MPs bid to force government to act over ban on abortion in Northern Ireland
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MPs will try to force the government to legalise abortion in Northern Ireland when the Commons votes this evening on a motion tabled by Labour MPs.
The amendment, which would force ministers to ensure that the law in the region is compatible with human rights legislation, has been tabled by Labour backbenchers Stella Creasy and Conor McGinn but has the backing of a number of Tories.
Both the Conservatives and Labour are expected to give their MPs a free vote on the matter, raising the prospect that it could pass.
It comes after the Commons yesterday voted by 208 to 123 in favour of a largely symbolic motion to scrap the 157-year-old laws that make abortion illegal in Northern Ireland. It was backed by several Tory ministers, including women and equalities minister Penny Mordaunt, piling pressure on Ms May to act.
Proposing her amendment, Ms Creasy told the Commons: "This amendment would not create a new law in Northern Ireland but what it would do is recognise that there are thousands of people in Northern Ireland whose lives right now are affected by two key human rights issues.
“They are human rights issues because the are issues on which our courts are currently discussing, ruling and indeed appealing."
She added: “They refer in particular to the right of somebody to be able to marry who they love and the right of women to have bodily autonomy. To make the choice, if they wish, to not continue with an unwanted pregnancy.”
Follow the action as it happened...
Labour said the government should take tougher action against Saudi Arabia in the wake of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
"There is a clear responsibility on the British government to take decisive action in relation not only to the murder in Istanbul but also the conduct of the Yemen war," a spokesperson said.
The steps taken by the government "do not go far enough in response to this action and the wide mass abuse of human rights by the Saudi dictatorship", they added.
Here's a bit more on the action the government is taking against suspects implicated in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Sajid Javid, the home secretary, said:
"The UK government condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and has serious concerns around the explanation given by the Saudi authorities.
“With this in mind, I have decided to take action against those implicated in his death to prevent them from entering the UK.
“We will always be thoughtful and considered in our response, but if the appalling stories are true, they are fundamentally incompatible with our values.”
Here's the clip of Theresa May confirming the government will revoke the visas of anyone suspected of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi...
Labour has given its backing to the amendment seeking to force the legalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, although the party will give its MPs a free vote on the matter.
A new poll has revealed widespread public doubts over the prospect of Theresa May agreeing a Brexit deal with the EU.
The Ipsos MORI survey found that 78 per cent of people are pessimistic about the prospects of a good deal being agreed. The figure is up from 70 per cent last month as gridlock in negotiations continues.
64 per cent of Conservative supporters do not believe the prime minister will secure a good deal - up 11 per cent in the last month alone.
According to the survey, just 19 per cent of voters have confidence in Ms May's handling of Brexit.
43 per cent of people think Brexit will make their life worse, while only 18 per cent believe it will improve their situation.
At PMQs earlier today, Theresa May claimed one of John McDonnell's economic advisers had said it did not matter that the numbers in Labour's last manifesto "did not add up".
The adviser in question, Simon Wren-Lewis, has hit back, strongly denying this....
Former cabinet minister Dominic Grieve has warned the government that MPs will be "far more likely" to reject whatever deal Theresa May brings back from Brussels if Parliament is not allowed to amend it.
Peter Dowd, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, is making a point of order in the Commons about claims Theresa May made during PMQs earlier today.
The prime minister claimed an economic adviser to John McDonnell, Oxford professor Simon Wren-Lewis, said it did not matter that the figures in Labour's last manifesto "did not add up".
Professor Wren-Lewis disputes this and has said the prime minister's claims were a lie.
Mr Dowd suggests Ms May should return to the Commons to correct the record and apologise.
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