Brexit news - live: Boris Johnson branded 'liar' over alleged power grab as Keir Starmer grills him over Covid testing at PMQs
Follow the day’s events as the unfolded
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson was branded a “liar” by the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford, who accused “the prime minister his friends, a parcel of rogues” of an alleged power grab on the devolved administrations.
The stormy exchange at PMQs came in response to the publication of Mr Johnson’s UK Internal Market Bill, which would override elements of his Brexit deal with Brussels and which Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis admitted would breach international law in a “very specific and limited way”.
The prime minister also faced a grilling from Sir Keir Starmer over what he said were “glaring holes” in the government’s coronavirus testing regime, as Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle reprimanded Matt Hancock for failing to deliver a statement to the Commons on new coronavirus restrictions, which were briefed to the media instead.
Meanwhile the government laid down its new coronavirus rules - limiting gatherings to no more than six people from different households - while the PM was urged by MPs to begin his inquest into the government’s handling of the virus in January.
Teacher denounces Matt Hancock’s ‘disgusting’ criticism of school that sent entire year home for testing
Matt Hancock's criticism of a school that sent an entire year group for testing was "disgusting", according to an assistant headteacher at a Leicestershire primary school.
"The government had months to consider how the return of schools might affect testing capacity and yet nothing has been done about it," she told the PA news agency.
"Teachers and children, alongside NHS staff and carers, need to be given testing priority."
"Teachers are putting themselves at risk with no complaint ... to give the best life chances by teaching pupils in person in school," she added.
"Teachers want children in school but the lack of adequate availability for teachers and children not only means that teachers can't teach their class but children are needlessly missing out on face-to-face lessons."
Boris Johnson branded a liar over 'power grab' on Scotland's parliament
Boris Johnson was today branded a liar over an alleged “power grab” on the devolved administrations, as the SNP’s Westminster leader accused him of creating a “rogue state”, our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports.
SNP MP Ian Blackford spoke out on the publication of Mr Johnson’s UK Internal Market Bill, which he said amounted to “an attack on Scotland's parliament and an affront to the people of Scotland”.
The bill has sparked headlines for overriding the prime minister’s Brexit withdrawal agreement with Brussels in a way which ministers accept breaches international law. But it has also provoked fury in Edinburgh and Cardiff for proposing that powers being returned from Brussels because of Brexit, should be transferred to UK government ministers and not the devolved administrations.
In a stormy exchange at PMQs, Mr Blackford said: “As we've already heard, this legislation breaks international law. But it also breaks domestic law.
“The prime minister and his friends - a parcel of rogues - are creating a rogue state, one where the rule of law does not apply. Why does the Prime Minister think that he and his friends are above the law?”
Mr Johnson insisted that the bill was “about protecting jobs, protecting growth and ensuring the fluidity and safety of our UK internal market and prosperity throughout the United Kingdom” and should be welcomed throughout the country.
But he was loudly heckled by Mr Blackford, who was hauled up by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for calling the PM a liar.
Boris Johnson branded a liar over 'power grab' on Scotland's parliament
PM creating ‘rogue state’, says SNP leader in Westminster
Treasury secretary defends furlough closure amid entry to recession ‘on a speed and scale we’ve never seen before’
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay has defended the decision to end the furlough scheme at the end of October as “one of the most difficult decisions the government has taken”.
He told the Commons: "The House needs no reminding of the scale of the economic challenge facing our country. Recent GDP figures confirm that we have entered an acute recession on a speed and scale we've never seen before.
"An economic crisis on this scale means whatever the government does, that jobs will be lost, businesses will close and as the Chancellor said last month, hard times are here."
On setting the duration for the furlough scheme, Mr Barclay added: "It has been one of the most difficult decisions the government has taken, but this is the right one and I would remind the House of the extent of the support that we have offered.
"Firstly the furlough is over eight months already, it is one of the most generous schemes in the world and we have been contributing at a higher rate of people's wages than in Spain.
"We are supporting a wider range of businesses than in New Zealand and our scheme will run for twice as long as in Denmark."
European leaders express concern over breach of Brexit Withdrawal Agreement
European leaders have expressed their concern over the government’s announcement that it intended to breach the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she was "very concerned about announcements from the British government on its intentions to breach the Withdrawal Agreement".
She tweeted: "This would break international law and undermines trust. Pacta sunt servanda = the foundation of prosperous future relations."
Meanwhile, European Council president Charles Michel tweeted: "The Withdrawal agreement was concluded and ratified by both sides, it has to be applied in full.
"Breaking international law is not acceptable and does not create the confidence we need to build our future relationship."
Influential congressman urges UK to ‘uphold the rule of law’
Influential Irish-American US congressman Richard Neal has urged the UK to "uphold the rule of law" and warned that any US-UK trade deal would be dependent on protecting the Good Friday Agreement.
Rep Neal, who chairs the country's Ways and Means Committee which oversees trade deals, said in a statement: "The United States is a guarantor of that historic peace accord, which was approved by the people of Ireland, north and south, in an unprecedented referendum."
He added: "Every political party on the island opposes a return of a hard border. I sincerely hope the British government upholds the rule of law and delivers on the commitments it made during Brexit negotiations, particularly in regard to Irish border protocols."
After Rep Neal's intervention, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood tweeted: "Good luck getting a trade deal with the US Boris Johnson if you mess with the Protocol and Good Friday Agreement."
Keir Starmer to combat No 10’s White House-style briefings with his own televised press conferences
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to hold televised press conferences each month in a bid to counter the new, daily briefings planned for Downing Street, the party has confirmed, Adam Forrest reports.
The question and answer sessions with the media could begin as soon as next month, when No 10 is thought to want to begin its own White House-style TV briefings.
A Labour source confirmed to The Independent that the party is looking at regular, live press conferences in a bid to boost the public profile of Sir Keir – who has seen a rise in personal and party poll ratings since he succeeded Jeremy Corbyn earlier this year.
Although the events may only take place once a month, the party hopes they will contrast favourably with an unelected official having to stand in for Boris Johnson.
In July, Downing Street began searching for a spokesperson to hold televised briefings to “communicate with the nation” on behalf of the prime minister.
Keir Starmer to combat No 10 with his own televised press conferences
Labour party leader wants new question and answer sessions with the media to rival Downing Street briefings
Boris Johnson warned that walking out on EU trade talks risks ‘huge damage’ for Britain’s world standing
Boris Johnson has been warned he risks “huge damage” to Britain’s national interests and its standing on the world stage as Brussels reacted with alarm to his threats to walk out of EU trade talks and tear up key parts of his Brexit withdrawal agreement.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warned that implementation in full of the agreement which Mr Johnson signed up to last year was a legal obligation and a condition for any future trade deal with the EU, while anti-Brexit parties in Northern Ireland issued a joint statement warning that departing from the deal would undermine the peace process.
But Downing Street denied it was “tearing up” the withdrawal agreement and its protocol on Northern Ireland, insisting that the prime minister was committed to implementing both in their entirety, but was simply making “clarifications” in order to avoid confusion when the UK’s Brexit transition period ends on 31 December.
More below:
Boris Johnson warned he risks ‘huge damage’ to Britain’s interests if he walks on trade talks
Downing Street denied it was ‘tearing up’ the withdrawal agreement
PM details new lockdown approach
Boris Johnson is laying down the government’s latest approach to the virus - including changing lockdown rules.
My colleagues on our coronavirus live blog have all the details:
Boris Johnson set to announce new lockdown restrictions - follow live
Follow all the latest updates and statistics on the pandemic around the world
Former PM joins chorus of Tories condemning government decision to breach international law
Sir John Major has joined senior Tories in criticising the Government's decision to override key elements of Boris Johnson's Brexit deal.
Ministers have acknowledged that provisions in the UK Internal Market Bill, published on Wednesday, are in breach of international law.
In a statement, the former prime minister said: "For generations, Britain's word - solemnly given - has been accepted by friend and foe. Our signature on any treaty or agreement has been sacrosanct.
"Over the last century, as our military strength has dwindled, our word has retained its power.
"If we lose our reputation for honouring the promises we make, we will have lost something beyond price that may never be regained."
MPs reject Labour motion on furlough scheme
MPs have rejected Labour's motion which called for the Government to "abandon its one-size-fits-all" withdrawal of the furlough scheme and instead offer targeted support for businesses affected by Covid-19.
The motion was defeated by 249 votes to 329, majority 80.
They later supported the Government's amendment to the motion, which praised its economic response to the pandemic, by 320 votes to nine - majority 311.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments