Brexit news: Theresa May promises parliamentary vote on second referendum in desperate bid to force through exit plan
Follow live updates from Westminster
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.
Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load...
Philip Hammond will deliver a major speech tonight in which he will warn Tory leadership candidates not to pursue a no-deal Brexit, saying "the 2016 Leave campaign was clear that we would leave with a deal".
This morning's cabinet meeting gets underway at 9.30am.
Theresa May spent much of yesterday meeting her ministers in small groups to ensure she has enough support for her plan, which involves a last attempt to get her Brexit deal through parliament by offering a number of what No10 is calling "bold" concessions to Labour MPs and anti-EU Tories. In reality, the changes are said to be relatively minor, and it is widely expected that the deal will be rejected again.
Ms May was reported to be warning ministers that if this happens, it would make a no-deal Brexit, a second referendum or a general election more likely.
Here is the full extract of Philip Hammond's speech tonight that has been pre-released by the Treasury. The chancellor will warn prospective Tory leadership candidates about the risk of "a new prime minister abandoning the search for a deal, and shifting towards seeking a damaging no-deal exit as a matter of policy".
Speaking at the CBI's annual dinner in London, he is expected to say:
"On the populist right, there are those who now claim that the only outcome that counts as a truly legitimate Brexit is to leave with no deal.
"Let me remind them: the 2016 Leave campaign was clear that we would leave with a deal.
"So to advocate for no deal is to hijack the result of the referendum, and in doing so, knowingly to inflict damage on our economy and our living standards.
"Because all the preparation in the world will not avoid the consequences of no deal.
"So I will continue to fight, in the face of this polarisation, for a negotiated Brexit - an outcome that respects the British people's decision to leave, while recognising that there is no mandate for a no-deal exit, and that we have an absolute obligation to protect Britain's jobs, businesses and future prosperity.
"But we need to be clear that if we do not resolve this issue in the next few weeks, there is a real risk of a new prime minister abandoning the search for a deal, and shifting towards seeking a damaging no-deal exit as a matter of policy... to protect an ideological position which ignores the reality of Britain's economic interests and the value of our union."
The cabinet is deeply divided over whether the UK should opt for no-deal Brexit if Theresa May fails to get her Withdrawal Agreement Bill through parliament next month.
As Philip Hammond prepares to warn that "all the preparation in the world will not avoid the consequences of no deal", Commons leader Andrea Leadsom said the UK must be "prepared to walk away".
She told BBC Radio 4's Today:
"I continue to support the prime minister to get her Withdrawal Agreement Bill through. It is leaving the European Union and so long as it continues to be leaving the European Union, I continue to support it.
"What I do think is that for any negotiation to succeed, you have to be prepared to walk away."
Tory peer Michael Heseltine, a former deputy prime minister, has had the party whip suspended after saying he will vote Liberal Democrat in this week's European Parliament elections.
Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, has said there are "a large number of things" she wants to say to Donald Trump during his state visit to the UK next month
Shadow foreign secretary has previously described the US president as 'giant asteroid of awfulness'
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, has taken caramel waffles into this morning's cabinet meeting after being caught on camera enjoying the sweet snack yesterday.
Mr Hancock was seen carrying a packet of caramel waffles as he arrived in Downing Street for the meeting.
On Monday, after nibbling on the waffles before an interview, he was teased by Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan, who said: "There's 356 calories and 16.2g fat - that's your fat content for the day gone.
"Given we're a breakfast show, is this your rallying cry to the nation: have a caramel waffle to get you going?"
But the health secretary replied: "All good things in moderation."
He later tweeted: "Nothing wrong with a bit of waffle in politics from time to time."
Fears about chlorinated chicken being sold in UK shops after Brexit have been dismissed by a US food official – as he revealed poultry is now being washed in acetic acid instead.
Washington insists its safety standards are ‘more advanced’, with chlorine-washing now being phased out in favour of acetic acid
Labour supporters fear their party taking on a Conservative Party led by Boris Johnson more than one led by any other potential Tory leadership candidate, according to a survey by the LabourList website.
The former foreign secretary had a huge lead over his rivals, with 45.2 per cent picking him as the most difficult opponent. International development secretary Rory Stewart was in second place with 7.6 per cent, followed by work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd (7.1 per cent) and environment secretary Michael Gove (7 per cent).
However, 72 per cent of LabourList readers also said Mr Johnson was the candidate who "would be most damaging to the country as prime minister".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments