Brexit news: Labour-Tory talks collapse with Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn blaming each other

Keir Starmer confirms Labour will vote against Brexit legislation without cross-party deal

Talks between Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May aimed at breaking the Brexit deadlock have collapsed without an agreement.

Conservative whips had reportedly given up hope of reaching an agreement with Labour, while Mr Corbyn and the shadow cabinet had concerns about the durability of any deal due to Ms May's weak position.

But speaking on Friday, the prime minister blamed Labour division s over whether to demand a Final Say referendum for the failure of the talks.

As Ms May finally hit the campaign trail for the European elections - with just six days to go - she said: "In particular, we haven’t been able to overcome the fact that there isn’t a common position in Labour about whether they want to deliver Brexit, or hold a second referendum which could reverse it.”

But a Labour source hit back, pointing out Brexiteer cabinet ministers had also voiced “strident” opposition to a customs union, saying: “Ultimately, this is a prime minister that can’t govern and can’t deliver.”

Earlier, Mr Corbyn said: "We have been unable to bridge important policy gaps between us.”

It comes after the ex-foreign secretary Boris Johnson declared his intention to replace Theresa May after she bowed to pressure to quit in the summer months and make way for a new Tory leader.

This liveblog has now closed - but you can follow Friday's events below

Key Points

• Cross-party talks collapse without agreement after six weeks 
• ...as both Corbyn and May blame each other for failing to reach agreement
• MPs set to be offered another chance to vote on Final Say referendum and no-deal Brexit
• Race to succeed Theresa May under way as Boris Johnson says he will run
• ... after PM says she will outline timetable after June Brexit vote

[17 May 2019 13:25 · Samuel Osborne]

MPs should cancel their holiday plans and get on with resolving the Brexit deadlock, the head of the Confederation of British Industry has said.

Carolyn Fairbairn hit out at Westminster's politicians after cross-party talks between Labour and the Tories collapsed.

The CBI director-general said the economy was paralysed by Brexit uncertainty and told MPs they should scrap the parliamentary recess planned for the end of the month.

MPs and peers are expected to leave Westminster on 23 May and not return until 4 June.

Talks between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn broke down after six weeks and Ms Fairbairn condemned the "dismal" failure to make progress.

She said: "Another day of failed politics, another dispiriting day for British business.

"Six wasted weeks while uncertainty paralyses our economy.

"The May parliamentary recess should be cancelled and used to agree a deal as soon as possible - whether through indicative votes or the Withdrawal Agreement.

"Business and the country need an urgent resolution to this mess. This is no time for holidays. It's time to get on with it."

[17 May 2019 13:39 · Samuel Osborne]

Nigel Farage was asked about claims of financial support from millionaire backer Arron Banks as the Brexit Party leader met voters at an indoor market in Dudley, West Midlands.

Mr Farage said: "These are historical allegations that have been made, nothing to do with the Brexit Party and nothing to do with this campaign."

Questioned as to how the Brexit Party is being funded, Mr Farage said: "That is the really big story - I agree with you.

"We're well through 100,000 people now who've signed up as registered supporters, all paying their £25. This is a genuine grass-roots upwelling of people who've had enough and want to get moving."

Asked if he had received up to £450,000 from Mr Banks a year after the 2016 referendum, Mr Farage said: "Unfortunately not. If it was true it would be lovely."

Pressed as to whether Mr Banks had paid for his flat, flights or a trip to the United States, Mr Farage added: "Where I went on holiday and what my private arrangements are, are none of your business or anybody's else's.

"Let me just tell you this - this is the Brexit Party. I've told you how we're funded. You know what I am doing and all the rest is frankly gossip."

[17 May 2019 13:59 · Ashley Cowburn]

The government has rejected a proposed definition of Islamophobia – prompting accusations that it is “not serious about the safety and security of British Muslims”.

James Brokenshire, the communities secretary, told the House of Commons the definition put forward by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims needed “more consideration”.

He added: “It is clear that with such a complex issue we need to interrogate this further as a matter of urgency.

“That’s why we will be appointing two advisers and ensuring this reflects the need for community representation … our priority is to arrive swiftly at a collective position.”

[17 May 2019 14:31 · Ashley Cowburn]

Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said Jeremy Corbyn was right to pull the plug on cross-party talks.

"You can't keep going if there's no prospect of getting a successful outcome or any meaningful progress, and that's the position that we've reached this week and Jeremy has made the right decision", he told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme.

"The PM has no authority to push this through and she's got no ability to deliver it either."

[17 May 2019 14:59 · Ashley Cowburn]

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has said the cross-party talks between Labour and the Conservatives were "on very shaky ground from the beginning".

He tweeted: "The weakness of the government and the vacillation of the Labour Party put their talks on very shaky ground from the beginning. Remain voters will not be fooled by Corbyn walking out now. He still wants Brexit to happen."

[17 May 2019 15:22 · Ashley Cowburn]

[17 May 2019 15:42 · Ashley Cowburn]

Cabinet minister David Lidington - the prime minister's deputy - has not ruled out his party revisiting Brexit talks with the Labour Party.

He said: "The Prime Minister and Jeremy Corbyn have both said today that they are willing to explore any ideas that there are to overcome the remaining differences, and I think both leaders have said the talks, though we have not so far been successful, have been serious and constructive, both sides have entered into them into them in a genuine spirit, and so let's see what happens," he told the Press Association during a visit to the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland ahead of The Open which will be played there.

"I think from the Prime Minister's point of view, the priority now is to try and get the maximum support for the Withdrawal Implementation Bill because that is mechanism to deliver on what the majority of people in the UK voted for in 2016, but to do so in a way that protects jobs, living standards and investment in all parts of UK, that keeps the open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and I think therefore delivers on the referendum result but does so in a way that looks after the interests of everyone in the UK."