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As it happenedended

Brexit - as it happened: Corbyn faces Labour rebellions as MPs vote on EU withdrawal bill

Follow all the latest updates from Westminster

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Wednesday 13 June 2018 17:58 BST
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SNP MPs walk out of PMQs as Ian Blackford is expelled from the chamber

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​MPs have debated for a second day on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, with key votes expected on plans by peers for membership of the single market and the customs union.

A potentially explosive rebellion over customs arrangements appears to have been headed off for the moment by government whips, but pro-EU Conservatives are thought to be keeping their powder dry until the trade bill comes to the Commons next month.

Attention now turns to Labour as scores of MPs are expected to rebel against Jeremy Corbyn over a Lords amendment that would effectively keep the UK in the single market.

It comes after prime minister's questions descended into chaos when the SNP’s leader in Westminster was expelled from the chamber and his party performed a mass walkout.

Ian Blackford was kicked out when he attempted to force a vote to make the Commons sit in private in protest over the lack of time to debate key devolution issues during the bill's session on Tuesday.

During the session, Jeremy Corbyn tackled Theresa May on Brexit as he attempted to highlight divisions within the Conservative party.

Mr Corbyn also mocked the prime minister asking whether she has invited Donald Trump, the US president, to take control of the negotiations in Brussels – a reference to Boris Johnson’s recorded remarks last week.

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Speaking in the Commons, Sir Keir says concerns over the customs union is not confined to the business sector, but also trade unions.

In a point of intervention, Owen Smith, the former shadow frontbencher, urged his party to back the EEA amendment put forward by the Lords. Labour has already said it will order its MPs to abstain on the motion when it is voted on around 7pm.  

Ashley Cowburn13 June 2018 13:57

Sir Keir says the EEA clearly worked very well for countries such as Norway, but "their economies are very different" to ours, he adds.

Ashley Cowburn13 June 2018 14:13
Ashley Cowburn13 June 2018 14:16
Ashley Cowburn13 June 2018 14:17

The Tories have been abandoned by one of their top City donors, the Independent can exclusively reveal, in what could be seen as a further sign of strained relations between the party and the business community. 

Money manager Fidelity International, which looks after the pension savings of millions of Britons, gave more than £1.1m to the party between 2007 and 2017. 

However, the firm has no entry on the Electoral Commission’s website after March 2017, when the sum of £20,000 was accepted by the party. The Independent has confirmed no donation has been made since then. 

More here:

Lizzy Buchan13 June 2018 14:24

Solicitor general Robert Buckland is now opening for the government. 

He says participating in the EEA after Brexit does not 'pass our test' of giving back to control over laws, money and borders. He says it is one area that he agrees with Starmer.

​Rebel leader Dominic Grieve intervenes, saying that isn't necessarily true. It is 'perfectly plain' you can be in the EEA without obeying the European Court of Justice, for example.

Lizzy Buchan13 June 2018 14:32

Buckland says 'access to the single market' (in the EEA amendment) means accepting the four freedoms - including freedom of movement.

Tory Vicky Ford, a former MEP, says Norwegian politicians would ask her to table motions on their behalf, as they couldn't do it themselves. Norway is in the EEA, which is what Labour rebels want the UK to join.

Lizzy Buchan13 June 2018 14:38

Groans and shouts ensue when Pete Wishart, of the SNP, tries to ask a question about immigration. All of the SNP walked out earlier during PMQs in protest over the lack of time to debate devolution yesterday.

He asks if immigration is "the cold heart" of the government's Brexit strategy? 

Buckland says it is not and he won't take any more interventions from him.

Lizzy Buchan13 June 2018 14:42

Tory rebel Anna Soubry asks what will be done about ensuring there is frictionless trade.

Mr Buckland says there are two ministerial groups working on different customs options - the tech-heavy "max fac" option and Theresa May's favoured customs partnership.

Lizzy Buchan13 June 2018 14:44

Theresa May’s plan to compromise with pro-EU rebel Tories faces a crisis less than 24 hours after it allowed her to avoid a humiliating commons defeat.

Rebels believe she personally promised to discuss their proposals to give parliament control over Brexit if no deal has been reached by February next year, but today Downing Street said the idea is not on the table.

Latest here:

Lizzy Buchan13 June 2018 14:52

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