Brexit news - live: Tories prompt confusion over European election plan as Change UK face second racism resignation in 24 hours
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Senior Conservative backbenchers are expected to regroup today and decide whether to press ahead for changes to the party's rule book to enable an early leadership challenge to Theresa May.
It comes after MPs on the Tory 1922 Committee failed to reach a decision on Tuesday night amid growing pressure on the prime minister to name the date of her departure.
Ms May and Jeremy Corbyn have travelled to Belfast to attend the funeral of murdered journalist Lyra McKee, leaving the PM's deputy David Lidington and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry to face off over Brexit and Northern Ireland at prime minister's questions.
During the session, Mr Lidington said both parties were making a "genuine attempt" to reach a solution to the Brexit impasse at Westminster, and said cross-party talks between negotiating teams hd been "constructive".
Ms Thornberry also used her remarks to urge the government to be "serious" about "putting the country first" by putting the option of a customs union - something Labour has demanded - on the table.
The shadow foreign secretary also criticised the forthcoming state visit by the US President Donald Trump, claiming: "The government is going to spend millions giving Donald Trump the red carpet, golden carriage treatment in June."
This live blog has now closed, but you can follow Wednesday's events below
Thornberry also criticises the decision of the government to invite Donald Trump to the UK on a state visit. "The government is going to be spending millions rolling out the red carpet," she says, but adds it might be useful if he's seated next to climate change experts, such as David Attenborough.
"The first job of any government is to keep our country and citizens safe," Thornberry adds. She asks again for the government to put the option of a customs union on the table in the cross-party Brexit negotiations.
But Lidington says the House has rejected many issues, including the opposition's proposals.
Asked by a Conservative MP Tom Pursglove to respond "yes" or "no" whether a second referendum would occur on his watch, Lidington replies: "We do not agree with a second referendum, and we have voted against a second referendum."
Following the attacks in Sri Lanka and the death of Lyra McKee, DUP MP Sammy Wilson says that Christians across the world are now "the most persecuted religious group" and asks what the government is doing.
Lidington says Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, is already working on a project to protect Christians under threat.
DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds says the "message across Northern Ireland is not acceptable and will not succeed" after the murder of Lyra McKee.
Lidington says he agrees with every word from Dodds, and the finest riposte to the terrorists was that the leaders of the main parties in Northern Ireland to utterly condemn their actions."
Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat leader, asks what representations have been made by the government after Saudi Arabia executed 37 people yesterday, some of who were "tortured" to extract confessions.
The foreign office minister Alan Duncan replies saying "we are very concerned about the executions of 37 men," he says, and the UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and by all countries. He says Jeremy Hunt will be making representations.
"Executing 37 people is a deeply backwards step, which we deplore," he adds. One of the grave concerns is that it would appear to include minors, or those who were minors at the time the charges were brought. In the last few minutes, the European Union has issued a very, very strong statement. "
He says the actions of Saudi Arabia are "utterly unacceptable in the modern world".
This is from deputy political editor, Rob Merrick, who has just been to the post-PMQs Downing Street briefing for journalists.
More confusion surrounding what the Conservatives will do if – or rather when – they are forced to take part in the European parliament elections on 23 May, writes Rob Merrick.
Speaking after prime minister’s questions, Ms May’s spokesman would not say whether the Tories would launch a campaign in the normal way, or even issue a manifesto.
On a campaign launch, he replied: “I’m sure if we have one we’ll let you know about it.”
And, asked if a manifesto would be published, the spokesman said – after a pause of almost ten seconds – “Those kinds of things will be set out in the usual and familiar way.”
Scottish first minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is now addressing the Scottish parliament. She says two weeks ago, the EU council extended membership of Britain until October in an effort to avoid a no-deal, and as a result the government has "scaled down" its planning for a disorderly exit.
"The risk of no deal will rise again," she says if the impasse is not broken by October.
The best way to break the deadlock would be to put the issue back to the people in a referendum, she says. "It is impossible to predict with certainty what will happen next".
"This chaos was not inevitable," she says. Theresa May "boxed herself in" with a series of a "contradictory red lines".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments