Boris Johnson news: Threat of no-deal Brexit returns as UK and EU harden trade positions and PM on collision course with France over 'blackmail' claim

Follow all the day's updates from Westminster

Priti Patel wrongly claims there are 8m 'economically inactive' Brits who can replace immigrants

The UK and EU have hardened their stances ahead of the upcoming trade talks, as France warned they would not be ‘blackmailed’ into accepting a bad deal.

Boris Johnson has insisted that the transition period will not be extended beyond 31 December, raising the renewed prospect of a no-deal Brexit.

Meanwhile civil servants have been told to stop leaking, following reports that Priti Patel is demanding a formal leak inquiry into hostile briefings and allegations of bullying.

It comes as voting opens in the Labour leadership contest, with the party’s half a million members, registered supporters and affiliates facing a choice of Sir Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, or Lisa Nandy, to succeed Jeremy Corbyn on 4 April.

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Key Points

• Threat of no-deal Brexit returns ahead of trade talks
• Stop leaking, civil servants told amid Priti Patel bullying row
• Patel demands leak inquiry into 'hostile briefings' at Home Office
• ... as ally claims allegations have element of 'misogyny'
• France will not be 'blackmailed' into accepting bad post-Brexit trade deal
• Voting opens in Labour leadership contest

[24 February 2020 17:48 · Peter Stubley]

Stop leaking, civil servants told in leaked message

The head of the civil service has ordered an end to media leaks in a message to government staff, following allegations of bullying by Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill told all civil servants that advice they provide for ministers and "any debates" around it should remain "private".

But the move went down among staff "like a cold cup of sick", a source told the PA news agency.

In the message sent out on Monday afternoon, Sir Mark referred to the "recent stories of tensions within Whitehall, sparked by attributable briefings and leaks to the media".

He said: "This besmirches this country's hard-won reputation for good governance and is a distraction from the vital work of the thousands of civil servants delivering the Government's agenda and the public services on which our citizens rely."

Sir Mark went on to say: "Candour, confidentiality and courtesy between ministers, special advisers and civil servants are crucial to the trust and confidence on which good governance depends. Civil servants should at all times be confident they can give the honest, impartial and objective advice on which ministers can rely. Both should be confident that this advice, and any debate that surrounds it, will remain private."

The feud deepened today as MI5 denied earlier reports that it had shut the home secretary out of intelligence briefings.

[24 February 2020 18:07 · Peter Stubley]

Where's Boris?

Boris Johnson's disappearing act during the latest bout of flooding was again criticised by MPs following a statement by environment minister in the Commons.

Shadow environment secretary Luke Pollard asked: "Where was the Prime Minister? Why wasn't a Cobra meeting convened? Why was there no national leadership from this Government? Why has the Welsh Government and communities in Wales not received the same extra support as those in England?

"During the general election, the Prime Minister reluctantly visited flood-hit communities to win votes. He was out with his mop pushing water around shops, but now he's got his majority he's nowhere to be seen. He's missing in action.

"He was taking a break in a mansion in Kent instead of giving our nation the leadership those communities under water genuinely deserve."

This evening MPs are also considering motions on the police, local government finance and the death of people on social security benefits since 2014.

[24 February 2020 18:24 · Peter Stubley]

UK and EU harden stances ahead of trade talks

The prospect of a no-deal Brexit loomed larger today as both the UK and EU hardened up their positions on future trade relations ahead of the start of formal negotiations next week, writes political editor Andrew Woodcock.

[24 February 2020 18:38 · Peter Stubley]

Downing Street defends PM's absence from flood response

Boris Johnson's official spokesman has responded to criticism about the prime minister's disappearing act during the recent storms, describing it as a "distraction".

"We are hugely grateful to all of those who have helped in response, from the Environment Agency engineers and the emergency services out on the ground to the military who have stepped in to assist," the spokesman said.

"The Government has extensive plans in place to deal with these kinds of extreme weather events and we are working tirelessly to help everyone affected.

"The Environment Secretary and his department is rightly leading the Government's response to this, ensuring teams who are busy working around the clock have the support and resources they need. It's important not to distract from that ongoing effort."

[24 February 2020 19:13 · Peter Stubley]

Suella Braverman has been sworn in as attorney general in a ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The Tory MP and qualified barrister promised to 'uphold the rule of law' in an official statement, adding: "Restoring confidence in the criminal justice system is my top priority."

Her appointment sparked controversy because of of an article she wrote last month accusing judges of straying into politics during the Brexit crisis.

She said: "Prorogation and the triggering of Article 50 were merely the latest examples of a chronic and steady encroachment by the judges.

"For in reality, repatriated powers from the EU will mean precious little if our courts continue to act as political decision-maker, pronouncing on what the law ought to be and supplanting parliament.

"Traditionally, parliament made the law and judges applied it. But today, our courts exercise a form of political power."

Suella Braverman, the new attorney general for England and Wales

[24 February 2020 20:01 · Peter Stubley]

Leaking civil servants rebuked by cabinet secretary

The cabinet secretary has rebuked civil servants and ministers for “unattributable briefings and leaks”, in a bid to settle the feuding surrounding Priti Patel.

In an email to all staff, Sir Mark Sedwill said “good government” depended on politicians, their aides and officials being able to operate with “candour, confidentiality and courtesy”.