Boris Johnson news: Five go forward in Labour leadership race after last-minute nominations scramble, as Tory ‘Festival of Brexit’ plans ridiculed

Follow all the latest developments as they happened

Boris Johnson in Northern Ireland: "Never mind the hand of history on my shoulder"

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry made it through to the next stage of the Labour leadership contest after Clive Lewis dramatically abandoned his bid moments before the deadline.

It comes as Boris Johnson ​visited Belfast and praised the “wonderful” compromise from all Northern Ireland’s political parties in getting Stormont back up and running after a three-year impasse.

Mr Johnson is to press ahead with a cultural celebration after the UK’s exit from the EU dubbed the “Festival of Brexit”, despite concerns about the £120m cost. The organiser has been mocked for claiming it will bring “joy, hope and happiness”.​

To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below

Key Points

• 'Festival of Brexit' boss vows to overcome cynicism
• Emily Thornberry makes it to next stage of Labour leadership contest
• ...as Clive Lewis abandons his leadership bid at last minute
• Tory MP blames 'certain communities' for crime
• Iran’s ambassador to the UK summoned by Foreign Office

[13 January 2020 18:18 · Lizzy Buchan]

Leadership contender Lisa Nandy says voters found prospect of Labour government ‘frightening’ at election

Leadership hopeful Lisa Nandy has claimed voters found the prospect of a Jeremy Corbyn-led government “frightening” rather than empowering ahead of the party’s worst electoral defeat of the post-war era.

Delivering the first major speech of her campaign to succeed Mr Corbyn, the Wigan MP urged party members to make the “brave, not the easy choice” and change course with a different type of leader.

Ms Nandy, who quit Labour leader’s frontbench in 2016, is one of five contenders to reach the second stage of the contest after a scramble for nominations went down to the wire on Monday. 

[13 January 2020 18:28 · Lizzy Buchan]

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