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| Brexit: Johnson holds PMQs after meeting Corbyn to discuss timetable for bill – live news | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Corbyn says: | |
| Northern Ireland will remain on single market rules within the EU on goods and agricultural products, the rest of the UK will not … It does create a very real border down the Irish sea, something he said in terms to a DUP conference he would never do, and it wasn’t that long ago. | |
| Johnson says the UK is preserved “whole and entire” in the deal and the whole of the UK will be allowed to come out of the EU customs union. “There will be no checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. There will be no tariffs between Northern Ireland and Great Britain because we have protected the customs union”. | |
| He attacks Corbyn’s defence of the union again, citing “his support of the IRA”, and his support for a second independence referendum in Scotland. | |
| Corbyn says the deal damages the fabric of the union. Johnson says it’s a bit rich to hear from the Labour leader about his “sentimental attachment” to the union when he has spend most of his political lifetime supporting the IRA. | |
| Corbyn says: | |
| I hate it to break it to the prime minister, but under his government and that of his predecessor privatisation has more than doubled to £10bn in our NHS. There are currently 20 NHS contracts out to tender. And when he’s promised 40 hospitals, he then reduced that to 20 and then it turns out reconfiguration is taking place in just six hospitals. | |
| Johnson says Corbyn is completely wrong in his assessment of privatisation in the NHS. He says the 47,000 extra clinical staff he’s promised were paid for from public funds and that was possible because the Tories believe in sound management of the economy. | |
| “I’m afraid that the right honourable gentleman has no other purpose in seeking to frustrate Brexit than to cause a second referendum,” says Johnson. | |
| “I must say I find it peculiar that [Corbyn] now wants this bill back because he voted against it last night and he whipped his entire Labour party against it,” says Johnson. | |
| Corbyn says the prime minister has not answered his question on workers’ rights and that the provisions in the Brexit bill offer no real protections. | |
| Johnson says it was a remarkable thing that so many MPs approved the second reading of the Brexit bill last night, but a great shame that they voted for a delay. | |
| Jeremy Corbyn stands up and expresses his own remorse for those who were found dead in Essex. “This is an unbelievable human tragedy that happened in our country at this time,” he says. He says we should think about what inhumanity is done to other human beings. | |
| Corbyn goes on to say that yesterday the prime minister “decided to delay his own withdrawal bill”. Predictably, Tory MPs don’t like that interpretation of events. | |
| Johnson opens with the horrible news that 39 bodies have been found in a lorry in Essex. He says it is an awful tragedy. | |
| Labour MP Rupa Huq asks him why he doesn’t get rid of Dominic Cummings. Johnson says he receives excellent advice from his advisers and he takes full responsibility for everything the government does. | |
| Boris Johnson is in his place for prime minister’s questions. My colleague Daniel Avelar and I will bring you updates when he starts speaking. | |
| The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has said the EU27 need some clarification on what the UK will do next, before they decide on another Brexit extension. | |
| EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator @MichelBarnier on possible #Brexit extension: “First of all we need some clarification on the UK side what will be the next step for them & as far as the request asked last week by the British Gov for the extension, it’s for EU27 to decide” - @SkyNews pic.twitter.com/SrGftEXR9f | EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator @MichelBarnier on possible #Brexit extension: “First of all we need some clarification on the UK side what will be the next step for them & as far as the request asked last week by the British Gov for the extension, it’s for EU27 to decide” - @SkyNews pic.twitter.com/SrGftEXR9f |
| This is from the Times’s political editor, Francis Elliott: | |
| EXCL: I understand Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn are meeting to discuss a new programme motion. | EXCL: I understand Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn are meeting to discuss a new programme motion. |
| The shadow justice secretary, Richard Burgon, said this morning that the withdrawal agreement would take “a couple of weeks” to debate, not months. | |
| “I don’t think three months will be required to discuss the bill,” he told the BBC. “I would have thought it can be done in a matter of weeks, but it’s not for me to decide. The reality is, what was put forward was completely insufficient.” | |
| You can see a reminder here of what exactly a programme motion is – | You can see a reminder here of what exactly a programme motion is – |
| What just happened in the Commons – and what's next for Brexit? | What just happened in the Commons – and what's next for Brexit? |
| The first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, and the first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, are holding a press conference in Westminster to set out the Welsh and Scottish governments’ position on the Brexit withdrawal bill. Guardian political correspondent Peter Walker is there tweeting. | |
| I’m at a double-first-minister press conference in Westminster with Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford. Sturgeon says Johnson’s deal is not the solution even if passed, and she wants an extension long enough for an election. pic.twitter.com/6EZoXwsaEu | I’m at a double-first-minister press conference in Westminster with Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford. Sturgeon says Johnson’s deal is not the solution even if passed, and she wants an extension long enough for an election. pic.twitter.com/6EZoXwsaEu |
| Both Sturgeon and Drakeford note that the UK govt asked Scottish and Welsh devolved assemblies for consent on the Brexit deal - and that both are withholding this. This remains a difficult narrative for Boris Johnson given his talk about Brexit benefitting the union. | Both Sturgeon and Drakeford note that the UK govt asked Scottish and Welsh devolved assemblies for consent on the Brexit deal - and that both are withholding this. This remains a difficult narrative for Boris Johnson given his talk about Brexit benefitting the union. |
| Mark Drakeford notes that Welsh ports and businesses will be “at the front line” of a new customs border with Northern Ireland, and that increased regulations will hamper this. It was “a huge breach of trust” by Johnson, he says. | Mark Drakeford notes that Welsh ports and businesses will be “at the front line” of a new customs border with Northern Ireland, and that increased regulations will hamper this. It was “a huge breach of trust” by Johnson, he says. |
| In comments briefed ahead of the conference, Sturgeon said: | In comments briefed ahead of the conference, Sturgeon said: |
| The UK government has sought to pass the withdrawal bill through Westminster without an opportunity for detailed scrutiny in either the UK or Scottish parliaments. That is unacceptable. | |
| It is imperative that this bill is subject to detailed scrutiny in all of the UK’s legislatures and that the views of the Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly are taken into account. | |
| The European parliament, which doesn’t have a say over the decision, has also come out in support of an extension until 31 January. | |
| President of the European parliament, David Sassoli, said: | |
| After the vote of the British parliament to allow more time to examine details of the withdrawal agreement and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to pause the bill following the vote, the British government’s request for an extension until January 31 remains on the table. | |
| I think it is advisable, as requested by President Donald Tusk, that the European council should accept this extension. | |
| This extension will allow the United Kingdom to clarify its position and the European parliament to exercise its role. | |
| Donald Tusk, president of the European council, tweeted last night that he would recommend the EU27 accept the UK request for an extension. Here is a story from the Guardian’s Brussels bureau chief, Daniel Boffey: | |
| EU signals it is likely to give UK a Brexit delay up to 31 January | EU signals it is likely to give UK a Brexit delay up to 31 January |
| The Irish taoiseach (prime minister), Leo Varadkar, has hinted that a Brexit extension to 31 January is the panacea to the latest impasse to hit Boris Johnson’s deal. | |
| He spoke to the European council president, Donald Tusk, today and they “noted” that an extension to the end of January would not prohibit an earlier departure from the bloc. The issue will be discussed at a key meeting in Brussels tonight. | |
| Here’s the full statement from the Irish government: | |
| An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, spoke with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, this morning regarding the UK’s request for an extension. | An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, spoke with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, this morning regarding the UK’s request for an extension. |
| The Taoiseach confirmed his support for President Tusk’s proposal to grant the request for an extension which was sought by the UK. They noted that it would still be possible for the UK to leave before January 31st 2020 if the Withdrawal Agreement has been ratified in advance of that date. | The Taoiseach confirmed his support for President Tusk’s proposal to grant the request for an extension which was sought by the UK. They noted that it would still be possible for the UK to leave before January 31st 2020 if the Withdrawal Agreement has been ratified in advance of that date. |
| The matter is likely to be discussed further at tonight’s meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives in Brussels. | The matter is likely to be discussed further at tonight’s meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives in Brussels. |
| More from Lisa O’Carroll, who is watching Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith giving evidence at the Northern Ireland affairs committee. | More from Lisa O’Carroll, who is watching Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith giving evidence at the Northern Ireland affairs committee. |
| DUP MP Jim Shannon furious over Brexit deal. Tells Julian Smith it is an "absolutely despicable deal" "which alienates unionist people"."The union flag in Northern Ireland is a week bit tattered at the moment" | DUP MP Jim Shannon furious over Brexit deal. Tells Julian Smith it is an "absolutely despicable deal" "which alienates unionist people"."The union flag in Northern Ireland is a week bit tattered at the moment" |
| Paisley says "£18bn worth of trade" from NI to GB has been "burdened" to satisfy £3.2bn (to EU) worth of trade. Smith tells him that is "scaremongering"Paisley incredulous: "They are Brendan's (NIO's) figures. Smith: "We are scaremongering on the fact there will be burdens" | Paisley says "£18bn worth of trade" from NI to GB has been "burdened" to satisfy £3.2bn (to EU) worth of trade. Smith tells him that is "scaremongering"Paisley incredulous: "They are Brendan's (NIO's) figures. Smith: "We are scaremongering on the fact there will be burdens" |
| Anti-Brexit activist Gina Miller has been making the case for a general election “as soon as possible”. | Anti-Brexit activist Gina Miller has been making the case for a general election “as soon as possible”. |
| "We'll see day after day of torturous voting." Anti-Brexit campaigner @thatginamiller says 'it is time' for an election and if one is called she'll create a 'tactical voting website' to advise those who want to #StopBrexit. Get the latest #Brexit news: https://t.co/u3VyGgJu0o pic.twitter.com/dmqAuNsKIw | "We'll see day after day of torturous voting." Anti-Brexit campaigner @thatginamiller says 'it is time' for an election and if one is called she'll create a 'tactical voting website' to advise those who want to #StopBrexit. Get the latest #Brexit news: https://t.co/u3VyGgJu0o pic.twitter.com/dmqAuNsKIw |
| "Even if Boris Johnson was to bring back this EU treaty, I've no doubt that Parliament would amend it by adding back in to it a customs union" says Brexit Party leader Nigel Faragehttps://t.co/t67F2xRpxt pic.twitter.com/om22NEzhMc | "Even if Boris Johnson was to bring back this EU treaty, I've no doubt that Parliament would amend it by adding back in to it a customs union" says Brexit Party leader Nigel Faragehttps://t.co/t67F2xRpxt pic.twitter.com/om22NEzhMc |
| Nigel Farage has told the BBC that a general election is now the “only possible route to get some resolution”. | Nigel Farage has told the BBC that a general election is now the “only possible route to get some resolution”. |
| The Brexit party leader said: | The Brexit party leader said: |
| Obviously what they want is a general election or a second referendum - they want some degree of resolution. So I would have thought at least until the end of January, perhaps even longer. | Obviously what they want is a general election or a second referendum - they want some degree of resolution. So I would have thought at least until the end of January, perhaps even longer. |
| On an electoral pact, he said: | On an electoral pact, he said: |
| I would work with anybody that wanted to honour the result of the referendum for us to leave the European Union and to leave its institutions and to be an independent country, but right at the moment that looks very unlikely. | I would work with anybody that wanted to honour the result of the referendum for us to leave the European Union and to leave its institutions and to be an independent country, but right at the moment that looks very unlikely. |
| Guardian readers have reacted to last night’s developments in the commons. | Guardian readers have reacted to last night’s developments in the commons. |
| “This may seal Boris’s fate. The EU looks [prepared] to grant the extension now because there will be nothing to stop the vote of no confidence and a GE [general election],” said one. “The outcome of that is obviously uncertain, but in this situation, risks have to be taken to try to avert catastrophe.” | “This may seal Boris’s fate. The EU looks [prepared] to grant the extension now because there will be nothing to stop the vote of no confidence and a GE [general election],” said one. “The outcome of that is obviously uncertain, but in this situation, risks have to be taken to try to avert catastrophe.” |
| 'Wrong on so many levels': readers on the Brexit bill votes | 'Wrong on so many levels': readers on the Brexit bill votes |
| Boris Johnson has issued a short statement about the 39 people who were found dead in a lorry container in Essex. | Boris Johnson has issued a short statement about the 39 people who were found dead in a lorry container in Essex. |
| I’m appalled by this tragic incident in Essex. I am receiving regular updates from the Home Office & will work closely with Essex Police as we establish exactly what has happened. My thoughts are with all those who lost their lives & their loved ones. | I’m appalled by this tragic incident in Essex. I am receiving regular updates from the Home Office & will work closely with Essex Police as we establish exactly what has happened. My thoughts are with all those who lost their lives & their loved ones. |
| Driver arrested after 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex | Driver arrested after 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex |
| Another angry exchange, this time with Sylvia Hermon, independent unionist MP. Asks Smith what in deal guarantees Belfast/GFA won't be undermined. He points to article 2 of protocol. "Exactly," replies Hermon. "Can you explain why the PM could not remember or recall the details" | Another angry exchange, this time with Sylvia Hermon, independent unionist MP. Asks Smith what in deal guarantees Belfast/GFA won't be undermined. He points to article 2 of protocol. "Exactly," replies Hermon. "Can you explain why the PM could not remember or recall the details" |
| When I asked about this on Saturday. Did Boris Johnson not know the details of his own deal? "This was deeply unhelpful to the unionist community who needed reassurances at that stage not now. | When I asked about this on Saturday. Did Boris Johnson not know the details of his own deal? "This was deeply unhelpful to the unionist community who needed reassurances at that stage not now. |