Boris Johnson news: PM suffers fresh Brexit humiliation as EU systematically rubbishes plan, amid bizarre scheme to defy Queen

Follow how the day in Westminster unfolded

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The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier has delivered a brutal verdict on Boris Johnson‘s Brexit plans, saying the UK and Brussels are ”not really in a position” to find agreement.

Ahead of a critical EU summit, it emerged that the prime minister was preparing a historic Saturday Commons sitting on 19 October, in a last-ditch bid to avoid asking the EU for a Brexit delay.

Mr Johnson and his advisers are reportedly ready to tell the Queen she cannot sack him, even if he loses a no-confidence vote in the Commons later this month – a plan ridiculed by lawyers and historians.

Scotland’s highest civil court has also delayed ruling on whether to order Mr Johnson to ask for a Brexit extension – or have an official sign the extension letter if he refuses to do so – until 21 October.

Key Points

• Boris Johnson to meet Leo Varadkar for private talks
• ... as EU's chief Brexit negotiator rubbishes PM's plan
• No 10 said to be ready to tell Queen she cannot sack PM
• Parliament set for dramatic Saturday sitting on 19 October
• Tory MPs threaten mass walk-out if party backs no-deal in election

[9 October 2019 21:23 · Samuel Osborne]

Boris Johnson has spoken to Donald Trump to personally ask him to "reconsider the US position" to grant immunity to an American woman suspected of being involved in the death of Harry Dunn, Downing Street said.

“The prime minister urged the president to reconsider the US position so the individual involved can return to the UK, co-operate with police and allow Harry’s family to receive justice.

“The president said he was fully aware of the case and deeply saddened by what has happened, and he expressed his condolences to Harry’s parents.

“The leaders agreed to work together to find a way forward as soon as possible.”

[9 October 2019 21:37 · Samuel Osborne]

Mr Johnson and Mr Trump both voiced their "serious concern" regarding the actions of Turkey in Syria.

The prime minister and US president made the comments during a phone call on Wednesday.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The prime minister spoke to President Trump this evening.

"The leaders expressed their serious concern at Turkey's invasion of north east Syria and the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe in the region."

[9 October 2019 22:16 · Samuel Osborne]

The German Ambassador to Ireland has told a group of representatives from border communities that Germany is under "no pressure" to accept a deal from the UK over Brexit.

Border Communities Against Brexit visited the Irish parliament on Wednesday to meet with politicians from all parties as well as the German ambassador.

Damian McGennity, one of Borders Communities Against Brexit's founders, said the meeting with the German ambassador Deike Potzel was vital in order to allay fears among his community.

"It couldn't have went any better," Mr McGennity said after the meeting. "She was very across the issues and to put it simply, Germany's overriding concern in Brexit is the peace process in Ireland.

"We left feeling hopeful, when you sit and talk to people you can judge whether they mean what they say or if they're bluffing.

"It's clear Germany are very across the detail of what's happening in the north, we were very happy leaving today. They're not under any pressure, they feel the position they have adopted is the right one.

"She also said they're happy to give an extension. She said herself she has had conversations with commerce representatives across industries and there is no pressure she has seen on the German government for their to be a deal."

[9 October 2019 22:39 · Samuel Osborne]

Jeremy Corbyn will accuse Boris Johnson of "using the Queen" to deliver a pre-election Tory party political broadcast at next week's State Opening of Parliament. The Labour leader will brand Monday's Queen's Speech a "cynical stunt".

Mr Corbyn will insist he is "champing at the bit" for a general election, but would only back one if a no-deal Brexit is taken off the table because the Prime Minister "can't be trusted not to break the law".

Speaking in Northampton on Thursday, Mr Corbyn will say: "On Monday, we will be treated to the farce of Boris Johnson's Conservative government, amid full pomp and ceremony, setting out an agenda to Parliament that it has no intention or means of delivering.

"This Government isn't going to put any legislation before Parliament.

"It has a majority of minus 45, a 100 per cent record of defeat in the Commons and is seeking a general election which will end the parliamentary session the Queen is about to open.

"Holding a Queen's Speech before an election is a cynical stunt. Johnson is using the Queen to deliver a pre-election party political broadcast for the Conservative Party."