Boris Johnson news - live: Bid for pre-Christmas election gathers support, as PM holds surprise Brexit meeting with Corbyn
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Boris Johnson has been forced to “pause” his Brexit deal legislation after MPs rejected his plans to fast-track his withdrawal agreement bill through the Commons before his “do or die” 31 October deadline.
After surprise talks between Mr Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday, a Labour spokesperson said Mr Corbyn had “restated that Labour will support a general election when the threat of a no deal crash out is off the table.”
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said she would be “very happy” to have a pre-Christmas election. Justice secretary Robert Buckland said an election “seems to me to be the only way to break this impasse”, while his Labour shadow Richard Burgon, asked if the party would help trigger an election once the threat of a Halloween no deal was removed, replied: “Yes.”
Dominic Cummings and Seumas Milne at big meeting
More on that meeting between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn to discuss a new programme motion that The Times’ Frances Elliot has been reporting on. He’s tweeted a “cast list” for the pow-wow, and it includes the PM’s right-hand man Dominic Cummings – and Corbyn’s closest adviser Seumas Milne.
Corbyn told Johnson Labour will ‘support a general election’ when no deal off the table, in face-to-face meeting at Westminster
Following a meeting between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “Jeremy Corbyn reiterated Labour’s offer to the prime minister to agree a reasonable timetable to debate, scrutinise and amend the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, and restated that Labour will support a general election when the threat of a no deal crash out is off the table.”
Boris Johnson kicks off his second PMQs as prime minister
The PM says the whole House will be shocked by the unimaginable tragedy of 39 people being found dead in a lorry in Essex. He says the home secretary, Priti Patel, will be making a statement to MPs urgently on the matter.
Labour Rupa Huq points out its the PM second prime minister's questions in 100 days. She asks him to get "rid of Dominic Cummings" from Downing Street.
Mr Johnson, however, says he receives "excellent advice" from his advisers, saying it is their role to advise and government ministers to decide.
Jeremy Corbyn questions the PM on workers' rights in Brexit deal
The Labour leader shares the prime minister's comments on the tragedy in Essex, and also pays "enormous tribute" to the emergency services who have attended the scene.
Corbyn adds that the PM decided to delay his own withdrawal bill, adding: "He promise to maintain workers' rights - why then did the PM have these commitments removed from the legally binding withdrawal agreement"
The provisions offer no protections for workers, the Labour leader says.
Johnson says he finds it "peculiar" the Labour leader now wants the Bill back, after whipping the Labour Party against it on Tuesday evening.
He says the UK leads the way and is a "ground breaker" when it comes to worker's rights, and accuses Corbyn of "frustrating Brexit" to achieve a second Brexit referendum.
Corbyn asks Johnson to exclude NHS from future trade deals
Corbyn says the PM continues to say he would exclude the NHS from future trade deals, asking him to point to the clause in the Brexit deal that secures that.
But Johnson hits back, claiming: "I understand his visceral dislike of America, and his visceral dislike of free trade".
The Labour leader also claims the deal "damages the fabric of the union" - citing checks that will be introduced for Northern Ireland businesses, who will be forced to sign export declaration forms.
"He threw Northern Ireland under the bus," says Corbyn.
The PM claims there will be "no checks" between Northern Ireland and GB after Brexit in his response.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford urges PM not to ignore Scotland
He says the first minister of Scotland and Wales got together to oppose the government's "damaging" Brexit deal, and urges Johnson not to "ignore" Scotland.
The PM says: "The Scottish parliament has no role in approving this deal”
"Can I propose to him - can he join in support for a general election?"
Blackford replies: "Fired twice for lying. Scotland, parliament cannot trust this prime minister.
"Bring on a general election," he says.
Ken Clarke says the PM achieved a "landmark" in his premiership
The former chancellor Ken Clarke says the PM can deliver Brexit before having a general election, given the House of Commons has given its initial backing to the withdrawal agreement bill.
"He says the 31 October will now fade away into historical memory very rapidly," he claims and urges the PM to agree a reasonable programme motion for the bill.
Mr Johnson replies: "We cannot now know what the EU will do in response to the request from parliament, I stress it was not my request for a delay. We are awaiting their reaction to parliament's request for a delay."
He added: "I think it would still very much be in the best interests of this country and of democracy to get Brexit done by October 31. I will wait to see what our EU friends and partners say in response."
Mr Johnson said: "I don't think the people of this country want a delay, I don't want a delay. I intend to press on. But I'm afraid we now have to see what our EU friends will decide on our behalf."
Boris Johnson fears ‘intensifying federalist agenda’ in EU
The SNP’s Stewart Hosie is asking about Brexit deal, asking why the prime minister abandoned his previous views on the need to stay in the EU’s single market.
The PM says “intensifying federalist agenda” the UK has a chance to seek “a new and better future” outside the EU – and repeats again his desire to “get it done by 31 October”.
Jo Swinson asks PM to thank 19 Labour MPs who helped his Brexit plans
The PM says he does indeed express his gratitude to "all members" of the House who voted with the government last night.
Bercow concludes his penultimate PMQs session
As one MP has just reminded the Commons, this was John Bercow's last prime minister's questions as speaker of the House - a position he has held for a decade. Expect many tributes to be paid to the speaker next week.
Boris Johnson accused of misleading parliament
That’s it for PMQs. The home secretary Priti Patel is now making a statement about the 39 bodies found in a lorry container in Essex this morning. She calls it a “tragic loss of life” and promises to update the House as more details come in.
Our political correspondent Lizzy Buchan has taken a look at perhaps the most significant part of Boris Johnson’s remarks. He has already been accused of misleading parliament after he claimed there would be “no checks” between Northern Ireland and Britain after Brexit.
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