Boris Johnson news: Outrage over PM’s Jo Cox Brexit comments, as he dismisses MPs’ fears of death threats and ignores calls to quit
Wednesday's explosive Commons session, as it happened
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Boris Johnson has put in a defiant Commons performance in the wake of his Supreme Court defeat, ignoring calls to resign and mocking Labour for failing to back a general election. But he drew anger for suggesting that the best way of honouring Jo Cox’s memory was to “get Brexit done”.
The prime minister accused MPs of “political cowardice” and demanded parliament “step aside” to allow him to deliver Brexit. He attacked Jeremy Corbyn for claiming to want a general election but voting against it – as Labour’s Hilary Benn said the PM had “no mandate, no majority, no credibility”.
But the flashpoint of the evening was Mr Johnson’s refusal to tone down his language around what he has called the “surrender bill” – the Benn legislation designed to block no-deal Brexit – and his decision to dismiss complaints by MPs that they have been subjected to death threats as “humbug”.
After repeated calls to moderate his words, the PM further said, in response to the new MP for Batley and Spen, Tracy Brabin, that he believed “the best way to honour the memory of Jo Cox and indeed the best to bring this country together would be, I think, to get Brexit done”.
MPs reacted with fury, while Ms Cox’s widower Brendan said he felt “a bit sick at Jo’s name being used in this way”. Mr Johnson even faced rebukes from his own side, with cabinet minister Nicky Morgan tweeting that “at a time of strong feelings we all need to remind ourselves of the effect of everything we say on those watching us”.
But there were angry and borderline abusive contributions from MPs across the House on the first day back since prorogation was ruled unlawful.
The bad-tempered clashes came after attorney general Geoffrey Cox said he would consider publishing the legal advice which led to the unlawful prorogation, but also railed against the “dead parliament” and claimed MPs had no “moral right” to remain in the Commons.
He, the prime minister and Jacob Rees-Mogg all taunted Labour for failing to vote for a general election. Jeremy Corbyn and Mr Johnson sparred over the issue on which they have each imposed their own conditions; an Article 50 extension and leaving the EU, respectively.
Tomorrow, the government will introduce a motion seeking a conference recess for next week.
Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP, tweeted at the end of the night: “Not sure we can look the nation in the eye & say that was a good day at the office. The maths is simple. This is a minority Gov. We need a couple dozen friends to support a Brexit deal. There was nothing friendly about today. Let’s learn from this.”
See how we covered this story live
MPs will be asked to approve a motion seeking a conference recess next week, Jacob Rees-Mogg has said.
The Commons leader said Thursday's sitting would begin with the motion followed by a "general debate on the principles of democracy and the rights of the electorate".
Jacob Rees-Mogg jokes, in regard to his reported comments that the Supreme Court judgement was a "constitutional coup", that cabinet records will be released in 30 years' time "in the normal way".
But he then says he echoes the PM's words on the ruling - that the government disagrees with it but respects the judiciary.
Mr Rees-Mogg is again on the general election attack. Labour fear a poll because they don't believe the country wants Jeremy Corbyn, he claims.
By contrast, the Tories are confident in the appeal of the "great, inspirational, charismatic figure" of Boris Johnson.
The SNP's Pete Wishart praises John Bercow's stamina. The speaker must have "the most famous bladder in political history" given how long he has spent in the Commons today.
Our home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden weighs in.
Michael Gove‘s claim that the automotive and retail sectors were ready for a no-deal Brexit has been slapped down by industry groups, writes yours truly.
As MPs returned to parliament after the Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament was unlawful, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was tasked with updating them on what the government has done to steel the country for leaving the European Union (EU).
He claimed that many businesses were already well prepared for no deal.
The fallout from the PM's comments on Jo Cox is still going on. Jacob Rees-Mogg has offered his thoughts on politicians toning down the language.
He described abuse he has faced as "very, very minor", but added: "What has happened to other members, particularly on social media, has been deeply, deeply unpleasant and troubling.
"We all have a responsibility to be mild in our language when we're speaking in this House or outside.
"I'm afraid to say it's something where all sides err from time to time and it'd be invidious to pick on individual examples but we have a responsibility of leadership."
You might not have to try too hard to construe that as a rebuke of his boss.
Jeremy Corbyn has asked John Bercow to arrange a joint declaration from all party leaders "opposing any form of abusive language or threats", to which the speaker said he was "very open".
And Jo Swinson revealed that she has had to report a threat against her child today. Apparently fighting back tears in the Commons, she said: "That has been dismissed as humbug. This is a disgraceful state of affairs, and we must be able to find a way to conduct ourselves better."
Anna Soubry said the prime minister's words had reduced her to tears and suggested other MPs had been so distressed by them they had left the parliamentary estate.
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