Boris Johnson news – live: Bercow scuppers bid for fresh vote on Brexit deal amid court challenge over 'childish' EU letters
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson is to seek to fast-track legislation to ratify his Brexit deal through the Commons in just three days as he attempts to avoid another delay to Britain’s departure from the EU.
Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg told MPs debate on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill would start on Tuesday with ministers hoping to get it through all its Commons stages by Thursday.
MPs have strongly condemned the prime minister for giving MPs only until Thursday to debate the draft legislation, which was shown to be 110 pages long with 125 pages of notes when it was published.
Ministers are likely to face opposition attempts to amend the legislation, including the “programme motion” setting out the Commons timetable for the bill.
It came after John Bercow, the Speaker, blocked Mr Johnson’s request to hold a vote on his deal after he ruled that the government could not re-run the same vote.
The Independent calls for Final Say vote
There was no signature on the letter Boris Johnson sent to Brussels on Saturday night, but there will be more than 250,000 on the one that will shortly land on his doormat and in the offices of every MP in the country.
The Independent’s letter with the People’s Vote campaign is calling for politicians, both in the UK and in the EU, to give the people a voice on the terms of the Brexit deal, in the form of a second referendum. It follows Saturday’s million-march for a Final Say public vote.
Read our editorial explaining why no Labour MP should support Boris Johnson’s deal.
Tories select candidate for Speaker Bercow’s seat
We’re expecting to find out at 3.30pm whether Speaker John Bercow will allow the government to bring back its meaningful vote on the Brexit deal.
Ahead of the big decision, it’s become clear the Speaker is now formally without a Commons seat at the next election – after the Conservative party selected Greg Smith for his Buckingham seat.
Bercow announced he would be standing down as Speaker at the end of October.
Scottish court rejects government request to dismiss Benn Act case
More on the case at Scotland’s highest civil court today.
Judges essentially delayed the case, and are waiting to see if Boris Johnson fully complies with the Benn Act in seeking a Brexit extension before making a decision on whether he has broken the law.
But campaigners actually wanted the delay – and celebrated the judges’ decision to reject a government request
At the hearing before the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Monday, it was accepted the prime minister had observed part of the legislation by sending the request by letter to the EU.
This is despite the fact he did not sign it and also sent a second letter - which he did put his name to - that said a delay would be a mistake.
Petitioners including businessman Dale Vince, Jolyon Maugham QC and SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC were granted a request by three of Scotland’s most senior judges to postpone any decision to see if the terms of the Act have been fully carried out.
This includes waiting to see if any potential extension granted by the EU is accepted by the prime minister.
Aidan O’Neill QC, representing the petitioners, described the manner in which the letter was sent as “unusual”.
O’Neill said the PM was “sailing very close to the wind” and “not entirely in accord with spirit” of the Act by sending the second letter, in which he said an extension would “damage” the UK’s interests.
He added: “We don’t know when the EU will come back with a response for the request. So it depends on it coming back and ensuring the prime minister carried out the duties imposed upon him within the Benn Act.”
Judge Lord Brodie said: “I think it is fair to say it was a very carefully written letter.”
David Johnston QC, representing the UK government, argued the appeal should be dismissed as the letter had been sent.
But the court said it would return to the matter at a later date. Judge Lord Carloway said the decision would be delayed under similar terms to those in previous hearing.
He said: “The court considers that the case should be continued until clear that the obligations under the 2019 Act have been complied with in full.”
People’s Vote march inspired optimism
Our associate editor Sean O’Grady says Saturday’s one-million strong march for a Final Say public vote Saturday has renewed his own optimism about public engagement in politics.
Guy Verhofstadt: deal must be ratified by UK parliament before MEPs can approve
According to the BBC’s Adam Fleming, the European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt says his steering group will recommend the parliament doesn’t sign off on a Brexit deal until the UK parliament ratifies the legislation.
Labour mayoral hopeful accused of homophobia
Members of the Labour's parliamentary LGBT group have demanded the removal of Salma Yaqoob from a mayoral candidate list over alleged homophobic comments.
The group – including seven MPs and a former party general secretary – has written to Labour’s regional director calling for Ms Yaqoob to be struck off the shortlist to fight the West Midlands mayoral election next year.
John Bercow blocks government bid for new meaningful vote
The Speaker has derailed Boris Johnson's plans by refusing to grant the PM's request for a vote on his Brexit deal today.
"It would be repetitive and disorderly to do so," he says.
Brexiteers condemn Speaker for refusing to allow meaningful vote
John Bercow is getting some flack from Tory MPs for thwarting the government's attempts to hold a vote on the PM's deal.
Jeremy Corbyn secures urgent question on the government's new Brexit legislation
Labour leader welcomes the fact the PM has written to the EU to ask for a delay but says it is has been done with 'posturing', as it typical of Boris Johnson.
Corbyn says the letter is legally binding and asks when an extension would be granted.
He also asks the Brexit secretary to categorically rule out media reports that MPs could be jailed for 'colluding with foreign powers'.
He asks for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to be published along with the impact assessments.
Steve Barclay accuses Corbyn of ditching his own manifesto and pursuing a policy of 'dither and delay'.
Downing Street reacts to the Speaker’s decision to refuse to allow a meaningful vote
The PM's official spokesman said: “We are disappointed that the Speaker has yet again denied us a chance to deliver on the will of British people.
"We will now go ahead with the introduction of the WAB today, with second reading tomorrow.
"The public want Brexit done. The government is determined to pass the PM's new deal and get us out of the EU by 31 October."
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