he has selected the amendment for debate, giving MPs the chance to vote on it. Johnson, who has said he will take Britain out of the EU by the end of October “do or die”, warned such tactics risked playing into the hands of Jeremy Corbyn and Labour. Lord Hague, who backs Mr Hunt in the Tory leadership race, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It is very important that Parliament is able to give its opinion.” | The former Conservative Party leader said Johnson must avoid suspending Parliament in order to try to get a no-deal Brexit through if he becomes prime minister. Lord Hague said the frontrunner in the battle for Downing Street should use a head-to-head TV debate with rival Jeremy Hunt on Tuesday to make clear he would not use a parliamentary “manoeuvre” in this way.The call came as former attorney general Dominic Grieve has tabled an amendment to the Northern Ireland Bill - intended to keep government in the province running in the absence of the devolved institutions - requiring Parliament to come back to the issue in October. The move is designed to try to ensure the next prime minister cannot push through a no deal on October 31, the current EU deadline for agreeing on a deal, simply by suspending - or “proroguing” - Parliament. Commons Speaker John Bercow is expected to announce on Tuesday whether he has selected the amendment for debate, giving MPs the chance to vote on it. Johnson, who has said he will take Britain out of the EU by the end of October “do or die”, warned such tactics risked playing into the hands of Jeremy Corbyn and Labour. Lord Hague, who backs Mr Hunt in the Tory leadership race, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It is very important that Parliament is able to give its opinion.” |
| Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson will appear on a live ITV debate at 8pm on Tuesday to battle to be the next Tory party leader. Johnson will hope to use the occasion to seal his position as the clear frontrunner, with polls giving him an overwhelming lead. | Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson will appear on a live ITV debate at 8pm on Tuesday to battle to be the next Tory party leader. Johnson will hope to use the occasion to seal his position as the clear frontrunner, with polls giving him an overwhelming lead. |
| Proroguing the House of Commons to achieve a no-deal Brexit would be “the end of parliamentary democracy” in the UK, Dominic Grieve has said in defending his move to seek to remove the option. | Proroguing the House of Commons to achieve a no-deal Brexit would be “the end of parliamentary democracy” in the UK, Dominic Grieve has said in defending his move to seek to remove the option. |
| Grieve’s amendment, which has cross-party support including from a handful of fellow Conservative MPs, is to the Northern Ireland bill going through the Commons, and would require fortnightly reports on that country’s formation of an executive, which has been vacant since 2017. | Grieve’s amendment, which has cross-party support including from a handful of fellow Conservative MPs, is to the Northern Ireland bill going through the Commons, and would require fortnightly reports on that country’s formation of an executive, which has been vacant since 2017. |
| Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Grieve said the amendment calls for “regular motions before parliament in September and particularly October”. If passed, it would prevent the parliamentary session being prorogued, or abruptly ended, in the lead-up to the 31 October departure date. | Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Grieve said the amendment calls for “regular motions before parliament in September and particularly October”. If passed, it would prevent the parliamentary session being prorogued, or abruptly ended, in the lead-up to the 31 October departure date. |
| Catch up on the latest Guardian political stories of the day: | Catch up on the latest Guardian political stories of the day: |
| Donald Trump: we will no longer deal with the British ambassador | Donald Trump: we will no longer deal with the British ambassador |
| Can Kim Darroch continue as ambassador to US after Trump leak? | Can Kim Darroch continue as ambassador to US after Trump leak? |
| Who could be prosecuted over leaked diplomatic emails? | Who could be prosecuted over leaked diplomatic emails? |
| Abolish Eton: Labour groups aim to strip elite schools of privileges | Abolish Eton: Labour groups aim to strip elite schools of privileges |
| Unions agree Labour should back remain in referendum on Tory deal | Unions agree Labour should back remain in referendum on Tory deal |
| Whoever is behind the leak of sensitive diplomatic messages was intent on sabotaging the British ambassador to the US in order for them to be replaced by someone “more congenial”, a person who formerly held the role has claimed. Sir Christopher Meyer said there was a “possible range of villains” who could be responsible for the leaking of memos in which Sir Kim Darroch described the US administration under Donald Trump as “inept”. Sir Christopher told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Here there is a possible range of villains who come into the frame. But it was clearly somebody who set out, deliberately, to sabotage Sir Kim’s ambassadorship, to make his position untenable, and to have him replaced by somebody more congenial to the leaker.” There has been fierce criticism of the mystery leaker from government ministers. The person or people behind it should “regret the moment for the rest of their life”, Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan said, while defence minister Tobias Ellwood suggested the leaker put “self-interest above country”. A formal leak investigation has been launched by the Foreign Office, and in the Commons there were calls for a police investigation amid widespread anger at the diplomatic fall-out. Foreign Secretary and Conservative Party leadership contender Jeremy Hunt said “all avenues of inquiry” would be explored to find out how it happened. Hunt told The Sun: “Of course it would be massively concerning if it was the act of a foreign, hostile state. “I’ve seen no evidence that that’s the case, but we’ll look at the leak inquiry very carefully.” | Whoever is behind the leak of sensitive diplomatic messages was intent on sabotaging the British ambassador to the US in order for them to be replaced by someone “more congenial”, a person who formerly held the role has claimed. Sir Christopher Meyer said there was a “possible range of villains” who could be responsible for the leaking of memos in which Sir Kim Darroch described the US administration under Donald Trump as “inept”. Sir Christopher told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Here there is a possible range of villains who come into the frame. But it was clearly somebody who set out, deliberately, to sabotage Sir Kim’s ambassadorship, to make his position untenable, and to have him replaced by somebody more congenial to the leaker.” There has been fierce criticism of the mystery leaker from government ministers. The person or people behind it should “regret the moment for the rest of their life”, Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan said, while defence minister Tobias Ellwood suggested the leaker put “self-interest above country”. A formal leak investigation has been launched by the Foreign Office, and in the Commons there were calls for a police investigation amid widespread anger at the diplomatic fall-out. Foreign Secretary and Conservative Party leadership contender Jeremy Hunt said “all avenues of inquiry” would be explored to find out how it happened. Hunt told The Sun: “Of course it would be massively concerning if it was the act of a foreign, hostile state. “I’ve seen no evidence that that’s the case, but we’ll look at the leak inquiry very carefully.” |
| William Hague, the former leader of the Conservative party, has said that leadership hopefuls Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson should rule out dissolving parliament to get through a no-deal Brexit. | William Hague, the former leader of the Conservative party, has said that leadership hopefuls Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson should rule out dissolving parliament to get through a no-deal Brexit. |
| Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Hague said: “He should rule it out. For a Conservative government to go ahead with a no-deal Brexit, in defiance of the pleas of business and farming organisations, and increasing the risks to the union of the United Kingdom, and defying any attempts to have a vote in Parliament, would be an extraordinary combination of things to do, so yes I do think Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt should rule that out.”He supported former attorney general, Dominic Grieve, bringing the amendment against prorogation:“I think it’s very important that parliament is able to give its opinion. It ought to be unthinkable that we could leave the EU by a manoeuvre, by a procedural ruse of some kind.” | Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Hague said: “He should rule it out. For a Conservative government to go ahead with a no-deal Brexit, in defiance of the pleas of business and farming organisations, and increasing the risks to the union of the United Kingdom, and defying any attempts to have a vote in Parliament, would be an extraordinary combination of things to do, so yes I do think Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt should rule that out.”He supported former attorney general, Dominic Grieve, bringing the amendment against prorogation:“I think it’s very important that parliament is able to give its opinion. It ought to be unthinkable that we could leave the EU by a manoeuvre, by a procedural ruse of some kind.” |
| He added: “While I don’t agree with everything Dominic has said or tried to do, I sympathise with attempts to ensure that Parliament can have its say.” | He added: “While I don’t agree with everything Dominic has said or tried to do, I sympathise with attempts to ensure that Parliament can have its say.” |
| Trump has criticised the UK ambassador, following a leak in which he described the US president as “inept” and “dysfunctional”. | Trump has criticised the UK ambassador, following a leak in which he described the US president as “inept” and “dysfunctional”. |
| But this morning, people have come out in defence of Sir Kim Darroch, the UK’s ambassador to Washington. Tory former foreign secretary Lord William Hague told the BBC: “You can’t change an ambassador at the demand of a host country. | But this morning, people have come out in defence of Sir Kim Darroch, the UK’s ambassador to Washington. Tory former foreign secretary Lord William Hague told the BBC: “You can’t change an ambassador at the demand of a host country. |
| “It is their job to give an honest assessment of what is happening in that country.” | “It is their job to give an honest assessment of what is happening in that country.” |
| A former British ambassador to the US , Sir Christopher Meyer, branded Trump “insecure”. | A former British ambassador to the US , Sir Christopher Meyer, branded Trump “insecure”. |
| He said: “It just shows President Trump’s sensitivity. | He said: “It just shows President Trump’s sensitivity. |
| The House of Commons sits from 11.30am with an hour of justice questions. It could be one of the last times the secretary of state for Justice, David Gauke, appears in this role, after the Tory MP said he will quit the cabinet if Johnson becomes prime minister. He made this announcement as he would want to fight a no-deal Brexit. | The House of Commons sits from 11.30am with an hour of justice questions. It could be one of the last times the secretary of state for Justice, David Gauke, appears in this role, after the Tory MP said he will quit the cabinet if Johnson becomes prime minister. He made this announcement as he would want to fight a no-deal Brexit. |
| If he was to leave by the end of the month it would mean that the government would need to appoint their seventh justice secretary in just seven years. | If he was to leave by the end of the month it would mean that the government would need to appoint their seventh justice secretary in just seven years. |
| Elsewhere, Parliament will host broadcasting legend David Attenborough today. He will be giving evidence on climate change to the Commons business committee at 10 am. | Elsewhere, Parliament will host broadcasting legend David Attenborough today. He will be giving evidence on climate change to the Commons business committee at 10 am. |
| On Tuesday, student climate network activists will also meet political leaders including Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford. | On Tuesday, student climate network activists will also meet political leaders including Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford. |
| From 10.30am, the department for culture, media and sport committee will question senior Channel 4 executives. | From 10.30am, the department for culture, media and sport committee will question senior Channel 4 executives. |
| The health secretary Matt Hancock is giving evidence to the Commons Health and Social Care Committee from 2.30pm. | The health secretary Matt Hancock is giving evidence to the Commons Health and Social Care Committee from 2.30pm. |
| Outside of Westminster, in Brussels, the Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay will meet Michel Barnier this afternoon. | Outside of Westminster, in Brussels, the Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay will meet Michel Barnier this afternoon. |
| A Labour group is campaigning to abolish Eton, and other elite private schools in England. | A Labour group is campaigning to abolish Eton, and other elite private schools in England. |
| Activists are aiming to capitalise on Boris Johnson’s likely election as Conservative leader and are circulating a motion for the party’s conference in September that would commit a Labour government to stripping fee-paying schools of their privileges and integrating them into the state system. | Activists are aiming to capitalise on Boris Johnson’s likely election as Conservative leader and are circulating a motion for the party’s conference in September that would commit a Labour government to stripping fee-paying schools of their privileges and integrating them into the state system. |
| The group, Labour Against Private Schools, launched the campaign on Tuesday using the @AbolishEtonTwitter handle. It is backed by a number of Labour MPs including the former party leader Ed Miliband. | The group, Labour Against Private Schools, launched the campaign on Tuesday using the @AbolishEtonTwitter handle. It is backed by a number of Labour MPs including the former party leader Ed Miliband. |
| MPs prepare to vote on the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill at 7pm this evening. | MPs prepare to vote on the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill at 7pm this evening. |
| Much attention is on the speaker John Bercow who will announce at mid-morning which amendments have been selected for votes, and there are three which could have a seismic impact. | Much attention is on the speaker John Bercow who will announce at mid-morning which amendments have been selected for votes, and there are three which could have a seismic impact. |
| Labour MP Conor McGinn’s “new clause 1”, which would legalize gay marriage in Northern Ireland. | Labour MP Conor McGinn’s “new clause 1”, which would legalize gay marriage in Northern Ireland. |
| Labour colleague Diana Johnson’s “new clause 9” which would force ministers to review abortion rights in the province. | Labour colleague Diana Johnson’s “new clause 9” which would force ministers to review abortion rights in the province. |
| Dominic Grieve’s amendment to prevent the next prime minister from proroguing parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit. | Dominic Grieve’s amendment to prevent the next prime minister from proroguing parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit. |
| A former British ambassador to the US has branded president Donald Trump “insecure” over the diplomatic war of words raging between London and Washington DC. Referring to Trump’s declaration he would no longer deal with the UK’s ambassador Sir Kim Darroch, previous occupant of the post Sir Christopher Meyer told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It just shows President Trump’s sensitivity. “His insecurity, which Sir Kim himself bore witness to.” Referring to whoever leaked diplomatic cables from Sir Kim, Sir Christopher said: “Here there is a possible range of villains who come into the frame. “But, it was clearly somebody who set out, deliberately, to sabotage Sir Kim’s ambassadorship, to make his position untenable, and to have him replaced by somebody more congenial to the leaker.” | A former British ambassador to the US has branded president Donald Trump “insecure” over the diplomatic war of words raging between London and Washington DC. Referring to Trump’s declaration he would no longer deal with the UK’s ambassador Sir Kim Darroch, previous occupant of the post Sir Christopher Meyer told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It just shows President Trump’s sensitivity. “His insecurity, which Sir Kim himself bore witness to.” Referring to whoever leaked diplomatic cables from Sir Kim, Sir Christopher said: “Here there is a possible range of villains who come into the frame. “But, it was clearly somebody who set out, deliberately, to sabotage Sir Kim’s ambassadorship, to make his position untenable, and to have him replaced by somebody more congenial to the leaker.” |
| Exactly a year ago today Boris Johnson quit as foreign secretary in protest at Theresa May’s Brexit plan. One year on, and the former mayor is making a play to be prime minister. | Exactly a year ago today Boris Johnson quit as foreign secretary in protest at Theresa May’s Brexit plan. One year on, and the former mayor is making a play to be prime minister. |
| The final two Tory leadership hopefuls – Jeremy Hunt and Johnson – will go head to head on a live TV debate this evening. Millions of viewers will tune in to ITV1 at 8 pm as they battle it out before a live audience in Salford, Greater Manchester. | The final two Tory leadership hopefuls – Jeremy Hunt and Johnson – will go head to head on a live TV debate this evening. Millions of viewers will tune in to ITV1 at 8 pm as they battle it out before a live audience in Salford, Greater Manchester. |
| The discussion will be hosted by TV newsreader and journalist ,Julie Etchingham, who will moderate the hour-long debate, with audience members asking questions pre-vetted by ITV. | The discussion will be hosted by TV newsreader and journalist ,Julie Etchingham, who will moderate the hour-long debate, with audience members asking questions pre-vetted by ITV. |
| Welcome to the live blog, where we will be running through the political news of the day. | Welcome to the live blog, where we will be running through the political news of the day. |
| On Tuesday, the main story is US president Donald Trump’s scathing attack on Theresa May and the British ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch. The diplomat’s frank assessments of Trump as “inept” and “dysfunctional” were leaked to the Mail on Sunday, prompting the president to launch a tirade against Darroch. | On Tuesday, the main story is US president Donald Trump’s scathing attack on Theresa May and the British ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch. The diplomat’s frank assessments of Trump as “inept” and “dysfunctional” were leaked to the Mail on Sunday, prompting the president to launch a tirade against Darroch. |
| He said: “I do not know the ambassador, but he is not liked or well thought of within the US. We will no longer deal with him. The good news for the wonderful United Kingdom is that they will soon have a new prime minister. While I thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent state visit last month, it was the Queen who I was most impressed with!” | He said: “I do not know the ambassador, but he is not liked or well thought of within the US. We will no longer deal with him. The good news for the wonderful United Kingdom is that they will soon have a new prime minister. While I thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent state visit last month, it was the Queen who I was most impressed with!” |
| May last night vowed to stand by Darroch. In a statement issued at 10.19 p.m, a UK government spokesman said Darroch maintains the prime minister’s “full support”. | May last night vowed to stand by Darroch. In a statement issued at 10.19 p.m, a UK government spokesman said Darroch maintains the prime minister’s “full support”. |
| The US president also took aim against May and her representatives, saying they had made a “mess” over Brexit, contrary to his advice. Just weeks ago, he praised the prime minister in person on his state visit to the UK, saying she had done a “very good job”. | The US president also took aim against May and her representatives, saying they had made a “mess” over Brexit, contrary to his advice. Just weeks ago, he praised the prime minister in person on his state visit to the UK, saying she had done a “very good job”. |