Brexit news: Grayling interrogated by MPs over botched no-deal ferry contracts as Labour says it will order MPs to back second referendum
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Your support makes all the difference.Chris Grayling has been branded a "departmental wrecking ball" by MPs after the government paid Eurotunnel £33m to settle legal action over its botched no-deal Brexit preparations.
The transport secretary dismissed renewed calls for him to quit in the wake of a fiasco over ferry contracts, in a fractious appearance in the Commons on Tuesday afternoon.
The clash came as attorney general Geoffrey Cox and Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay travelled to Brussels to seek concessions to the Irish backstop ahead of a critical vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week.
Meanwhile, shadow chancellor John McDonnell gave fresh hope to supporters of a second referendum when he indicated Labour would whip its MPs to support an amendment on the subject next week.
To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below
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Jeremy Corbyn's "inner circle" have been accused of interfering in assessing allegations of antisemitism in Labour's ranks by the senior MP Dame Margaret Hodge.
In a letter posted on social media Dame Margaret also claimed to have been "intentionally misled" by the Labour leader over the party's handling of antisemitism, or that Mr Corbyn himself has been misled by members of his own team.
Chorlton Labour Party, on the edge of Manchester, has tabled an emergency motion showing its support for Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) and condemning antisemitism within the party.
JLM, the party's only Jewish affiliate, is considering walking away over the row. We've written about this before here.
The Commons is kicking off at 11.30 with Treasury Questions - which should be interesting ahead on next week's Spring Statement.
Under-fire transport secretary Chris Grayling has spoken to reporters outside cabinet, where he defended a controversial £33m payout to Eurotunnel to settle a legal action over the government's no-deal Brexit preparations.
Mr Grayling, who was heavily criticised for failing to answer an urgent question in the Commons about the settlement on Monday, told reporters that the decision had been taken "collectively" by ministers.
"The decision that we took last week was taken by the Department of Health to protect drugs supplies to the UK in a no-deal in the same way as these contracts were let in the first place, after a discussion and a decision by a Cabinet committee because we had to prepare for all eventualities," he said as he arrived in Downing Street.
"We are still working for a deal, we don't want to leave without a deal, but we have to be ready for all eventualities. This was a sensible part of contingency planning to make sure that we had all resources that we needed, all the medical supplies that we needed for the NHS.
"That is why the Cabinet took the decision that it did. That is why we collectively last week decided, however regrettable the Eurotunnel court action was, that we had to take a decision to protect the interests of the country in the circumstances of a no-deal Brexit. And that is the right thing to do."
Asked if he felt under pressure to resign, he said: "I will carry on serving the Prime Minister as long as she wants me to."
During Treasury questions in the Commons, the SNP's Alison Thewliss raised questions about the "nefarious impact of Russia" in the banking system. She says criminal and illegitimate money is "sloshing around in our banking system".
John Glen, the economic secretary to the Treasury, says he recognises the reports and he's looking closely at the issue.
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable asks what is being done about improving transparency in UK crown dependencies such as Guernsey and Jersey. This was the subject of a major row yesterday when the government pulled an important bill to avoid defeat on a cross-party bid for more transparency.
Here's the clip of Chris Grayling speaking to reporters about the Eurotunnel case, where the government had to pay out £33m to settle a legal action over its botched no-deal planning.
BREAKING: Disgraced ex-Labour MP Fiona Onasanya has lost a legal challenge against her conviction for perverting the course of justice.
The 35-year-old solicitor was expelled from the Labour Party after being found guilty for lying about a speeding offence in December last year.
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