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Brexit: Johnson and Corbyn meet but can't agree timetable for bill – live news Brexit: Johnson and Corbyn meet but can't agree timetable for bill – live news
(32 minutes later)
If the EU does agree to a three-month delay to Brexit until 31 January then the prime minister has three options if he decides to push for an election.
The Guardian’s Kate Proctor has been looking at all three, which are:
• A motion for a general election
• A one-line bill
• A no-confidence motion
Of the first option, which is seen as the government’s favoured option because it is unamendable and gives a fixed election date, she writes:
Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, an election may be called if it is agreed by two-thirds of the total number of MPs.
Boris Johnson presented motions for an election on 4 and 9 September and failed on both occasions when the majority of Labour MPs abstained. Jeremy Corbyn said he would only back an election once the threat of a no-deal Brexit had been taken off the table.
Johnson could try this again and potentially get Labour backing because the Benn act has removed the imminent possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
How can Boris Johnson get a general election before January?
For those wondering when Brussels will make any concrete pronouncements on that reluctant Boris Johnson request for a Brexit extension:
Part of delay will be seeking clarification from Johnson over whether he has agreed a new timetable on the WAB with Jeremy Corbyn. If he has, and is able to publicly request an extension of a month (that poss under Benn Act?)then that would be in play too.
Businesses remain “at a loss” about what Brexit preparations they should be making amid continued confusion about the future, according to a business leader.
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) said progress on parliament’s support for a deal had been undermined by the timetable being voted down and the “inflexibility” of the government’s response.
Chief executive Ann Francke said:
Businesses are again lost as to what Brexit preparations they should be making, creating economic uncertainty. Are we deal or no-deal? Clearly we should deal.
To do so, the prime minister needs to take a pragmatic, cooperative approach to his work with both parliament and the European Union, to ensure the UK secures a deal.
Kevin Brundish, chief executive of AGM Batteries, said each day of Brexit uncertainty means firms are withholding key investment decisions.
As demand for batteries continues to rise, leading UK manufacturers like ourselves are hoping for the UK government to settle on the right deal, fast.
The fragile economy needs promise of ongoing stimulation if we are to keep up with the expansion of the market.
One place where there appears to be some confusion around Brexit preparations is at this London bus stop, where government “Get Ready” digital advertising appears to be in some disarray.
Posted without comment (near city hall) pic.twitter.com/pdkL1Rn1tL
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has criticised the abuse directed at the 19 Labour MPs who voted to support the WAB’s second reading on Tuesday.
As reported earlier, Lisa Nandy MP tweeted emails sent to her labelling her “scum”.
Morning! pic.twitter.com/MJOtjDY2u9
A spokesman for Corbyn told the Press Association: “He has made very clear that there shouldn’t be abuse inside the Labour party or inside politics and that we would seek to rely on persuasion to keep the Labour party together in this process and that’s what we’ve done all the way through.”
Asked whether there would be repercussions for the Labour rebels after defying the whip, the spokesman said: “As Jeremy has made clear throughout the whole Brexit process, we have sought to rely on persuasion in relation to keeping the Labour party together in parliament and outside.
“I think most of those MPs were making clear their support for a second reading was in order to try and make changes to the proposals to bring them into line with the kind of Brexit deal we have been talking about.
“The chief whip has made clear these things will be taken into account as a whole once the process is finished.”
Adam Bienkov, UK Political Editor of Business Insider, tweets an exchange he had with the prime minister’s spokesman when attempting to ask why Boris Johnson has insisted that there won’t be checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, even though his own impact assessment states that there will.
. https://t.co/NKeFRum2Dn
A useful overview now of where things really stand in relation to the Brexit timetable which MPs rejected this week, the EU’s response and whether or not European leaders will agree to a Brexit extension.A useful overview now of where things really stand in relation to the Brexit timetable which MPs rejected this week, the EU’s response and whether or not European leaders will agree to a Brexit extension.
Dan Boffey, the Guardian’s Brussels bureau chief, reports that Donald Tusk, president of the European council, will be arguing that the EU should remain neutral.Dan Boffey, the Guardian’s Brussels bureau chief, reports that Donald Tusk, president of the European council, will be arguing that the EU should remain neutral.
Dan adds:Dan adds:
By granting the UK government the extension it requested, the bloc can best avoid being dragged into the British debate. Should Johnson formally and publicly propose a different extension length, then the situation will be very different.By granting the UK government the extension it requested, the bloc can best avoid being dragged into the British debate. Should Johnson formally and publicly propose a different extension length, then the situation will be very different.
The successful vote on the second reading has offered some hope to Brussels that there is a majority for ratification, and that a general election might not be necessary.The successful vote on the second reading has offered some hope to Brussels that there is a majority for ratification, and that a general election might not be necessary.
But a new request from Johnson would not appear to be in compliance with the Benn act, which instructed him to make a specific request and then agree it with the EU if they were in accord. Sources in Paris have suggested there should be a further delay of only a “few days” to allow for ratification.But a new request from Johnson would not appear to be in compliance with the Benn act, which instructed him to make a specific request and then agree it with the EU if they were in accord. Sources in Paris have suggested there should be a further delay of only a “few days” to allow for ratification.
That would leave the EU jointly culpable for a no-deal Brexit, if swift ratification was not possible. Tusk will counsel against it.That would leave the EU jointly culpable for a no-deal Brexit, if swift ratification was not possible. Tusk will counsel against it.
What is the Brexit timetable looking like now?What is the Brexit timetable looking like now?
Poland’s Europe Minister has rejected a plea by the Polish-born Tory MP Daniel Kawcznski to veto an extension to Brexit, according to Jakub Krupa, the former UK correspondent for the Polish Press Agency. Poland’s Europe minister has rejected a plea by the Polish-born Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski to veto an extension to Brexit, according to Jakub Krupa, the former UK correspondent for the Polish Press Agency.
Krupa was told that a “no deal Brexit is not in the Polish interest and we will have no part in this.” Krupa was told that a “no-deal Brexit is not in the Polish interest and we will have no part in this”.
Not that the news comes as any particular surprise.. Not that the news comes as any particular surprise.
(In other breaking and surprising news, the Pope is still Catholic.) https://t.co/qzOJjAsXor(In other breaking and surprising news, the Pope is still Catholic.) https://t.co/qzOJjAsXor
A split in Downing Downing street has opened up between Boris Johnson’s chief aide, Dominic Cummings, other senior officials and Tory ministers and MPs over what to do after the failed attempt to ram a Brexit deal through parliament this week, BuzzFeed reports.A split in Downing Downing street has opened up between Boris Johnson’s chief aide, Dominic Cummings, other senior officials and Tory ministers and MPs over what to do after the failed attempt to ram a Brexit deal through parliament this week, BuzzFeed reports.
A piece from Alex Wickham says: “It is the latest dividing line in the story of Johnson’s “two governments” – the factional rivalry of two sides of Number 10 vying for influence that has been one of the defining features of his premiership.A piece from Alex Wickham says: “It is the latest dividing line in the story of Johnson’s “two governments” – the factional rivalry of two sides of Number 10 vying for influence that has been one of the defining features of his premiership.
“Cummings has been the main driving force behind the renewed push for an immediate election, multiple sources familiar with the conversations in Downing Street told BuzzFeed News.”“Cummings has been the main driving force behind the renewed push for an immediate election, multiple sources familiar with the conversations in Downing Street told BuzzFeed News.”
Sky’s Sam Coates tweets a denial from Downing Street:Sky’s Sam Coates tweets a denial from Downing Street:
However a No10 source now denies any split between Cummings and other aides in Downing Street...... challenging the suggestion in the piece that the idea a split is right.It has to be said, cabinet ministers and MPs have suggested to me they believe in a split tho.However a No10 source now denies any split between Cummings and other aides in Downing Street...... challenging the suggestion in the piece that the idea a split is right.It has to be said, cabinet ministers and MPs have suggested to me they believe in a split tho.
A bit more is coming out now on where things stand in relation to engagement between Labour and the Tories on a possible election.A bit more is coming out now on where things stand in relation to engagement between Labour and the Tories on a possible election.
From a Labour briefing, the BBC’s Nick Watt says on Twitter that it looks like the party would need a cast iron legally binding assurance from the prime minister of an election date before backing it.From a Labour briefing, the BBC’s Nick Watt says on Twitter that it looks like the party would need a cast iron legally binding assurance from the prime minister of an election date before backing it.
If the EU grants an extension to 31 January then Labour would need a legal guarantee of election before then, he adds.If the EU grants an extension to 31 January then Labour would need a legal guarantee of election before then, he adds.
Boris Johnson said earlier that the events which had come to light in Essex were ‘truly heartbreaking,’ while other MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, also spoke about the incident and paid tribute to the emergency services.Boris Johnson said earlier that the events which had come to light in Essex were ‘truly heartbreaking,’ while other MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, also spoke about the incident and paid tribute to the emergency services.
We’ve got some footage of those contributions:We’ve got some footage of those contributions:
The SNP MP Peter Grant asked the home secretary what assurances could be given to anyone with information about the case in Essex but who were afraid to come forward that they would be treated as a victim of crime.The SNP MP Peter Grant asked the home secretary what assurances could be given to anyone with information about the case in Essex but who were afraid to come forward that they would be treated as a victim of crime.
Patel described this as a really important point but that the legislation which had been put in place on modern slavery meant that there were active support measures in place and she would encourage anyone with information to come forward.Patel described this as a really important point but that the legislation which had been put in place on modern slavery meant that there were active support measures in place and she would encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Hywel Williams, a Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon, said: “Holyhead is the second busiest roll on, roll off port in the United Kingdom, yet there is no permanent immigration enforcement presence at the port.”Hywel Williams, a Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon, said: “Holyhead is the second busiest roll on, roll off port in the United Kingdom, yet there is no permanent immigration enforcement presence at the port.”
“Why?”“Why?”
Patel replied that she had made it clear that when it came to Border Force and checks they took place through intelligence-led operations. Because what was being dealt with in Essex was potentially an illegal criminal act she wanted to leave it to investigators to deal with.Patel replied that she had made it clear that when it came to Border Force and checks they took place through intelligence-led operations. Because what was being dealt with in Essex was potentially an illegal criminal act she wanted to leave it to investigators to deal with.
During questions to the home secretary in the House of Commons, the DUP MP Ian Paisley junior said around 39 to 40 MPs were sitting on the benches on his side of the House of Commons.
One way of getting a picture of the scale of human destruction inside the lorry container in Essex was to bear that in mind.
While not commenting on the specific case in Essex, he went on to urge Priti Patel to look into what he said was a broader problem of paramilitary gangs in Northern Ireland attempting to circumvent border checks and to see what additional checks were needed on the UK’s existing border along Northern Ireland.
John Woodcock made a call for sentencing in relation to people smuggling to be brought into line with sentences allotted in the case of murder.
Unionist MPs have branded the government’s approach to Northern Ireland in the Brexit talks “despicable” and a “betrayal”.
In his first appearance before the Northern Ireland affairs select committee, Julian Smith, the Northern Ireland secretary, was questioned about plans to require businesses selling or transiting goods from the region to Britain to complete special paperwork in order to trade post-Brexit.
Smith’s said the checks would be minimal and the focus should be on the “great opportunities” awaiting Northern Ireland.
He said the government would work with businesses to ensure the withdrawal agreement bill would as far as possible allow unfettered trade between Northern Ireland and Britain.
Ian Paisley, the DUP MP for North Antrim, said it was disgraceful to expect any business to complete paperwork for goods being sold in “our country, not a foreign country”.
Northern Ireland unionist MPs attack Brexit 'betrayal'
In the House of Commons, the former immigration minister Damian Green has sought assurances from Priti Patel that the UK border force authorities would be able to cover not just Holyhead and other major ports but all ports around the UK.
“It is going to require a defence of the whole United Kingdom if we are going to be be successful in saving lives in the future,” said Green.
Patel replied that there had been a “great deal of work” done on preventing people trafficking through routes such as Kent on small boats and the UK was committed to working far more collaboratively to ensure all ports are prepared.
Christine Jardine, an Edinburgh Liberal Democrat MP, asked Patel to agree with her that “we have to look at our own immigration system and repair it to ensure that what we provide is fair, compassionate and effective for those who want to come here”.
Thanking Jardine for her comments, Patel added: “I think today is not the day to be talking about an immigration system at all.”
“We have migration challenges that we are seeing around the world. People are being displaced in record numbers and many are being displaced and preyed upon through some of the most appalling behaviours, through criminal gangs.”
This is Ben Quinn picking up the liveblog now from Frances. You can contact me on @BenQuinn75 or below the line.
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 Milne, 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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”.
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.