Boris Johnson news – live: Major blow for prime minister as Commons vote paves way for bill preventing no-deal Brexit

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Boris Johnson: 'Parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might be able to strike in Brussels'

Rebel Tories have defied Boris Johnson's threats of deselection to align with opposition MPs and derail his Brexit plans in a historic Commons vote.

MPs voted to seize control of the house agenda, paving the way for a bill to be tabled tomorrow that would prevent the prime minister from crashing the country out of the EU on October 31.

The prime minister's statement to the House earlier this evening was upstaged when Tory MP Dr Phillip Lee dramatically crossed the floor to sit with the Liberal Democrats, depriving him of his majority.

Mr Johnson said he would put in train a motion calling for a general election next month.

Labour have said they may vote in favour of such a poll, but only if they could be certain Mr Johnson would not move the date until after Britain is due to leave on October 31, in effect bringing about a no-deal by default.

Key Points

• Downing Street indicates election could be held 14 October
• Labour won't back election motion 'on Johnson's terms'
• Hammond calls Dominic Cummings 'entryist' and vows to fight deselection
• PM agreed to suspend parliament weeks before denying plan, court hears
• PM suffers defeat as MPs vote in favour of taking control of Commons agenda

[3 September 2019 21:51 · Chiara.Giordano]

Labour MP Mary Creagh claims there are some “nasty surprises in store” for Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings during tonight’s votes:

[3 September 2019 23:26 · Chiara.Giordano]

Rory Stewart has said he is not stepping down as MP.

He tweeted: "Strange that a decision has been made to remove the whip from so many colleagues who were ministers so recently.

"Particularly when we voted repeatedly for a Brexit deal.

"I can't think of a historical precedent.

"But I am not stepping down as an MP."

[3 September 2019 23:46 · Chiara.Giordano]

Stephen Doughty, Labour MP for Cardiff South and Penarthy, told Sky News he was confident MPs would unite again tomorrow.

He said: “I am confident all of those who voted together tonight will vote again tomorrow because they are united in wanting to stop a no-deal.

“I don’t want to give Boris Johnson the benefit of the doubt because I don't believe him and I don’t think the country believes him.

“This is someone who has repeatedly lied to both sides of this argument.”

[4 September 2019 00:00 · Chiara.Giordano]

Tory former minister Sam Gyimah, who rebelled against the government tonight, told PA: “It’s never pleasant to vote against your party.

“We were all individually contacted before the vote by the whips and told we’d have the whip removed if we voted against the motion.

“It’s a sad moment. I’ve enjoyed being a Conservative Member of Parliament but voting to stop a no-deal was the right thing to do.”

[4 September 2019 00:14 · Chiara.Giordano]

Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill, said he voted against the government tonight.

He said his decision was “a pity” and was not taken “lightly”, but he felt “very strongly” about avoiding a no deal.

Sir Nicholas added: “The fact is I'm satisfied that (the prime minister) himself wants a deal, but the deal he wants is not available.”

Sir Nicholas Soames leaving the Houses of Parliament (Reuters/Henry Nicholls) 

He said he would not stand for Parliament again if a snap general election was held.

PA

[4 September 2019 00:30 · Chiara.Giordano]

Veteran Tory MP Ken Clarke told BBC Newsnight the argument that Mr Johnson was trying to strike a deal was “absurd”.

He added: “He’s obviously not trying to get a deal. I’m sure he’d prefer one if he thought he could get one past his right-wing supporters.

“But he’s dug himself in, he assumes he’s going to get no deal. Because he can’t get the right wing of the Conservative Party, many of them now stuck in his Cabinet, to agree to it.”

Boris Johnson leaving parliament tonight (PA/Aaron Chown) 

[4 September 2019 00:45 · Chiara.Giordano]

Leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage tweeted: “If Boris Johnson confirms that 21 Remainer Tory rebels will be kicked out of the party, that would be an act of real leadership.”

[4 September 2019 01:10 · Tom Barnes]

That's it for The Independent's live coverage of what has been a momentous day in Westminster. Join us here again on Wednesday morning, when we will be doing it all again.