Brexit news - live: Tories prompt confusion over European election plan as Change UK face second racism resignation in 24 hours

Theresa May participates as marshal Easter race in Maidenhead

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

Key Points

• 1922 Committee of Tory MPs expected to meet to discuss party leadership rules
• ...as PM spokesman unable to say whether Tories will launch Euro election campaign 
• May and Corbyn's deputies face off over Northern Ireland at prime minister's questions
• Second Change UK candidate resigns in 24 hours after racist remarks emerge
• Sturgeon calls for second independence referendum before May 2021

[24 April 2019 16:26 · Ashley Cowburn]

Asked about the PM's reaction to President Trump's tweet, Theresa May's official spokesman said: "There is a long-standing position that I don't comment on security."

Asked whether Mrs May was concerned the row might sour Mr Trump's upcoming state visit, the spokesman added: "No. The US and UK are long-standing partners. We do more together than any two countries in the world.

"We share intelligence that we do not share with other allies. That unparalleled sharing of intelligence between our countries has undoubtedly saved British lives.

"A state visit is an opportunity to strengthen our ties."

[24 April 2019 16:47 · Ashley Cowburn]