Boris Johnson news: PM sends unsigned extension request to EU after he is forced to seek delay by MPs
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has sent a series of letters to the EU after he was forced by MPs to seek a further Brexit extension.
The prime minister sent two letters to European Council president Donald Tusk – an unsigned message relaying parliament’s request for an extension to Brexit and a letter from him setting out why he does not believe delay would be in the interests of the EU or UK..
Downing Street said it believes the move fulfils the requirements of the Benn Act, which required the prime minister to seek an extension beyond his 31 October deadline if he was unable to secure parliamentary approval of his Brexit deal by the end of Saturday.
You can relive our coverage of a historic day in Westminster below:
Mr Johnson’s decision follows a tumultuous day in Parliament.
MPs backed a rebel amendment during a special Saturday sitting, throwing Mr Johnson’s Brexit plans into disarray by forcing him to seek the extension.
As hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets to call for a Final Say referendum, MPs used the historic sitting to approve amendment from Sir Oliver Letwin, which withholds Commons approval until legislation to ratify the Brexit deal has passed.
The prime minister insisted he “would not negotiate a delay” – despite being legally compelled to do so – prompting speculation No 10 might try to get around a law forcing the PM to send a letter to the EU asking to delay Brexit beyond the 31 October deadline.
In a letter to all MPs and peers, sent on Saturday evening, Mr Johnson repeated his claims.
“I will not negotiate a delay with the European Union,” he said.
“I will tell the EU what I have told the British public for my 88 days as Prime Minister: further delay is not a solution.”
Additional reporting by agencies
Loyalists said to be planning ‘civil unrest’ against Brexit deal
According to The Daily Telegraph’s James Rothwell, some loyalists in Northern Ireland are planning “civil unrest” protests if Boris Johnson’s deal passes in the Commons.
Arlene Foster’s Democratic Unionist Party, remember, remains firmly opposed to the deal. The DUP’s Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said the party were “solid as the rock of Gibraltar” against it.
Patrick Stewart joins Final Say protest march
Some fantastic photos coming through of the big march for a Final Say public vote on Brexit. The actors Patrick Stewart and Paul McGann are among the protesters.
Patrick Stewart and Paul McGann join march (PA)
Thousands march through streets of London (Reuters)
Boris Johnson puppet on a float heading for Parliament Square (PA)
Steve Barclay enrages Labour MPs by citing Mo Mowlam in speech
The Brexit secretary sparked a row when he mentioned Mowlam, a key Labour figure in securing the Good Friday Agreement, as he urged the Commons to "come together and move forward".
Cries of "shame" were heard from the Labour benches after Mr Barclay referred to Ms Mowlam's achievements and made a joke from the title of her book Momentum, noting: "In the days before it was a faction forcing out its own colleagues."
Labour peer Lord Adonis tweeted: "Stephen Barclay loses House with tasteless reference to Mo Mowlam being 'one of us'."
Angela Eagle MP posted: "I knew Mo & she would not have welcomed the Brexit Secretary's co-option of her good name for his own grubby little partisan purposes."
Pro-Brexit activists launch small counter-protest
A small group have begun a counter protest at Westminster – making clear they do not support a second referendum on Boris Johnson’s deal.
Theresa May feels sense of deja vu on Brexit debate
The former prime minister makes a rare speech, where she says she feels a "distinct sense of deja vu" on this Brexit debate. MPs shout "rebel", which causes May to smile.
She says she would rebel against those who "don't want to deliver Brexit" - in a classic May one liner.
"I hope this is the last time I have to say it. If you want to deliver Brexit, vote for a deal."
Protesters tell The Independent why they’re marching
Katrina Hall has come to the Final Say march from Hertfordshire as an EU fairy, she tells our reporter Colin Drury.
“The EU is a wonderful thing to be part of and I wanted my outfit to represent that - who doesn’t love fairies?”
She says she made her wings using coathangers, tights and blue car spray.
John and Pauline Hardman came on a coach from Durham. It will be her first time ever in the capital. “I’m a bit nervous, to be honest,” she said. “But I just wanted to make my voice heard.”
Katrina Hall on the Final Say protest march
Aerial views show London streets filled with Final Say protesters
Exiled Tory MP Ken Clarke says he will back the deal
Ken Clarke, the former chancellor, has thrown his weight behind Boris Johnson's Brexit deal. He is one of the 21 Conservative MPs sacked by the PM for rebelling against a no-deal Brexit.
DUP hint they could support the Letwin amendment
Sammy Wilson signals that his party could back Letwin amendment - but it sounds like the DUP could be holding it over the government to seek changes to the Brexit deal.
If the DUP back Letwin then it should win but if they oppose it, the numbers get very tight.
It looks like there is plenty of arm twisting going on. DUP's Westminster leader Nigel Dodds has been spotted speaking to the PM's parliamentary aide.
Protester arrested for trespassing in House of Commons
A demonstrator is understood to have been arrested for trespassing inside the Palace of Westminster this afternoon.
A spokesperson for the House of Commons authorities: "We are aware of an incident involving a visitor in a public area of the parliamentary estate.
"Security staff and the police attended and the situation has been resolved."
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