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Brexit: Parliament suspension to go ahead later Brexit: Parliament suspension to go ahead later
(32 minutes later)
The five-week suspension of Parliament will begin later, after MPs are expected to again reject government calls for a snap election.The five-week suspension of Parliament will begin later, after MPs are expected to again reject government calls for a snap election.
MPs are currently voting on the government's motion, calling for an early general election.
Opposition MPs confirmed they would not back the push for a 15 October poll, insisting a law blocking a no-deal Brexit must be implemented first.Opposition MPs confirmed they would not back the push for a 15 October poll, insisting a law blocking a no-deal Brexit must be implemented first.
Ministers have called the law "lousy" and said they would "test to the limit" what it required of them.
Boris Johnson has been warned he could face legal action for flouting it.Boris Johnson has been warned he could face legal action for flouting it.
Ministers have called the law "lousy" and said they would "test to the limit" what it required of them.
At present, UK law states that the country will leave the EU on 31 October, regardless of whether a withdrawal deal has been agreed with Brussels or not.At present, UK law states that the country will leave the EU on 31 October, regardless of whether a withdrawal deal has been agreed with Brussels or not.
But the new legislation, which was granted royal assent on Monday, changes that, and will force the PM to seek a delay to 31 January 2020 unless a deal - or a no-deal exit - is approved by MPs by 19 October.But the new legislation, which was granted royal assent on Monday, changes that, and will force the PM to seek a delay to 31 January 2020 unless a deal - or a no-deal exit - is approved by MPs by 19 October.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said although No 10 insisted it was not looking to break the new law, efforts were under way to examine ways of getting around it.BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said although No 10 insisted it was not looking to break the new law, efforts were under way to examine ways of getting around it.
Meanwhile, John Bercow has said he will stand down as Commons Speaker and MP at the next election, or on 31 October, whichever comes first, after 10 years in the role.Meanwhile, John Bercow has said he will stand down as Commons Speaker and MP at the next election, or on 31 October, whichever comes first, after 10 years in the role.
The prime minister has begun his second push for an early general election, opening a debate in Parliament by attacking Mr Corbyn's decision not to back a snap poll at this time. The prime minister called again for an early general election, opening a debate in Parliament by attacking Mr Corbyn's decision not to back a snap poll at this time.
Mr Johnson said Mr Corbyn had previously said he would back an election if legislation to prevent the government from forcing through a no-deal Brexit on 31 October became law.Mr Johnson said Mr Corbyn had previously said he would back an election if legislation to prevent the government from forcing through a no-deal Brexit on 31 October became law.
"The surrender act has now passed, it's gained royal assent, he's done his level best to wreck this country's chances of a successful negotiation," the prime minister said."The surrender act has now passed, it's gained royal assent, he's done his level best to wreck this country's chances of a successful negotiation," the prime minister said.
"By his own logic, he must now back an election.""By his own logic, he must now back an election."
Mr Johnson said an election was the only way to break the deadlock in the Commons.Mr Johnson said an election was the only way to break the deadlock in the Commons.
But Mr Corbyn told MPs that Labour was "eager for an election - but as keen as we are we are not prepared to risk inflicted the disaster of no-deal on our communities out jobs our services or indeed our rights".But Mr Corbyn told MPs that Labour was "eager for an election - but as keen as we are we are not prepared to risk inflicted the disaster of no-deal on our communities out jobs our services or indeed our rights".
Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, the Independent Group for Change and Plaid Cymru met on Monday morning and agreed not to back the motion for an election.Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, the Independent Group for Change and Plaid Cymru met on Monday morning and agreed not to back the motion for an election.
Earlier, the prime minister suffered another defeat in the House of Commons.Earlier, the prime minister suffered another defeat in the House of Commons.
MPs backed calls, by 311 votes to 302, for the publication of government communications relating to the suspension of Parliament and the release of all documents relating to Operation Yellowhammer, the government's no-deal contingency plan, shared with ministers since 23 July.MPs backed calls, by 311 votes to 302, for the publication of government communications relating to the suspension of Parliament and the release of all documents relating to Operation Yellowhammer, the government's no-deal contingency plan, shared with ministers since 23 July.
Former Conservative Dominic Grieve, the newly independent MP who tabled the motion, told MPs it was "entirely reasonable" to ask for the disclosure "so the House can understand the risks involved and this can be communicated more widely to the public".Former Conservative Dominic Grieve, the newly independent MP who tabled the motion, told MPs it was "entirely reasonable" to ask for the disclosure "so the House can understand the risks involved and this can be communicated more widely to the public".
Rule of lawRule of law
But minister Michael Gove, who is in charge of no-deal preparations, said he had given evidence to the EU select committee on Yellowhammer and he hoped "those assurances were sufficient".But minister Michael Gove, who is in charge of no-deal preparations, said he had given evidence to the EU select committee on Yellowhammer and he hoped "those assurances were sufficient".
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, meanwhile, questioned the legal right of the government to require employees - including the PM's top aide Dominic Cummings - to open up their private email accounts and personal mobiles to scrutiny.Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, meanwhile, questioned the legal right of the government to require employees - including the PM's top aide Dominic Cummings - to open up their private email accounts and personal mobiles to scrutiny.
After the vote, a government spokesman said the extent of disclosure demanded was "unprecedented and disproportionate", adding that it would "consider the implications and respond in due course".After the vote, a government spokesman said the extent of disclosure demanded was "unprecedented and disproportionate", adding that it would "consider the implications and respond in due course".
MPs also approved, without a formal vote, a motion from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn demanding the government abide by the rule of law.MPs also approved, without a formal vote, a motion from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn demanding the government abide by the rule of law.
He said the PM's unwillingness to state categorically that he would comply with the Brexit extension legislation was an "assault on the rule of law".He said the PM's unwillingness to state categorically that he would comply with the Brexit extension legislation was an "assault on the rule of law".
In response Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the government would always uphold the law but the legislation in question was "flawed" and the UK would continue to negotiate on the basis of leaving on 31 October.In response Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the government would always uphold the law but the legislation in question was "flawed" and the UK would continue to negotiate on the basis of leaving on 31 October.
The prorogation - or suspension - of Parliament until 14 October will begin at the end of Monday's sitting.The prorogation - or suspension - of Parliament until 14 October will begin at the end of Monday's sitting.
It means MPs will not get another chance to vote for an early election until after then, meaning a poll would not be possible until late November at the earliest.It means MPs will not get another chance to vote for an early election until after then, meaning a poll would not be possible until late November at the earliest.
Elsewhere, one plan reportedly under discussion to get round the Brexit delay legislation is to ask a sympathetic EU member to veto an extension.Elsewhere, one plan reportedly under discussion to get round the Brexit delay legislation is to ask a sympathetic EU member to veto an extension.
Another potential option would be to formally send the extension request mandated by the new law, but also send a second letter to the EU making it clear the UK government does not want one.Another potential option would be to formally send the extension request mandated by the new law, but also send a second letter to the EU making it clear the UK government does not want one.
However, Lord Sumption, a former UK Supreme Court judge, said such a ploy would not be legal.However, Lord Sumption, a former UK Supreme Court judge, said such a ploy would not be legal.
"To send the letter and then try and neutralise it seems to me to be plainly a breach of the act," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."To send the letter and then try and neutralise it seems to me to be plainly a breach of the act," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Johnson held talks with Leo Varadkar in Dublin - his first meeting with the Irish prime minister since he entered No 10.Earlier on Monday, Mr Johnson held talks with Leo Varadkar in Dublin - his first meeting with the Irish prime minister since he entered No 10.
The Irish border has proved a key sticking point in attempts to agree a Brexit deal between the UK and the EU.The Irish border has proved a key sticking point in attempts to agree a Brexit deal between the UK and the EU.
Mr Johnson wants the controversial backstop - an insurance policy against a hard border on the island of Ireland - scrapped, because if applied, it would see the UK stay in a single customs territory with the EU and align with current and future EU competition rules.Mr Johnson wants the controversial backstop - an insurance policy against a hard border on the island of Ireland - scrapped, because if applied, it would see the UK stay in a single customs territory with the EU and align with current and future EU competition rules.
Northern Ireland would also stay aligned to some rules of the EU single market.Northern Ireland would also stay aligned to some rules of the EU single market.
These arrangements would apply unless and until both the EU and UK agreed they were no longer necessary.These arrangements would apply unless and until both the EU and UK agreed they were no longer necessary.
The PM told a press conference he believed a deal could be done and an alternative to the backstop found.The PM told a press conference he believed a deal could be done and an alternative to the backstop found.
Leaving without a deal - something he said again he was willing to do - "would be a failure of statecraft for which we will all be responsible", Mr Johnson added.Leaving without a deal - something he said again he was willing to do - "would be a failure of statecraft for which we will all be responsible", Mr Johnson added.
Mr Varadkar said Ireland was "open to alternatives" to the backstop "but they must be realistic", adding: "We haven't received such proposals to date."Mr Varadkar said Ireland was "open to alternatives" to the backstop "but they must be realistic", adding: "We haven't received such proposals to date."
He has said he is open to a solution involving a backstop which only applies to Northern Ireland, but Democratic Unionist Party MPs - Mr Johnson's allies in Parliament - strongly oppose the idea.He has said he is open to a solution involving a backstop which only applies to Northern Ireland, but Democratic Unionist Party MPs - Mr Johnson's allies in Parliament - strongly oppose the idea.