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| Brexit: May faces second ministerial resignation in protest over her refusal to embrace no-deal - live news | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The Brexit minister Chris Heaton-Harris has resigned. Heaton-Harris is an enthusiastic Brexiter and there has been speculation all day that he might follow Nigel Adams, who resigned as a junior minister earlier because he thought Theresa May was making a “grave error” in trying to seek a compromise with Jeremy Corbyn. | |
| In his resignation letter Heaton-Harris says that he thought the UK should have left the EU on 29 March, as planned, and that he cannot support any further extension. | |
| As a Brexit minister he was responsible for no-deal planning. He also tells May that her determination to avoid no-deal “obviously makes my job in government irrelevant”. | |
| After much contemplation, I have decided to leave Theresa May's Government. I'm grateful to the PM for giving me the opportunity to serve the UK and I will continue to represent my constituents as the MP for Daventry. pic.twitter.com/sHkVhwJ7bb | |
| The leaders of five of the smaller parties or groups at Westminster, the SNP, the Lib Dems, the Independent Group, Plaid Cymru and the Greens, are giving a joint statement to the BBC in central lobby at Westminster. They are all in favour of another referendum on Brexit, and they are expressing their concern that that this will not feature in any plan that might be endorsed by Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn. They also made the argument that, if MPs are allowed to vote more than once on Brexit, the public should have this right too. | |
| This is from the Institute for Government’s Alasdair de Costa on Nigel Adams’ resignation. | |
| Nigel Adams is the twelfth resignation from a Government role this year over Brexit:- 7 ministers- 4 Parliamentary Private Secretaries- 1 Party Vice Chair pic.twitter.com/fHWryGqTBk | |
| These are from the Evening Standard’s Joe Murphy. | |
| Revealed from Cabinet: May did not reveal her plan to meet Corbyn to her ministers until summing up at the end of the seven-hour marathon. Some ministers were surprised.Geoffrey Cox had suggested it earlier, but his idea was not picked up at the time. | |
| Revealed from Cabinet 2: Plan A in Cabinet was to force a Commons decision using Alternative Vote method (preferences) with four options: May deal/Corbyn deal/revoke/no deal.Note: List doesn't include 2nd ref.This is what to expect when/if Corbyn talks end in failure | |
| As the Irish Times reports, Pierre Moscovici, the European commissioner responsible for economic and financial affairs, also said that there was “an increasing risk of no-deal Brexit on April 12” at his press conference earlier. | As the Irish Times reports, Pierre Moscovici, the European commissioner responsible for economic and financial affairs, also said that there was “an increasing risk of no-deal Brexit on April 12” at his press conference earlier. |
| Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, tweeted this after a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn. She does not seem to think Labour will strike a deal on Brexit with Theresa May. | Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, tweeted this after a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn. She does not seem to think Labour will strike a deal on Brexit with Theresa May. |
| Just had a positive meeting with @jeremycorbyn - I’d be surprised and very disappointed if Labour sold out for such a bad deal. https://t.co/RIKkqYyq7a | Just had a positive meeting with @jeremycorbyn - I’d be surprised and very disappointed if Labour sold out for such a bad deal. https://t.co/RIKkqYyq7a |
| From the FT’s George Parker | From the FT’s George Parker |
| Potentially good news, frazzled SW1 types: Tory whips are telling MPs this afternoon that they don't have to be here on Friday: ie there won't be another round of meaningful/meaningless/indicative votes | Potentially good news, frazzled SW1 types: Tory whips are telling MPs this afternoon that they don't have to be here on Friday: ie there won't be another round of meaningful/meaningless/indicative votes |
| From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg | From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg |
| The TIGs, and other smaller parties, SNP, Plaid, Green, and Libs are meeting now separately while Corbyn and May meeting - they will announce their next steps sometime around 4pm | The TIGs, and other smaller parties, SNP, Plaid, Green, and Libs are meeting now separately while Corbyn and May meeting - they will announce their next steps sometime around 4pm |
| These are from Newsnight’s Nicholas Watt. | These are from Newsnight’s Nicholas Watt. |
| This is worthy of Yes Prime Minister. Govt source on challenge of reaching agreement between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn on a customs union: our position is a customs union but we don’t call it that. Labour’s position is not a customs union but they do call it that... | This is worthy of Yes Prime Minister. Govt source on challenge of reaching agreement between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn on a customs union: our position is a customs union but we don’t call it that. Labour’s position is not a customs union but they do call it that... |
| ...so the source says the challenge is to persuade Jeremy Corbyn to sign up to Theresa May’s non customs union customs union and not call it a customs union. This would put the UK in a customs union with the EU which would then not be called a customs union@BBCNewsnight | ...so the source says the challenge is to persuade Jeremy Corbyn to sign up to Theresa May’s non customs union customs union and not call it a customs union. This would put the UK in a customs union with the EU which would then not be called a customs union@BBCNewsnight |
| This is from my colleague Heather Stewart. | This is from my colleague Heather Stewart. |
| NEW - hearing an emergency shadow cabinet has been called for 6pm, presumably so that JC can report back on his chat with the PM. | NEW - hearing an emergency shadow cabinet has been called for 6pm, presumably so that JC can report back on his chat with the PM. |
| In the Commons Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons, has just said that the government will oppose the business motion. She says that is because the government does not approve of this process allowing backbenchers to take control of the Commons business. | In the Commons Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons, has just said that the government will oppose the business motion. She says that is because the government does not approve of this process allowing backbenchers to take control of the Commons business. |
| The SNP’s Pete Wishart is speaking now. He starts by asking Leadsom to say whether or not the government will be voting against the actual Cooper bill at second reading, but Leadsom chooses not to respond. | The SNP’s Pete Wishart is speaking now. He starts by asking Leadsom to say whether or not the government will be voting against the actual Cooper bill at second reading, but Leadsom chooses not to respond. |
| Here is the full text of the speech Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission, gave in the European parliament earlier today. | Here is the full text of the speech Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission, gave in the European parliament earlier today. |
| And here are the main points he made. | And here are the main points he made. |
| Juncker said MPs must be able to approve the withdrawal agreement by next Friday, or else the UK would either face either no-deal or a long Brexit extension. He said: | Juncker said MPs must be able to approve the withdrawal agreement by next Friday, or else the UK would either face either no-deal or a long Brexit extension. He said: |
| In light of prime minister May’s statement last night, I believe we now have a few more days. If the United Kingdom is in a position to approve the withdrawal agreement with a sustainable majority by 12 April, the European Union should be prepared to accept a delay until 22 May. | In light of prime minister May’s statement last night, I believe we now have a few more days. If the United Kingdom is in a position to approve the withdrawal agreement with a sustainable majority by 12 April, the European Union should be prepared to accept a delay until 22 May. |
| But 12 April is the ultimate deadline for the approval of the withdrawal agreement by the House of Commons. If it has not done so by then, no further short extension will be possible. After 12 April, we risk jeopardising the European parliament elections, and so threaten the functioning of the European Union. | But 12 April is the ultimate deadline for the approval of the withdrawal agreement by the House of Commons. If it has not done so by then, no further short extension will be possible. After 12 April, we risk jeopardising the European parliament elections, and so threaten the functioning of the European Union. |
| He said the EU was ready to start talks on the future relationship as soon as the withdrawal agreement is agreed. He said: | He said the EU was ready to start talks on the future relationship as soon as the withdrawal agreement is agreed. He said: |
| On the EU side, we stand ready to launch the talks and negotiations on the future partnership as soon as the withdrawal agreement is signed. Before the ink is dry. The commission’s negotiating team is in place. Michel Barnier, our chief negotiator, is ready. I would expect the same level of readiness on the United Kingdom side. | On the EU side, we stand ready to launch the talks and negotiations on the future partnership as soon as the withdrawal agreement is signed. Before the ink is dry. The commission’s negotiating team is in place. Michel Barnier, our chief negotiator, is ready. I would expect the same level of readiness on the United Kingdom side. |
| He said that a no-deal Brexit on 12 April was now “very likely”. He said: | He said that a no-deal Brexit on 12 April was now “very likely”. He said: |
| I believe that a “no deal” at midnight on the 12 April is now a very likely scenario. It is not the outcome I want. But it is an outcome for which I have made sure the European Union is ready. | I believe that a “no deal” at midnight on the 12 April is now a very likely scenario. It is not the outcome I want. But it is an outcome for which I have made sure the European Union is ready. |
| He said there was no such thing as a “managed no-deal”. | He said there was no such thing as a “managed no-deal”. |
| The United Kingdom will be affected more than the European Union because there is no such thing as a “managed or negotiated no-deal” and there is no such thing as a “no-deal transition”. | The United Kingdom will be affected more than the European Union because there is no such thing as a “managed or negotiated no-deal” and there is no such thing as a “no-deal transition”. |
| The concept of a “managed no-deal” is one promoted by some Brexiters, who argue that the various mitigating measures drawn as part of no-deal planning would make no-deal acceptable. In his speech Juncker referred to these measures, but he said they would not stop the UK being affected. He said: | The concept of a “managed no-deal” is one promoted by some Brexiters, who argue that the various mitigating measures drawn as part of no-deal planning would make no-deal acceptable. In his speech Juncker referred to these measures, but he said they would not stop the UK being affected. He said: |
| The measures we and the member states have taken will mitigate the worst impact of a “no-deal” scenario. The protection offered is real. The measures will make sure that EU and UK citizens can continue to live and work where they are at the moment. They make sure that planes can take off and land. We have adapted our financial instrument to make it possible to help fishing communities. We have identified the ways in which law enforcement cooperation can continue. We have taken steps to mitigate disruption on our financial markets. | The measures we and the member states have taken will mitigate the worst impact of a “no-deal” scenario. The protection offered is real. The measures will make sure that EU and UK citizens can continue to live and work where they are at the moment. They make sure that planes can take off and land. We have adapted our financial instrument to make it possible to help fishing communities. We have identified the ways in which law enforcement cooperation can continue. We have taken steps to mitigate disruption on our financial markets. |
| The measures we have taken are time-limited and unilateral. They provide a cushion for key EU interests at least until the end of the year. But disruption will be inevitable for citizens, for businesses and for almost every sector. | The measures we have taken are time-limited and unilateral. They provide a cushion for key EU interests at least until the end of the year. But disruption will be inevitable for citizens, for businesses and for almost every sector. |
| Downing Street says the government will be not be supporting the Yvette Cooper bill, my colleague Heather Stewart reports. | Downing Street says the government will be not be supporting the Yvette Cooper bill, my colleague Heather Stewart reports. |
| Downing Street spox says government has no plans to support the Cooper-Boles bill. "We don’t believe that that is the right way forward," he says - because it sets a damaging constitutional precedent. | Downing Street spox says government has no plans to support the Cooper-Boles bill. "We don’t believe that that is the right way forward," he says - because it sets a damaging constitutional precedent. |
| These are from RTE’s Tony Connelly. | These are from RTE’s Tony Connelly. |
| Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission, president is confirming that next Friday has become a hard deadline for the EU. | Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission, president is confirming that next Friday has become a hard deadline for the EU. |
| Juncker says MPs must be able to approve the withdrawal agreement by next Friday, or the UK will face either no-deal or a long Brexit delay. This quashes the very faint prospect that the EU might have agreed another short extension to allow time for the deal to pass parliament. But, if MPs were to agree a deal by next week, Theresa May is hoping that the EU would agree to another short extension, lasting not beyond 22 May. | Juncker says MPs must be able to approve the withdrawal agreement by next Friday, or the UK will face either no-deal or a long Brexit delay. This quashes the very faint prospect that the EU might have agreed another short extension to allow time for the deal to pass parliament. But, if MPs were to agree a deal by next week, Theresa May is hoping that the EU would agree to another short extension, lasting not beyond 22 May. |
| .@JunckerEU hardline on May offer: “If the United Kingdom is in a position to approve the Withdrawal Agreement with a sustainable majority by 12 April, the European Union should be prepared to accept a delay until 22 May. | .@JunckerEU hardline on May offer: “If the United Kingdom is in a position to approve the Withdrawal Agreement with a sustainable majority by 12 April, the European Union should be prepared to accept a delay until 22 May. |
| “But 12 April is the ultimate deadline for the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement by the HoC. If it has not done so by then, no further short extension will be possible. After 12 April, we risk jeopardising the EP elections, and so threaten the functioning of the EU” | “But 12 April is the ultimate deadline for the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement by the HoC. If it has not done so by then, no further short extension will be possible. After 12 April, we risk jeopardising the EP elections, and so threaten the functioning of the EU” |
| This, from the New Statesman’s Patrick Maguire, is interesting. | This, from the New Statesman’s Patrick Maguire, is interesting. |
| Hearing government could accept Cooper Bill in some form... | Hearing government could accept Cooper Bill in some form... |
| Nikki da Costa, who used to be director of legislative affairs for Theresa May in Number 10, is horrified. | Nikki da Costa, who used to be director of legislative affairs for Theresa May in Number 10, is horrified. |
| Words fail me. There just doesn’t appear to be any legislative fight left in government. https://t.co/Sa4oGTRuUz | Words fail me. There just doesn’t appear to be any legislative fight left in government. https://t.co/Sa4oGTRuUz |
| David Davis, the Tory former Brexit secretary, intervenes. He says he is worried about the idea of passing a bill like this in one day. He says the last time the government did this was when it passed the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. Davis says he later spent a long time challenging that in court. | David Davis, the Tory former Brexit secretary, intervenes. He says he is worried about the idea of passing a bill like this in one day. He says the last time the government did this was when it passed the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. Davis says he later spent a long time challenging that in court. |
| Oliver Letwin says that was a much more complicated piece of legislation. | Oliver Letwin says that was a much more complicated piece of legislation. |
| MPs are now debating the business motion for today’s proceedings in the Commons. | MPs are now debating the business motion for today’s proceedings in the Commons. |
| This is the third day that backbenchers have effectively hijacked Commons business (which is normally under the control of the government) to allow for Brexit debates. On Wednesday last week, and on Monday this week, it was for indicative votes. Today it is to allow MPs to pass Yvette Cooper’s bill requiring the PM to seek an article 50 extension. | This is the third day that backbenchers have effectively hijacked Commons business (which is normally under the control of the government) to allow for Brexit debates. On Wednesday last week, and on Monday this week, it was for indicative votes. Today it is to allow MPs to pass Yvette Cooper’s bill requiring the PM to seek an article 50 extension. |
| The business motion is on the order paper here (pdf). | The business motion is on the order paper here (pdf). |
| As well as setting aside today for a debate allowing the Cooper bill to pass its Commons stages by 10pm tonight, the business motion also says MPs must get time to debate it when it comes back from the Lords. | As well as setting aside today for a debate allowing the Cooper bill to pass its Commons stages by 10pm tonight, the business motion also says MPs must get time to debate it when it comes back from the Lords. |
| And Labour’s Hilary Benn has tabled an amendment to the business motion saying next Monday should be set aside for another round of indicative votes. | And Labour’s Hilary Benn has tabled an amendment to the business motion saying next Monday should be set aside for another round of indicative votes. |
| John Bercow, the Speaker, has announced that he will call the Benn amendment. And Sir Oliver Letwin, the Tory former cabinet minister behind the indicative votes process who is opening the debate now, has just said he accepts the Benn amendment. | John Bercow, the Speaker, has announced that he will call the Benn amendment. And Sir Oliver Letwin, the Tory former cabinet minister behind the indicative votes process who is opening the debate now, has just said he accepts the Benn amendment. |