Theresa May is struggling to maintain authority after two of her cabinet ministers publicly speculated about the government's next steps should the Brexit deal fall in the Commons.
It came as Downing Street was forced to dismiss comments from cabinet ministers Andrea Leadsom and Amber Rudd after their remarks on a fresh referendum and a "managed no-deal" scenario.
Asked if a second referendum was plausible if Parliament remains gridlocked, the prime minister's official spokesman said: "No."
On Thursday, it also emerged that Tory and Labour MPs joined forces to stop Ms May crashing the UK out of the EU without a deal, starting with a showdown vote early in the New Year.
The move is intended to be the first of many planned ambushes to put parliament in control.
The group of MPs includes fellow Tories Oliver Letwin and Nick Boles, as well as Labour big-hitters Yvette Cooper, Hilary Benn, Rachel Reeves and Harriet Harman.
They have tabled an amendment to the finance bill, to be debated on 8 January, that would prevent any new taxes earmarked for no-deal preparations without the consent of the Commons.
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Rudd admits she can ‘see the argument’ for second Brexit referendum
'We are going to have to find a way, as MPs, of working together to find a consensus, of agreeing on how to stop no-deal taking place,' works and pensions secretary says
Homeless man found dying near MPs' entrance at Parliament
A homeless man discovered dying outside an entrance to Parliament later died in hospital.
Gyula Remes, a 43-year-old Hungarian national, was initially found by his friend looking “all blue” near a set of revolving doors used by politicians and staff in the House of Commons.
Gabor Kasza said Mr Remes had been drinking that night and had been given a cigarette, which he suspected had been laced with the synthetic drug spice.
British Transport Police (BTP) were called to the entrance used by MPs near Westminster underground station at 11.30pm on Tuesday night. Although officers administered first aid and took Mr Remes to hospital, he died hours later.
She told Today that Mr Corbyn was an honest man and "if he has something to say sorry for he will always say sorry".
She added: "Nobody really knows what he said, certainly they (MPs) did not know what he said at the time.
"To me it was contrived, staged behaviour and the British people might wonder why the Tories will stage a mini-riot in Parliament over that but are not staging a mini-riot over the tens of thousands of people who are newly on Universal Credit and are facing Christmas with no money."
Theresa May and Sajid Javid clash over post-Brexit immigration plan
Theresa May has clashed with her home secretary over targets to reduce net migration to the “tens of thousands”, as the cabinet row over Britain’s post-Brexitborders spilled into public.
Sajid Javid confirmed his new immigration plan would not include the numerical target championed by the prime minister during her time at the Home Office.
But just hours later in the House of Commons, Ms May was asked if hitting the target remained her intention to which she replied: “Yes.”
The urgent question is expected to take place at around 10.30am.
Homeless men died on average at the age of 44 and women at 42 in that period, compared to 76 and 81 for the general population respectively, the figures suggested.
London and the North West of England had the highest mortality rates.
In 2017 in England and Wales, more than half of all homeless deaths were due to drug poisoning, liver disease or suicide.
Cabinet splits laid bare as Amber Rudd break ranks to say new Brexit referendum is 'plausible'
Deep Brexit divisions within Theresa May's cabinet have spilled over into the open after senior ministers clashed over the way to break the parliamentary deadlock.
Loyalist Amber Rudd broke ranks on Thursday by saying a fresh referendum was a "plausible" option if MPs fail to agree a way forward before exit day in March.
However Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, a Brexiteer, hit back at her cabinet colleague, saying a second referendum would be "unacceptable".
Nearly 600 homeless people died on the streets last year
Nearly 600 homeless people died on the streets last year, according to government figures which record for the first time the number of rough sleeper deaths across England and Wales. The figure marks a 24 per cent increase over the last five years.Labour's Melanie Onn is now speaking in the Commons. She has asked an urgent question in relation to the number of homeless deaths. James Brokenshire, the housing secretary, pays tributes to the rough sleeper who passed away on Tuesday after being found in Westminster tube stations - close to the entrance to Parliament.
He says the figures are "stark", as he lays out the government's plans to tackle homelessness. "Where we need to do more we will," he says.
Ms Onn says she was shocked about the death of a homeless man outside Parliament, but adds it is not for the first time this year. She says the overall figure has gone up by over 20% compared to the last five years.
Here is a regional breakdown of the estimated deaths of homeless people in England and Wales in 2017, together with the change on 2013.
- North-east England 32 (up 71%)
- North-west England 119 (up 115%)
- Yorkshire and the Humber 49 (up 58%)
- East Midlands 34 (up 38%)
- West Midlands 45 (up 11%)
- East of England 33 (up 16%)
- London 136 (up 2%)
- South-east England 84 (up 7%)
- South-west England 52 (up 6%)
- Wales 13 (down 40%)
Isis threat still ‘very much alive’ as Trump withdraws troops from Syria
A defence minister has joined a torrent of international condemnation of Donald Trump’s claim that Isis has been defeated in Syria to support the withdrawal of troops from the country.
Tobias Ellwood said he “strongly disagreed” with Mr Trump’s statement, adding: “It [Isis] has morphed into other forms of extremism and the threat is very much alive.”
Mr Trump’s announcement that 2,000 troops would be withdrawn was met with a torrent of condemnation from both analysts and US Republicans, including a group of senators who wrote to Mr Trump asking him to change course.
Ms Leadsom added it will also take place on Thursday January 10 and there is the possibility for it to continue on Friday January 11 - subject to agreement from MPs.
"This is not something that is available. The EU has been very clear that there is no withdrawal agreement available that does not include a backstop."
Anna Soubry chased down street by Leave supporters shouting 'traitor' and 'Hitler'
A pro-Remain MP was followed down the street by angry Leave supporters who shouted “traitor” and accused her of being on the side of Adolf Hitler.
Anna Soubry was pursued by pro-Brexit protesters near Parliament in Westminster on Wednesday.
Footage of the encounter showed at least two men wearing hi-vis jackets similar to those worn by the “yellow vest” protesters in France shouting abuse at the MP for Broxtowe in Nottinghamshire.
In the video, one man repeatedly shouts “silly woman”.
“You are a disgrace to the Tory party. A disgrace to the country. And a disgrace to the people of the country,” he says, before adding: “It’s about time traitors like you were told what the people feel.”
It was the maximum amount available to the politicians and lawyers who pursued answers over whether the EU withdrawal process could be reversed.
Ian Murray said many of his Edinburgh South constituents were stuck at the London airport due to the problem, and called for a minister to come to the House of Commons and address the subject, outlining the sanctions for illegally flying such vehicles, which he said "could endanger the lives of hundreds of people".
The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal.
Sign our petition here
