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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)
My colleague Gwyn Topham has a wonderful story on the Grant Shapps Thomas Cook statement earlier. This is how it starts.
If there was a previous transport secretary that the incumbent, Grant Shapps, might hope not to imitate, it would surely be his notoriously calamity-stricken predecessor Chris Grayling.
But just a few months after his return to cabinet after several years out in the cold, Shapps appears to have followed Grayling’s example rather too closely – lifting sections of his speech to the House of Commons on the collapse of Thomas Cook from Grayling’s equivalent statement when Monarch Airlines went bust in 2017.
At the beginning of his statement, Shapps appears to have followed Grayling’s text almost to the letter, simply substituting Thomas Cook for Monarch and adjusting numbers. “With your permission, I would like to make a statement about the steps the government have been taking to support those affected by the collapse of Monarch Airlines, Thomas Cook, in particular the 110,000 150,000 passengers left abroad without a flight back to the UK and the almost 2,000 9,000 people who have lost their jobs.”
And here is the full story.
Grant Shapps lifts sections of speech from Chris Grayling
From the Daily Mirror’s Pippa Crerar
NEW: Boris Johnson has just arrived at the House of Commons. His motorcade came in an alternative entrance to avoid protesters at the main gates.
In the Commons Labour’s Justin Madders asks Gove if he has any plans to use the Civil Contingencies Act in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Gove says he has no plans to use it.
His statement is now over. John Bercow, the Speaker, says 87 backbenchers were able to ask questions.
The Gove statement is still going on – although the length of the statement is in inverse proportion to the quantity of information being revealed. Gove is doing a very professional job of sidestepping the awkward questions.
We have got a statement on Iran from the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, to come next. All this means that it will probably be 6.30pm at the earliest before Boris Johnson starts his statement.
In response to a question from the independent MP John Woodcock, Gove says it is impossible to tell if the food bill for an average low-income family will go up or down after Brexit.In response to a question from the independent MP John Woodcock, Gove says it is impossible to tell if the food bill for an average low-income family will go up or down after Brexit.
Antoinette Sandbach, the former Tory now sitting as an independent, asks Gove if the government will now publish all version of the Operation Yellowhammer documents, as it is supposed to under the terms of the “humble address” motion.Antoinette Sandbach, the former Tory now sitting as an independent, asks Gove if the government will now publish all version of the Operation Yellowhammer documents, as it is supposed to under the terms of the “humble address” motion.
Gove does not give that commitment. He just says the government is publishing a lot of detail about its no-deal planning.Gove does not give that commitment. He just says the government is publishing a lot of detail about its no-deal planning.
Responding to a private notice question in the Lords on the extension of article 50, Lord Callanan, minister of state for exiting the European Union, repeated again and again that the government would always “abide by the law”, but refused to be drawn on whether they would seek to find a loophole in the Benn Act.Responding to a private notice question in the Lords on the extension of article 50, Lord Callanan, minister of state for exiting the European Union, repeated again and again that the government would always “abide by the law”, but refused to be drawn on whether they would seek to find a loophole in the Benn Act.
He was asked repeatedly about quotes from a Number 10 spokesperson that the government could send a second letter – along with the letter requesting an extension as mandated in the Benn Act – which sought to dissuade the EU from granting a delay.He was asked repeatedly about quotes from a Number 10 spokesperson that the government could send a second letter – along with the letter requesting an extension as mandated in the Benn Act – which sought to dissuade the EU from granting a delay.
“The government will of course abide by the law,” he said, in response to a question by Labour’s Lady Hayter of Kentish Town.Lord Cormack, a Conservative, followed up: “Can I ask my noble friend to confirm that in the unhappy event, and for me it would be an unhappy event, that no deal is reached by 31 October, that the prime minister will abide by the law that parliament has passed?”“The government will of course abide by the law,” he said, in response to a question by Labour’s Lady Hayter of Kentish Town.Lord Cormack, a Conservative, followed up: “Can I ask my noble friend to confirm that in the unhappy event, and for me it would be an unhappy event, that no deal is reached by 31 October, that the prime minister will abide by the law that parliament has passed?”
“I am happy to confirm to the noble Lord the answer that I gave earlier: the government will abide by the law,” said Callanan.“I am happy to confirm to the noble Lord the answer that I gave earlier: the government will abide by the law,” said Callanan.
Labour’s Lord Harris of Haringey said Callanan hadn’t answered the question. He went on:Labour’s Lord Harris of Haringey said Callanan hadn’t answered the question. He went on:
We of course assume that the government will abide by the law. But the question was about [whether] a second letter would be sent saying to the EU ‘please don’t accept our request’. Can he give a categorical assurance that the government will not do that and will not seek to go around the wording of the law which was passed by this house.We of course assume that the government will abide by the law. But the question was about [whether] a second letter would be sent saying to the EU ‘please don’t accept our request’. Can he give a categorical assurance that the government will not do that and will not seek to go around the wording of the law which was passed by this house.
Callanan replied:Callanan replied:
I can give the noble lord a categorical assurance that the government will abide by the law. We write all sorts of letters to all sorts of people, all of the time. I’m sure letter-writing will continue even in no deal. And I can go no further that to repeat what I’ve said which is of course we are a law-abiding government.I can give the noble lord a categorical assurance that the government will abide by the law. We write all sorts of letters to all sorts of people, all of the time. I’m sure letter-writing will continue even in no deal. And I can go no further that to repeat what I’ve said which is of course we are a law-abiding government.
Earlier Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, told the Commons that the automative industry was ready for a no-deal Brexit.Earlier Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, told the Commons that the automative industry was ready for a no-deal Brexit.
As the BBC’s Faisal Islam points out that, that is not what the industry’s trade body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said this week.As the BBC’s Faisal Islam points out that, that is not what the industry’s trade body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said this week.
Automotive sector is ready, the retail sector is ready, (for No Deal) says Gove to Starmer after his meetings with themAutomotive sector is ready, the retail sector is ready, (for No Deal) says Gove to Starmer after his meetings with them
TWO days ago automotive lobby chief Hawes said in a press release: "A ‘no deal’ Brexit would have an immediate and devastating impact on the industry, undermining competitiveness and causing irreversible and severe damage... risks destroying this vital pillar of our economies.”TWO days ago automotive lobby chief Hawes said in a press release: "A ‘no deal’ Brexit would have an immediate and devastating impact on the industry, undermining competitiveness and causing irreversible and severe damage... risks destroying this vital pillar of our economies.”
Gove quote - "The automotive sector who I met this week confirmed that they were ready, the retail sector said they were ready"...SMMT release from Monday ???? pic.twitter.com/2OgNHCykabGove quote - "The automotive sector who I met this week confirmed that they were ready, the retail sector said they were ready"...SMMT release from Monday ???? pic.twitter.com/2OgNHCykab
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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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 new powers, says Gove.Because Border Force staff will have new powers, says Gove.
Damian Green, the former first secretary of state, asks if hauliers have done what is necessary to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. Green represents Ashford in Kent.Damian Green, the former first secretary of state, asks if hauliers have done 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 says the government is contacting hauliers. But further steps need to be taken.
Gove is responding to Starmer.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 Brexit policy on a show of hands, despite calls for a card vote.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 Brexit 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.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”.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”.