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| Brexit: Johnson holds PMQs after meeting Corbyn to discuss timetable for bill – live news | Brexit: Johnson holds PMQs after meeting Corbyn to discuss timetable for bill – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn met on Wednesday morning but failed to agree a timetable for pressing ahead with the “paused” Brexit bill. Corbyn was accompanied by his key adviser Seumas Miline, and Johnson by Dominic Cummings, as well as the two parties’ respective chief whips. The meeting took place in the prime minister’s House of Commons office. The pair later clashed at prime minister’s questions. Both said the discovery of 39 bodies in a lorry in Essex was a horrible tragedy. | |
| Labour’s shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon has said that his party would back a general election if the EU grants the UK an extension to its deadline for Brexit. He told Sky news: | |
| I’d like to see an election before Christmas. I want to get Boris Johnson and his Thatcherite mates out of Downing Street as soon as possible. So as soon as the EU has agreed that extension, so that Boris Johnson cannot push us through a no-deal without a mandate to do so, then we want a general election. | |
| The Irish taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and the European parliament’s president have backed Donald Tusk’s call to grant the UK government a Brexit delay up to 31 January 2020. Following a phone call between Tusk, the president of the European council, and Varadkar on Wednesday morning, the two men agreed the EU27 should agree to the request reluctantly tabled by Boris Johnson on Saturday. | |
| “The taoiseach confirmed his support for President Tusk’s proposal to grant the request for an extension, which was sought by the UK,” a statement from the Irish government said. David Sassoli, the European parliament president, pointed out there was only one request “on the table” and it deserved the EU27’s support. | |
| Home secretary Priti Patel has made a statement to the commons on the discovery of 39 bodies in a shipping container in Essex. She said: “My thoughts and my condolences are with the victims and their loved ones at this utterly terrible time.” Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said it was a “terrible tragedy, the worst of its kind”. “Each of the 39 will have partners, family and friends who perhaps even now don’t know how their loved one died and the horrible circumstances,” she said. | |
| Responding to Patel, Labour’s shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said: | |
| Any death under these circumstances is truly appalling. The fact that there has been 39 reported deaths in this incident, it’s a terrible tragedy, one of the worst of its kind. | |
| And each of the 39 will have partners, family and friends who perhaps even now don’t know how their loved one died and the horrible circumstances … It’s important to remember that these 39 poor, unfortunate people are the victims in this. They are preyed on by the greedy, the unscrupulous and people who simply have a wilful disregard for the lives of others. | |
| But we should take account of the wider context. Nobody leaves the homes on a journey like this with so much risk and fear on a whim. They often do it because they are actually desperate, they can be victims of economic privation, war, famine, catastrophic climate change. There are many adverse conditions that people are fleeing from… | |
| I would also like an assurance from the home secretary that the cooperation with the EU27 on people trafficking, which is vital to make sure these events don’t happen in the future, will actually not become harder or imperilled because we are actually leaving the EU… | |
| There should be safe and legal routes for genuine refugees to make their way here. If they do not, then I fear there could be more tragedies like this. | |
| The home secretary, Priti Patel, just read a statement to the Commons on the discovery of 39 bodies in a shipping container in Essex. She said that police were called to an industrial park at 1.40am. The bodies of 38 adults and one teenager were found. The vehicle is believed to be from Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead. A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. | |
| I think the whole house will agree that this is a truly shocking incident. My thoughts and my condolences are with the victims and their loved ones at this utterly terrible time and I’m sure the whole house will also convey their condolences at this sad time. | |
| She said the nationalities of the victims were not known, but her officials were providing all the assistance they could. | |
| Here’s our story on that meeting between the prime minister and Jeremy Corbyn. | Here’s our story on that meeting between the prime minister and Jeremy Corbyn. |
| Johnson and Corbyn fail to agree timetable for 'paused' Brexit bill | Johnson and Corbyn fail to agree timetable for 'paused' Brexit bill |
| Some more details are emerging about the meeting held between Corbyn and Boris Johnson this morning. | Some more details are emerging about the meeting held between Corbyn and Boris Johnson this morning. |
| Govt sources confirm “PM met Corbyn this morning in his office in the HoC labour to discuss whether labour would back a timetable that allows us to actually get Brexit done rather than yet more delay.” | Govt sources confirm “PM met Corbyn this morning in his office in the HoC labour to discuss whether labour would back a timetable that allows us to actually get Brexit done rather than yet more delay.” |
| Tory source adds: Corbyn made clear he has no policy except more delays and to spend 2020 having referendums.So talks broke down pretty quickly then. | Tory source adds: Corbyn made clear he has no policy except more delays and to spend 2020 having referendums.So talks broke down pretty quickly then. |
| Fascinating detail from meeting, from one of those present. Govt side predicted Macron would veto EU extension. Labour ppl present couldn't hide their incredulity at the idea. (Like many, they believe Macron will not defy Varadkar let alone Merkel on 3 month extension) | Fascinating detail from meeting, from one of those present. Govt side predicted Macron would veto EU extension. Labour ppl present couldn't hide their incredulity at the idea. (Like many, they believe Macron will not defy Varadkar let alone Merkel on 3 month extension) |
| On this basis we have to assume a general election is coming soon pic.twitter.com/ivGAeyJDwo | On this basis we have to assume a general election is coming soon pic.twitter.com/ivGAeyJDwo |
| The father of the house, Kenneth Clarke, says that the PM got the Commons to vote “by a comfortable majority” for Brexit. He says that if Johnson proceeds in a sensible way he could deliver Brexit in a month or two’s time. | The father of the house, Kenneth Clarke, says that the PM got the Commons to vote “by a comfortable majority” for Brexit. He says that if Johnson proceeds in a sensible way he could deliver Brexit in a month or two’s time. |
| “Will my right honourable friend get over his disappointment and accept that Oct 31 is now Halloween and it is devoid of any symbolic or political content and will fade away into historical memory very rapidly,” he says. | “Will my right honourable friend get over his disappointment and accept that Oct 31 is now Halloween and it is devoid of any symbolic or political content and will fade away into historical memory very rapidly,” he says. |
| He asks Johnson to table a reasonable timetable motion. | He asks Johnson to table a reasonable timetable motion. |
| Johnson says he still thinks it is in the best interests of the country to “get Brexit done” by 31 October. He says he is waiting for the EU to decide whether or not to grant the UK a Brexit extension. | Johnson says he still thinks it is in the best interests of the country to “get Brexit done” by 31 October. He says he is waiting for the EU to decide whether or not to grant the UK a Brexit extension. |
| The SNP leader in Westminster says: “Our parliament doesn’t matter, that’s what this prime minister thinks ... He wants Scotland to trust him, but how can we? … The parliament of Scotland cannot trust this prime minister.” | The SNP leader in Westminster says: “Our parliament doesn’t matter, that’s what this prime minister thinks ... He wants Scotland to trust him, but how can we? … The parliament of Scotland cannot trust this prime minister.” |
| Blackford says the PM should secure an extension then “bring on an election”. | Blackford says the PM should secure an extension then “bring on an election”. |
| Johnson says Blackford’s support for an election is an exciting development. “Perhaps he might pass some of his courage down the line [to the Labour party],” he says. | Johnson says Blackford’s support for an election is an exciting development. “Perhaps he might pass some of his courage down the line [to the Labour party],” he says. |
| The SNP’s Ian Blackford says that the first ministers of Scotland and Wales have joined forces to stop “this toxic Tory Brexit”. He asks him to confirm that he won’t allow the legislation to pass unless consent is given by the Scottish parliament. | The SNP’s Ian Blackford says that the first ministers of Scotland and Wales have joined forces to stop “this toxic Tory Brexit”. He asks him to confirm that he won’t allow the legislation to pass unless consent is given by the Scottish parliament. |
| Johnson says that the Scottish parliament has no role in approving the deal – it is up to the members of the Westminster parliament. Johnson asks him to back a general election. | Johnson says that the Scottish parliament has no role in approving the deal – it is up to the members of the Westminster parliament. Johnson asks him to back a general election. |
| Corbyn says: | 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. | 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.” | 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. | 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 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: | 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. | 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. | 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’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. | “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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 |