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Brexit news - LIVE: Parliament descends further into farce after debate abandoned due to leak, as MPs pile pressure on Corbyn over second referendum

Follow our live coverage of the day’s political events

Benjamin Kentish
Political Correspondent
,Ashley Cowburn,Adam Forrest
Thursday 04 April 2019 12:49 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 plan to prevent a no-deal Brexit and delay the date of the UK’s exit from EU is being debated by the Lords this evening, after squeaking through the Commons.

It came as Chancellor Philip Hammond said a second referendum was a “perfectly credible proposition” and indicated the government would be prepared to compromise on a customs union.

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn's teams also met again after 11 Labour MPs, including four frontbenchers, urging their leader to insist on a second referendum in an open letter to The Independent.

Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load:

Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 14:19

In a move that shows just how split the Labour Party is over Brexit, a group of 25 MPs have written to Jeremy Corbyn warning against the inclusion of a second referendum in any compromise Brexit deal negotiated with the government.

It comes after a separate group of senior Labour MPs - and frontbenchers - demanded the exact opposite: for the Labour leader to request a fresh public vote and make it the bottom line in talks with Theresa May. 

Today, the signatories warn: "Delaying for many months in the hope of a second referendum will simply divide the country further and add uncertainty for business.

"A second referendum would be exploited by the far right, damage the trust of many core Labour voters and reduce our chances of winning a general election."

The group - who include former minister Caroline Flint and a number MPs for Leave-voting seats in the North and Midlands - said that Labour's preferred Brexit plan could be "within reach" if the current talks result in a deal involving a customs union.

They said that the Brexit policy agreed at Labour's annual conference last year "does not require a confirmatory referendum" on any deal which protects jobs and rights at work.

Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 14:28

The House of Commons sitting has been suspended by the deputy speaker due to a roof leak above the press gallery.

Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 14:53

A House of Commons spokesman said: "We are aware of a water leak on the estate and we're working urgently to resolve it." 

More on the leak here from The Indy's political correspondent Lizzy Buchan... 

Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 14:58
Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 15:19

Former legislative affairs adviser to Theresa May, Nikki da Costa, points out the early adjournment of the House of Commons has wider implications for the prime minister's Brexit plans.

If the government had intended to table a motion today for indicative votes on Monday, they will no longer be able to do so. 

Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 15:33
Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 15:44

Important update from the House of Commons press office on the leak situation. 

Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 16:08

The talks between Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May's team this afternoon over Brexit have now ended at the Cabinet Office, a Number 10 spokesman has told reporters. 

No details were given in regards to discussions between the two teams, and asked whether more talks would be taking place, they added: "As and when there is something more to discuss."

Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 16:37

Rupa Huq, who had a half-hour meeting with Theresa May in Downing Street, said she suggested to the PM 100 fellow Labour MPs could be prepared to back her deal if it was subject to a referendum.

She told the Press Association: "I said that it would be a huge climbdown for me, but I would let her deal go through - and there's at least 100 like me - if it was subject to a confirmatory referendum."

The Prime Minister resisted the idea, she added, stressing the commitment people were promised that the outcome of the 2016 vote would be implemented.

But Ms Huq said: "I was saying 'that was three years ago, you need to check'."

Ashley Cowburn4 April 2019 16:59

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