John McDonnell has insisted that Labour is “moving towards” supporting a second referendum as the party seeks to stem the flow of defections over Brexit.
The shadow chancellor spoke out at the end of a dramatic week when 8 Labour MPs and 3 Tories broke away to form the Independent Group, in protest at the leadership of both parties.
Dudley North MP Ian Austin became the ninth MP to quit Labour on Friday over its handling of antisemitism allegations - but he said he had no plans to join the breakaway group.
Meanwhile, Theresa May has been warned she faces a major Tory rebellion unless she takes a no-deal Brexit off the table ahead of another set of key votes on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
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Hello and welcome to The Independent's live Brexit coverage for Friday, 22 February.
Theresa May has been warned “dozens” of Tory MPs are prepared to vote to delay Brexit unless she takes the prospect of a no-deal scenario off the table.
In a major challenge to the prime minister, a group of normally loyal Leave and Remain-backing Conservatives have called for a free vote on a backbench bid from Tory grandee Oliver Letwin to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal next month.
Tory MPs Andrew Percy and Simon Hart, who lead the Brexit Delivery Group, have written to chief whip Julian Smith states that many MPs are “deeply troubled” at the prospect of no deal.
Breaking: Ninth Labour MP quits party
Dudley North MP Ian Austin has left what he describes as a “broken” Labour Party over allegations of antisemitism by members, claiming “ the hard left is now in charge of the party”.
Speaking to his local Express and Star newspaper, Mr Austin said he was “ashamed of the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn”. He added he currently had no plans to join the new Independent Group set up in Parliament by rebel MPs this week.
Here’s more on Ian Austin’s resignation from the Labour Party this morning:
May told to ‘face down’ ERG or expect more resignations
Theresa May has been urged to “face down” members of the pro-Brexit European Research Group (ERG) within her parliamentary party or risk more resignations from Conservative MPs.
Former minister Phillip Lee, who has been the subject of speculation that he could also leave the Conservatives, said he was “staying to fight” - but insisted the ERG must be “dealt with”.
Mr Lee told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he was alarmed at the government’s Brexit policy, as well as “populist” decisions such as home secretary Sajid Javid’s move to strip Isis teenager Shamima Begum of her British citizenship.
Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston quit the Conservatives this week to join the newly-formed Independent Group, complaining about the influence of the ERG in Parliament and “Blukip” or “purple momentum” entryism in local associations.
Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna, two of the Labour defectors who formed the Independent Group last week, have backed MP Ian Austin’s decision to leave the party this morning.
Mr Austin has stated he currently has no plans to join the Independent Group.
This is the state of play in the House of Commons following Ian Austin’s resignations from the Labour Party this morning.
Labour are now down to 246 MPs after shedding nine this week, while the Conservatives currently have 314 MPs following three resignations on Wednesday.
Ireland sets out plan to mitigate no-deal Brexit
MPs in Westminster may be struggling to break the impasse over Brexit, but in Ireland, legislation is being fast-tracked through parliament in a bid to mitigate the impact of a no-deal scenario.
The Irish government has published its Omnibus Bill, which covers a wide range of governmental functions, and is designed to support businesses and jobs and secure ongoing access to essential services and products.
“Our focus remains on the UK ratifying the Withdrawal Agreement, which was concluded following intensive negotiations between the UK and the EU,” Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar said.
“However, for the last two years we have also been preparing for the possibility that the UK leaves the EU without an agreement.
“We are doing all we can to avoid a no-deal scenario, but we need to be ready in case it does happen.”
May and Tusk to hold talks on sidelines of Egypt summit
An EU source has told Reuters that European Council president Donald Tusk will hold a bilateral meeting with Theresa May on the sidelines of a summit in Egypt this weekend.
The prime minister was expected to would hold talks with European officials at the meeting of EU and Arab leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, although this is the first indication she will meet with Mr Tusk.
However, the Reuters source was unconvinced the pair would make a Brexit breakthrough during the summit.
“There will be no deal in the desert,” the official said.
Labour’s deputy leader and West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson says he is “deeply saddened” by the resignation of his Midlands colleague Ian Austin.
Speaking to Mr Austin’s local newspaper, the Express and Star, Mr Watson described the resignation of a ninth MP from the party in less than a week as a “serious blow”.
“I didn’t want him to go, not just because he is a friend but because Labour needs people of his experience, calibre and passion if we are to win,” he said.
“There is no point in denying that his departure is as serious blow to my party. His resignation ends a week of turmoil in British politics that we must all reflect on.”
Mr Watson earlier this week admitted he sometimes “no longer recognises” the Labour Party, amid allegations of antisemitism by members and the rise of “hard left” elements.
Ex-Labour shadow minister Chuka Umunna is the “obvious” person to lead the newly-formed Independent Group of breakaway MPs, according to two Conservative defectors.
More here:
Jeremy Corbyn ally Chris Williamson has branded Ian Austin an “embarrassment” following his resignation from the Labour Party.
Incorrectly stating Mr Austin had joined the newly-formed Independent Group, Mr Williamson accused his former colleague of demonstrating “contempt” for grassroots members of the party.
He urged Mr Austin to contest a by-election in his Dudley North constituency, echoing the calls made by Labour leadership in recent days for MPs stepping down to seek a new mandate from their constituents.
A crucial chance for MPs to back giving the British public a Final Say referendum on Brexit next week could be missed as no-one has committed to tabling a motion calling for one.
More here:
NEW: John McDonnell has insisted that Labour is “moving towards” backing a new referendum as the party seeks to stem the flow of defections over Brexit.
The shadow chancellor said in an interview that the party’s existing policy did mean a new public vote had been “kept on the table”.
Corbyn to set out Brexit vision to European socialists
Jeremy Corbyn will lay out his Brexit plans at a meeting of the Party of European Socialists in Madrid.
The labour leader is expected to hold talks with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez at the event.
“The damaging deadlock on Brexit must be broken and following my discussions with European Union leaders and officials, I am in no doubt that Labour's alternative plan is credible and could be negotiated with the EU,” Mr Corbyn said.
It appears a potential compromise deal on Brexit may finally be starting to emerge in Brussels with the UK and EU both working towards a new route out of the current impasse.
More here:
To Peterborough, where a local Ukip councillor has entered the depressingly crowded field of contestants vying for the title of UK’s worst electoral material.
The latest candidate, John Whitby, somehow managed to misspell “Britain” on a leaflet sent to residents.
He later apologised to the Peterborough Telegraph for the mistake, claiming he and several colleagues had “misproofread” the pamphlet.
With a new group of MPs taking defectors from both sides of the aisle, Indy political correspondent Ashley Cowburn looks the impact on Theresa May’s bid for a deal with Brussels.
Tory MP Bim Afolami will become the first dad to vote by proxy as he heads off on paternity leave. A recent overhaul of parliamentary rules means that new parents can appoint an MP to vote on their behalf.
Tulip Siddiq, the Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, was the first person to use the system in last month's Brexit votes.
Read our piece here:
Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh has been tweeting about the level of abuse received by MPs. This is interesting, as she is regarded as a possible quitter.
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