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Brexit: Boris Johnson to address MPs as minister brands parliament 'dead' with 'no moral right to sit' – live news Brexit: Boris Johnson to address MPs as minister brands parliament 'dead' with 'no moral right to sit' – live news
(32 minutes later)
Labour’s Owen Smith asks Gove if he can assure police officers in Northern Ireland will not be asked to patrol the Irish border, putting their lives at risk.
Gove says the government has “absolutely no intention” of putting infrastructure at or near the border that might have to be policed.
Dominic Grieve, the former Tory attorney general, asks when the phrase “base case” in the Operation Yellowhammer document was changed to “worst case”. And he says, as chair of the intelligence and security committee, he wants to know what the mitigations are that will replace having access to the Schengen database.
Gove explains the difference between base case (agreed outcomes) and worst case, but he does not say when the wording was changed. And he refuses to say what the alternatives to the Schengen database will be.
Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the home affairs committee, says even if Border Force officers get new powers, they will not have the information they need to check people in the event of a no-deal Brexit. She asks Gove why he is claiming the UK would be safer.
Gove says she has questioned people involved in national security and the Border Force. “Appropriate mitigations are in place,” he says, and new powers are available.
Sir David Lidington, the former Cabinet Office minister, asks what will happen in Northern Ireland if there is a no-deal Brexit. How will the civil service be able to manage if there is no functioning executive.
Gove says if there is still no power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland, the government would have to consider giving new powers to Northern Ireland civil service. That is because, under no deal, the civil servants running Northern Ireland would need to take decisions (in relation to matters like customs) going beyond the powers they currently have.
Tom Brake, the Lib Dem Brexit spokesman, asks how Britain will be safer than before when the police will not have access to EU crime and justice databases in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Because Border Force staff will have extra new powers, says Gove.
Damian Green, the former first secretary of state, asks if hauliers have doing what is necessary to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. Green represents Ashford in Kent.
Gove says the government is contacting hauliers. But further steps need to be taken.
Gove is responding to Starmer.
He starts by welcoming Starmer back from Brighton, saying one thing about the House of Commons is that at least they record votes properly. That’s a reference to Labour deciding its new Breixt policy on a show of hands, despite calls for a card vote.
Gove repeats his point about the withdrawal agreement now being “in play” in the negotiations. And he says business is preparing for Brexit.
But Gove spends most of his time criticising Labour, and he ends by saying Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit policy is ‘as solid as a blancmange in a hurricane”.
Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, is responding to Gove now.
He asks Gove to confirm that the four papers submitted to the EU about alternatives to the backstop are “non-papers”. And is it right they have not been shared with the EU27.
Starmer says he does not accept that businesses are well prepared. He sat with business leaders last week, and their main concern was about how ill-prepared businesses are.
He ask about the Commons vote earlier this month requiring the publication of all the Operation Yellowhammer documents. He says the government just published a short document (pdf). Nothing else has been disclosed.
Gove claimed it was a document from the last government. But it was dated 2 August, when Boris Johnson was PM, Starmer says
Gove claimed on the Marr Show was that this was an old document, and the worst-case scenario. Gove also claimed it was being updated, Starmer says.
He asks Gove to explain why, when it was leaked to the Sunday Times, it said it was a base case scenario. But when it was published it was described as worst-case scenario.
Referring to Gove’s comment on LBC this morning about Boris Johnson being a “born winner” (see 11am), Starmer says he is glad that Gove has not lost his sense of humour.
He says to leave the country unprepared for a no-deal Brexit is unforgivable.
In the Commons Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister in charge of no-deal Brexit planning, is making a statement now.In the Commons Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister in charge of no-deal Brexit planning, is making a statement now.
He says there has been “significant movement in recent weeks” in the the Brexit talks with the EU.He says there has been “significant movement in recent weeks” in the the Brexit talks with the EU.
He says the EU used to say the withdrawal agreement could not be changed. But now it is open to amending it. And it used to say the backstop was inviolable. But now it says it is not emotionally attached to it.He says the EU used to say the withdrawal agreement could not be changed. But now it is open to amending it. And it used to say the backstop was inviolable. But now it says it is not emotionally attached to it.
He says he wants to talk about no-deal plans.He says he wants to talk about no-deal plans.
The cabinet XO (EU exit operations) has met 48 times, he says.The cabinet XO (EU exit operations) has met 48 times, he says.
He says under Operation Yellowhammer the government has prepared for worst-case scenarios.He says under Operation Yellowhammer the government has prepared for worst-case scenarios.
From my colleague Daniel BoffeyFrom my colleague Daniel Boffey
New: the UK government has submitted a fourth so-called non paper to the European commission on its ideas for the Irish border. This one is on how east-west trade in agri goods will be checked if there is an all-Ireland SPS zone. But it all feels a bit like a place holder.New: the UK government has submitted a fourth so-called non paper to the European commission on its ideas for the Irish border. This one is on how east-west trade in agri goods will be checked if there is an all-Ireland SPS zone. But it all feels a bit like a place holder.
From the Spectator’s James ForsythFrom the Spectator’s James Forsyth
Interesting straw in the wind: one Cabinet Minister is arguing that if the Commons won’t grant Boris Johnson an election, then the Prime Minister should go for a tactical resignationInteresting straw in the wind: one Cabinet Minister is arguing that if the Commons won’t grant Boris Johnson an election, then the Prime Minister should go for a tactical resignation
One theory is that the PM could resign, oblige the Queen to make Jeremy Corbyn prime minister, defeat the government on a no confidence motion and then wait for the election a few weeks later.One theory is that the PM could resign, oblige the Queen to make Jeremy Corbyn prime minister, defeat the government on a no confidence motion and then wait for the election a few weeks later.
But there are two obvious problems with this tactic.But there are two obvious problems with this tactic.
1) As PM Corbyn would have the authority to request an extension to article 50. That means Boris Johnson would be leading the opposition Tory party into a general election having failed to deliver his key pledge – taking the UK out of the EU by 31 October.1) As PM Corbyn would have the authority to request an extension to article 50. That means Boris Johnson would be leading the opposition Tory party into a general election having failed to deliver his key pledge – taking the UK out of the EU by 31 October.
2) Incumbent prime minister have considerable advantages in electoral politics. Even with a government majority, they can exercise power and patronage and spend government money. And for Johnson the danger would be that, after having Corbyn as PM for a few months, the public might decide they like him a lot more.2) Incumbent prime minister have considerable advantages in electoral politics. Even with a government majority, they can exercise power and patronage and spend government money. And for Johnson the danger would be that, after having Corbyn as PM for a few months, the public might decide they like him a lot more.
David Gauke, the former Tory justice secretary who had the whip withdrawn earlier this month after rebelling over Brexit, has called for Dominic Cummings, the PM’s chief of staff, to be sacked. Cummings is blamed for Boris Johnson’s decision to adopt a highly confrontational approach to parliament, including proroguing parliament for five weeks. “I think the prime minister needs a different strategy and a different strategist,” Gauke told the World at One.David Gauke, the former Tory justice secretary who had the whip withdrawn earlier this month after rebelling over Brexit, has called for Dominic Cummings, the PM’s chief of staff, to be sacked. Cummings is blamed for Boris Johnson’s decision to adopt a highly confrontational approach to parliament, including proroguing parliament for five weeks. “I think the prime minister needs a different strategy and a different strategist,” Gauke told the World at One.
A plan is in place to restrict holiday leave for police officers in Northern Ireland following Brexit. As the Press Association reports, a total of 10% of officers will be able to take time off for the first six weeks after the United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the European Union on 31 October. Police Service of Northern Ireland assistant chief constable George Clarke described it in an interview with the PA news agency as a “sensible operational contingency”, adding it would be kept under review.A plan is in place to restrict holiday leave for police officers in Northern Ireland following Brexit. As the Press Association reports, a total of 10% of officers will be able to take time off for the first six weeks after the United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the European Union on 31 October. Police Service of Northern Ireland assistant chief constable George Clarke described it in an interview with the PA news agency as a “sensible operational contingency”, adding it would be kept under review.
MPs returning to parliament on Wednesday are discussing plans to force Boris Johnson to request a Brexit extension earlier than the current 19 October deadline, to avoid no deal, my colleague Kate Proctor reports.MPs returning to parliament on Wednesday are discussing plans to force Boris Johnson to request a Brexit extension earlier than the current 19 October deadline, to avoid no deal, my colleague Kate Proctor reports.
MPs trying to force Boris Johnson to seek Brexit extension earlierMPs trying to force Boris Johnson to seek Brexit extension earlier
In the Commons Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, is making a statement about Thomas Cook. He said that bailing out the company would have involved “throwing good money after bad”, but he said the government would legislate to ensure that in future airlines can be wound down in a more orderly way. He told MPs:In the Commons Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, is making a statement about Thomas Cook. He said that bailing out the company would have involved “throwing good money after bad”, but he said the government would legislate to ensure that in future airlines can be wound down in a more orderly way. He told MPs:
[Firms] need to be able to look after their customers and we need to be able to ensure their planes can keep flying in order that we don’t have to set up a shadow airline. This is where we will focus our efforts in the next couple of weeks. We will require primary legislation, and, dare I say it, a new session of parliament.[Firms] need to be able to look after their customers and we need to be able to ensure their planes can keep flying in order that we don’t have to set up a shadow airline. This is where we will focus our efforts in the next couple of weeks. We will require primary legislation, and, dare I say it, a new session of parliament.
While all eyes are on the newly reconvened Commons, the Labour party’s autumn conference is still under way. Members this morning voted overwhelmingly to give full voting rights to all UK residents, urging the party to extend the franchise to millions of migrants.While all eyes are on the newly reconvened Commons, the Labour party’s autumn conference is still under way. Members this morning voted overwhelmingly to give full voting rights to all UK residents, urging the party to extend the franchise to millions of migrants.
As well as extending voting rights, the motion tabled by the Labour for Free Movement campaign calls on a future Labour government to close all immigration detention centres, ending “no recourse to public funds” policies, and to seeking to extend free movement rights.As well as extending voting rights, the motion tabled by the Labour for Free Movement campaign calls on a future Labour government to close all immigration detention centres, ending “no recourse to public funds” policies, and to seeking to extend free movement rights.
The motion also opposed immigration systems based on a person’s income or “utility to big business” and any caps or targets on the numbers of people moving to the UK.The motion also opposed immigration systems based on a person’s income or “utility to big business” and any caps or targets on the numbers of people moving to the UK.
The fact that a motion passes at the Labour party’s conference does not necessarily mean it will end up in a future general election manifesto, though it contributes to the policy-making process.The fact that a motion passes at the Labour party’s conference does not necessarily mean it will end up in a future general election manifesto, though it contributes to the policy-making process.
Only British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens are able to vote in general elections, while citizens of EU countries can vote in local elections and European elections. Extending the vote to the 3 million EU nationals living in the UK would have a significant impact on any second referendum on the UK’s EU membership.Only British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens are able to vote in general elections, while citizens of EU countries can vote in local elections and European elections. Extending the vote to the 3 million EU nationals living in the UK would have a significant impact on any second referendum on the UK’s EU membership.
Ana Oppenheim, from the Labour Campaign for Free Movement and the leftwing pro-EU group Another Europe is Possible, said it was “a source of shame for many activists” that the party’s 2017 manifesto pledged to end free movement. She said:Ana Oppenheim, from the Labour Campaign for Free Movement and the leftwing pro-EU group Another Europe is Possible, said it was “a source of shame for many activists” that the party’s 2017 manifesto pledged to end free movement. She said:
Now we can move forward not only committed to defending free movement, but to giving migrants the vote. If we win, the next election will be the last election in which people like me are shut out of the democratic process.Now we can move forward not only committed to defending free movement, but to giving migrants the vote. If we win, the next election will be the last election in which people like me are shut out of the democratic process.
Celebrating the success of the motion the Labour Campaign for Free Movement tweeted a photograph of the controversial “Controls on Immigration” mug, which was produced by the Labour party during the 2015 general election campaign. “Now officially in the bin,” the tweet read.Celebrating the success of the motion the Labour Campaign for Free Movement tweeted a photograph of the controversial “Controls on Immigration” mug, which was produced by the Labour party during the 2015 general election campaign. “Now officially in the bin,” the tweet read.
Now officially in the bin: pic.twitter.com/zEvRiYdLRkNow officially in the bin: pic.twitter.com/zEvRiYdLRk
The motion said Labour should campaign for “free movement, equality and rights for migrants”. It also said:The motion said Labour should campaign for “free movement, equality and rights for migrants”. It also said:
Free movement, equality and rights for migrants, are socialist values and benefit us all.Free movement, equality and rights for migrants, are socialist values and benefit us all.
Confronted with attacks on migrants – from the racist ‘hostile environment’ to the Conservatives’ immigration bill that plans to end free movement and strip the rights of working-class migrants – we stand for solidarity, equality and freedom.Confronted with attacks on migrants – from the racist ‘hostile environment’ to the Conservatives’ immigration bill that plans to end free movement and strip the rights of working-class migrants – we stand for solidarity, equality and freedom.
Scapegoating, ending free movement and attacking migrants’ rights are attacks on all workers. They make migrant workers more precarious and vulnerable to hyperexploitation, pressing down wages and conditions for everyone.Scapegoating, ending free movement and attacking migrants’ rights are attacks on all workers. They make migrant workers more precarious and vulnerable to hyperexploitation, pressing down wages and conditions for everyone.
They divide us, making it harder to unionise and push back.They divide us, making it harder to unionise and push back.
At the 2017 election Labour’s manifesto said freedom of movement within the EU would end when the UK ceased to be a member. After Brexit Labour wants a close relationship with the single market, but it has not formally committed to keeping the UK in the single market – a move that would ensure EU free movement continued.At the 2017 election Labour’s manifesto said freedom of movement within the EU would end when the UK ceased to be a member. After Brexit Labour wants a close relationship with the single market, but it has not formally committed to keeping the UK in the single market – a move that would ensure EU free movement continued.
Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, told MPs earlier that the government would comply with the Benn Act that is intended to stop a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. (See 12.34pm.) But ITV’s political editor Robert Peston has had a message from a government source implying that, although the PM would be willing to write a letter to the EU formally requesting an article 50 extension (in the event of there being no Brexit deal by 19 October), he would also send a second letter containing all sorts of arguments intended to ensure that the EU would say no.Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, told MPs earlier that the government would comply with the Benn Act that is intended to stop a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. (See 12.34pm.) But ITV’s political editor Robert Peston has had a message from a government source implying that, although the PM would be willing to write a letter to the EU formally requesting an article 50 extension (in the event of there being no Brexit deal by 19 October), he would also send a second letter containing all sorts of arguments intended to ensure that the EU would say no.
Peston himself is not one of those people inclined to use capital letters in his tweets, and so I’m presuming that the angry, Trump-style capitalisation comes from an original message sent by his source.Peston himself is not one of those people inclined to use capital letters in his tweets, and so I’m presuming that the angry, Trump-style capitalisation comes from an original message sent by his source.
BREAKING: Important clarification from senior government source of what Attorney General meant when he said @BorisJohnson would abide by Benn Act, that compels him in absence of a Brexit deal to write letter to EU requesting Brexit delay. Government source: “We will ‘comply’...BREAKING: Important clarification from senior government source of what Attorney General meant when he said @BorisJohnson would abide by Benn Act, that compels him in absence of a Brexit deal to write letter to EU requesting Brexit delay. Government source: “We will ‘comply’...
“with Benn Act IF and only if it is triggered (which it may not be, if there is a deal). That is NOT the same as ‘the PM will ask for a delay’! HOW we comply with the Benn Act is the real question, and also what would be in our SECOND letter”. In other words...“with Benn Act IF and only if it is triggered (which it may not be, if there is a deal). That is NOT the same as ‘the PM will ask for a delay’! HOW we comply with the Benn Act is the real question, and also what would be in our SECOND letter”. In other words...
Johnson still believes he can lawfully render the Benn Act nul and void, presumably by sending a second letter that would dissuade the EU from granting a delay. Lady Hale and the Supreme Court look set to be back in action before the end of October...Johnson still believes he can lawfully render the Benn Act nul and void, presumably by sending a second letter that would dissuade the EU from granting a delay. Lady Hale and the Supreme Court look set to be back in action before the end of October...
adjudicating on another momentous dispute between PM and parliament. Unless that is MPs become persuaded that the only safe way to avoid no deal on 31 October would be to remove and replace Johnson as prime minister.adjudicating on another momentous dispute between PM and parliament. Unless that is MPs become persuaded that the only safe way to avoid no deal on 31 October would be to remove and replace Johnson as prime minister.
Tom Watson, the deputy Labour leader and shadow culture secretary, is speaking now.
He says it is hard to see how the grant to Hacker House was justified. It was awarded under a scheme intended to develop cyber-skills in the UK. But this company is headquartered in California, and its owner lives in the US, he says. And it refuses to say how many employees it has in the UK, or where they work.
Then he turns to Boris Johnson. Watson goes on:
The truth is our prime minister does reckless things. He is a man whose character rends him unfit for the office he holds.
Warman repeats his point about Johnson not being involved in the decision to award the grant to Hacker House. He criticises Watson for raising issues irrelevant to this issue.
In the Commons Matt Warman, the culture minister, is answering an urgent question about the £100,000 grant to Hacker House - a company run by Jennifer Arcuri, a close friend of Boris Johnson’s.
He confirms that Hacker House has had a grant. He says the culture department is reviewing whether this grant was properly awarded.
The Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, who tabled the UQ, says she is not interested in Johnson’s personal life. But she is interested in ensuring that the rules are followed. She says these grants are supposed to go to UK companies, but that this firm does not seem to be genuinely based in the UK. And she asks if Johnson was involved in the award of the grant.
Warman says Johnson and his staff were not involved in the decision to award this grant.
He says Hacker House is registered with Companies House as being based in the UK.
He says he is happy to answer questions about whether this grant was properly awarded. But he says Moran should not be using this issue to “spread tittle-tattle”.
Cox has just finished.
At this rate, Boris Johnson is unlikely to be starting his statement before 5pm.
Cox has just said that the government will bring forward another motion calling for a general election “shortly”.
It tried twice earlier in the month, but on both occasions failed to get get the support of two-thirds of MPs, as required under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act for an early election to happen.
Phillip Lee, the former Tory MP who defected to the Lib Dems, told Cox he should be showing more humility. He asks him if he can say if he has given Downing Street legal advice on bypassing the Benn Act.
Cox said that he was not allowed to say whether he had given legal advice on a topic or not. But he said Lee was not in a position to urge him to show more humility. Having been elected for one party, and now sitting for another without holding a byelection, Lee should be “on his knees” begging for forgiveness from his constituents, Cox said.
Amber Rudd, the former Tory work and pensions secretary who now sits as an independent having resigned over Brexit, tells Cox she objects to him calling this a “dead” parliament. She says it was only elected in 2017. She says, if it is divided, that is because it reflects the divisions in Britain.
I must raise my concerns about the attorney general constantly saying that this parliament is dead. This parliament was elected in 2017, it reflects the divisions in this country, the divisions in our communities and the divisions in our families.
The failure is that we have not yet reached a compromise, many of us long to leave the EU as we set out in the referendum but are frustrated by the fact that we have not been able to find a consensus amongst the different factions.
Cox replies:
If I had not been driven to this language, I would not have used it.
But he was driven to use this language, he says. No one worked harder than he did to get a compromise deal through parliament, he says. He goes on:
I have now reached a sad conclusion that this parliament is no longer worth sitting. It should be gone, for any good it is doing.
Here is a full version of what Geoffrey Cox said about parliament being a “disgrace” with “no moral right to sit”. He was responding to a question from Rory Stewart, the former international development secretary who lost the Tory whip after rebelling over Brexit. Cox said:
I would agree with him that parliament has to determine the terms on which we leave, but this parliament has declined three times to pass a withdrawal act, with which the opposition – in relation to the withdrawal act – had absolutely no objection.
Then we now have a wide number of this house setting its face against leaving at all. And when this government draws the only logical inference from that position, which is that it must leave therefore without any deal at all, it still sets its face, denying the electorate the chance of having its say in how this matter should be resolved.
This parliament is a dead parliament. It should no longer sit. It has no moral right to sit on these green benches ...
They don’t like to hear it Mr Speaker. Twice they have been asked to let the electorate decide upon whether they should be allowed to sit in their seats, while they block 17.4 million people’s vote. This parliament is a disgrace.
Given the opportunity, since I am asked, let me tell them the truth: they could vote no confidence at any time, but they are too cowardly. They could agree to a motion to allow this house to dissolve but they are too cowardly.
This parliament should have the courage to face the electorate. But it won’t, because so many of them are really all about preventing us leaving the European Union at all.
But the time is coming, the time is coming Mr Speaker, when even these turkeys won’t be able to prevent Christmas.
Cox has just told MPs that in future it might make sense for appointments to the supreme court to be approved by parliament.
In response to a question about whether allowing MPs to confirm judicial appointments would be necessary if the courts became more political, he said MPs might have to “reflect” on that. He said Brexit would mean “we are going to have to look again at our constitutional arrangements”. As the UK left the EU, a “great gap” would open up in the law, he said.
One matter may very well be whether there needs to be parliamentary scrutiny of judicial appointments in some manner.
But Cox said that he personally would not be “enthusiastic” about the idea.
Jacob Rees Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, is expected to lay out government business this afternoon. He is expected to request a short break for Conservative Party conference - a proposal which Jeremy Corbyn said they could oppose.
The Conservative party has indicated it will continue with conference, scheduled to take place in Manchester from Sunday to Wednesday next week, whatever is decided by Parliament. James Cleverly, the party’s co-chairman, has Tweeted that it will go ahead.
A debate could be held on any proposed break as early as Thursday. If the government loses that vote, it could give the Conservatives a real headache.
Conference is a highly lucrative event for the party. If a break is not formally supported, it could force Tory ministers and MPs to return from conference events for votes.
One option for the government would be to table non-controversial bills for next week, which would take up most of the day. However, they might still have to return for major votes.
It has also emerged that the government’s opponents in parliament could apply to the high court asking for a civil servant to go to Brussels if Boris Johnson has not brought back a deal by October 19th and refuses to request an article 50 extension.
It is understood that an application would be made at the Royal Courts of Justice to direct a high ranking civil servant, possibly the cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill, to carry out parliament’s duty.
The Queen’s speech, scheduled for October 14, is where the government will set out its agenda and forthcoming priorities.
A vote is scheduled to take place five days later on October 21, where MPs will debate the measures put forward by the government.
Nick Boles, the former Conservative who now sits as an independent, asked Cox if he could give MPs an assurance that the government would abide by the Benn Act in the event of the government not agreeing a Brexit deal. In those circumstances, the act says, the PM must request a three-month Brexit extension.
Cox gave a clear answer: “Yes.”