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As it happenedended

Brexit news: May sacks defence secretary Williamson over ‘unprecedented’ Huawei leak as MPs vote on climate change

Follow live updates from Westminster, as they happened

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Samuel Osborne
Wednesday 01 May 2019 20:43 BST
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Countdown to Brexit: How many days left until Britain leaves the EU?

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Theresa May has endured a day of intense scrutiny over her Brexit strategy ahead of an anticipated mauling in the local elections over delays to the UK's departure from the EU.

Ms May and Jeremy Corbyn held their last prime minister's questions clash ahead of Thursday's poll, as the Labour leader accused Ms May of failing to tackle the "burning injustices" she pledged to combat during her first day in office.

Amid mounting speculation that the prime minister could cave in to opposition demands, Ms May told senior backbenchers she hopes "a deal can be done" with Labour to find a consensus which can command a majority in parliament.

To see events as they unfolded, follow our live coverage below

Labour has claimed transport secretary Chris Grayling's political gaffes have cost the economy and taxpayers over £2.7bn during his time in government.

My colleague Ashley Cowburn has run the rule over Mr Grayling's record in government:

Lizzy Buchan1 May 2019 14:13

In response, Michael Gove, the environment secretary, says he wants to use the debate today to outline the government's intention to make its climate charge targets more ambitious. "We must do more," he admits. 

The first person person to make it clear that climate change was an "emergency" in the Commons was Margaret Thatcher, he claims.

Ashley Cowburn1 May 2019 14:30

Government plans to invite Donald Trump to address parliament during his state visit look set to be dropped, as officials seek to avoid a potentially embarrassing row with the Commons speaker.

It comes after Downing Street announced last week that the US president will arrive in London for a three-day visit in June to coincide with the 75th D-Day commemorations. 

But given previous condemnation of Mr Trump from the Commons speaker John Bercow, uncertainty has surrounded whether he will address MPs and peers in the historic Westminster Hall – an honour previously bestowed on Barack Obama in 2011.

Ashley Cowburn1 May 2019 14:50

Theresa May is appearing before the Liaison Committee, which is made up of senior MPs who chair the other Commons committees.

First up she runs through the current situation with Brexit. She says there have been 'constructive' and 'meaningful' talks with Labour.

She confirms if cross-party talks fail then the UK can leave without a deal, revoke article 50, hold a referendum or leave with a deal.

Lizzy Buchan1 May 2019 15:02

Labour's Hilary Benn, who chairs the Brexit committee, is leading the questioning.

Asked if MPs could be asked to back a customs union, May says that will be discussed with Labour.

He asks if there could be a second referendum. May says that is a different issue. Neither the government nor Labour is calling for a public vote.

Lizzy Buchan1 May 2019 15:09

Tory MP Bernard Jenkin is up next. He asks if the civil service is still preparing for a no-deal Brexit.

Jenkin, who chairs the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC), is an ardent Brexiteer and is clearly unhappy with the delay to Britain's exit day.

He grills her on why she delayed Brexit - and said she was not legally obliged to delay. 

May says parliament legislated for her to ask for it and when he pushes her on it, she says she was obliged to accept the delay if she asked for it.

She says she stands by her comments that a no deal is better than a bad deal - but she has a deal and its a good one.

May tells Jenkin that she will publish the withdrawal agreement implementation bill when it is ready. Work is going on behind the scenes.

Lizzy Buchan1 May 2019 15:14

Veteran Brexiteer Bill Cash goes next. The European Scrutiny Committee asks May why she won't get on with leaving the EU.

May says she has been trying to get on with it but MPs keep refusing to support her deal. The UK could be out already, she says.

Cash tells her she should have resigned three weeks ago. He says parliament is being "castrated" because EU laws will be passed behind closed doors during the transition period.

May disagrees, saying it is a necessary time to prepare for the future relationship.

'Don't agree,' says Cash, to laughs from MPs.

Lizzy Buchan1 May 2019 15:27

Sir Patrick McLoughlin, Tory chair of the European statutory instruments committee, asks if PM would rule out leaving without a deal.

May says parliament will not allow the UK to leave without a deal, but the EU is also involved in the decision.

Stephen McPartland, Conservative chair of the slightly obscure regulatory reform committee, grills the PM on regulations.

May says the government is making sure that workers rights can be guaranteed.

Lizzy Buchan1 May 2019 15:34

May's long-standing rival Yvette Cooper is up next. She was May's shadow when the PM was home secretary.

The home affairs committee chair asks May if she still plans to be part common external tariff for goods.

May says it is important to be able to vary tariffs to have independent trade agreements.

Cooper presses May on whether she is returning to the Chequers plan to collect tariffs on behalf of the EU. 'Has nothing changed? Are we still stuck?' she asks.

May says it is a key part of talks with Labour and there is 'greater communality' than expected.

Lizzy Buchan1 May 2019 15:42

This is quite the back and forth between May and Cooper.

Cooper says they are 'going round in circles'. She asks May if she is ruling out changing the government's position on customs.

May says the government has similar aims to Labour. But how that is achieved has not been wholly identified.

Lizzy Buchan1 May 2019 15:44

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