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 13:45 · patrick_kidd]

Blimey. John Bercow has just called Tim Farron a "statesman". Like calling Bercow a basketball player

[19 April 2017 13:46 · MSmithsonPB]

Opening GE2017 spread-betting midpoints from IG IndexCON – 370 Net +40LAB – 177 -53LDs – 34+25SNP 50UKIP – 1 seat

[19 April 2017 13:48 · Kristin Hugo]

In his response to the Prime Minister's statement, Jeremy Corbyn said he welcomed an early general election.

He highlighted May's U-turn in calling for the vote, saying voters could not trust what the she said. 

Corbyn barely mentioned Brexit during his speech, focusing instead on the Conservatives' record on the economy, education and health. 

A remark about people not having security in their jobs was met with roars of laughter from Tory MPs, who pointed at the Labour leader and suggested he might fall into that category himself.

[19 April 2017 13:48 · tompeck1000]

Nigel Evans asks Tim Farron if he thinks being gay is a sin. Gives a straight answer: "I do not."

[19 April 2017 13:49 · MooseAllain]

I’d like to wish Donald Trump the best of luck in his nuke Korea.

[19 April 2017 13:50 · Guido Fawkes]

#Yvette2017 Underway: "We Can't Believe A Single Word May Says" order-order.com/2017/04/19/yve… http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C9xg4tIXgAArn3y.jpg

[19 April 2017 13:50 · rcolvile]

'Every vote for the Conservatives will make me stronger.' The PM did sound very slightly like a monologuing supervillain there

[19 April 2017 13:50 · tompeck1000]

Referring to equal marriage vote, Farron tells gay MP Nigel Evans: "I'm very proud to have gone through that lobby behind him."

[19 April 2017 13:52 · Kristin Hugo]

"The Prime Minister says this campaign will be about leadership, so let's have a head-to-head TV debate", Mr Corbyn demanded. May is standing firm in insisting she will be taking her message to voters, not TV studios.

Tory MP Mark Francois responded to Mr Corbyn's statement with a point of order, asking: "Is that it?"

[19 April 2017 13:55 · Kristin Hugo]

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron told MPs Theresa May was putting "party before country" in calling an election.

He accused the Prime Minister of pursuing "the hardest form of Brexit" and ignoring the 48 per cent of voters who voted for Britain to remain in the EU.

Mr Farron refused to rule out a Lib Dem coalition with the Conservatives, however, ignoring SNP demands to answer the question with a yes or a no.