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Brexit: defiant Boris Johnson challenges Labour to table vote of no confidence – live news Brexit: unrepentant Boris Johnson tells Labour to 'face day of reckoning' and have an election – live news
(32 minutes later)
Johnson is replying to Corbyn.
He says he does respect the supreme court.
On the subject of the Benn Act, he says he will respect the law and come out of the EU on 31 October.
He says preparations for a no-deal Brexit are going well.
He says there is progress in the Brexit talks. But he says it has not been made any easier by the opposition, and the “surrender bill” (his term for the Benn Act).
He says he is sorry the Labour conference is over. He says he would have liked people to have heard more of Labour policies like abolishing private schools.
Johnson says he has heard that Corbyn wanted to announce an election in his conference speech. But he was censored by the “Stasi” in Labour, in the form of John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, he says. He says Corbyn is being held hostage by his party. “Free the Islington One,” he says.
He says: “This parliament must either stand aside and either let this government get Brexit done or bring a vote of confidence and finally face a day of reckoning with the voters.”
As he ends he gets a prolonged round of applause from Conservative MPs. This is unusual. MPs are not supposed to applaud, and when MPs do break the rules, it is more often SNP and Labour MPs who clap than Tories.
Corbyn says, for the good of the country, Johnson should go.
He says he wants an election. And Johnson wants an election. Corbyn ends:
If he wants an election, get an extension and let’s have an election.
Corbyn says Johnson also has questions to ask about his conduct in public office.
He says the culture department is reviewing the awarding of a grant to a company run by his friend.
Did Johnson initiate that review? Will he report himself to the Cabinet Office for investigation.
Here is the Guardian’s latest story on this, from my colleagues Rajeev Syal and Matthew Weaver.
US phone call raises further questions over grant to Boris Johnson's friend
Corbyn says the Operation Yellowhammer document shows why a no-deal Brexit would be so serious.
Why did the government describe these documents when they were leaked as out-of-date? When it was published, it was exactly the same?
Corbyn says it talks of people going of without food and medicine.
He says Johnson has hardly put any progress into the Brexit talks. Any progress has been minimal. Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said there had been very little support.
Corbyn says he has some questions for Johnson.Corbyn says he has some questions for Johnson.
Does Johnson think the government got it wrong, or does he agree with Jacob Rees-Mogg that the supreme court committed a “constitutional coup”.Does Johnson think the government got it wrong, or does he agree with Jacob Rees-Mogg that the supreme court committed a “constitutional coup”.
Can Johnson confirm that he will abide by the terms of the Benn Act?Can Johnson confirm that he will abide by the terms of the Benn Act?
Jeremy Corbyn is responding to Johnson now.Jeremy Corbyn is responding to Johnson now.
He says Johnson’s statement was similar to what the supreme court said about prorogation - “null, of no effect, and should be quashed”.He says Johnson’s statement was similar to what the supreme court said about prorogation - “null, of no effect, and should be quashed”.
He says this is an extraordinary and precarious moment in this country’s history.He says this is an extraordinary and precarious moment in this country’s history.
The highest court in the land found that the PM broke the law, he says.The highest court in the land found that the PM broke the law, he says.
He says the judges concluded there was no reason, let alone a good reason, for the PM to have shut down parliament.He says the judges concluded there was no reason, let alone a good reason, for the PM to have shut down parliament.
He says Johnson should have done the right thing and resigned afterwards.He says Johnson should have done the right thing and resigned afterwards.
But instead he is here, with no shred of humility and no substance either.But instead he is here, with no shred of humility and no substance either.
Johnson says Labour has until the house rises today to table a motion of no confidence. If it does that, it can have the vote tomorrow.Johnson says Labour has until the house rises today to table a motion of no confidence. If it does that, it can have the vote tomorrow.
And he uses the line flagged up earlier about being willing to make the time for a confidence vote if the other opposition parties want to table a no confidence motion.And he uses the line flagged up earlier about being willing to make the time for a confidence vote if the other opposition parties want to table a no confidence motion.
Johnson ends by saying it is time to get Brexit done.Johnson ends by saying it is time to get Brexit done.
He wants to deal with the people’s priorities, like the NHS.He wants to deal with the people’s priorities, like the NHS.
He says parliament decided to hold this referendum. It should either get this done or face the voters.He says parliament decided to hold this referendum. It should either get this done or face the voters.
Johnson says the opposition parties had a remedy at their disposal.Johnson says the opposition parties had a remedy at their disposal.
He says the opposition parties could have voted for an election.He says the opposition parties could have voted for an election.
In Brighton Labour members demanded one - even though they twice voted against it.In Brighton Labour members demanded one - even though they twice voted against it.
He says Jeremy Corbyn keeps changing his mind. He does not know whether John McDonnell has forced him to change his mind.He says Jeremy Corbyn keeps changing his mind. He does not know whether John McDonnell has forced him to change his mind.
He asks if Corbyn will vote no confidence in Johnson as PM.He asks if Corbyn will vote no confidence in Johnson as PM.
He asks if Corbyn even wants to be PM.He asks if Corbyn even wants to be PM.
He says Corbyn wants him to go to Brussels on 17 October to negotiate a delay. But Corbyn won’t go himself. And even if he did want to go, his colleagues would not let him, because they don’t want him negotiating for Britain with people like Vladimir Putin.He says Corbyn wants him to go to Brussels on 17 October to negotiate a delay. But Corbyn won’t go himself. And even if he did want to go, his colleagues would not let him, because they don’t want him negotiating for Britain with people like Vladimir Putin.
Johnson says some MPs have been going to the courts to block Brexit.Johnson says some MPs have been going to the courts to block Brexit.
He says it is no disrespect to say that while he respects the supreme court, he thinks its decision was wrong.He says it is no disrespect to say that while he respects the supreme court, he thinks its decision was wrong.
He says decisions about prorogation are political matters.He says decisions about prorogation are political matters.
He says the Labour party is determined to say it knows best, and to thumb its noses at the people.He says the Labour party is determined to say it knows best, and to thumb its noses at the people.
Jeremy Corbyn and his party do not trust the people, he says.Jeremy Corbyn and his party do not trust the people, he says.
He says they do not care about the extra cost of staying in.He says they do not care about the extra cost of staying in.
And they do not care about Brexit being delayed for months, he says.And they do not care about Brexit being delayed for months, he says.
He says he wants to move up a gear. But Labour wants to put on the handbrake.He says he wants to move up a gear. But Labour wants to put on the handbrake.
He says he will not betray the people.He says he will not betray the people.
Johnson says he wants to show the public there is “life after Brexit”.Johnson says he wants to show the public there is “life after Brexit”.
That is why he wants a Queen’s speech, so he can show his domestic programme.That is why he wants a Queen’s speech, so he can show his domestic programme.
Johnson says the opposition parties are promising a second referendum.Johnson says the opposition parties are promising a second referendum.
But the idea that there could be a second referendum, with people respecting the result, is a fantasy, he says.But the idea that there could be a second referendum, with people respecting the result, is a fantasy, he says.
He says the public do not want a second referendum. They want the first one honoured, he says.He says the public do not want a second referendum. They want the first one honoured, he says.
Boris Johnson is making his statement now.Boris Johnson is making his statement now.
He says the British people just want Brexit done.He says the British people just want Brexit done.
He says he has been making progress in the Brexit talks with the EU.He says he has been making progress in the Brexit talks with the EU.
In his speech to the Labour conference yesterday Jeremy Corbyn accused Boris Johnson of planning to send troops to Saudia Arabia. He told delegates:In his speech to the Labour conference yesterday Jeremy Corbyn accused Boris Johnson of planning to send troops to Saudia Arabia. He told delegates:
It really beggars belief that this week Boris Johnson is openly talking about sending troops to Saudi Arabia as part of the increasingly dangerous confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, in an apparent bid to appease Donald Trump. Have we learned nothing?It really beggars belief that this week Boris Johnson is openly talking about sending troops to Saudi Arabia as part of the increasingly dangerous confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, in an apparent bid to appease Donald Trump. Have we learned nothing?
In the Commons a few minutes ago, in a statement on Iran, Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, repeated the same point, saying that Johnson was “openly talking about sending troops to Saudia Arabia in an apparent bid to please Donald Trump”. She asked for an assurance that, if troops were going to be sent to the Gulf for military action, that the Commons would get a vote.In the Commons a few minutes ago, in a statement on Iran, Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, repeated the same point, saying that Johnson was “openly talking about sending troops to Saudia Arabia in an apparent bid to please Donald Trump”. She asked for an assurance that, if troops were going to be sent to the Gulf for military action, that the Commons would get a vote.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, claimed that there were no such plans. Responding to Thornberry, he said:Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, claimed that there were no such plans. Responding to Thornberry, he said:
[Thornberry] talked whether the UK would be sending troops to Saudia Arabia. There has been no suggestion of that at all. It is simply wrong for her to say it. What has been said is that the US is sending troops to Saudi Arabia to make sure that Saudi can protect itself from further attacks, or repeats of the attacks Aramco.[Thornberry] talked whether the UK would be sending troops to Saudia Arabia. There has been no suggestion of that at all. It is simply wrong for her to say it. What has been said is that the US is sending troops to Saudi Arabia to make sure that Saudi can protect itself from further attacks, or repeats of the attacks Aramco.
We have said that we would consider a request that we’ve received for support in relation to air defences. That is something that we will consider. But we are absolutely clear that our over-arching strategic objective is deescalation, reducing tensions. And we want to see Iran come in from out of the international cold. But we need to be absolutely unwavering and clear in our resolve that the only way that will happen is if Iran steps up and starts to meet its responsibilities.We have said that we would consider a request that we’ve received for support in relation to air defences. That is something that we will consider. But we are absolutely clear that our over-arching strategic objective is deescalation, reducing tensions. And we want to see Iran come in from out of the international cold. But we need to be absolutely unwavering and clear in our resolve that the only way that will happen is if Iran steps up and starts to meet its responsibilities.
The suggestion that the UK was considering sending troops to Saudia Arabia, emerged from what Boris Johnson said when he spoke to reporters on his flight to New York recently, although the headlines about troops being despatched (see here and here) did not necessarily match what was actually being proposed.The suggestion that the UK was considering sending troops to Saudia Arabia, emerged from what Boris Johnson said when he spoke to reporters on his flight to New York recently, although the headlines about troops being despatched (see here and here) did not necessarily match what was actually being proposed.
According to a leak of what Boris Johnson is due to say in his statement to MPs shortly, he will challenge the opposition parties to table a motion of no confidence in the government. This is from the Press & Journal’s Dan O’Donoghue.According to a leak of what Boris Johnson is due to say in his statement to MPs shortly, he will challenge the opposition parties to table a motion of no confidence in the government. This is from the Press & Journal’s Dan O’Donoghue.
NEW: Boris Johnson will tonight allow opposition MPs to table a confidence vote in his Government...excerpt from his Commons statement due shortly pic.twitter.com/QjTnrgAEJ2NEW: Boris Johnson will tonight allow opposition MPs to table a confidence vote in his Government...excerpt from his Commons statement due shortly pic.twitter.com/QjTnrgAEJ2
Under current parliamentary rules only a motion of no confidence tabled by the leader of the opposition has to be debated. Jeremy Corbyn says he will only do that when he is sure he can win, and when he has absolutely guaranteed that there will not be a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.Under current parliamentary rules only a motion of no confidence tabled by the leader of the opposition has to be debated. Jeremy Corbyn says he will only do that when he is sure he can win, and when he has absolutely guaranteed that there will not be a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.
Johnson seems to be planning to say that, if the Lib Dems or the SNP tabled a no confidence motion, he would make time for it to be debated. But all the opposition parties are agreed at the moment that they want an absolute guarantee that there will not be a no-deal Brexit first.Johnson seems to be planning to say that, if the Lib Dems or the SNP tabled a no confidence motion, he would make time for it to be debated. But all the opposition parties are agreed at the moment that they want an absolute guarantee that there will not be a no-deal Brexit first.
My colleague Heather Stewart has more on the plans for a vote tomorrow on a mini-recess to allow Tory MPs to attend their party conference in Manchester.My colleague Heather Stewart has more on the plans for a vote tomorrow on a mini-recess to allow Tory MPs to attend their party conference in Manchester.
NEW: Labour now expecting government to table a motion tomorrow morning seeking a three-day conference recess.Government rejected Labour's offer to debate uncontentious bills next week, so that conference could proceed without a recess being called.NEW: Labour now expecting government to table a motion tomorrow morning seeking a three-day conference recess.Government rejected Labour's offer to debate uncontentious bills next week, so that conference could proceed without a recess being called.