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| Boris Johnson tells Tory MPs if Brexit delayed he would not fight election on no-deal platform - as it happened | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Boris Johnson has promised centrist Conservative MPs he will not go into an election arguing for a no-deal Brexit and would never make a pact with Nigel Farage. | Boris Johnson has promised centrist Conservative MPs he will not go into an election arguing for a no-deal Brexit and would never make a pact with Nigel Farage. |
| MPs are heading for a Brexit showdown as they will be called to sit for a special parliamentary session on Saturday 19 October – less than two weeks before Britain’s scheduled departure from the EU. | MPs are heading for a Brexit showdown as they will be called to sit for a special parliamentary session on Saturday 19 October – less than two weeks before Britain’s scheduled departure from the EU. |
| Michel Barnier has called on Boris Johnson to rein in the Downing Street aides responsible for attacking the German chancellor this week as the EU doubled down on its rejection of the prime minister’s proposals. | Michel Barnier has called on Boris Johnson to rein in the Downing Street aides responsible for attacking the German chancellor this week as the EU doubled down on its rejection of the prime minister’s proposals. |
| Pro-remain campaigners are preparing to launch contempt proceedings against Boris Johnson if he attempts to renege on promises to seek an extension to Brexit. | Pro-remain campaigners are preparing to launch contempt proceedings against Boris Johnson if he attempts to renege on promises to seek an extension to Brexit. |
| Boris Johnson could be summoned by the London assembly after failing to provide details of his contact with a US businesswoman and explain how any potential conflict of interest was addressed. | Boris Johnson could be summoned by the London assembly after failing to provide details of his contact with a US businesswoman and explain how any potential conflict of interest was addressed. |
| Sir John Sawers, a former head of MI6, has said Brexit negotiations have got to “an extraordinarily damaging state” because unnamed Downing Street officials have been briefing that the UK might withdraw security cooperation with the EU. | Sir John Sawers, a former head of MI6, has said Brexit negotiations have got to “an extraordinarily damaging state” because unnamed Downing Street officials have been briefing that the UK might withdraw security cooperation with the EU. |
| Two million people have asked to stay in the UK after Brexit under the government’s EU settlement scheme, latest figures show. | Two million people have asked to stay in the UK after Brexit under the government’s EU settlement scheme, latest figures show. |
| That’s all from me for today. | That’s all from me for today. |
| Thanks for the comments. | Thanks for the comments. |
| Here is my colleague Severin Carrell’s story on the Scottish court of session postponing a decision on whether to intervene to force Boris Johnson to comply with the Benn act requiring him to request a Brexit delay in the event of a no-deal Brexit. | Here is my colleague Severin Carrell’s story on the Scottish court of session postponing a decision on whether to intervene to force Boris Johnson to comply with the Benn act requiring him to request a Brexit delay in the event of a no-deal Brexit. |
| Court delays decision on forcing PM to seek Brexit extension | Court delays decision on forcing PM to seek Brexit extension |
| The full text of the judgment is here. | The full text of the judgment is here. |
| The Opinion of the Court in DALE VINCE AND OTHERS against the Advocate General is now available at https://t.co/8Xz8aEfrta | The Opinion of the Court in DALE VINCE AND OTHERS against the Advocate General is now available at https://t.co/8Xz8aEfrta |
| These are from the lawyer Jolyon Maugham, one of the people who took the issue to court. | These are from the lawyer Jolyon Maugham, one of the people who took the issue to court. |
| There's a very real tension in the Inner House's decision: if there really was no reasonable apprehension that the Prime Minister would break the law why would you need to hold over our two cases until the 21st? 1/2 | There's a very real tension in the Inner House's decision: if there really was no reasonable apprehension that the Prime Minister would break the law why would you need to hold over our two cases until the 21st? 1/2 |
| What this tension - which won't have escaped the Court's attention - really demonstrates is not that the Court has got it wrong. What it really demonstrates is how far the Courts feel obliged to go to try and defuse conflict between themselves and the Executive.Worrying. 2/2 | What this tension - which won't have escaped the Court's attention - really demonstrates is not that the Court has got it wrong. What it really demonstrates is how far the Courts feel obliged to go to try and defuse conflict between themselves and the Executive.Worrying. 2/2 |
| And this is from the SNP MP Joanna Cherry, who took these cases to court alongside Maugham and the businessman Dale Vince. Cherry said: | And this is from the SNP MP Joanna Cherry, who took these cases to court alongside Maugham and the businessman Dale Vince. Cherry said: |
| This decision is a victory for the petitioners and everyone who wants the Tory government to obey the law, and call for an extension, so we can avoid a devastating no-deal Brexit. | This decision is a victory for the petitioners and everyone who wants the Tory government to obey the law, and call for an extension, so we can avoid a devastating no-deal Brexit. |
| As a result of this vital court action, the Tory government has been forced to concede the prime minister will comply with the law, and promise to send a letter requesting a Brexit extension. Crucially, he has also had to admit that he will not frustrate the purpose of the Benn act. | As a result of this vital court action, the Tory government has been forced to concede the prime minister will comply with the law, and promise to send a letter requesting a Brexit extension. Crucially, he has also had to admit that he will not frustrate the purpose of the Benn act. |
| The court’s decision is a clear signal it will keep a watch on Boris Johnson’s actions – and is holding a sword of Damocles over him in case he breaks his promise. | The court’s decision is a clear signal it will keep a watch on Boris Johnson’s actions – and is holding a sword of Damocles over him in case he breaks his promise. |
| The Tory prime minister must obey the law and call for an extension, or face the consequences – including the ability for Scotland’s supreme court to force a request for an extension. | The Tory prime minister must obey the law and call for an extension, or face the consequences – including the ability for Scotland’s supreme court to force a request for an extension. |
| A YouGov analysis of 300 surveys shows firm evidence that Britain has turned against Brexit since 2016, according to a report by Nicholas Cecil in the Evening Standard. Cecil says: | A YouGov analysis of 300 surveys shows firm evidence that Britain has turned against Brexit since 2016, according to a report by Nicholas Cecil in the Evening Standard. Cecil says: |
| One of the most striking findings is that 204 out of 226 polls since July 2017 have shown remain ahead, with just seven for leave, and 15 ties. | One of the most striking findings is that 204 out of 226 polls since July 2017 have shown remain ahead, with just seven for leave, and 15 ties. |
| So far this year, just one poll in the series has put Leave ahead, compared to 74 for staying in the EU. | So far this year, just one poll in the series has put Leave ahead, compared to 74 for staying in the EU. |
| The Scottish government has produced an interactive Brexit vulnerabilities map, showing which parts of Scotland would lose out most from Brexit. There is a news release about it here, and the map is here. Rural areas and islands are most at risk, it says. | The Scottish government has produced an interactive Brexit vulnerabilities map, showing which parts of Scotland would lose out most from Brexit. There is a news release about it here, and the map is here. Rural areas and islands are most at risk, it says. |
| Earlier I referred to today’s Sun story quoting unnamed No 10 sources (them again) saying that Boris Johnson thought there was a reason why he would be able to stay PM, even if he lost a confidence vote in the Commons and MPs wanted someone else to head a government. (See 12.38pm.) | Earlier I referred to today’s Sun story quoting unnamed No 10 sources (them again) saying that Boris Johnson thought there was a reason why he would be able to stay PM, even if he lost a confidence vote in the Commons and MPs wanted someone else to head a government. (See 12.38pm.) |
| If you are interested in the rights and wrongs of this argument, there is a good Twitter thread on this from Philippe Lagassé, a professor at a Canadian university and a specialist in Westminster politics. It starts here. | If you are interested in the rights and wrongs of this argument, there is a good Twitter thread on this from Philippe Lagassé, a professor at a Canadian university and a specialist in Westminster politics. It starts here. |
| A thread on how the PM might make a case to the Queen that he should be allowed to stay on following an FTPA section 2(4) vote of non confidence, despite the presence of a viable alternative government. | A thread on how the PM might make a case to the Queen that he should be allowed to stay on following an FTPA section 2(4) vote of non confidence, despite the presence of a viable alternative government. |
| And here is his conclusion. | And here is his conclusion. |
| In closing, there are ambiguities in the FTPA and the Cabinet Manual that could be used by the PM to make his case, albeit one that depends on very hardball tactics. | In closing, there are ambiguities in the FTPA and the Cabinet Manual that could be used by the PM to make his case, albeit one that depends on very hardball tactics. |
| If you want to know more about the origins of the Lascelles principles (named after Sir Alan Lascelles, private secretary to George VI, who set them out in a letter to the Times using the pseudonym Senex, this thread, by Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government, is worth reading. | If you want to know more about the origins of the Lascelles principles (named after Sir Alan Lascelles, private secretary to George VI, who set them out in a letter to the Times using the pseudonym Senex, this thread, by Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government, is worth reading. |
| Colleagues are asking what the Senex letter actually is. In March 1950 Attlee feared he might lose his majority in a King's speech defeat. This led to a flurry of activity in both Cabinet Office and in letters pages of Times discussing what should happen and role of Monarch. | Colleagues are asking what the Senex letter actually is. In March 1950 Attlee feared he might lose his majority in a King's speech defeat. This led to a flurry of activity in both Cabinet Office and in letters pages of Times discussing what should happen and role of Monarch. |
| Boris Johnson has promised centrist Conservative MPs he will not go into an election arguing for a no-deal Brexit and would never make a pact with Nigel Farage. | Boris Johnson has promised centrist Conservative MPs he will not go into an election arguing for a no-deal Brexit and would never make a pact with Nigel Farage. |
| Damian Green, the leader of the One Nation group of 80 Tory MPs, told the Guardian that Johnson “looked [him] in the eye” as he pledged that he party will not shift to endorsing a no-deal Brexit as the Conservatives’ central policy. | Damian Green, the leader of the One Nation group of 80 Tory MPs, told the Guardian that Johnson “looked [him] in the eye” as he pledged that he party will not shift to endorsing a no-deal Brexit as the Conservatives’ central policy. |
| Green said he believed Johnson’s reassurances, after he and Gillian Keegan, James Brokenshire and Victoria Prentis all met the prime minister in Downing Street to deliver the message that large numbers of Tory MPs would find a no-deal policy “unacceptable”. Green said: | Green said he believed Johnson’s reassurances, after he and Gillian Keegan, James Brokenshire and Victoria Prentis all met the prime minister in Downing Street to deliver the message that large numbers of Tory MPs would find a no-deal policy “unacceptable”. Green said: |
| We went in to say that no deal as the prime aim of government policy would be unacceptable in a manifesto and we were reassured that wasn’t the prime minister’s aim, that he still wants to get a deal now and still thinks that would be the best outcome. He has no intention of putting a no-deal policy in a manifesto. | We went in to say that no deal as the prime aim of government policy would be unacceptable in a manifesto and we were reassured that wasn’t the prime minister’s aim, that he still wants to get a deal now and still thinks that would be the best outcome. He has no intention of putting a no-deal policy in a manifesto. |
| This arose from a meeting of the one nation caucus earlier in the week. It was the principle point and we also wanted to be assured again that the Conservative party wouldn’t do a deal with the Brexit party. | This arose from a meeting of the one nation caucus earlier in the week. It was the principle point and we also wanted to be assured again that the Conservative party wouldn’t do a deal with the Brexit party. |
| We looked each other in the eye. I accept and believe the reassurances. | We looked each other in the eye. I accept and believe the reassurances. |
| We accept that no deal has to be a possibility and the one nation caucus has by and large always been supportive of the government’s policy. What we want is for that to continue. | We accept that no deal has to be a possibility and the one nation caucus has by and large always been supportive of the government’s policy. What we want is for that to continue. |
| Centrist Tory MPs are worried about what would happen if the party had to fight an election before Brexit has happened, after being forced into a three-month extension by the Benn act. | Centrist Tory MPs are worried about what would happen if the party had to fight an election before Brexit has happened, after being forced into a three-month extension by the Benn act. |
| Publicly, Johnson will not concede this is a possibility because he insists Brexit will happen on 31 October but most MPs think this is the most likely scenario – that his government will have to submit to the delay, possibly following a court order, and then he will immediately challenge Labour to an election to be held in late November. | Publicly, Johnson will not concede this is a possibility because he insists Brexit will happen on 31 October but most MPs think this is the most likely scenario – that his government will have to submit to the delay, possibly following a court order, and then he will immediately challenge Labour to an election to be held in late November. |
| In the debate in the European parliament the Brexit party MEP Belinda de Lucy strongly criticised David Sassoli, the European parliament’s president, for discussing Brexit with John Bercow, the Commons Speaker. (See 3.53pm.) She said that this showed Sassoli was directly intervening in the UK’s domestic politics and that he was trying to stop Brexit. “It is immoral - shame on you,” she said. | In the debate in the European parliament the Brexit party MEP Belinda de Lucy strongly criticised David Sassoli, the European parliament’s president, for discussing Brexit with John Bercow, the Commons Speaker. (See 3.53pm.) She said that this showed Sassoli was directly intervening in the UK’s domestic politics and that he was trying to stop Brexit. “It is immoral - shame on you,” she said. |
| Brexit Party MEP Belinda de Lucy @BelindadeLucy'You confirm to us that every day it was right to LEAVE' pic.twitter.com/4psqXcV1VI | Brexit Party MEP Belinda de Lucy @BelindadeLucy'You confirm to us that every day it was right to LEAVE' pic.twitter.com/4psqXcV1VI |
| Guy Verfhofstadt, the liberal MEP and former Belgian PM who chairs the European parliament’s Brexit steering group, told De Lucy that it was ridiculous for her accuse MEPs of being undemocratic when her own party was not represented in the UK parliament. | Guy Verfhofstadt, the liberal MEP and former Belgian PM who chairs the European parliament’s Brexit steering group, told De Lucy that it was ridiculous for her accuse MEPs of being undemocratic when her own party was not represented in the UK parliament. |
| He also criticised Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan, saying: | He also criticised Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan, saying: |
| I will be less diplomatic than Michel Barnier. I think that the proposal that Boris Johnson has put forward was not serious at all. Not serious at all because it was in fact a virtual proposal. It was not a real proposal. It gives a veto to the DUP in a number of issues. It is putting customs facilities, not on the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, but in all the other parts of the island of Ireland that we don’t know yet. | I will be less diplomatic than Michel Barnier. I think that the proposal that Boris Johnson has put forward was not serious at all. Not serious at all because it was in fact a virtual proposal. It was not a real proposal. It gives a veto to the DUP in a number of issues. It is putting customs facilities, not on the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, but in all the other parts of the island of Ireland that we don’t know yet. |
| And finally the proposal is to downgrade the political declaration on the future relationship by undercutting, by making a Singapore-at-the-sea, at the North Sea, like the [Brexit party], by in fact destroying the ecological social and labour standards. | And finally the proposal is to downgrade the political declaration on the future relationship by undercutting, by making a Singapore-at-the-sea, at the North Sea, like the [Brexit party], by in fact destroying the ecological social and labour standards. |
| Here are some of the key quotes from the European parliament hearing. | Here are some of the key quotes from the European parliament hearing. |
| Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European commission, criticised the UK government for engaging in a “blame game”. He said Brexit was the choice of the British people. He went on: | Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European commission, criticised the UK government for engaging in a “blame game”. He said Brexit was the choice of the British people. He went on: |
| Although we are respecting that choice. As it stands, we will remain in discussion with the United Kingdom on the terms of its departure. | Although we are respecting that choice. As it stands, we will remain in discussion with the United Kingdom on the terms of its departure. |
| And, personally, I don’t exclude a deal. We are, Michel [Barnier] and myself, working on a deal. | And, personally, I don’t exclude a deal. We are, Michel [Barnier] and myself, working on a deal. |
| And we are not accepting this blame game, which started in London. | And we are not accepting this blame game, which started in London. |
| Juncker said the British should not forget the need for the European parliament to agree any Brexit deal. | Juncker said the British should not forget the need for the European parliament to agree any Brexit deal. |
| I would like to repeat, to the attention of our British friends, that there is not only a parliament in Westminster which has to agree, there is a parliament here. | I would like to repeat, to the attention of our British friends, that there is not only a parliament in Westminster which has to agree, there is a parliament here. |
| Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said an agreement was not currently possible. He said: | Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said an agreement was not currently possible. He said: |
| To put things very frankly, though, and to try and be objective, this particular point, we are not really in a position where we are able to find an agreement. | To put things very frankly, though, and to try and be objective, this particular point, we are not really in a position where we are able to find an agreement. |
| David Sassoli, president of the European parliament, said that any Brexit extension should be to allow the British public to express their views - either through an election, or a referendum. He also revealed that he had discussed Brexit with the Commons Speaker, John Bercow. (See 2.45pm.) | David Sassoli, president of the European parliament, said that any Brexit extension should be to allow the British public to express their views - either through an election, or a referendum. He also revealed that he had discussed Brexit with the Commons Speaker, John Bercow. (See 2.45pm.) |
| Tytti Tuppurainen, the Finnish Europe minister, said that a no-deal Brexit was a “dangerously realistic” scenario. (See 2.51pm.) | Tytti Tuppurainen, the Finnish Europe minister, said that a no-deal Brexit was a “dangerously realistic” scenario. (See 2.51pm.) |
| This is from my colleague Rowena Mason. | This is from my colleague Rowena Mason. |
| Damian Green, leader of the One Nation caucus of MPs, says Boris Johnson told him at meeting:- he will not go into election promising no deal Brexit- he will not make a pact with Nigel Farage."We looked each other in the eye. I accept and believe the reassurances," says Green | Damian Green, leader of the One Nation caucus of MPs, says Boris Johnson told him at meeting:- he will not go into election promising no deal Brexit- he will not make a pact with Nigel Farage."We looked each other in the eye. I accept and believe the reassurances," says Green |
| Obviously, this does not mean Boris Johnson has given up trying to take the UK out of the EU on 31 October. | Obviously, this does not mean Boris Johnson has given up trying to take the UK out of the EU on 31 October. |
| It means that, if Brexit does get extended against his wishes, and he has to fight an election, he says he will not campaign on a Brexit party-style no-deal platform, as an unnamed No 10 insider (almost universally assumed to be Dominic Cummings) told the Spectator earlier this week. | It means that, if Brexit does get extended against his wishes, and he has to fight an election, he says he will not campaign on a Brexit party-style no-deal platform, as an unnamed No 10 insider (almost universally assumed to be Dominic Cummings) told the Spectator earlier this week. |
| Michel Barnier has now finished. Here is some comment on what he had to say. | Michel Barnier has now finished. Here is some comment on what he had to say. |
| From the BBC’s Adam Fleming | From the BBC’s Adam Fleming |
| The UK's proposals for an alternative backstop have just been absolutely TRASHED by @MichelBarnier in the European Parliament but he did confirm the two sides are looking at "a more important role" for the Northern Irish political institutions. | The UK's proposals for an alternative backstop have just been absolutely TRASHED by @MichelBarnier in the European Parliament but he did confirm the two sides are looking at "a more important role" for the Northern Irish political institutions. |
| From Mail Online’s James Tapsfield | From Mail Online’s James Tapsfield |
| As always, the more you listen to Michel Barnier speak, the less likely a deal sounds | As always, the more you listen to Michel Barnier speak, the less likely a deal sounds |
| From RTE’s Tony Connelly | From RTE’s Tony Connelly |
| BREAKING: Michel Barnier: To put things frankly, we are not really in a position where we can find an agreement | BREAKING: Michel Barnier: To put things frankly, we are not really in a position where we can find an agreement |
| Barnier says there are other issues dividing the two sides, including what to put in the political declaration. | Barnier says there are other issues dividing the two sides, including what to put in the political declaration. |
| He says there is a risk of having just a very basic free trade agreement. That might involve tax dumping and social regulation dumping (ie, the UK trying to undercut the EU.) | He says there is a risk of having just a very basic free trade agreement. That might involve tax dumping and social regulation dumping (ie, the UK trying to undercut the EU.) |
| He says the EU wants a fair and level playing field. | He says the EU wants a fair and level playing field. |
| He says, when Brexit happens, it will be long term. | He says, when Brexit happens, it will be long term. |
| He says it is creating serious and specific problems. We need operational, legally-binding solutions – today, not tomorrow. | He says it is creating serious and specific problems. We need operational, legally-binding solutions – today, not tomorrow. |
| He says the EU will remain calm, vigilant and constructive. And he says it will be respectful of the UK and its leaders. | He says the EU will remain calm, vigilant and constructive. And he says it will be respectful of the UK and its leaders. |
| He says he will be available 24/7 in the coming days to try to reach an agreement. | He says he will be available 24/7 in the coming days to try to reach an agreement. |
| He will respect his mandate, he says. | He will respect his mandate, he says. |
| He says it might be “very difficult”. But, he goes on: | He says it might be “very difficult”. But, he goes on: |
| If there is goodwill on both sides, I think an agreement is still possible. | If there is goodwill on both sides, I think an agreement is still possible. |
| Barnier turns to his third point - the consent mechanism. | Barnier turns to his third point - the consent mechanism. |
| He says the EU wants a more important role for the Northern Irish institutions. | He says the EU wants a more important role for the Northern Irish institutions. |
| He says the UK plan would involve a unilateral decision being taken by the Northern Irish authorities. That means they could unilaterally decide not to introduce these arrangements. | He says the UK plan would involve a unilateral decision being taken by the Northern Irish authorities. That means they could unilaterally decide not to introduce these arrangements. |
| Barnier turns to the second issue. | Barnier turns to the second issue. |
| There must be operational solutions, he says. | There must be operational solutions, he says. |
| He says the UK plan does not give the same security as the backstop, because it relies on ideas being worked out during the transition. | He says the UK plan does not give the same security as the backstop, because it relies on ideas being worked out during the transition. |
| The UK proposes having a joint committee to find solutions during the transition. But what happens if it can’t? | The UK proposes having a joint committee to find solutions during the transition. But what happens if it can’t? |
| The UK or the EU would then have to impose unilateral checks. But what would happen if the UK did not enforce any checks? | The UK or the EU would then have to impose unilateral checks. But what would happen if the UK did not enforce any checks? |
| He says the UK plan has led to three concerns. | He says the UK plan has led to three concerns. |
| First, the border issue. Boris Johnson has rejected the backstop, a safety net agreed with Theresa May, he says. | First, the border issue. Boris Johnson has rejected the backstop, a safety net agreed with Theresa May, he says. |
| He says the UK and the EU agree on regulatory alignment for goods in Northern Ireland. But there is a dispute about customs. The EU wanted a backstop to avoid border checks. But the UK is asking the EU to accept a system that has not been properly tested, relying on exemptions and derogations and technology that has not been properly tested. | He says the UK and the EU agree on regulatory alignment for goods in Northern Ireland. But there is a dispute about customs. The EU wanted a backstop to avoid border checks. But the UK is asking the EU to accept a system that has not been properly tested, relying on exemptions and derogations and technology that has not been properly tested. |
| He says the EU needs the integrity of the single market and customs union, and proper checks. There must be credible controls, he says. The single market must be credible to consumers and companies. | He says the EU needs the integrity of the single market and customs union, and proper checks. There must be credible controls, he says. The single market must be credible to consumers and companies. |
| Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, is speaking now. | Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, is speaking now. |
| He says the UK have a competent and professional negotiating team. | He says the UK have a competent and professional negotiating team. |
| But he says the two sides are not in a position to reach an agreement. | But he says the two sides are not in a position to reach an agreement. |
| Time is pressing, he says. | Time is pressing, he says. |
| Juncker turns to Brexit. | Juncker turns to Brexit. |
| He says it was the choice of the UK. | He says it was the choice of the UK. |
| He says he is not ruling out a deal. | He says he is not ruling out a deal. |
| And he does not accept this blame game, “which started in London”. | And he does not accept this blame game, “which started in London”. |
| He says he would like to repeat, for the sake of the British, that the European parliament would have to approve a Brexit deal, as well as the UK parliament. | He says he would like to repeat, for the sake of the British, that the European parliament would have to approve a Brexit deal, as well as the UK parliament. |
| Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission, is speaking now. | Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission, is speaking now. |
| He starts with non-Brexit issues. He is currently talking about EU enlargement (the opposite of Brexit). | He starts with non-Brexit issues. He is currently talking about EU enlargement (the opposite of Brexit). |