Former cabinet minister says ‘casual approach to safety of MPs and their staff is immoral’
- Amber Rudd says PM’s Brexit rhetoric ‘legitimises violence’
- ‘Benn Act is watertight’: Gauke deems Major’s Brexit fears misplaced
- Brexit uncertainty pushes UK to brink of recession
Thanks for all your comments today. I’m going to leave you with a summary of the afternoon’s main developments:
Here is a last post to bring a smile to your face before I wrap up the blog with a summary. My eagle-eyed colleague Mattha Busby writes about an advert on the Working for an MP website posted by the Conservatives in the European Parliament:
The Eurosceptic Conservatives and Reformist Group in the European parliament, which includes Conservative MEPs, are recruiting an intern to begin work in Brussels at the European parliament on 1 November for six months, the day after the UK is expected to have left the EU.
The successful applicant for the role working for the Conservatives and Reformist Group will receive €1,500 a month and will work to “nurture the relationship between the group and the party now and beyond Brexit”.
Hugo Dixon, a supporter of the People’s Vote campaign, says that Nicola Sturgeon’s reasoning, that installing Jeremy Corbyn as a caretaker PM after a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson could secure a Brexit extension, is flawed:
The 14-day period for forming a new government under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act only kicks in if Johnson resigns - see clauses 2.3b and 2.5 https://t.co/bCnRZlJD35 2/
So don't launch a Vote of No Confidence until an extension is in the bag. Better to force Johnson to obey the Benn Act and, if necessary, tighten it up. 4/
Boris Johnson has penned a piece for parliament’s the House magazine ahead of the Conservative party conference saying the UK will leave the EU by 31 October “come what may”. It does not really add much to the debate as there is no indication of how this will be achieved in light of the Benn Act, which was passed to prevent a no-deal Brexit. He writes:
We are leaving the European Union by 31 October come what may. This is absolutely crucial in order to renew and restore trust in our precious democracy. The British people have had enough of waiting; the constant message I hear from the public is that they are tired of delay. By getting on with the job we will unite and re-energise our great United Kingdom. I would much prefer the UK to leave the EU with a deal, and the government I lead is working flat out to do its part to make that happen. We have also stepped up preparations and will be fully prepared to leave without an agreement.
Unfortunately, as well as receiving support (see previous post), the Labour MP Jess Phillips has also received more threats overnight.
It reads: “Unless you change your attitude, be afraid, be very afraid... wherever you are, keep looking over your shoulder. The person standing behind you may not be friendly. You and your remain friends have been warned.”
Ms Phillips said: “The other thing that happened yesterday is that all day the phones in my Westminster [office] had to eventually be switched off because the line was being jammed with people.
This is Haroon Siddique back at the controls. A positive message from Jess Phillips to resume with. It is about the response to an incident outside her constituency office on Thursday when a man allegedly tried to smash her windows:
My office is closed to public today but my constituents can still ring & email for help. I want to thank those who sent lovely messages, today we have had lots of leave voters and conservative voters contacting with love as well as obviously those with other views. #moreincommonpic.twitter.com/gJxp32UMYm
Following his exchange with the No 10 senior adviser Dominic Cummings yesterday, the Labour MP Karl Turner has issued this statement.
Let me clarify yesterday's exchange with Dominic Cummings. The suggestion that I threatened him is an utter lie. Read full statement below. pic.twitter.com/aErvaKwIHF
The Labour MP David Lammy has criticised the columnist Brendan O’Neill after he said on BBC Politics Live earlier that the delay to Brexit should have sparked riots.
Right wing commentator Brendan O’Neill calling for riots over Brexit is the height of irresponsibility. Lost lives, broken families, burnt out homes, looted shops and damaged businesses are not some cheap talking point. pic.twitter.com/EnJ18yeVaF
Friday’s TIMES: “ ‘Deliver Brexit or face riots’ “ #bbcpapers#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/XYzxLs3elu
A new civility awards scheme for politicians has been launched by members of the House of Lords and campaigners, after stormy proceedings in parliament on Wednesday were widely condemned.
The annual Civility in Politics prizes will be given out to politicians who have shown courtesy and decency through their work, with categories of bridge-builder of the year and campaigner of the year, political correspondent Kate Proctor reports.
Related: Civility in Politics award aims to address ‘crisis of trust’
Boris Johnson’s spokesman has insisted the government does not recognise a plan that Sir John Major warned could be used to circumvent the Benn Act, which is aimed at forcing the prime minister to seek a Brexit extension, Heather Stewart and Matthew Weaver report.
It comes after the former justice secretary David Gauke insisted ministers could not bypass the Benn law, which he described as “watertight”.
Related: No 10 dismisses John Major's fears it could circumvent Benn Act
Labour has condemned the veteran Conservative backbencher Desmond Swayne for describing criticism of Justin Trudeau’s admission he had worn blackface makeup as “the latest absurdity of political correctness”.
In a post on his personal blog, the New Forest West MP said there had been no need for the Canadian prime minister to make a “cringing apology” for wearing what Trudeau called racist makeup to a costume party in 2001.
Here is some reaction to Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that she would support Jeremy Corbyn as a caretaker prime minister.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for constitutional relations, Wendy Chamberlain, said:
We need a plan that has a whiff of a chance of working. Liberal Democrats will back a temporary government to stop a no-deal Brexit but that cannot be led by the divisive Jeremy Corbyn.
The numbers don’t add up. Even Nicola Sturgeon has said that she doesn’t trust him. Jo Swinson is working hard across parties to build a majority at Westminster to stop the damage of Brexit. Anyone who wants to keep Scotland in the UK and the UK in the EU should vote for the Liberal Democrats.
This confirms what many have long suspected – SNP MPs will happily prop up Jeremy Corbyn in No 10. There is no doubt that Corbyn’s weak stance on indyref2 is a deciding factor for the nationalists.
He has already left the door open for a re-run of the 2014 referendum if he becomes prime minister. Only a Conservative government will stand up for those who voted no in what was meant to be a once-in-a-generation event.
The SNP has led the way in ensuring Brexit can be stopped and in bringing parliament back into action after the Tories sought to shut down UK democracy, and we will continue to work with all opposition MPs to stop a no-deal Brexit and call a general election to remove this dangerous and undemocratic prime minister as soon as possible.
It is now possible – if the political will is there – that parties could come together to ensure that the letter to secure an extension is not left in the hands of Boris Johnson and his cronies, who are determined to find a way to get around the Benn Act, but is instead sent by a temporary caretaker prime minister, who would be in office only as long as is necessary to send the letter, with an election held immediately afterwards.
The deputy speaker Rosie Winterton has written to her fellow MPs today asking for their support in her effort to become the next Speaker of the House of Commons.
She said that she would build on her experience as deputy speaker and seek to be a stabilising, unifying speaker who could help resolve the tensions that have built up in recent times by working with all colleagues in a low-profile, consensus-building way.
Good afternoon, Mattha Busby here taking over from Haroon Siddique.
This is from PA Media:
Nicola Sturgeon has backed the idea of Jeremy Corbyn becoming a caretaker prime minister, in a bid to secure an extension to the Brexit deadline.
The Scottish first minister tweeted on Friday that she agrees with the idea of installing the Labour leader as PM through a vote of no confidence in the Conservative administration so he can secure a Brexit extension, before then calling an immediate general election.
Agree with this. VONC, opposition unites around someone for sole purpose of securing an extension, and then immediate General Election. Nothing is risk free but leaving Johnson in post to force through no deal - or even a bad deal - seems like a terrible idea to me. https://t.co/VYSOLLdR21
Amid mounting concern about the use of inflammatory rhetoric in parliament, a cross-party initiative has been launched to attempt to counter it by highlighting those who refrain from such language.
Today a group of us (across parties & Brexit views) launch a new award for Civility in Politics. It won't change the world, but we hope it will shine a light on those who argue their cause with decency & engage across divides. Please RT & send nominationshttps://t.co/7Wf0jVAie9
The former cabinet minister Amber Rudd has accused Boris Johnson of inciting violence.
She told the Evening Standard:
The sort of language I’m afraid we’ve seen more and more of coming out from No 10 does incite violence. It’s the sort of language people think legitimises a more aggressive approach and sometimes violence.
From PA Media, on John Major’s comments:
Downing Street says it does not “recognise” fears flagged by Sir John Major that Boris Johnson could circumvent the Benn Act.
I’m sure that the fact these comments were going to be made came as a surprise to everyone because it is simply not something that we recognise.
It is absolute nonsense and (I have) absolutely no idea where he has got it from. Total cobblers. We will not use it [order of council].
You will really have to ask him where he has got these from because it is a mystery to all involved.
Boris Johnson has once again defended the language he has used to describe the legislation aimed at blocking a no-deal Brexit.
Speaking on a visit to Harlow in Essex, he said:
I think the threats against MPs and particularly female MPs are absolutely appalling and we’re doing a lot of work to give MPs the security that they need.
But then there’s another question which is: can you use words like ‘surrender’ to describe a certain act or a certain bill?
More rubbishing from No 10 of John Major’s claim that Boris Johnson could try to use the privy council to prevent any delay to Brexit in the event that no deal has been agreed.
Senior Downing Street source says Major’s suggestion is “total cobblers”. https://t.co/7mt4vxbmsL
From PA Media:
The court of appeal in Belfast has dismissed an application that the British government’s Brexit policy will damage the Northern Ireland peace process.
Three applicants appealed against a Belfast high court judgment that rejected their challenge against the government’s handling of the Brexit process.
The prime minister’s spokesman is pleading ignorance in relation to John Major’s accusation that Boris Johnson could seek to bypass the Benn Act via the privy council, according to the Mirror.
UPDATE: Boris Johnson's spokesman insists he 'doesn't recognise' John Major's claim about how he could ram through no-deal Brexithttps://t.co/X77RY4Pi6apic.twitter.com/BDyLBg065w
John Major’s speech is not the only development to raise fears about potential attempts to subvert the Benn Act.
City AM reports that the government believes it is able to circumvent the act requiring it to delay Britain’s departure from the EU in the absence of a withdrawal agreement by (irony alert) invoking EU law.
A closely guarded plan known to a small handful of aides would see the government point to the fact that article 50 rests under EU law, while the Benn Act is enshrined in British law.
“European law usurps British law,” a source told City AM. “That means the article 50 deadline trumps the Benn Act.”
The former justice secretary David Gauke has rejected the idea that ministers can use a loophole to bypass a law which forces Boris Johnson to seek a Brexit extension, my colleague Matthew Weaver writes.
Related: 'Benn Act is watertight': Gauke deems Major's Brexit fears misplaced
The Benn Act is watertight. The overwhelming legal consensus is that the courts will declare that the Benn Act is effective, and the government will be forced to comply with it ...
I don’t know whether it will be me personally, but if it is necessary for it to be challenged, it will be challenged.
The former Brexit secretary David Davis has weighed into the debate on the language used in parliament, defending Boris Johnson’s description of the legislation aimed at blocking no deal as a “surrender bill”.
Speaking at a conference in Westminster, Davis said:
The effect of the Benn bill is to undermine the government. I deplore the abuse received by MPs (from the public), but it should not be used as an argument for suppressing debate.
There are a couple of interesting stories around concerning preparedness for Brexit.
This, by my colleague Rajeev Syal, says ministers do not know whether there are sufficient medicines, medical supplies or freight capacity to support the NHS if the UK leaves the EU without a deal next month, the National Audit Office has found.
Related: Ministers still do not know if NHS can cope with no deal, says watchdog
Exclusive: Department for Education denies existence of preparation plans for a no-deal Brexit that it claimed existed just two months ago, prompting accusations it 'misled Parliament' https://t.co/4LH2b0lyze
David Allen Green’s comments (see below) dismissing the idea that the government can get round the Benn Act, echo those made by others.
They include Jolyon Maugham QC, a leading lawyer in the fight against Boris Johnson’s prorogation of parliament and Mark Elliot, professor of public law at Cambridge University.
It is unclear from Sir John Major's speech exactly what may be in contemplation. One possibility would be an Order made under the royal prerogative. But that would plainly be incapable of suspending an Act of Parliament. /3
Using the prerogative to suspend an Act of Parliament would also be flatly inconsistent with fundamental constitutional principles, according to which primary legislation enacted by Parliament takes priority over the prerogative. /5
The legal commentator David Allen Green has rejected the notion that Boris Johnson could get round the Benn Act via the privy council and says judges would swiftly repudiate any attempt to do so.
And any attempt at such tomfoolery can and would be quashed by the High Court on the basic Padfield constitutional principle within a couple of days, if not a few hours
Principle so basic it would not need to go to Supreme Court
General purpose tweet
To any piece of the form "Has [x] discovered a way round the Benn Act?"
The initial answer is "No, Padfield"
Only if the piece explains how the 1968 case of Padfield is also sidestepped, then the piece is legally worthless briefed by the legally amateur
And it is impossible to imagine a situation where an "emergency" powers would allow a government to amend the Benn Act as a direct and proportionate way of mitigating an emergency, but even so, that would need to be put before parliament promptly for approval
Here is a link to the full text of John Major’s speech warning that Boris Johnson might try to bypass the law preventing no deal.
The international development secretary, Alok Sharma, refused to answer this morning when asked how the government could abide by the Benn Act and yet still leave the European Union on 31 October.
He told the BBC:
I’m not going to set out discussions that have occurred in the privacy of cabinet.
We are absolutely going to comply with the law, we are working incredibly hard to get a deal and we will be leaving on 31 October.
Does cabinet minister @AlokSharma_RDG know what the government’s plan is if it doesn’t reach a deal at the next EU summit? #r4todayhttps://t.co/Z6l8V2SfxGpic.twitter.com/Dh7iIRR0aK
If you look at the fundamentals of what that bill does, it does surrender our ability to have effective discussions with the European Union and it does surrender our ability to be able to walk away from the table if that is what happens.
We are surrendering our ability to negotiate effectively with the EU. If you were going into a negotiation with both hands tied behind your back, would you not think it somehow a form of capitulation?
We abhor the language of division and hate - and words such as ‘saboteur’, ‘traitor’, ‘enemy’, ‘surrender’, ‘betrayal’ have no place in our party, our politics, nor in our society.
It is emphatically not who we are as a people. And must never be seen as so.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the day’s political news. This is Haroon Siddique standing in for Andrew Sparrow.
We’re leading today with the news that the former Conservative prime minister John Major has warned that 10 Downing Street’s current incumbent could seek to subvert the Benn Act, which requires the prime minister to seek an extension to the Brexit withdrawal date beyond 31 October if a withdrawal agreement has not been ratified by then.
My fear is that the government will seek to bypass statute law, by passing an order of council to suspend the act until after 31 October.
It is important to note that an order of council can be passed by privy councillors – that is government ministers – without involving Her Majesty the Queen.
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