Boris Johnson news: PM sends unsigned extension request to EU after he is forced to seek delay by MPs
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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
Sadiq Khan hails ‘brave’ MPs
The Mayor of London seems pleased about the Letwin amendment result.
Khan praises “brave members of parliament standing up to the executive. We are here to defend democracy – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“Brexit has been a mess – and Boris Johnson cannot be trusted. Boris Johnson’s deal is even worse than Theresa May’s deal.”
Sadiq Khan addresses crowd at Parliament Square
Sandi Toksvig calls Boris Johnson a ‘lying buffoon’
TV presenter Sandi Toksvig, co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party, is now speaking.
She calls Boris Johnson a “lying buffon of a second-hand cars salesman” who sold the country a duff car with Brexit.
“I am not buying a car which puts my family in danger,” she says. “The only way forward is a People’s Vote. We must be heard – and today that can happen. Let’s rock that building with our voices.”
And then she leads a chant of “HEAR US!”
Sandy Toksvig address Parliament Square protesters
Confusion over the prime minister's words on Brexit delay
MPs are now raising points of order over whether the PM is intending to seek a Brexit delay. After the defeat, Johnson said he was not compelled to negotiate a delay with the EU - despite the Benn Act ordering him to ask for a delay.
John Bercow, the Speaker, said "the law was clear" but No 10 is refusing to answer questions on whether the PM actually will send the letter.
Could we be back to the two-letters idea? This centres on the PM sending a letter asking for a delay and then another letter saying the Commons has asked me to do so but I won't do it.
People’s Vote organisers claim one million people attend march
New meaningful vote on Brexit next week
Commons Leader Jacob Rees Mogg said the government is planning to give MPs a chance to have a meaningful vote on the PM's Brexit deal on Monday.
Raising a point of order, Mr Rees-Mogg said: "In the light of today's decision I should like to inform the House that Monday's business now be a debate on a motion relating to section 13 1(b) of the European Union Withdrawal Act 2018.
"And I shall make a further business statement on Monday."
Section 13 1(b) of the European Union Withdrawal Act 2018 requires that MPs have a "meaningful vote" on any Brexit deal in order for it to be ratified.
The moment protesters outside parliament cheer Letwin vote result
Labour MPs address People’s Vote crowd
Keir Starmer says: “What’s just happened is historic. We’ve defeated Johnson again – we are not going to let him rip us out. We’ve said no to him, and no to him again - we’re not going to have his Brexit.
“Put it back to public and ask if they want to go – or wouldn’t they rather Remain. And when we get that vote, we need to fight for Remain.”
Diane Abbott is up next. She says: “I’m a Remainer.”
She adds: “We’ve just come from defeating Boris and his terrible deal … we will fight as long as it takes.”
Emily Thornberry says: “Let the people have a say.”
“The truth is it shouldn’t be for a few MPs to decide … it should be for the people to decide. Put it back to the people ... And when we get that vote, we will prove that Labour is a remain movement, that we are a Remain party, and that we are a Remain country.”
Labour MPs speak at Parliament Square
European Commission notes the result of the vote
Jean-Claude Juncker's chief spokesperson says the EU will wait for the UK government to inform it of the next steps.
John McDonnell says PM ‘must seek extension’
Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell is speaking now.
He says “we now expected Boris Johnson to seek that extension … and if he doesn’t, let’s be clear, he will be breaking the law”.
“We cannot support this deal that will make our country poorer … It is now time to revert to the fundamental principle that underpins our democracy – let the people decide.”
John McDonnell speaks to People's Vote crowd
Sam Gyimah says UK ‘better off in EU’
Lib Dem MP Sam Gyimah, the former Conservative, says the Letwin amendment deflated Boris Johnson’s attempt to get his Brexit deal through.
“Super Saturday just turned into souffle Saturday,” he says. “We need to send the message loud and clear – the people should get a Final Say.
Fellow Lib Dem MP Layla Moran says: “We will continue to fight Brexit with every breath we have.”
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