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Brexit news - live: MPs pass emergency law forcing prime minister to avert no deal by one vote

Follow our live coverage of the day’s political events

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Adam Forrest
Wednesday 03 April 2019 23:35 BST
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Brexit: MPs pass emergency law forcing Theresa May to seek further delay to avert no deal by one vote

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A cross-party bid to block a no-deal Brexit has cleared the Commons after Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn met for last-ditch talks to break the deadlock.

In a series of late-night votes, MPs backed the bill, tabled by Labour's Yvette Cooper, which was rushed through in a single day to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal next Friday.

It comes after Ms May was hit by two ministerial resignations over her decision to hold talks with Mr Corbyn, which also sparked fury among Tory MPs.

Mr Corbyn said the meeting in the prime minister's Commons office was "useful but inconclusive", adding: "There has not been as much change as I expected".

Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load

On a point of order, Independent MP Sarah Wollaston says the PM has been difficult to pin down for a meeting of the Liaison Committee (which is made up of senior MPs across all parties).

John Bercow notes the point and says it will have been heard by the government.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:58

Labour MP Rosie Cooper receives a spontaneous round of applause from MPs after making a point of order to thank them for support over the past two years. She faced serious death threats from neo-Nazis.

She asks home secretary Sajid Javid to consider Diplock trials, where a judge rather than a jury decides on terror trials.

Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, Mr Javid and John Bercow also praise her for her courage.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 13:05

Labour MP Paul Sweeney also raises a point of order about reports that the army are using pictures of Jeremy Corbyn as target practice. He says it is disgraceful. 

John Bercow agrees and says it is being investigated.

We wrote about the row earlier today here.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 13:09

There's an interesting motion circulating through the Commons at the moment, to censure the conduct of the PM and her ministers. It even suggest docking their pay.

As the BBC points out below, it is very unlikely to gain much support but it is a sign of how angry some Tory MPs are.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 13:16

Not sure what to make of that PMQs?

Andrew Grice and John Rentoul have done a snap analysis of an odd clash, which seemed to be between the PM and her backbenchers rather than the Labour leader.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 13:29

The "unacceptable treatment" experienced by some members of the Windrush generation was a "terrible mistake and it should never have happened", Sajid Javid has said.

Announcing details of the Windrush Compensation Scheme in the Commons, the home secretary said he was confident that the proposals for the scheme were closely aligned with what affected communities wanted to see.

He said: "Namely that it is simple, it is accessible and above all it is fair."

He acknowledged the scheme had "taken longer than I would have liked" but added it was "vital that we get this right."

Mr Javid said: "The whole country was shocked by the unacceptable treatment experienced by some members of the Windrush generation.

"People who have built their lives in this country, people who have done so much for this country, people who have every right to be in this country, they were told that they were not welcome."

He added: "It was a terrible mistake and it should never have happened. And that it did is a matter of profound regret to myself, to my department, to the government.

"That's why just under a year ago one of my first acts as Home Secretary was to stand at this despatch box and to say sorry on behalf of successive governments."

He went on: "I didn't just say sorry to members of the Windrush generation, I also vowed to right the wrongs that had been done to them and I sincerely hope that his compensation scheme being unveiled today goes some way into doing that."

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 13:42

NEW - Timetable today for the PM’s meetings in the Commons

2.30pm Jeremy Corbyn

4.15pm Nicola Sturgeon

5pm Mark Drakeford

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 13:49

Furious Tory MPs have condemned Theresa May for opening Brexit talks with Jeremy Corbyn, branding him “not fit to govern” and a “Marxist, antisemite”.

Prime minister’s questions was dominated by Conservatives lining up to attack their leader for turning to Labour in search of a compromise to end the crisis and pass a deal.

David Jones, a former minister, asked if Ms May still believed Mr Corbyn was “not fit to govern” – while Lee Rowley demanded to know “what now qualifies him for involvement in Brexit?”

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 13:57

Sir Oliver Letwin is setting out the timetable for this afternoon - after he won the right for backbench legislation to take priority over the government's business today.

He's been nicknamed the stand-in PM, as this is a very unusual situation.

The plan is for Letwin and senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper to table a bill, that seeks to rule out a no-deal Brexit next Friday (April 12) by compelling the PM to seek an extension.

They want to rush the bill through all its stages today, sending it to the Lords tomorrow.

One important thing to note - Letwin says he will accept an amendment from Labour's Hilary Benn, which would schedule a third round of indicative votes on Monday.

John Bercow selected this amendment (A), but did not select to two other amendments.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 14:07

Away from the Commons, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said the EU will accept an extension to Britain's EU membership until May 22 if MPs approve the Withdrawal deal by April 12.

Speaking in Brussels, he said: "If the UK is in a position of approving the withdrawal deal with a viable majority by the 12th April then the... European Union would also accept an extension until the 22nd May.

"The 12th April is the final date for possible approval. If the House of Commons does not adopt a stance before that date no short-term extension will be possible."

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 14:24

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