Brexit: Corbyn compares Theresa May's deal to 'Frankenstein's monster' amid ridicule over lorry test
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Your support makes all the difference.Jeremy Corbyn has compared Theresa May's Brexit deal to "Frankenstein's monster" as the prime minister faced pressure on all sides ahead of a crunch Commons vote.
As MPs returned to Westminster after the Christmas break, rival Brexit factions turned up the heat on Ms May over her blueprint, which is expected to be voted down in a parliamentary showdown on January 15.
The Labour leader said there could be "no more hiding and no more running away" from holding the long-promised meaningful vote on Ms May's deal, with only three months left until exit day.
He accused ministers of pushing a "Frankenstein's monster of a deal" and criticised "shambolic" no-deal Brexit preparations by transport secretary Chris Grayling.
His comments came as the government faced ridicule over its first major tests of plans for no-deal chaos at UK borders, when scores of lorries travelled from Manston Airport, near Ramsgate, in Kent, to Dover, to trial contingency plans to ease congestion on the roads and at ports.
To follows events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below
Jeremy Corbyn is now asking an urgent question about 'progress made achieving legal changes' to the Brexit deal - and the timetable for the meaningful vote.
It's currently expected on January 15.
Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay said a business motion will be debated on Wednesday, which will set out the timings for the vote. No10 told reporters this earlier.
He said the decision to postpone the debate last year 'was not taken lightly' but the PM was determined to find a good deal, not the 'flawed off the shelf options available'.
It was clear the vote was going to be lost, so May went to seek further reassurances. She has spoken to European leaders over Christmas.
The government will be clear on Wednesday over what has been achieved since then.
Jeremy Corbyn says there can be 'no more hiding and no more running away' on Brexit as there are only 3 months left until exit day.
This is one of the biggest things to ever happen to Britain and it must not be decided by the 'internal machinations' of the Conservative party.
He said May must update MPs on what is going and it should be May who tells MPs what is going on. He accuses the PM of promoting 'project fear' rather than coming to parliament to do her duty.
'It's all hot air', he says and demands a 'cast iron promise' for the date of the vote.
He says May is desperately trying to 'spark life into a Frankenstein monster of a deal' and the government is prepared to push the economy off a cliff edge.
Corbyn now turns his fire on the lorry trials that have been running in Kent this morning to prepare for a no-deal. He says Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, has a PhD in incompetence and the trials were a humiliating attempt to persuade the EU they are ready for no deal.
Stephen Barclay hits back, saying the speech had no content and accused Labour of failing to offer any kind of Brexit plan. He says the party is not clear whether it wants a new referendum or if it accepts the result.
He says the NHS 10-year plan is not project fear, and the scaremongering actually comes from the opposition benches.
Ken Clarke, the Tory grandee, says its in the national interest to 'delay article 50'. March 29 is an 'arbitrary date' as Ms May made the decision without knowing what she would ask for.
He also attacks Jeremy Corbyn for asking a 'pointless' urgent question which distracts from the problem at hand.
Newly-knighted Brexiteer Sir John Redwood shows he has not been bought off, by asking a furious question about opposition to the deal.
He says its not just the 'unacceptable Irish backstop' but the fact the UK must pay billions to the EU after exit.
Mr Barclay says its contradictory to say Britain could continue to have good will with the EU if it fails to meet its obligations.
Labour's Hilary Benn, who chairs the Brexit committee, asked him to rule out a no-deal exit.
Mr Barclay said the House has to decide what it is for, not just what it is against.
Labour’s Chris Leslie pins down the minister over the meaningful vote, demanding a guarantee it will take place next week.
He asks again: 'Can Barclay guarantee the vote will take place next week'
Mr Barclay replies: “Yes.”
Labour MP Stephen Doughty asks the Speaker to intervene over abusive and intimidatory behaviour outside parliament, as mentioned here.
He says it is unacceptable that MPs, journalists and members of the public to face threatening action from protestors outside.
Mr Barclay agrees how important it is to conduct political debate with respect and courtesy, and says the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox must not be forgotten.
Earlier, the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford urged Mr Corbyn to "get off the fence" and back a second referendum.
He also told the Commons that the spectacle of Brexit had "made the case for Scotland being an independent country" - to jeers from Tory MPs.
Mr Barclay responded by saying the SNP "call for referendums, but can't seem to cope with the result of those referendums".
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