Brexit news: Boris Johnson expected to scrap foreign aid department and extend hostile environment, as BBC faces backlash over role in Tory election win

Follow the latest developments from Westminster

Who will replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader?

Boris Johnson has addressed his new intake of 109 new Conservative MPs ​after his landslide victory, and was expected to urge them to vote for his Brexit deal so the UK can leave the EU by the end of January.

Mr Johnson’s reported plans to create a new immigration system, separate from the Home Office, has experts fearing an expansion of the “hostile environment” policy. It comes as senior Tories and more than 100 charities attack the PM’s plan to axe the department delivering Britain’s foreign aid.

The prime minister has also launched a mini-reshuffle of his cabinet, with Simon Hart appointed Welsh secretary and Nicky Morgan - who stepped down as an MP at the election - handed a life peerage to enable her to continue as culture secretary.

With Labour figures jockeying over who should succeed Jeremy Corbyn, shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald accused the BBC of “playing a part” in the party’s defeat. Emily Thornberry said she is taking legal action against Caroline Flint over the claim she called Leave voters “stupid”.

Here's how we covered the day's development as they happened:

Key Points

• BBC accused of 'playing a part' in Labour defeat
• Top Tories turn on PM over plan to scrap foreign aid department
• Johnson approves release of Russian interference report 
• PM's 'new department' could expand hostile environment, experts warn
• Thornberry vows legal action against Flint over 'stupid voters' claim

[16 December 2019 20:09 · Chris Baynes]

Former Serco directors charged with fraud over electronic tagging of criminals

Two former directors of the outsourcing giant Serco have been charged with fraud over a contract to monitor criminals wearing electronic tags, reports my colleague Lizzie Dearden.

Nicholas Woods, who was the finance director of Serco Home Affairs, and Simon Marshall, the company’s former operations director of field services, have been charged with fraud by false representation and false accounting.

Read the full story here:

[16 December 2019 20:12 · Chris Baynes]

That's all, folks

We're wrapping up this live blog for tonight. We'll be back in the morning with all the latest updates from Westminster.