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Fury as Boris Johnson says best way to honour Jo Cox is to deliver Brexit – live news Fury as Boris Johnson says best way to honour Jo Cox is to deliver Brexit – live news
(32 minutes later)
Amidst the turmoil in parliament tonight, the Brexit shadow secretary, Matthew Pennycook MP, has resigned, citing his desire to focus his efforts on campaigning “unequivocally” for remain in a second referendum and the imminent arrival of his second child.
I have today stepped down as a Shadow Brexit Minister. Thank you to my brilliant colleagues @Keir_Starmer @PaulBlomfieldMP @JennyChapman @EmmaHardyMP @Jessicamordenmp and @hayteratlords for their support over the past three years and @jeremycorbyn for the opportunity to serve. pic.twitter.com/Ui6EaCL0ZA
Anna Soubry is now speaking, again making the point that the use of inflammatory language in politics is vitally important to reflect on. She words such as “traitor”, “surrender” and “treason” are dangerous if deployed by politicians, and that the fact that MPs and their families are getting death threats because of such language could have grave consequences for parliamentary democracy.
Boris Johnson has now left the chambers, which has caused some opposition MPs to complain to the Speaker.
Bercow says he has been in the Commons for many hours and answered many, at times repetitive, questions, and that he does not think that the PM’s departure represents a breech of the stipulations set out by the Supreme Court ruling.
This from Brendan Cox, Jo Cox’ widower, on the PM’s remarks about his late wife tonight:
Feel a bit sick at Jo’s name being used in this way. The best way to honour Jo is for all of us (no matter our views) to stand up for what we believe in, passionately and with determination. But never to demonise the other side and always hold onto what we have in common.
Boris Johnson is now answering questions from a half empty chambers, more than 3 hours after he first appeared at the despatch box to address the Commons.
Speaker John Bercow seems not bothered.
“The hour is still quite early,” he just told MPs.
Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse made Johnson a rather extraordinary offer in the Commons.Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse made Johnson a rather extraordinary offer in the Commons.
She said she will vote for his new deal, with the proviso that he promises to let the people make the ultimate decision in a second referendum.She said she will vote for his new deal, with the proviso that he promises to let the people make the ultimate decision in a second referendum.
This, she said, would “guarantee him” a majority.This, she said, would “guarantee him” a majority.
Johnson’s response is that this remark shows the Lib Dems can’t be trusted, as party leader Jo Swinson pledged to revoke article 50 and scrap Brexit altogether.Johnson’s response is that this remark shows the Lib Dems can’t be trusted, as party leader Jo Swinson pledged to revoke article 50 and scrap Brexit altogether.
Here a video of Paula Sherriff’s emotional speech about her friend Jo Cox, the Labour MP who was fatally shot and stabbed in June 2016 by a far-right extremist in the run up to the Brexit referendum. Cox was a passionate remain campaigner. Johnson’s response of “Humbug” to Sherriff’s speech is also being condemned.Here a video of Paula Sherriff’s emotional speech about her friend Jo Cox, the Labour MP who was fatally shot and stabbed in June 2016 by a far-right extremist in the run up to the Brexit referendum. Cox was a passionate remain campaigner. Johnson’s response of “Humbug” to Sherriff’s speech is also being condemned.
An MP makes an emotional plea to tone down the language - citing death of her friend Jo Cox. The prime minister responds saying “humbug”. pic.twitter.com/RbZsHRFyNFAn MP makes an emotional plea to tone down the language - citing death of her friend Jo Cox. The prime minister responds saying “humbug”. pic.twitter.com/RbZsHRFyNF
This from the Spectator’s Isabel Hardman: This from Channel 4’s Ciaran Jenkins:
Video here. Never seen anything like it. https://t.co/QaJFFHRK1T
And this from the Spectator’s Isabel Hardman:
Did he even listen to what she was saying?Did he even listen to what she was saying?
Outrage about the PM’s earlier suggestion that the best way to honour the murdered MP Jo Cox is to get Brexit done is widespread and growing.Outrage about the PM’s earlier suggestion that the best way to honour the murdered MP Jo Cox is to get Brexit done is widespread and growing.
Here Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon:Here Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon:
As of tonight, there’s a gaping moral vacuum where the office of Prime Minister used to be. I didn’t know Jo Cox but I’m certain this man is not fit to speak her name. https://t.co/fg4FlbhP5xAs of tonight, there’s a gaping moral vacuum where the office of Prime Minister used to be. I didn’t know Jo Cox but I’m certain this man is not fit to speak her name. https://t.co/fg4FlbhP5x
The Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson:The Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson:
This Prime Minister is a disgrace.@paulasherriff made heartfelt plea for him to stop using inflammatory words like "surrender". She pointed at the plaque for murdered MP Jo Cox, and regular death threats MPs face, quoting such language. Johnson said "humbug". Utter disgrace.This Prime Minister is a disgrace.@paulasherriff made heartfelt plea for him to stop using inflammatory words like "surrender". She pointed at the plaque for murdered MP Jo Cox, and regular death threats MPs face, quoting such language. Johnson said "humbug". Utter disgrace.
And this from Labour’s Jess Phillips:And this from Labour’s Jess Phillips:
I get death threats and still I stand up, I don't surrender to fear & aggression. I don't surrender to lowest common denominator of fear to votes. I don't surrender to bullies who call me names. It is not I who have surrendered it is Boris Johnson he has surrendered his dignity.I get death threats and still I stand up, I don't surrender to fear & aggression. I don't surrender to lowest common denominator of fear to votes. I don't surrender to bullies who call me names. It is not I who have surrendered it is Boris Johnson he has surrendered his dignity.
Just a little reminder that it’s worth refreshing the blog every once in a while, as sometimes posts are added to or changed.Just a little reminder that it’s worth refreshing the blog every once in a while, as sometimes posts are added to or changed.
And here a true nugget of gold, courtesy of Boris Johnson, here reported by the Independent’s John Rentoul:And here a true nugget of gold, courtesy of Boris Johnson, here reported by the Independent’s John Rentoul:
Extraordinary Q from Jeremy Lefroy, Con, urging PM not to use language of “surrender” or “traitor” – Johnson says he didn’t say itExtraordinary Q from Jeremy Lefroy, Con, urging PM not to use language of “surrender” or “traitor” – Johnson says he didn’t say it
Boris Johnson just said, when pressed on whether he’ll go for a second prorogation, that the government will look closely at the provisions in the Supreme Court judgment to find a way forward.Boris Johnson just said, when pressed on whether he’ll go for a second prorogation, that the government will look closely at the provisions in the Supreme Court judgment to find a way forward.
If you thought parliament gave Theresa May a tough time, tune in and watch the sheer rage Boris Johnson is at the receiving end of tonight.
This from Labour MP Bridget Phillipson:
I can barely find the words to express my revulsion at Johnson’s behaviour tonight. Not a hint of humility, no contrition, no apology. Johnson debases our politics, stokes division & undermines our democracy
This from Labour’s Angela Rayner:
PM tonight has been awful, his arrogant, dismissive, belligerent, attitude to other MPs has been a disgrace, he is using language that stokes up fear, division and makes people feel insecure, his persona exudes “my way or the highway”, dreadful stuff, not a consensus man at all!
This from Green MP Caroline Lucas:
The tone of PM’s speech was truly shocking - whipping up hatred, treating parliament with contempt & dividing the country still further.This populist rhetoric isn’t only unfitting for the office of PM, but it’s also genuinely, seriously dangerous.Words have consequences pic.twitter.com/FSdfQBr6qA
And this from my colleague Marina Hyde on tonight’s backlash against the PM’s tone:
Woman after woman after woman after woman has had to stand up tonight and plead with Boris Johnson to moderate his language for their own safety, and he just doubles down every time. What an absolutely hollowed-our human. Narcissism has taken it all.
Johnson just said in the Commons that the best way of honouring the memory of Jo Cox and of bringing this country together is to get Brexit done. The atmosphere is still very charged, with a number of emotional speeches and pleas from MPs having taken place in the last half hour, with many addressing the distasteful tone in which much of the debate is being delivered. At some point, Johnson sounded like a father telling his distressed children that all will be well in the end, in a low, soft voice after many minutes of shouting and booing.
This is the statement Lammy is referring to in the post below, here reported by the BBC’s Nick Eardley:
No 10: “It’s put up or shut up time” https://t.co/hKr19PmjEI
This from Labour MP David Lammy, on Downing Street’s announcement a little while ago that a second prorogation could be on the cards if the opposition does not table a no confidence vote tonight:
Totally delusional, desperate and unhinged. This would put Boris Johnson in contempt of court. He will be humiliated all over again. https://t.co/6S9OWbo5Yn
And this from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on the scenes that have played out in the Commons over the last hour or so.
Have seen more hours of the Commons than I care to remember + that was one of most brutal + mad I have ever seen - no shred of remorse from the PM ruled to have broken law yesterday, paltry attempt at answering Corbyn's Qs, a few Labour MPs screaming, 'you should be in jail'
This is a point well worth noting, in the words of SkyNews’ Lewis Goodall:
Early warning signal for PM. Richard Drax asks Johnson to assure him that the deal he brings back "bears no resemblance" to Theresa May's deal.Whatever deal Johnson brings back it will be virtually identical save for the backstop which will just be called something else.
Labour MP Paula Sherriff just had a withering, tearful outburst in the Commons, saying Johnson should be “ashamed” of his conduct and that MPs had been threatened and put in danger, and should enjoy more respect from the prime minister. Sherriff reminded MPs of her friend Jo Cox’s fate, who was murdered by an extremist for standing publicly by her beliefs.
The PM rebuffed her remarks with blunt indifference.
This from the HuffPost’s Paul Waugh:
Wow. @BorisJohnson responds to emotional plea by @paulasherriff to stop using perjorative and 'dangerous' language like 'Surrender Act' (citing memory of Jo Cox and referring to new death threats to MPs), by saying her remarks are mere "Humbug".Total fury on Labour benches.
Justine Greening, who had the Conservative whip removed on 3 September and now sits as an independent politician, is now asking the PM whether, if he brings a deal back to the Commons and, if it is rejected, he will respect it.
She asks also whether he will respect the Benn bill and ask for an extension. She adds that it is “deeply disrespectful” of the PM to continue to call the Benn bill “surrender bill”.
Johnson responds by saying the “surrender act” has done great damage to what the government is trying to do, a clear and direct provocation. Adds that there will not be another extension.
The mood dips after this, with an almost eerie momentary silence falling over the Commons.
Asked by Conservative MP Victoria Prentis whether he is working hard for a Brexit deal and whether MPs will have the opportunity to vote on another deal, Johnson responds:
“I can absolutely guarantee that if and when we are able to bring back an agreement that I think will work for this house and this country on October 17 and 18, of course we will put it to parliament and I do hope it will then get assent.”
Following the PM’s statement, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, has called on the prime minister to be impeached for misleading the public about his attempted shut down of parliament.
Roberts reminded Johnson that he had supported current Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price’s motion seeking to impeach Tony Blair in 2004 for lying about the Iraq war. The process of impeachment would involve the House of Commons first voting on an impeachment motion, which, if passed, could lead to prosecution and trial. Historically trials have taken place in Westminster Hall, on the parliamentary estate.
Saville Roberts asked the PM:
The prime minister is surely not a man who would like to look inconsistent. So, I ask him: does he still believe it to be right and proper to seek to impeach a prime minister who has been judged to mislead the public?
Anna Soubry, the leader of the Independent Group for Change, calls on Johnson to apologise to parliament and to the Queen.
The PM responds by bringing up John’s Major’s previous proroguing of parliament for 18 days, and adds that parliament still has enough time to debate Brexit and always had enough time.
Labour’s Jess Phillips says the biggest difference between her and the PM is that she’d be ashamed if the Labour party was responsible for the current mess.
She joins the chorus of MPs calling on Johnson to show remorse, apologise, and be honest.
This from the Labour MP Toby Perkins:
Incredible that PM offers not a shred of contrition for the farce that his government perpetuates whilst the country desperately waits for them to DO SOMETHING. This Brexit failure is his and TMay’s alone. Maddening that he seeks to turn that anger against others.