PMQs and general election live: Theresa May faces Jeremy Corbyn amid accusations of 'opportunism'

Labour and SNP get first chance to grill May - 24 hours after she called a snap election

Corbyn questions May's 'proud' record in TV debate row

Here are the latest updates:

• Theresa May takes PMQs from 12:00 in the House of Commons
• Sources claim May called snap election 'before Corbyn had chance to resign'
• Experts say Labour faces worst result since WWII
• Green Party calls for anti-Tory alliance with Labour and Lib Dems
• PM also accused of using election to avoid Tory campaign expenses scandal
• Pound continues to trade at high levels as traders raise hopes of soft Brexit
• Analysis: What does the early election mean for Brexit?

Speaking ahead of PMQs today, Theresa May claimed that victory in the snap general election would strengthen her hand in Brexit negotiations with EU leaders.

The Prime Minister said that if she had not performed a U-turn on calling an early vote, the "crucial part" of the Brexit talks would have occurred in the build-up to a general election, which EU negotiators could have exploited as a "weakness".

Ms May appealed for the British people to trust her to handle Brexit and rejected claims the decision to go to the country on 8 June was motivated by political opportunism at a time when the Tories enjoy a healthy opinion poll lead.

She said she wanted a stronger mandate because, with a slim working majority of just 17 MPs, opposition parties were intent on "frustrating" Brexit, even though she has yet to lose a vote on the issue in the Commons.

MPs are today expected to back Mss May's demand for an early ballot, three years ahead of the next scheduled general election.

[19 April 2017 12:31 · rcolvile]

Here's his piece - leaving Westminster 'for now'standard.co.uk/news/politics/…

[19 April 2017 12:31 · Kristin Hugo]

Robertson also pushes the Prime Minster over her refusal to take part in TV debates, suggesting she is "running scared". May says she will be taking her message to the public instead.

[19 April 2017 12:31 · rcolvile]

Here's his piece - leaving Westminster 'for now'standard.co.uk/news/politics/…

[19 April 2017 12:32 · Jon Stone]

Jeremy Corbyn throws down the gauntlet to Theresa May on election TV debates independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

[19 April 2017 12:33 · Kristin Hugo]

NEW: George Osborne says he will not stand for re-election in his Tatton seat. The former Chancellor has written to his constituents saying he is leaving Westminster "for now" and will focus on his new role as editor of the Evening Standard.

[19 April 2017 12:35 · tompeck1000]

It's this kind of talking Kettering down that will prevent @lindsaylohan switching the Christmas lights on for a generation. twitter.com/tompeck/status…

[19 April 2017 12:36 · Kristin Hugo]

Back at PMQs, Theresa May asks a Labour backbencher why, given he did not support Jeremy Corbyn for Labour leader, he should expect his constituents to support the Labour leader for Prime Minister. 

[19 April 2017 12:38 · Kristin Hugo]

Kettering MP Peter Hollobone has just referred to his constituency as "Britain's most average town" while asking Theresa May to visit his area, where he says she will be welcomed as "the prime minister this country needs".

[19 April 2017 12:39 · John Rentoul]

Lib Dems heading for a modest recovery: my assessment for @IndyVoices independent.co.uk/voices/general…

[19 April 2017 12:41 · Kristin Hugo]

May references a previous comment by Jenny Chapman, Labour MP for Darlington, criticising Corbyn. Expect to see that as a common theme during this campaign - Tories will use Labour MPs' previous comments about their leader as evidence for why the public shouldn't vote for him, and there's no shortage of ammunition in that area...