Boris Johnson news – live: Bercow scuppers bid for fresh vote on Brexit deal amid court challenge over 'childish' EU letters

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What will happen with Brexit following the Letwin amendment?

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.

Key Points

• Bercow blocks meaningful vote on PM's Brexit deal
• ...as government criticised for plan to force through Brexit legislation in three days
• Labour will whip MPs to back second referendum 
• ERG could pull support for Brexit deal if 'wrecked' by Labour amendments
• Bitter row over homophobia allegations against Labour mayoral hopeful

[21 October 2019 20:11 · Jane Dalton]

Northern Ireland firms will have to fill out export forms to send goods to Britain

Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, is under fire after revealing Northern Ireland businesses will be forced to fill out export declaration forms when sending goods to Britain under Boris Johnson's Brexit deal.

His admission led to claims the government was breaching its commitments to allow "unfettered access" to the GB market for firms in Northern Ireland with new bureaucracy. 

[21 October 2019 21:52 · Vincent Wood]

Labour's John McDonnell has defended his party's proposed amendment to Boris Johnson's Brexit bill - arguing it would create unity among the commons and the public.

The shadow chancellor said the amendment, which would create a UK-wide customs union with the EU and legislate for a second referendum was not about "wrecking" the deal put forward by the prime minister.

If approved by parliamentarians, the amendment will force the government to either pull the withdrawal agreement from the commons - or accept a softer Brexit.