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.
Gavin Williamson pledges to release correspondence between ministers and advisers over exams
Gavin Williamson has said he will provide MPs with correspondence between ministers and special advisers linked to the summer exams fiasco, but stopped short of agreeing to Labour's demand for full disclosure.
The education secretary told the Commons: "As members of this House will know, policy can be made only through open discussions between ministers, their advisers and departmental officials.
"This motion fundamentally undermines that. Officials must be able to give advice to ministers in confidence.
"I'm appearing in front of the Education Select Committee in person next Wednesday, and I will commit now to working with them to provide the information they request wherever is possible."
PM dismisses John Major’s warning, says he ‘sees it differently’
Boris Johnson has said he "sees it differently" after former PM Sir John Major warned the nation risked losing "our reputation for honouring the promises we make" if it breached international law and reneged on agreements made between the EU and the UK.
Asked about Sir John's remarks, Mr Johnson said: "Of course, I see it very differently.
"I see the risk that certain, I think, extreme interpretations of the treaty might place (on) the peace process in Northern Ireland, to the Good Friday Agreement.
He said "nobody wants to see a barrier down the Irish Sea", adding that it would be "very, very injurious".
Mr Johnson continued: "What we are doing is putting a safety net... to protect peace and to protect the settlement in our United Kingdom, and that is the purpose of what we are doing."
Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP chief husband not given details of her meetings with Alex Salmond
Nicola Sturgeon's husband, the SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, has told a Holyrood inquiry he did not know about sexual harassment allegations against Alex Salmond until they became public.
In written evidence to the Committee investigating the government's handling of harassment complaints, Mr Murrell also said that Ms Sturgeon did not discuss the details of two meetings between her and Mr Salmond.
The First Minister previously stated that meetings in April and July 2018 were in her capacity as SNP leader, but the party boss has revealed Ms Sturgeon told him "she couldn't discuss the details" with him.
"The nature of Nicola's job means that when she tells me she can't discuss something, I don't press it", he wrote.
Why is Boris Johnson wearing a wheat sheaf on his lapel?
Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer were among MPs seen sporting sheafs of wheat on their lapels as they faced off in the Commons at PMQs.
Despite eliciting memories of Theresa May’s naughtiest admissions, the decorations were in fact in aid of Back British Farming Day, which falls on 9 September.
You can find out more below:
Why is Boris Johnson wearing a wheat sheaf on his lapel?
National Farmers’ Union urges politicians to give parliament final say on post-Brexit trade deals
Coronavirus inquiry must start in January, committee of MPs tells Boris Johnson
MPs are telling Boris Johnson to stop dragging his heels on the coronavirus inquiry he promised, by ensuring it is ready to start in January.
The investigation must also be headed by a “visibly impartial” figure – after Tory allies were appointed to other key roles – who should undergo scrutiny first, their report says.
The call comes amid growing criticism that the prime minister is refusing to say when the inquiry into his much-criticised handling of the outbreak of the pandemic will get underway.
More below:
‘I used to love raves’ Lord sympathises
Meanwhile over in the House of Lords, hereditary peer Lord Bethell has told the youth that while he understands the allure of a rave, they must come to an end.
“I used to organise raves. I used to love raves”, the 5th Baron Bethell said. "But I implore all of those who organise raves to stop. Because you are causing a massive public health disaster".
It is worth noting that before entering the Lords and serving in the department of health and social care, Lord Bethell managed an altogether different ministry - the Ministry of Sound nightclub in London.
What changes to Brexit agreement mean for Ireland
Were it not for nearly 1,000 years of, shall we say, complicated and often unhappy Anglo-Irish relations - Sean O’Grady writes - Brexit would be a bit simpler than it is turning out to be.
He adds:
That’s not to say that it would be easy, or a disaster or economically mixed, or any other unknowable event; it is simply to point out that the latest “bump in the road”, the British proposal to “override” part of the UK-EU withdrawal agreement relating to Northern Ireland, is unusually problematic because of history.
Here he is with more on what the latest twists and turns in the Brexit saga mean for Ireland:
What changes to Brexit agreement mean for Ireland
The age-old Irish question is now a question as much for Brussels as for Britain, writes Sean O’Grady
Scottish Labour leader tells detractors ‘you have underestimated me’
Scottish Labour’s leader Richard Leonard has issued a stern rebuke to those who have called for him to step down.
It comes after MSPs have called for his resignation amid dismal polling in the country, where the party lags behind the SNP and the Conservative party ahead of the Scottish parliamentary election in May.
However he wrote on Facebook “I feel I need to remind a small group within our parliamentary group, who have called on me to step down and who have repeatedly attacked me in public, and have briefed against me: you have underestimated my resolve and underestimated the mandate I received from Scottish Labour Party members just under three years ago to lead the Scottish Labour Party.
"You have underestimated me.”
Grenfell victims accuse MP of ‘abandoning’ them after voting down Labour amendment
Grenfell victims have accused their MP of "meaningless platitudes" and "abandoning" them after she voted against implementing recommendations made by the first phase of the Grenfell Inquiry.
Campaign group Grenfell United said "those in power are not with us" after MPs voted by more than a 100 majority to reject Labour's attempt to ensure extra checks on materials used on buildings.
Felicity Buchan, Conservative member for Kensington, was one of 318 MPs who turned down the opposition's amendment to the Fire Safety Bill which passed the Commons on Monday.
If it had been accepted, the Labour amendment would have required owners or managers of flats to share information with their local fire service about the design and materials of the external walls.
However Ms Buchan has accused Labour of "wilfully politicising" the tragedy and said that she is "absolutely committed to implementing the first phase recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry - adding that the Labour amendment “did not speed up the process but risked slowing it by potentially requiring a new consultation on the Fire Safety Order."
Foreign Office ‘should not have allowed Harry Dunn killer to leave country’ DPP reportedly concludes
The Director of Public Prosecutions has concluded Harry Dunn's alleged killer did not have diplomatic immunity, the family have been told.
Max Hill QC's conclusion contrasts with that of Dominic Raab, who told parliament on 21 October that Anne Sacoolas did have immunity.
The news comes after Mr Dunn's parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, met Mr Hill on Wednesday at the Crown Prosecution Service's headquarters in London.
The family's spokesman Radd Seiger also said the DPP's legal team had also concluded the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) should not have allowed the suspect to leave the country in September last year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments