Boris Johnson news – live: PM loses second attempt to trigger early general election
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No 10 has announced that a five-week suspension parliament will begin tonight, as Boris Johnson’s flies back from his first official meeting with Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar in Dublin.
It comes as the prime minister sets up a possible Brexit showdown in the Supreme Court after it emerged No 10 is ready to launch a legal fight against the anti-no deal legislation.
Mr Johnson is also reportedly ready to send a second letter to the EU – alongside the request for a three-month delay required of him – explaining he does not actually want any delay after 31 October. Labour figures branded the plan “illegal” and “monumentally ridiculous”.
It has gone pretty quiet in parliament as we wait for the government to bring forward its second attempt for a general election later tonight.
MPs are currently debating the Northern Ireland Act 2019.
While we wait, here’s what Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said during the debate on Mr Corbyn’s motion on the rule of law earlier.
When questioned on whether the government would obey parliament’s demand for it to seek an extension from the EU, Mr Raab said: "This government will always respect the rule of law.
“That's been our clear position consistently and frankly it's outrageous that that is even in doubt.
"Of course, how the rule of law will be respected is normally straightforward but sometimes it can be more complex because there are conflicting laws or competing legal advice."
Lindsay Hoyle, the deputy speaker, has revealed that a maiden speech is set to take place tonight.
No word on who it is but Lisa Forbes, Labour MP for Peterborough, is apparently the only MP yet to make a maiden speech.
This is a potentially important update on the government’s next move after the Grieve motion.
Aubrey Allegretti from Sky News has been told that not complying with MPs’ demand to release Brexit communications and planning documents would not automatically put the government in contempt of parliament.
However, when MPs return on 14 October, the Speaker could allow a vote on a motion to find ministers in contempt.
The Liberal Democrats have adjusted their Brexit policy in an attempt to solidify their position as the most pro-EU party.
Jo Swinson has said she would support revoking Article 50 – potentially without a second referendum - and said her party would not renegotiate Brexit.
Ms Swinson told the Guardian:
“Whenever the election comes, our position is clear and unequivocal. A majority Liberal Democrat government would not renegotiate Brexit, we would cancel it by revoking article 50 and remaining in the European Union.”
Although a Lib Dem majority is extremely unlikely, the move could make a coalition with Labour in the event of a hung parliament more difficult.
Boris Johnson has arrived in the chamber ahead of the debate on an early general election.
Not long to go now before we can all go to bed.
Boris Johnson is up now and he’s running through his greatest hits – “Corbyn’s Surrender Bill” etc...
He has a slightly new attack line against Jeremy Corbyn though, suggesting that the Labour leader wants to delay an election indefinitely.
Mr Johnson looks steadier than he did last week but there is still very little content in his speech.
His attack lines are:
- Labour are “conniving to delay Brexit”
- Labour are avoiding an election because “they fear that I will win it”
- The only options Mr Corbyn likes are “dither and delay”
The prime minister is also not budging on an extension.
Jeremy Corbyn is up now – he says the only important information in Mr Johnson’s speech is the prime minister’s “clear indication that he does not intend to follow the law that has just been passed that requires him to ask for an extension.”
It’s very rowdy in the chamber right now – so rowdy that the prime minister has grabbed the microphone stand and lifted it onto his despatch box so he can be heard.
Depend on your musical interests, it’s either his Lemmy moment or his Freddie Mercury moment.
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