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Brexit: Boris Johnson unrepentant over 'surrender' rhetoric as Corbyn calls him 'reprehensible' – live news Brexit: Boris Johnson unrepentant over 'surrender' rhetoric as Corbyn calls him 'reprehensible' – live news
(32 minutes later)
David Gauke, the former Tory justice secretary, who now sits as an independent have had the whip removed over a Brexit rebellion, says at best what Boris Johnson said last night could be described as “deeply insensitive”. But Gauke says what he is concerned about is that the government is deliberately pursuing a strategy intended to entrench division. He asks the minister to concern that this is not government policy. Here is a fuller version of what the Labour MP Jess Phillips said when she asked her urgent question about Boris Johnson’s language. (See 12.11pm.) She said:
The use of language yesterday and over the past few weeks such as the surrender bill, such as invoking the war, such as betrayal and treachery, it has clearly been tested, and work-shopped and worked up and entirely designed to inflame hatred and division.
I get it, it works, it is working.
It is not sincere, it is totally planned, it is completely and utterly a strategy designed by somebody to harm and cause hatred in our country.
When I hear of my friend Jo Cox’s murder and the way that it has made me and my colleagues feel, and feel scared, described as humbug (see 1.15pm), I actually don’t feel anger towards the prime minister, I feel pity for those of you who have to toe his line.
The people opposite me know how appalling it was to describe the murder of my friend as mere humbug.
I want to ask the prime minister to apologise and to tell him that the bravest, strongest thing to say is sorry - it will make him look good, it will not upset the people who want Brexit in this country if he acts for once like a statesman.
Calling me names, putting words in my mouth and in the mouth of my dead friend makes me cross and angry, it makes me scared even, but I will not react, the prime minister wants me to react so I join in the chaos that keeps this hatred and fear on our streets.
I simply ask the minister to request the prime minister, who’s notable by his bravery today, I ask him to ask the prime minister to meet with me in private with his advisers and some of his colleagues, and my friends from Jo’s family so we can explain our grief and try to make him understand why it is so abhorrent that he has chosen a strategy to divide rather than to lead.
Boris Johnson said many provocative things during his long statement to the Commons last night, but his most incendiary answer was probably the one he gave in response to a question from Labour’s Paula Sherriff. Jeremy Corbyn referred to it directly in his statement. (See 12.59pm.) For the record, here is Sherriff’s question, and Johnson’s answer, in full.
Sherriff asked:
I genuinely do not seek to stifle robust debate, but this evening the prime minister has continually used pejorative language to describe an act of parliament that was passed by this house. I am sure you would agree, Mr Speaker, that we should not resort to the use of offensive, dangerous or inflammatory language about legislation that we do not like.
We stand here, Mr Speaker, under the shield of our departed friend [Jo Cox]. Many of us in this place are subject to death threats and abuse every single day. Let me tell the prime minister that they often quote his words – surrender act, betrayal, traitor – and I, for one, am sick of it. We must moderate our language, and that has to come from the prime minister first, so I should be interested in hearing his opinion. He should be absolutely ashamed of himself.
Johnson replied:
I have to say that I have never heard such humbug in all my life. The reality is that this is a bill ...
At that point there was so much uproar that the Speaker had to intervene. When Johnson got to speak again, he continued:
Mr Speaker, let me just explain why I call it the surrender act. That is because it would oblige us to stay in the EU for month after month, at a cost of a billion pounds per month. It would take away from this country the ability to decide how long that extension would be, and it would give that power to the EU. It would absolutely undermine our ability to continue to negotiate properly in Brussels; it takes away the fundamental ability of a country to walk away from the negotiations, and I am afraid that is exactly what it does. If I may say so respectfully to opposition members who are getting very agitated about this, the best way to get rid of the surrender act is not to have voted for it in the first place, to repeal it, and to vote for the deal that we are going to do. That is the way forward.
If you want to read the all the exchanges, the Hansard is available here. But it is a long read; the exchanges lasted for more than three hours.
David Gauke, the former Tory justice secretary, who now sits as an independent having had the whip removed over a Brexit rebellion, says at best what Boris Johnson said last night could be described as “deeply insensitive”. But Gauke says what he is concerned about is that the government is deliberately pursuing a strategy intended to entrench division. He asks the minister to confirm that this is not government policy.
Foster says the Tories will go into the next election committed to uniting the country.Foster says the Tories will go into the next election committed to uniting the country.
Here is an extract from Jeremy Corbyn’s statement at the start of this UQ. (See 12.24pm.) Corbyn said:Here is an extract from Jeremy Corbyn’s statement at the start of this UQ. (See 12.24pm.) Corbyn said:
It’s extremely disappointing that the prime minister has not respected this House by attending here today. It’s extremely disappointing that the prime minister has not respected this house by attending here today.
The prime minister’s language and demeanour yesterday was frankly nothing short of disgraceful.The prime minister’s language and demeanour yesterday was frankly nothing short of disgraceful.
Three years ago our colleague, our member, Jo Cox, was murdered by a far-right activist shouting ‘Britain First, this is for Britain’. The language that politicians use matters and has real consequences. Three years ago our colleague, our member, Jo Cox, was murdered by a far-right activist shouting: ‘Britain First, this is for Britain.’ The language that politicians use matters and has real consequences.
To dismiss concerns from members about the death threats they receive and to dismiss concerns that the language by the prime minister is being repeated in those death threats is reprehensible.To dismiss concerns from members about the death threats they receive and to dismiss concerns that the language by the prime minister is being repeated in those death threats is reprehensible.
To dismiss those concerns in an abusive way as he did is completely unacceptable ...To dismiss those concerns in an abusive way as he did is completely unacceptable ...
I’ve written to all members of the parliamentary Labour party expressing my solidarity to my friends and set out the conduct expected of all colleagues.I’ve written to all members of the parliamentary Labour party expressing my solidarity to my friends and set out the conduct expected of all colleagues.
No side of this House, as you’ve said Mr Speaker, has a monopoly of virtue. No side of this house, as you’ve said Mr Speaker, has a monopoly of virtue.
Inappropriate language has been used by all sides. But we all have a duty to keep our debates political and not to descend into personal abuse.Inappropriate language has been used by all sides. But we all have a duty to keep our debates political and not to descend into personal abuse.
Labour’s Paula Sherriff says she asked Boris Johnson to moderate his language last night. She says she accepts that in the past she has heckled ministers loudly.Labour’s Paula Sherriff says she asked Boris Johnson to moderate his language last night. She says she accepts that in the past she has heckled ministers loudly.
She says she was horrified to see this tweet from the Tory MP Simon Clarke after her intervention last night.She says she was horrified to see this tweet from the Tory MP Simon Clarke after her intervention last night.
This is the face of the Labour Party today. Utterly toxic. https://t.co/YidW5GppfEThis is the face of the Labour Party today. Utterly toxic. https://t.co/YidW5GppfE
She says she would not refer to Clarke as honourable.She says she would not refer to Clarke as honourable.
She asks the Cabinet Office minster Kevin Foster if the government supports this.She asks the Cabinet Office minster Kevin Foster if the government supports this.
Foster says that the government wants MPs to moderate their language, but he does not comment on Clarke’s tweet.Foster says that the government wants MPs to moderate their language, but he does not comment on Clarke’s tweet.
The Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge tells MPs that, when she came into the Commons last night, she felt as if she was attending a meeting of the Bullingdon Club.The Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge tells MPs that, when she came into the Commons last night, she felt as if she was attending a meeting of the Bullingdon Club.
The Lib Dem MP Luciana Berger says, as someone who has seen six people convicted for hate crimes directed at her, she wants Boris Johnson to tone down his inflammatory language.The Lib Dem MP Luciana Berger says, as someone who has seen six people convicted for hate crimes directed at her, she wants Boris Johnson to tone down his inflammatory language.
Kevin Foster tells Berger that her party campaigned on the slogan “bollocks to Brexit”.Kevin Foster tells Berger that her party campaigned on the slogan “bollocks to Brexit”.
More on the 1922 Committee meeting. This is from the FT’s Jim Pickard.More on the 1922 Committee meeting. This is from the FT’s Jim Pickard.
Apparently the biggest cheer at the 1922 meeting of Tory MPs was when Julian Lewis called for an electoral pact with the Brexit Party and Boris Johnson rejected it, arguing it would repel as many voters as it would attractApparently the biggest cheer at the 1922 meeting of Tory MPs was when Julian Lewis called for an electoral pact with the Brexit Party and Boris Johnson rejected it, arguing it would repel as many voters as it would attract
Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader, tells the Commons that he never saw David Cameron use the sort of language Boris Johnson did yesterday.Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader, tells the Commons that he never saw David Cameron use the sort of language Boris Johnson did yesterday.
He says talking about “surrender” implies we are at war with Europe. But we are not at war with Europe and we are not at war with each other, he says. He says this language is intended to cause division.He says talking about “surrender” implies we are at war with Europe. But we are not at war with Europe and we are not at war with each other, he says. He says this language is intended to cause division.
Some people say this strategy will work. I say this strategy will not work because the British people are better than this.Some people say this strategy will work. I say this strategy will not work because the British people are better than this.
Justine Greening, a former Tory cabinet minister who now sits as an independent, having had the whip removed, tells the Commons she was “shocked” by the language Boris Johnson used yesterday.
She says she thinks there is a “deliberate race to the bottom” in British politics now, that disadvantages MPs who are not prepared to go along with it.
Here is more from what Boris Johnson told Conservative backbenchers at his private meeting with the 1922 Committee.
From my colleague Rowena Mason
Boris Johnson told MPs at 1922 that he would carry on using the phrase surrender bill but did say MPs must all be careful about using language of violence
Boris Johnson left the 1922 to shouts of “Will you apologise?” from journalists - he scuttled off with no comment
From HuffPost’s Paul Waugh
In 1922 meeting there was a sombre moment when @PennyMordaunt told MPs she was with @BorisJohnson in 2016 when news came through that Jo Cox had died. She said 'Boris's reaction was so human'. "It was a moving moment in there," one Tory MP says.
From Mail Online’s David Wilcock
Striking how few Tory MPs leaving 22 Committee with Boris after around 30 mins stopped to chat to reporters compared with the dying days of Theresa May’s premiership. Not many smiling faces either tbh.
Boris Johnson was described as ‘ebullient’ and ‘full of bonhomie’ by two walking out, others looked pretty sullen.
Jeremy Corbyn is speaking on this topic for Labour.
He says it is “extremely disappointing” that Boris Johnson is not here himself to answer the UQ.
Johnson’s language last night was “nothing short of disgraceful”, Corbyn says. He says the way Johnson dismissed concerns about the murder of Jo Cox and the role language can play in inciting attacks like that was “reprehensible” and “completely unacceptable”.
Corbyn says Johnson was trying to “entrench divisions”.
He urges the PM to apologise. Johnson’s language “fell well below the standards expected by the people of this country”, Corbyn says.
Corbyn says Boris Johnson should apologise for his “reprehensible” comments about threats to MPs yesterday.
The Tory MP Maria Miller questions the appropriateness of Jess Phillips raising this point. She says that during last night’s statement Phillips herself was one of the Labour MPs shouting the loudest at Johnson.
Foster is responding to Phillips.
He says he does not consider anyone in the Commons as a traitor.
He says, as the minister responsible for the government’s “defending democracy” programme, he would be happy to meet Phillips.
He repeats the points he made earlier about how the government is trying to increase security for election candidates.
Ultimately it is for everyone to think about the language they use, he says.
He says the government wants to respond with “calm dignity” and to create a safe environment for all.
He does not say whether the PM himself will be willing to meet Phillips, and he does not comment on Johnson’s language.
Jess Phillips is speaking now.
She says the language used by Boris Johnson last night was “clearly designed to inflate hatred”.
She says she was appalled to hear him describe a reference to the murder of Jo Cox as “humbug”.
Johnson should apologise, she says.
She asks the minister Kevin Foster whether the PM will be willing to meet her, and some of Cox’s friends and families, so that they can tell him how hurt they were by his language.
John Bercow, the Speaker, is making a statement in the Commons.
He says in light of the “appalling atmosphere in the chamber yesterday and the toxicity that it can spawn or exacerbate in the country at large” he has granted an urgent question.
The Labour MP Jess Phillips wants a statement on whether the PM will reflect on the language used by MPs.
She wanted Boris Johnson to answer, but instead the junior Cabinet Office minister Kevin Foster is replying.
Foster says the government understands the importance of language. He says it is going to make intimidating election candidates an offence. And he says the police have been reviewing security for MPs.
He does not say anything about the language used by Boris Johnson yesterday.
The Brexit secretary, Steve Barclay, will travel to Brussels on Friday for a meeting with Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Downing Street has said. But the PM’s spokesman has also said that although progress has been made in negotiations with Brussels, “there are significant obstacles remaining to concluding a deal”.
From my colleague Matthew Weaver
Here's a word cloud of Boris Johnson's opening statement to Parliament last night pic.twitter.com/uQjZUWQeYM
From the Spectator’s James Forsyth
At 1922 meeting just now, Boris Johnson told Tory MPs that ‘they [Labour] are trying to drive us off the word surrender because they know it is cutting through’. Clear he is not going to stop using the phrase