Boris Johnson news - live: Bid for pre-Christmas election gathers support, as PM holds surprise Brexit meeting with Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn slams Boris Johnson over proposed Brexit deal

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.”

Key Points

• Tusk tells Johnson he will recommend EU27 accepts extension request
• Justice secretary says election would 'resolve' impasse
• Labour to 'support election' when no deal off the table after PM and Corbyn hold suprise meeting
• SNP leader 'very happy' about idea of pre-Christmas election

[23 October 2019 17:45 · Ashley Cowburn]

Millions of commemorative Brexit 50p coins thrown into doubt as delay looms

Plans for millions of 50p coins to commemorate Brexit day have been thrown into doubt after MPs derailed Boris Johnson's chances of fast-tracking his deal through parliament by Halloween.

Sajid Javid, the chancellor, announced plans for new coins to mark Brexit earlier this year – shortly before Mr Johnson won the Conservative leadership contest – following enthusiastic calls from Conservative MPs.

But with the prime minister’s Brexit timetable in doubt, and the UK awaiting a verdict from the EU on the length of a third extension, the Treasury refused to confirm whether production had begun on the first tranche of coins.

[23 October 2019 18:09 · Ashley Cowburn]

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