Brexit news: Labour votes against backing Remain in new referendum, as Boris Johnson denies misusing public funds
The latest developments as they happened
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Your support makes all the difference.Labour‘s annual conference has rejected a motion calling for the party to oppose Brexit in all circumstances.
Delegates at the gathering in Brighton voted down a plan that would have seen the party support Remain in any future referendum. They instead backed a proposal from the party leadership that will see Labour delay deciding its position until after a general election.
The decision – which was based on a show of hands – proved highly controversial, with some observers suggesting it was a “stitch up”.
However others were pleased with the approval of the leader’s stance on Brexit, and around half of the delegates began chanting “Oh, Jeremy Corbyn”.
Elsewhere, Boris Johnson is facing a probe into allegations he failed to declare potential conflicts of interest as London mayor over the allocation of public money to an American businesswoman.
Officials at City Hall and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport are looking into Mr Johnson’s ties with Jennifer Arcuri, with MPs calling for the PM to quit if claims are substantiated.
Mr Johnson initially refused to answer questions about the allegations before eventually insisting that “everything was done with complete propriety”.
The prime minister went on to meet European Council president Donald Tusk at the UN General Assembly in New York. Mr Tusk later tweeted that there had been “no breakthrough”.
It came as Mr Johnson awaited Tuesday’s ruling by the Supreme Court on whether his decision to shut down parliament was unlawful or not.
See below for our coverage of events as they happened
Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, is now speaking in the conference hall.
He says there is "only one way forward": a fresh Brexit referendum.
He continues:
"Too much has happened in the last three years for this now to be decided without the consent of the public. We need to ask the public whether they are prepared to leave with the best deal that can be secured. Or whether they wouldn’t rather Remain in the EU. The people must have the final say.
"A referendum in which ‘Remain’ should – and will – be on the ballot paper, along with the best leave deal that can be secured. We owe it to those who want to leave to secure that leave deal and put it to them in a referendum."
Keir Starmer announces that a Labour government would legislate immediately to pave the way for a fresh referendum within six months.
He says:
"I have a very simple message today: If you want a referendum - vote Labour. If you want a final say on Brexit - vote Labour. If you want to fight for Remain - vote Labour. Labour will let the people decide."
Keir Starmer is now laying out his own position on whether Labour should oppose Brexit.
He reiterates that he would campaign for Remain and suggests his party should too. It is subtle, though, as is the shadow Brexit secretary's style.
He says:
"In 2016 Labour campaigned for Remain. We did so because we are internationalists. We stand in solidarity with our friends and neighbours in Europe. We profoundly believe in peace, reconciliation, human rights and collaboration across borders. Socialist values. Our values, then and now. And let those values guide us on the road ahead.
"But we didn’t just campaign to Remain. We campaigned to Remain and to feform. We cannot – and we should not – just defend the status quo in Europe or at home. We must make the case for radical reform in Europe and at home. We are the largest socialist party in Europe. It is our duty to lead. Let us bring together our sister parties across Europe. And host an international conference to forge our shared plan for a social Europe. With the UK at its heart, not sitting on the side-lines. Leading not pleading."
BREAKING: The Brexit motion put forward by Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) has been passed. It says the party would not decide what position it will adopt in a future Brexit referendum until after a general election.
Also BREAKING: Labour conference has REJECTED a second motion that says the party should oppose Brexit in any referendum.
There is outrage in the conference hall as the vote, which is taken by a show of hands, is incredibly close and the chair has to make a call.
There is further chaos when, confirming the result, she accidentally says the motion has passed before correcting herself to say it has been rejected.
Ahead of tomorrow's Supreme Court ruling, find out all you need to know about the issues that will decide the case:
The IndependentPolitics Explained: There are five key questions that will determine the historic case – and shape the future of Brexit and government
In the conference hall, there are demands for a paper vote on the pro-Remain Brexit motion, with one member saying it is one of the most important decisions the party will take this decade.
That is rejected by the chair, National Executive Committee Wendy Nichols, amid absolute uproar in the hall. This is chaos.
Here's the chaotic moment the pro-Remain Brexit motion was rejected by a show of hands - needless to say it was heavily disputed.
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