Boris Johnson's Brexit bill has passed its Commons stages with an overwhelming majority after months of turmoil.
MPs voted to give third reading to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) by 330 to 231 - a majority of 99 - which allows the bill to sail through to the House of Lords where peers will begin line by line scrutiny next week.
It comes as EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier issued Mr Johnson with a fresh warning over the possibility of the UK crashing out of the bloc “without any arrangements” if a trade deal cannot be done by the end of 2020.
Meanwhile, shadow trade secretary Barry Gardiner, a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, said he is “considering” entering the Labour leadership contest, as Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Rebecca Long Bailey joined Keir Starmer in passing the first hurdle of the contest.
To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below:
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of events at Westminster, with Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill expected to go through its final stages in the Commons – and shadow trade secretary Barry Gardiner set to announce whether he will join the Labour leadership race.
‘Inhumane’: Tories condemned for ditching child refugee protections, as Brexit bill moves to Lords
Boris Johnson’s legislation is poised to clear its Commons hurdles on Thursday after months of knife-edge votes and parliamentary turmoil.
If MPs vote to pass the bill unamended, as expected, the legislation will move to the House of Lords where the government has no majority – and could face a rougher ride from pro-European peers.
The prime minister’s decision to strip out commitments in the bill to allow child refugees to reunite with their families – branded “disgraceful” and “inhumane” by opposition MPs – is likely to prove a crunch point for peers.
Labour peer Alf Dubs, who fled the Nazis on the Kindertransport when he was 6-years-old, had urged Tory MPs to back efforts to reinstate the protections in the Brexit legislation – calling their removal “appalling” and “distressing”. However the attempt to amend the bill was heavily defeated in the Commons on Wednesday.
Tim Farron, the former Lib Dem leader, said: “These Tory MPs get irritated when they are labelled as insular and inhumane, but by blocking our amendment today they have earned those labels.”
Safe Passage International, a charity providing legal support, described the vote as “a bitter blow for separated child refugees”.
Tories vote down plan to help reunite unaccompanied child refugees with UK families
Bid to force Boris Johnson to act thrown out – despite charities warning youngsters are in dangerGardiner ‘considering’ late Labour leadership bid
Labour MP Barry Gardiner has confirmed he is considering entering the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as party leader and will make a final decision in the next “24 hours”.
A late arrival into the race from the shadow international trade secretary, who has proved a loyal Corbyn ally in the last few years, would likely damage the efforts of Rebecca Long-Bailey – who has tried to position herself as the standard bearer for the left of the party.
Asked about his leadership ambitions, Gardiner – who is currently in Abu Dhabi – told The Independent: “This time it is not speculation. I am considering. Will make a decision in the next 24 hours”.
More details here:
Barry Gardiner confirms he is considering late entry into Labour leadership contest
Shadow international secretary tells The Independent he'll make a final decision in next '24 hours'UK ‘looking very hard’ at Iran nuclear deal, says Dominic Raab
Britain is “looking very hard” at the future of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal due to “acute” non-compliance by Tehran, said foreign secretary Dominic Raab.
Boris Johnson has said the UK stands behind the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after the US withdrew its support for the deal and as tensions in the region rise.
But diplomats have suggested European powers who still support the accord are likely to toughen their stance.
“We’ve obviously been committed to the JCPOA, but we’ve reached a point where non-compliance has been so acute in the most recent steps taken by Iran that obviously we’re going to be looking very hard at what should happen next,” Raab said this morning.
“We want to see Iran come back to full compliance.”
Thornberry: US has offered no evidence to justify Qasam Soleimani killing
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has said the US has yet to produce the evidence to justify their attack on Qasem Soleimani.
Thornberry told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “Of course there is a right to self-defence under international law but where is the evidence that America was about to be attacked?
“Nobody sheds any tears for Soleimani, but looking forward where are we?”
She warned that British forces would have to pull out of Iraq if the Iraqis now withdrew permission for them to be in the country.
“I think that this will tend to increase the power of Iran in the region,” she said. “If the Iraqis no longer give permission for the British and American troops to be in the region and be fighting alongside them, then I think it is very difficult for us to have a legal basis for us remaining there.”
Thornberry said she has not given up hope of winning the Labour leadership despite so far securing the support of fewer than five MPs. “I have a number of people who have pledged to support me. I am out there making the argument, let's see what happens.
“Current events and the fires in Australia do tend to show how the job of the leader of the Labour party - and indeed the job of Labour prime minister - is likely to be framed.
“We need somebody who has experience, as I have had over the last three or four years, of looking in detail at the security of Britain and our relationships with the rest of the world.”
Scottish nationalists hold talks in Whitehall
SNP ministers will insist Scotland has the “right to choose an alternative future” as they travel to London for talks with the UK government over Brexit today.
Mike Russell, the constitutional relations secretary for the Holyrood administration, will take part in talks with counterparts from the Welsh administration.
It is the first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) on EU Negotiations since Boris Johnson won a comfortable majority in the Commons. But the meeting takes place the day after MSPs at Holyrood voted to reject the UK Withdrawal Agreement Bill by 92 to 29.
Russell has already told MSPs that the relationship between Holyrood and Westminster is at a “low ebb” following the Tory election victory.
Adding that the Scottish parliament had now “voted comprehensively not to approve the Withdrawal Agreement Bill”, Russell declared: “The UK government must accept Scotland has a right to choose an alternative future.”
However when pressed on the issue of a second Scottish referendum at PMQs on Wednesday, Johnson restated his view that Scots had “voted decisively” in 2014 to stay in the UK in a “once in a generation choice”.
Government hasn’t yet requested Big Ben bongs for ‘Brexit day’
A request for Big Ben to chime to mark Brexit on January 31 has yet to be made by the government, MPs have been told.
Conservative Sir Paul Beresford said no approach has been received from ministers by the House of Commons Commission.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who chairs the commission, has previously suggested he would not personally block such a request if the House wishes it to happen.
Tory Brexiteer Mark Francois has also led efforts within parliament for Big Ben to bong at 11pm on January 31 to mark the UK’s departure from the EU.
He has tabled an early day motion (EDM), which has attracted 55 signatures, and proposed an amendment to the Brexit bill although it was not selected for debate.
Sir Paul, answering a parliamentary question on behalf of the commission, said: “The House of Commons Commission has not received a request from the government to arrange for Big Ben to chime to mark the UK’s departure from the EU.”
SNP MP Patrick Grady said: “For many people across the UK, leaving the EU on January 31 will not be a cause for celebration.
“The bombast and triumphalism of the hard Brexiteers who want to hear Big Ben chime to mark that moment is hardly in keeping with the PM's desire to bring the country together.”
Spending ‘town fund’ money in cities not an error, says Tory minister
Some of the government’s £3.6bn “Towns Fund” is being spent in cities, communities secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed.
He kicked off what officials called a “countrywide town tour” in Wolverhampton – which became a city in 2000.
Jenrick, who was born in Wolverhampton, tried to explain why smaller cities are eligible for funding from the scheme on Sky News.
“I turned 18 the year Wolverhampton was made a city, I was living there at the time,” he said. “I went to Wolverhampton because Wolverhampton is one of the recipients of our towns fund.”
He said eligibility for the fund is “not as crude as whether one is a city or a town”.
He added: “For our towns fund, we set the criteria based on population size and that does enable a smaller city like Wolverhampton to benefit.”
Lisa Nandy will be puzzled. The Labour leadership contender loves towns. No word yet on whether she thinks of Wolverhampton as a town or city.
Jenrick announced a separate “Town of the Year” competition which cities will not be able to enter.
Clive Lewis: ‘No question’ of Labour opposing indyref2 if there’s mandate
Labour leadership candidate Clive Lewis said there should be “no question” of Labour opposing a second Scottish independence referendum if there is “a mandate” to hold one.
Writing for pro-independence newspaper The National, Lewis said he believed radical federalism with “maximum possible autonomy for Scotland” would be the best solution.
Lewis said: “It is little surprise ... that many Scots see themselves not as partners in a union of equal nations, but as a country shackled instead to a dysfunctional political system that is costing them dearly.
“Given the option to exit the UK, it is little wonder that so many now support independence and, given the prospect of at least five years of Tory rule imposing a Brexit that Scotland did not vote for, the question of independence and a second referendum is unavoidable.
“It is not for me, as an English MP for an English constituency, to dictate to Scotland what that form of government should be, and there should be no question of Labour opposing a second independence referendum if there is a mandate to hold one.”
But he doesn’t actually say what that mandate would be.
Scottish Labour has set out its opposition to another independence referendum, although some within Labour circles north of the border have suggested a rethink is needed.
Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme earlier this week, fellow candidate Jess Phillips outlined her opposition to a second independence referendum.
Jess Phillips opposes Clive Lewis’ views on indyref2
Labour leadership candidate Jess Phillips has responded to Clive Lewis’ remarks on Scottish politics and a second independence reference.
She said there were “no circumstance where I think it would be better for Scotland to leave the UK”.
Phillips added: “I care as much about kids in Glasgow as I do my own kids in Birmingham. We should be talking about things that actually matter to them: the SNP’s education crisis & rising waiting times.”
Lewis made clear in his article for the pro-Indy paper The National he thought it was up to Scots to decide whether to hold indyref2.
‘Under my leadership we could bring in a Labour government’: Gardiner hints he is ready to run
Labour MP Barry Gardiner has been talking to the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme. He still hasn’t decided whether to join the race – but confirmed he would if was assured of receiving backing from 22 fellow MPs to get on the ballot.
“I haven’t quite made up my mind yet – I’m still talking with people, but I’ll make a decision very soon.”
“If I do decide to stand it will be because I believe I have the best chance of winning a general election that can bring in a Labour government that can bring hope to people.”
He added: “I believe under my leadership we could bring in a Labour government that could give them that hope.”
Asked why he was being so “coy” if he believed he could be PM, he replied: “I want to be sure [entering the race] can get the sort of dynamism into the debate that it needs. If I know I can secure the 22 votes necessary in order to go forward to the next stage then I will stand.”
He denied Unite boss Len McCluskey has asked him to stand. “Len, if you’re watching, I’d like to get a phone call from you, I‘d like to talk … and I’d love to get your support.”
He said he didn’t want to get into “argy-bargy” about his views on Keir Starmer.
‘We can win the moral argument’ over child refugees, says Keir Starmer
The Labour leadership candidate Sir Keir Starmer has urged the public to “pressure” the government over its “disgraceful” decision to remove protections for refugee children in the Brexit bill.
Boris Johnson’s government removed a commitment to reach an agreement with the EU to make sure unaccompanied child refugees can be reunited with relatives in the UK after Brexit. And Tory MPs rejected the chance to amend the bill to restore the pledge.
Speaking in the Commons, Starmer said: “Labour will fight to protect the most vulnerable. We may not win many votes in parliament just now, but we can win the moral argument.
He added: “I would urge everyone who cares about this issue to put pressure on the government and urge ministers to rethink this disgraceful decision.”
Labour’s Lord Dubs has vowed to fight the lack of protections in the bill as it moves to the upper house.
PM holds phone call with Iranian president – and calls for release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
Boris Johnson has called for an end to hostilities linked to the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleiman, in a phone call with the country’s president this morning.
In the 20-minute conversation with Hassan Rouhani, Johnson also called for the immediate release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other UK-Iranian joint nationals impressive in Iran.
The PM’s official spokesman said Johnson reaffirmed the UK’s continued commitment to the international deal - known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Acton (JCPOA) - to prevent Iran developing a military nuclear capability, after Tehran indicated it would no longer observe some of its terms.
“They discussed the situation in the region following the death of Qassem Soleimani,” said the PM’s spokesman.
“The prime minister called for an end to hostilities.
“The PM underlined the UK’s continued commitment to the JCPOA and to ongoing dialogue to avoid nuclear proliferation and reduce tensions.
“He raised the continued detention and mistreatment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other dual nationals in Iran and called for their immediate release.”
‘Unforgiveable’: Tories reject chance to keep Erasmus scheme after Brexit
There’s a lot of anger about Conservative MPs voting down a move to keep the Erasmus study scheme after Brexit.
The Liberal Democrats had pushed an amendment which sought to ensure the continuation of popular programme – which allows British students to study in the EU – after the UK’s exit from the bloc.
No-deal scenario looming ‘if we fail’ to agree deal, warns Barnier
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has issued a new warning about the possibility of a no-deal crash at the end of 2020 if a trade deal cannot be done.
Barnier said a meeting in Sweden that Boris Johnson had told him and the new EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen “very clearly that he does not want … an extension”.
One the trade deal talks, he said: “If we fail, the transition period will end on 1 January 2021 without any arrangements for a new future relationship in place.
“This would not affect the issues covered in the Withdrawal Agreement: the financial settlement, and, thankfully, the deal we have reached on the island of Ireland and on citizens would still stand.
“But it would mean the return of tariffs and quotas: a total anachronism for interconnected economies like ours. Of course, this is not what the EU wants.”
Emily Thornberry rates Jeremy Corbyn '0 out of 10' for winning elections
The Labour leadership hopeful has delivered a brutal assessment of Jeremy Corbyn's performance as leader, including 2 out of 10 for handing antisemitism and 0 out of 10 for winning elections.
However Ms Thornberry gave him 10 out of 10 for 'firing up' the party and for his principles, in an interview with Sky News.
It comes after Rebecca Long Bailey, another candidate to succeed Mr Corbyn, was widely ridiculed for giving her close ally 10 out of 10 for his performance - despite Labour's historic defeat at the polls.
Ex Scottish first minister backs Lisa Nandy for Labour leader
Jack McConnell, the former first minister, has backed Lisa Nandy to lead his old party. He praised Nandy for being a candidate who can be 'PM of the country, not just Labour leader'.
Boris Johnson election promise to rescue struggling towns in confusion as £3.6bn pot must be shared with cities
Boris Johnson’s election promise to rescue struggling towns has been thrown into confusion after it emerged a £3.6bn pot must be shared with cities.
The admission came as an embarrassed minister defended launching his “countrywide town tour” in Wolverhampton – a city of 250,000 people which was awarded city status a full 20 years ago.
Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary who was born and educated in Wolverhampton, denied he had blundered, saying he was fully aware it “was a town and is now a city”.
SNP MP to report peer to police for calling her ‘queer’
A gay MP has said she will report a peer to the police for an alleged hate crime after he was reported to have called her a “queer”.
The SNP’s Hannah Bardell had accused independent unionist peer Lord Maginnis of verbally abusing security staff on the parliamentary estate after he forgot his security pass.
The Huffington Post reported that Lord Maginnis did not deny the MP’s claims and quoted him saying: “Queers like Ms Bardell don’t particularly annoy me. OK, she’s got her cheap publicity out of it.”
Speaking during business questions, Bardell referred to the peer’s remarks and said: “This will be reported to the police and I know that I and others consider this to be a hate crime.”
Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg told MPs: “The attack on the honourable lady was unutterably disgraceful and she is clearly owed an apology by the noble lord for what he said about her.
“I think everybody who heard about that was shocked by the comments that he is reported to have made and has not denied.
“I think they are really appalling, and I know we are not allowed to criticise members of the other house, the other place, except on a specific motion, but I think under these circumstances we are allowed to stretch the rules.”
Lord Maginnis was formerly an Ulster Unionist Party MP and later represented the party in the Lords.
In 2012, he announced his decision to resign his membership after the leadership distanced themselves when he referred to gay marriage as “unnatural and deviant behaviour”.
‘Rebecca Long-Bailey can’t win’, says FT columnist
The guests on the BBC’s Politics Live have been debating the merits of the various Labour leaderships candidates.
The FT’s Miranda Green, who used to work for the Lib Dems, said the Corbynite left has made a “mistake” by pushing Rebecca Long Bailey as their flagbearer.
“The fact is Rebecca Long-Bailey is the Corbyn candidate, the candidate of the left. I think they’ve made a mistake because I think she’s a very weak candidate, and she can’t win. She certainly can’t win a general election.”
