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Brexit: Tory MP defects to Lib Dems as Boris Johnson makes statement on G7 summit – live news | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Johnson says that practical alternatives to the backstop are available. | |
He confirms that he will meet Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, in Dublin on Monday. | |
It is not true to say that the government is not making progress towards a deal, he says. | |
In the Commons Boris Johnson is still making his statement. He says he thinks over the last few weeks the chances of a Brexit deal have risen. | |
Boris Johnson claims chances of Brexit deal have risen. | |
He has not alluded yet to Phillip Lee’s defection. | |
Here is the Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson on Phillip Lee’s defection. | |
I am delighted to welcome Phillip to the Liberal Democrats at this crucial time. | |
He brings almost 10 years of parliamentary experience and decades of professional expertise. He shares our commitment to prevent a disastrous no-deal Brexit, and to stop Brexit altogether. | |
The Liberal Democrats are growing. Phillip follows both Chuka Umunna MP and Sarah Wollaston MP in bravely crossing the floor to join us. | |
Today, we also welcome Jane Dodds MP to parliament, following her recent victory in Brecon and Radnorshire. And these representatives join over 30,000 new members, who have joined the Liberal Democrats since our best ever results in the European elections in May. | |
The Tory Phillip Lee has just issued this statement about his defection to the Lib Dems. | |
Over 27 years ago I joined the Conservative & Unionist party led by Sir John Major. Since 2010 I have had the privilege of representing the Bracknell Constituency. The party I joined in 1992 is not the party I am leaving today. | |
This Conservative government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways. It is putting lives and livelihoods at risk unnecessarily and it is wantonly endangering the integrity of the United Kingdom. More widely, it is undermining our country’s economy, democracy and role in the world. It is using political manipulation, bullying and lies. And it is doing these things in a deliberate and considered way. | |
That is why today I am joining Jo Swinson and the Liberal Democrats. I believe the Liberal Democrats are best placed to build the unifying and inspiring political force needed to heal our divisions, unleash our talents, equip us to take the opportunities and overcome the challenges that we face as a society - and leave our country and our world in a better place for the next generations. | |
This means that Boris Johnson has lost his majority. | |
It looks as if the Tory MP Phillip Lee has defected to the Lib Dems. This is from Politics.co.uk’s Ian Dunt. | |
As Johnson talked Tory MP Philip Lee stood up and walked across the floor of the Commons and sat down with the Lib Dems (top right). pic.twitter.com/cRLh6FRejT | |
Boris Johnson starts by saying that today is the 80th anniversary of Britain’s entry into world war two. He says MPs know that this country still stands for democracy and the rule of law. That prompts jeering from Labour, in the light of Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament to limit the amount of time available to MPs seeking to block a no-deal Brexit. | |
He says he made the case for free trade at the G7 summit. | |
He says the UK is on the verge of taking back control of its trade policy by taking its own seat at the WTO. He says he wants to do a comprehensive trade deal with the US. He says he and President Trump have agreed that the NHS will not be on the table for that deal. | |
In the Commons the new Lib Dem MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, Jane Dodds, is just taking her seat. | |
The supreme court has confirmed a provisional date of Tuesday 17 September for any appeal hearing in the multiple legal challenges against the prime minister’s decision to prorogue parliament. | |
Judicial review cases have been launched separately in the lower courts in Edinburgh, Belfast and London alleging that the planned suspension of parliamentary business is illegal. | |
If any appeals are made against the rulings of the court of session and high courts in the three cases they would be joined together for a combined hearing at the supreme court in London. It would be the first time the UK’s highest court has sat for an emergency application outside its normal legal terms. | |
Many justices are understood to be away on holiday. The supreme court does not normally start hearing cases until after the formal opening of the new legal year at the beginning of October. | |
The article 50 Brexit case heard by the supreme court in 2016 involved 11 justices hearing the high-profile case. A similar, odd number - to avoid the danger of a draw - could sit on 17 September. | |
Alistair Burt, the former Foreign Office minister and one of the Tories committed to voting with the opposition tonight on the motion enabling the Benn bill to block a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, has announced that he will stand down at the next election. | |
As ITV’s Emma Hutchinson reports, Burt, 64, says he is leaving earlier than planned because he does not support Boris Johnson’s Brexit policy. Under Johnson’s plan to deselect MPs who rebel tonight, he would probably have been forced out anyway. | |
(Other Tory rebels are taking a different approach. This morning Philip Hammond said he might even go to court to ensure he can stand again as a Conservative party candidate. See 8.15am.) | |
NEW - North East Bedfordshire MP Alistair Burt announces he will not stand at the next General Election @itvanglia | |
In a letter to his constituents Alistair Burt says there was always going to be a time to go but decision brought forward by recent events @itvanglia | |
In letter to constituents Alistair Burt says "it has become clear I have a fundamental and unresolvable disagreement with party leadership on the manner in which we leave the EU" @itvanglia | |
Dominic Cummings, the PM’s de facto chief of staff, also got involved at the meeting where Boris Johnson hoped to win over some rebel Tories this morning, HuffPost’s Paul Waugh reports. It sounds as though his intervention was not particularly helpful. | Dominic Cummings, the PM’s de facto chief of staff, also got involved at the meeting where Boris Johnson hoped to win over some rebel Tories this morning, HuffPost’s Paul Waugh reports. It sounds as though his intervention was not particularly helpful. |
Fascinating titbit of what happened as 'rebel alliance' of MPs were sitting outside PM's office as they waited for meeting.I'm told several of them were 'hectored for an extended period of time' by Dominic Cummings. He then apparently told them "I don't know who any of you are!" | Fascinating titbit of what happened as 'rebel alliance' of MPs were sitting outside PM's office as they waited for meeting.I'm told several of them were 'hectored for an extended period of time' by Dominic Cummings. He then apparently told them "I don't know who any of you are!" |
Govt source says "hectored is totally wrong" but he did indeed speak to a few of the MPs as they waited. | Govt source says "hectored is totally wrong" but he did indeed speak to a few of the MPs as they waited. |
And here is the statement that Jeremy Corbyn issued after his meeting with other opposition leaders this morning about whether to vote for an election and stopping a no-deal Brexit. (See 1.31pm and 2.35pm.) | And here is the statement that Jeremy Corbyn issued after his meeting with other opposition leaders this morning about whether to vote for an election and stopping a no-deal Brexit. (See 1.31pm and 2.35pm.) |
Following a productive meeting of cross-party MPs this morning, we are united in our opposition to Boris Johnson’s plans for a no-deal. | Following a productive meeting of cross-party MPs this morning, we are united in our opposition to Boris Johnson’s plans for a no-deal. |
We are confident that the legislative route we have adopted has every chance of being successful, and we are working on ways in which we can prevent Boris Johnson manipulating an election to force a no-deal Brexit. | We are confident that the legislative route we have adopted has every chance of being successful, and we are working on ways in which we can prevent Boris Johnson manipulating an election to force a no-deal Brexit. |
Labour wants to prevent a no-deal Brexit, and to have a general election, so we can end austerity and invest in our communities. I am confident we can have both, and we’ve been in discussions about a way to achieve this. We will continue to work across parliament towards this goal and will have further meetings to this end in coming days. | Labour wants to prevent a no-deal Brexit, and to have a general election, so we can end austerity and invest in our communities. I am confident we can have both, and we’ve been in discussions about a way to achieve this. We will continue to work across parliament towards this goal and will have further meetings to this end in coming days. |
And this is from my colleague Heather Stewart. | And this is from my colleague Heather Stewart. |
Told Labour MPs' WhatsApp groups buzzing with alarm today about the idea party could back a snap GE without first securing an A50 extension. But team Corbyn believe they can use parliamentary mechanisms to prevent the PM sneakily changing the polling day. | Told Labour MPs' WhatsApp groups buzzing with alarm today about the idea party could back a snap GE without first securing an A50 extension. But team Corbyn believe they can use parliamentary mechanisms to prevent the PM sneakily changing the polling day. |
From my colleague Lisa O’Carroll | From my colleague Lisa O’Carroll |
NEW US VP Mike Pence had uncomfortable message for Varadkar: "As Brexit deadline approaches -we urge Ireland and EU as well to negotiate in good faith with Prime minister Boris Johnson and work to reach an agreement that respects UK sovereignty + minimises disruption to commerce" | NEW US VP Mike Pence had uncomfortable message for Varadkar: "As Brexit deadline approaches -we urge Ireland and EU as well to negotiate in good faith with Prime minister Boris Johnson and work to reach an agreement that respects UK sovereignty + minimises disruption to commerce" |
HuffPost’s Paul Waugh has more on Boris Johnson’s meeting with Philip Hammond and other rebels. (See 12.55pm.) | HuffPost’s Paul Waugh has more on Boris Johnson’s meeting with Philip Hammond and other rebels. (See 12.55pm.) |
PM meeting with rebels - latest intel from rebel camp: Hammond said EU cannot apply conditions to any extension "according to law". He added that was confirmed in conversations he had with EU officials *when he was in office*. | PM meeting with rebels - latest intel from rebel camp: Hammond said EU cannot apply conditions to any extension "according to law". He added that was confirmed in conversations he had with EU officials *when he was in office*. |
But intel from govt source re the rebel meeting. Says of Hammond: "He explicitly mentioned EU legal services and their advice on this bill. The very clear implication from his comments was that his involvement in drafting the bill had been done in conjunction with the Commission" | But intel from govt source re the rebel meeting. Says of Hammond: "He explicitly mentioned EU legal services and their advice on this bill. The very clear implication from his comments was that his involvement in drafting the bill had been done in conjunction with the Commission" |
"He then corrected himself very quickly and said 'this is the advice I've had from my lawyers'."Did Hammond misspeak? Or let cat out of bag of contacts with Brussels? | "He then corrected himself very quickly and said 'this is the advice I've had from my lawyers'."Did Hammond misspeak? Or let cat out of bag of contacts with Brussels? |
From my colleague Jessica Elgot | From my colleague Jessica Elgot |
Understand Greg Clark is going to vote against government tonight, friends say it consistent with the view he has always held about no deal and threats of deselection have only hardened his and others’ conviction | Understand Greg Clark is going to vote against government tonight, friends say it consistent with the view he has always held about no deal and threats of deselection have only hardened his and others’ conviction |
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, issued this statement after his meeting with Jeremy Corbyn and other opposition leaders at Westminster this morning. (See 1.31pm.) Blackford said: | Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, issued this statement after his meeting with Jeremy Corbyn and other opposition leaders at Westminster this morning. (See 1.31pm.) Blackford said: |
Today’s cross-party meeting was another vital and productive step in working together to prevent this rogue Tory government from inflicting lasting harm with its extreme Brexit plans. | Today’s cross-party meeting was another vital and productive step in working together to prevent this rogue Tory government from inflicting lasting harm with its extreme Brexit plans. |
The SNP’s priority is to stop a catastrophic no-deal and that is why we have co-sponsored the cross-party bill designed to take that outcome off the table – an outcome parliament has already previously rejected. We will explore every avenue and parliamentary process open to us to stop that. However, while the SNP are ready and eager for a general election, Boris Johnson must not be allowed to use an election to force through no-deal. | The SNP’s priority is to stop a catastrophic no-deal and that is why we have co-sponsored the cross-party bill designed to take that outcome off the table – an outcome parliament has already previously rejected. We will explore every avenue and parliamentary process open to us to stop that. However, while the SNP are ready and eager for a general election, Boris Johnson must not be allowed to use an election to force through no-deal. |
While the SNP has been at the forefront in standing up for Scotland’s interests in Westminster, the 13 Scottish Tory MPs have been notably absent. With time running out – and with every vote pivotal – I urge the group of Scottish Tory MPs to work with us in safeguarding Scotland’s economic and social interests. | While the SNP has been at the forefront in standing up for Scotland’s interests in Westminster, the 13 Scottish Tory MPs have been notably absent. With time running out – and with every vote pivotal – I urge the group of Scottish Tory MPs to work with us in safeguarding Scotland’s economic and social interests. |
Here is the timetable for events in the Commons this afternoon. After the first two entries, all the timings are provisional, for reasons explained below. | Here is the timetable for events in the Commons this afternoon. After the first two entries, all the timings are provisional, for reasons explained below. |
2.30pm: Dominic Raab takes Foreign Office questions. | 2.30pm: Dominic Raab takes Foreign Office questions. |
3.30pm: Boris Johnson gives a statement on the G7. Commons statements normally run for about an hour, but John Bercow, the Speaker, likes to call all MPs who want to ask a question, and he regularly lets questions to the PM run for two hours or more. But assuming they wrap up after two hours, that takes us to ... | 3.30pm: Boris Johnson gives a statement on the G7. Commons statements normally run for about an hour, but John Bercow, the Speaker, likes to call all MPs who want to ask a question, and he regularly lets questions to the PM run for two hours or more. But assuming they wrap up after two hours, that takes us to ... |
5.30pm?: Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, gives a statement on no-deal Brexit preparations. | 5.30pm?: Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, gives a statement on no-deal Brexit preparations. |
6.30pm?: Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, gives a statement on education funding. | 6.30pm?: Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, gives a statement on education funding. |
7.30pm?: Chris Philp moves a motion under the 10-minute rule for a bill on clean air. (Although called a 10-minute rule bill, the debate can last up to 20 minute, although normally these speeches last about five minutes.) | 7.30pm?: Chris Philp moves a motion under the 10-minute rule for a bill on clean air. (Although called a 10-minute rule bill, the debate can last up to 20 minute, although normally these speeches last about five minutes.) |
7.35pm?: Sir Oliver Letwin submits a request for an SO24 (standing order 24) emergency debate on a no-deal Brexit. After a very short speech, Bercow will either allow or disallow the debate. No one expects him to say no. | 7.35pm?: Sir Oliver Letwin submits a request for an SO24 (standing order 24) emergency debate on a no-deal Brexit. After a very short speech, Bercow will either allow or disallow the debate. No one expects him to say no. |
7.40pm?: MPs begin the debate on the SO24 motion. It can run for up to three hours, or until 10pm - whichever comes first. | 7.40pm?: MPs begin the debate on the SO24 motion. It can run for up to three hours, or until 10pm - whichever comes first. |
10pm?: MPs vote on the motion. | 10pm?: MPs vote on the motion. |