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As it happenedended

Theresa May struggles to maintain authority as cabinet ministers speculate over failure of deal in Commons

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
,Samuel Osborne
Thursday 20 December 2018 10:10 GMT
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Jeremy Corbyn insists he used the words 'stupid people' during heated PMQs session

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Theresa May is struggling to maintain authority after two of her cabinet ministers publicly speculated about the government's next steps should the Brexit deal fall in the Commons.

It came as Downing Street was forced to dismiss comments from cabinet ministers Andrea Leadsom and Amber Rudd after their remarks on a fresh referendum and a "managed no-deal" scenario.

Asked if a second referendum was plausible if Parliament remains gridlocked, the prime minister's official spokesman said: "No."

On Thursday, it also emerged that Tory and Labour MPs joined forces to stop Ms May crashing the UK out of the EU without a deal, starting with a showdown vote early in the New Year.

The move is intended to be the first of many planned ambushes to put parliament in control.

The group of MPs includes fellow Tories Oliver Letwin and Nick Boles, as well as Labour big-hitters Yvette Cooper, Hilary Benn, Rachel Reeves and Harriet Harman.

They have tabled an amendment to the finance bill, to be debated on 8 January, that would prevent any new taxes earmarked for no-deal preparations without the consent of the Commons.

This liveblog has now closed

Labour's Melanie Onn is now speaking in the Commons. She has asked an urgent question in relation to the number of homeless deaths. James Brokenshire, the housing secretary, pays tributes to the rough sleeper who passed away on Tuesday after being found in Westminster tube stations - close to the entrance to Parliament. 

He says the figures are "stark", as he lays out the government's plans to tackle homelessness. "Where we need to do more we will," he says. ​

Ms Onn says she was shocked about the death of a homeless man outside Parliament, but adds it is not for the first time this year. She says the overall figure has gone up by over 20% compared to the last five years.

Ashley Cowburn20 December 2018 10:51

Here is a regional breakdown of the estimated deaths of homeless people in England and Wales in 2017, together with the change on 2013.

- North-east England 32 (up 71%)

- North-west England 119 (up 115%)

- Yorkshire and the Humber 49 (up 58%)

- East Midlands 34 (up 38%)

- West Midlands 45 (up 11%)

- East of England 33 (up 16%)

- London 136 (up 2%)

- South-east England 84 (up 7%)

- South-west England 52 (up 6%)

- Wales 13 (down 40%)

Ashley Cowburn20 December 2018 10:52
Ashley Cowburn20 December 2018 11:39

Andrea Leadsom - the Commons leader - is now outlining the business statement for the chamber for the first week of January, after the Christmas recess. She says the debate on the Brexit deal will continue on 9 Wednesday 2019.

Ms Leadsom added it will also take place on Thursday January 10 and there is the possibility for it to continue on Friday January 11 - subject to agreement from MPs.

Ashley Cowburn20 December 2018 11:45

Ashley Cowburn20 December 2018 11:46

Downing Street has dismissed the suggestions by both Amber Rudd and Andrea Leadsom regarding what might happen if the Withdrawal Agreement cannot get through Parliament.

Asked if a second referendum was plausible if Parliament remains gridlocked, the prime minister's official spokesman said: "No.

"The work and pensions secretary has been clear on three things: the priority is to get the vote through Parliament, she does not want a people's vote or a referendum, and she has asked all colleagues to support the government's deal.

"As you know the prime minister has been very clear on the dangers of calling a second referendum. She is focused on winning the vote on the deal that has been agreed."

Asked about Ms Leadsom's comments on a managed no-deal Brexit, he added: "The Leader of the House was clear this is not government policy.

"This is not something that is available. The EU has been very clear that there is no withdrawal agreement available that does not include a backstop."

Ashley Cowburn20 December 2018 12:03
Ashley Cowburn20 December 2018 12:42

Interesting tweet from the justice secretary David Gauke, who was reported to have told a cabinet meeting earlier this week the idea of a no-deal Brexit was a "unicorn" that Ms May's top team should seek to "slay".

Ashley Cowburn20 December 2018 12:57

The government has been ordered to pay £105,000 in legal fees at the Court of Session after losing its case over whether Article 50 can be revoked.

It was the maximum amount available to the politicians and lawyers who pursued answers over whether the EU withdrawal process could be reversed.

Andrew Webster QC, representing the Brexit secretary, highlighted the petitioners had crowdfunded around £200,000 for their legal fees so the court could "take some comfort" in that.

The awards are to be split £60,000 and £45,000 between two groups who were involved in the process.

Samuel Osborne20 December 2018 13:14

A Labour MP has called for the government to make an urgent statement in Parliament on the disruption to flights at Gatwick, which has affected thousands of passengers.

Ian Murray said many of his Edinburgh South constituents were stuck at the London airport due to the problem, and called for a minister to come to the House of Commons and address the subject, outlining the sanctions for illegally flying such vehicles, which he said "could endanger the lives of hundreds of people".

He also congratulated London North Eastern Railway (LNER), who he said were offering people "free travel back to Edinburgh today if they are caught up at Gatwick".

In response commons leader Andrea Leadsom said it was "awful for passengers", and highlighted legislation the government passed to deal with "those who seek to interfere with a plane with a drone".

She said they face up to five years in prison and unlimited fines, but added after this current incident "we have to do more".

Samuel Osborne20 December 2018 13:27

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