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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Chris Grayling says he has no plans to quit over no-deal ferry fiasco

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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Key Points

• Transport secretary Chris Grayling grilled by MPs over no-deal Brexit ferry fiasco
• Labour to whip MPs to vote for second Brexit referendum amendment
• French president Emmanuel Macron says UK 'retreating into nationalism' with Brexit
• Labour MP accuses Jeremy Corbyn's office of interfering in antisemitism complants
• MP Fiona Onasanya loses appeal against her conviction for perverting the course of justice

[5 March 2019 16:38 · Lizzy Buchan]

Tory MP Philip Davies' 10 Minute Rule Bill on Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) has passed its first hurdle in the Commons.

Mr Davies said the House of Lords should follow in the footsteps of the royal family and allow daughters to take on noble titles from their parents, as women's continuing ineligibility was "unacceptable and indefensible".

Protestations came from SNP MP Martin Docherty-Hughes, who said Mr Davies was "disingenuous" in his claim to be acting in the interest of equality as he is a noted opponent of feminism.

Mr Davies claimed he had consistently spoken out where he saw inequality and said the current situation where hereditary titles only pass to sons was unfair and should change.

[5 March 2019 16:49 · Lizzy Buchan]

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[5 March 2019 16:59 · Lizzy Buchan]

Speaker John Bercow rebuked MPs in the emergency debate on no-deal ferries after a backbencher was heard shouting "Ahoy there" at Chris Grayling.

Watch the moment here:

[5 March 2019 17:05 · Lizzy Buchan]

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