Afternoon summary
- The UK government promised the highest civil court in Scotland that Boris Johnson would send a letter to the EU seeking an extension to article 50 as required by the Benn act.
- Lawyers acting in the case were quick to highlight the apparent contradiction between the promise and the prime minister’s comments yesterday in which he reaffirmed the UK would leave the EU by 31 October.
- The revelation came after the government lost its bid to delay a Scottish court case on an extension to Brexit, as the PM’s Europe advisor David Frost had talks in Brussels that Downing Street said could go on into the weekend.
- The Northern Ireland secretary suggested that the right of one party to veto Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland may be eliminated for the purpose of the UK’s departure from the EU.
- The Home Office minister Brandon Lewis said Johnson’s Brexit proposals were the government’s “final offer” and claimed there was a “building majority” of MPs who supported the plan.
- The former Tory leadership candidate Rory Stewart resigned from the Conservative party and said he would stand down at the next general election, before swiftly announcing he would stand for mayor of London as an independent.
- Scotland Yard officers agreed to tell the media they believed “Nick” – Carl Beech, the key witness for an ill-fated multimillion-pound investigation into an alleged Westminster VIP paedophile ring – whose claims sparked a major police operation, according to a damning new report.
- The former high court judge Sir Richard Henriques said a “major contributing factor was the culture that ‘victims’ must be believed” in his findings, while Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, faced renewed criticism for raising Beech’s accusations in parliament.
We’re going to close our live blog for now. Have a nice afternoon, and thanks for all your comments.
Updated
This is from PA Media.
Boris Johnson’s proposed replacement to the Irish border backstop mechanism is “just a palimpsest of empty words”, the Westminster leader of Plaid Cymru has said.
Liz Saville Roberts, the MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, quoted Dolly Parton’s song Blue Smoke as she described the prime minister’s approach to Brexit.
She told the Plaid Cymru annual conference in Swansea that Johnson was ready to employ the “shock tactic, deregulated free-for-all of a chaotic crash-out Brexit”.
“When it comes to his Brexit policy, perhaps somewhat unexpectedly, the words of that magnificent commentator of the human condition, Dolly Parton, says it best in Blue Smoke,” she told conference.
“Mr Johnson: ‘It hurts to know you cheated, and it hurts to know you lied, but it hurts me even worse to know you never even tried.’
“Except with the DUP, of course, because the prime minister has just said he’ll gift them the Brexit constitutional nuclear button every four years, while the rest of us can’t be trusted with democracy and a people’s vote.
“This is the man who’ll tell us how he’s working so hard to get a deal, but that we – the little people – can’t be trusted to see the non-papers, can’t see the full words of warning laid out in documents with deceptively endearing names: Yellowhammer, Snow Bunting, Kingfisher and Black Swan.”
A palimpsest is a page of manuscript where the original text has been removed.
Updated
The Brexit party leader, Nigel Farage, has weighed in.
Boris said we would leave by October 31st “do or die”.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) October 4, 2019
Why does he keep saying things that are not true? https://t.co/0KU1LGhTWt
Updated
As legal proceedings get back under way in Scotland, Maugham, one of those bringing the court of session legal action, has made further remarks to PA Media.
It’s impossible for him [Johnson] to say, as he’s been telling parliament and indeed the rest of us, that we will leave the EU on October 31, come what may. That is no longer a true statement, if ever it was a true statement, of the law and the prime minister acknowledges it.
It’s a very sad moment that we have a prime minister who is saying two contradictory things – one to parliament and one to the courts.
But in that world, in these sad circumstances, we are concerned to ensure that the prime minister does what he has told the court and does what parliament has required that he do.
We want to see the courts tell him that: ‘Unless you send the letter, no later than October 19, unless you cease trying to frustrate parliament’s intention, there will be personal consequences for you, you could go to prison.’
Updated
Julian Smith, the Northern Ireland secretary, has indicated that reform of the voting mechanism that could give the DUP or Sinn Féin a veto on Brexit arrangements could be “helpful” to get the Brexit deal across the line.
Concerns have been raised by the Irish taoiseach and a number of parties in Northern Ireland that the mechanism could effectively hand the Democratic Unionist party a veto on post-Brexit arrangements.
Boris Johnson’s proposals for Brexit centre on a Northern Ireland-only backstop arrangement, under which the country would stay aligned to the EU’s single market, but not its customs union, for five years, Lisa O’Carroll reports.
Updated
Leo Varadkar’s intervention provides a glimmer of hope for a Brexit deal – after the Irish premier said his preference was for an agreement to be struck within the next 10 days.
“My preference is that we come to an agreement and that we have a deal by the middle of October,” Varadkar said during a meeting with Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, with the taoiseach adding that if the UK were to request an extension to its Brexit deadline he would consider it.
His remarks come after a fractious 24 hours that appeared to torch any chance of a deal with resistance to Boris Johnson’s proposals for customs controls in Northern Ireland meeting strong resistance in Dublin and Brussels.
“Brexit doesn’t end with the UK leaving, it’s just the next phase of negotiations but if the UK were to request an extension, we would consider it, but most EU countries would only consider it for good reason, but an extension would be better than no deal,” he added.
On Thursday, Varadkar made comments about the shortfalls in Johnson’s deal which lead to scathing attacks by the Democratic Unionist party which is supporting the Conservative party’s deal.
The party leader Arlene Foster said he would go down in history as the Taoiseach who prompted a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Updated
SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC, one of the lawyers leading the case in Scotland, has called for “a formal binding undertaking” to ensure the prime minister abides by the commitments made in the court documents.
What @BorisJohnson has told the court through his lawyers directly contradicts what he said to Parliament yesterday. With this PM nothing short of a formal binding undertaking to the court will do #Brexit #Vincecase https://t.co/3rRENpCkhl
— Joanna Cherry QC MP (@joannaccherry) October 4, 2019
Updated
Some reaction to the emergence of this document in court.
Crikey and crivvens above? But wouldn’t that mean he has been lying with all his do or die, die in a ditch, no ifs no buts bluster? And can we include the £100m ad campaign in the public inquiry remit when it comes? #Ontherun #GetBrexitGone @peoplesvote_uk pic.twitter.com/hrk9ANLio9
— Alastair PEOPLE’S VOTE Campbell (@campbellclaret) October 4, 2019
Surprise! Johnson is saying one thing in public and a different thing in court documents https://t.co/o4bNbyY0eB
— Steve Peers (@StevePeers) October 4, 2019
4/ Finally never trust a man from Eton who says he is prepared to "die in a ditch" - for the elite that role is always reserved, in the final instance, for their underlings. More follows once Bozo says something on record.
— Paul Mason (@paulmasonnews) October 4, 2019
What????? https://t.co/mOqh7QAiHN
— Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) October 4, 2019
Here’s our full story.
One tactic might mean we see more of these videos – where a toddler’s first step is compared to leaving the European Union.
Let’s take the first step.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 4, 2019
Let’s #GetBrexitDone. pic.twitter.com/HquHzrrzWQ
Leo Varadkar, the Irish premier, has said that if Boris Johnson submitted a request for an extension he would agree.
Brexit doesn’t end with the UK leaving, it’s just the next phase of negotiations but if the UK were to request an extension, we would consider it, but most EU countries would only consider it for good reason, but an extension would be better than no deal.
Meanwhile, Downing Street is not commenting after the Court of Session released documents showing the prime minister accepted he would have to ask for a Brexit delay if there was no agreement by October 19.
New: Downing Street not commenting on the suggestion that the government's submission to the Court of Session states that the PM accepts he will have to ask for a Brexit delay under the Benn Act if no new deal agreed by October 19.
— Jack Maidment (@jrmaidment) October 4, 2019
The chair of the European Research Group of staunch Brexiteers, Steve Baker, signals what approach Downing St might take to this latest twist.
A source confirms all this means is that Government will obey the law.
— Steve Baker MP (@SteveBakerHW) October 4, 2019
It does not mean we will extend.
It does not mean we will stay in the EU beyond Oct 31.
We will leave. https://t.co/LuVt45rMAr
Updated
The court case will resume at 2pm.
Aidan O’Neill says @UKGOV has told #courtofsession “that there is a binding statutory duty on @10DowningStreet” to obey the #BennAct but in reality, he adds, Johnson is refusing to explain how he can obey #BennAct without a deal
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
Here are those documents again, written in legalese, which have been released to the court.
Here’s what @UKGOV refuses to release to media https://t.co/BCO8tZ8XqJ
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
Jolyon Maugham, one of the three lawyers leading the legal case, has said Boris Johnson is “playing a very odd game” and has to “come clean”.
What we learned today is that the prime minister has promised the court in his own name that he will ask for an extension under the Benn act if the conditions are satsifed. In other words if parliament has not before the 19th of October agreed a withdrawal agreement.
He has also promised the court that he will not frustrate the Benn act, by which is meant that he will not send two letters, one saying can I have an extension and another saying don’t give me one, he won’t collude with foreign governments to attempt to persuade those foreign governments to veto an extension.
Those are statements that he has made to the court. The court has said that in those circumstances it’s contempt jurisdiction might be engaged. What the hearing is now about is whether we can push the court to clearly engage its contempt jurisdiction.
Then, on Tuesday, we now know we will have a full hearing in the Inner House of the court of session, in which the Inner House will consider whether or not the prime minister refuses to do what he has today told the court that he will do, the court can sign the letter for the prime minister, the letter mandated by the Benn Act.
The prime minister is playing a very odd game and its a very difficult game to understand because I think he told the House of Commons yesterday that we will leave come what may on the 31st of October, and I do not understand how that statement can be reconciled with the promises that he’s made in the court today. There is no way to square that circle. And he is going to have to come clean either in parliament or the court.
The Government is saying that it will send the Benn Act letter and it will not frustrate the Act (i.e. by seeking to persuade a r27 Member State to veto our request for an extension). So what is left of the Prime Minister's promise that we will leave on 31.10? https://t.co/gsJIMEUkV3
— Jo Maugham QC (@JolyonMaugham) October 4, 2019
Updated
In the Scottish court of session, Aidan O’Neill QC said the commitment within the submissions were inconsistent with what Johnson said in parliament yesterday.
The government had sought to prevent these documents being released to the media, and it will raise questions over the contradiction between the prime minister’s public and private stances.
Aidan O’Neill says @UKGOV has told #courtofsession “that there is a binding statutory duty on @10DowningStreet” to obey the #BennAct but in reality, he adds, Johnson is refusing to explain how he can obey #BennAct without a deal
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
Aidan O’Neill says @BorisJohnson stance is “corrosive of that duty to uphold the rule of law, to respect the constitution, to apply the conventions, to uphold our traditions...” #BennAct #courtofsession
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
Boris Johnson will ask the EU for a Brexit extension if deal not reached by 19 October
Government documents submitted to Scotland’s highest civil court today state that the prime minister will seek a Brexit extension from the EU if no withdrawal deal is reached by 19 October.
Boris Johnson said he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than seek a further delay, and the revelation in court appears to be in direct contradiction of that statement and throws the question of whether the UK will leave the bloc on 31 October into fresh doubt.
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) October 4, 2019
Updated
Today’s damning report on how police investigated the false allegations of sex abuse by Westminster VIPs also sheds light on the extent of the role of Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, who met Beech and encouraged him to go to the police with his claims.
The retired high court judge Sir Richard Henriques said in his report that Watson’s intervention over a separate 1967 rape allegation against Brittan left officers “in a state of panic”, and that he “grossly insulted” Brittan.
He said the Met was wrong to subject Brittan to an interview over the rape claim, and ignored the view of one of its senior detectives that there was no case to answer, as Simon Murphy and Vikram Dodd report.
Henriques wrote:
I have concluded that the errors in this investigation were largely attributable to the fact that Lord Brittan was a prominent person and there was a desire amongst senior officers to reassure the public that if they come forward the police will investigate a complaint thoroughly no matter whom the allegation is against.
I have concluded also that investigating officers were fearful of media criticism and public cynicism and sought protection from it by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
There can be no doubt that Tom Watson believed ‘Nick’ and it should be stated that he had previously provided the MPS with information leading to convictions in other cases.
His interest, however, in both Operation Midland and Operation Vincente created further pressure upon MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) officers.
Steve Rodhouse, the officer in charge of Operation Midland who is now a senior director at the National Crime Agency, was referred to the police watchdog over the inquiry, but the body did not take it on as an investigation.
My decision-making on Operation Vincente was driven by the need to ensure that the public could have confidence that the MPS had thoroughly investigated the allegation made against Lord Brittan.
This was important in light of the many allegations that the police had historically overlooked, made against prominent public figures.
However, Watson has said Rodhouse has been clear that the letter did not influence the investigation, and that the ex-director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders publicly confirmed that my letter was not received by police until after the interview.
“It therefore cannot be argued that it was pressure from me that led to Lord Brittan being interviewed.”
Our full story has now been updated:
Updated
As proceedings in the Scottish courts continue, the PM’s Europe adviser David Frost is having further technical talks with officials in Brussels which Downing Street said could go on into the weekend.
A No 10 spokeswoman said:
I think it’s clear that all sides want a deal. What we have done is put forward fair and reasonable proposals to help us negotiate a new deal.
The [European] Commission, who obviously we will be negotiating with, welcomed our determination to advance talks and make progress towards that deal.
We are ready to talk at any point, including over the weekend.
Confirmation of the talks comes as the Irish deputy leader Simon Coveney said that it was clear many unionists in Northern Ireland do not support Boris Johnson’s customs proposals.
Lots of unionists have difficulty with that, whether it’s the head of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, the head of the Ulster Farmer’s Union, the CBI, virtually every business organisation in Northern Ireland, most of them headed by unionists, let’s be honest, don’t think that this is a comprehensive enough proposal to ensure we maintain borderless trade on this island.
On whether changes to the petition of concern could allay the Irish government’s fears over the possible veto, Coveney said the matter was a domestic one, as the crux of the issue lies between the UK and EU, not Northern Ireland.
We don’t have an executive up and running, I wish we had, if there was a will there we could find a basis, I’ve been working with the Secretary of State on that.
We need to be clear here, mechanisms that are linked to cross community support in the executive are primarily about issues of competence for the executive on domestic decision-making in Northern Ireland, this is very different, this is the UK as a whole and the EU as a whole, to deal with an international border question.
The idea that any one party could eventually veto the implementation of those solutions is something that the EU and the Irish Government could never accept.
The issues around the Petition of Concern are important issues, but in terms of Brexit outcome and deal here, when you look at the response in Northern Ireland yesterday, there’s only one party in Northern Ireland supporting Boris Johnson’s proposals as the basis of deal, no one else is, because there’s real problems with it, I hope the PM will recognise that and we’ll see an evolution of position.
On Wednesday, Irish officials described the prime minister’s proposals as unworkable, unacceptable and illegal under British domestic law. However, the DUP supports the offer and Home Office minister Brandon Lewis this morning claimed support for the proposed deal was growing in parliament.
Updated
The court is now hearing another case on Brexit regarding the refusal of the government to provide the media copies of the arguments comprising its legal case.
Aidan O’Neill QC, acting for the petitioners, said he was not seeking a court order today asking for fines or jail time if Boris Johnson does not comply, although that could happen.
He said the prime minister had “repeatedly” threatened to thwart or ignore the Benn act. “This isn’t the PM going off ad lib or a frolic of his own,” he said, adding that it was clear government policy.
#ICYMI the #courtofsession is now hearing another critically important legal case on #Brexit and @UKGOV is refusing to give the media copies of its legal case https://t.co/pYf2MSrdLN
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
O’Neill is NOT seeking a court order today asking for fines or jail time if @BorisJohnson doesn’t comply - that could happen later though #courtofsession #Brexit
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
“because basically we can’t trust that @UKGOV will comply with the law... the appropriate remedies will be the coercive ones” = an interdict forcing compliance with #BennAct
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
Meanwhile, a hearing has now begun in the outer house of the court of session on whether the prime minister can be forced to extend article 50.
Updated
UK government lose bid to delay Scottish court case on Brexit extension
The Guardian’s Scotland editor Severin Carrell has been at the court of session’s inner house – Scotland’s highest civil court – covering the developments.
BREAKING @UKGOV loses bid to delay #nobileofficium case on Tuesday - case vs @BorisJohnson will go ahead #Article50 #Brexit #BennAct
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
Drummond Young says delaying #nobileofficium hearing til after 19 October gives courts too little time: “we are talking about v tight pressure the following week” #courtofsession #Article50 #Brexit
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
@GOVUK is seeking to postpone next Tuesday’s #courtofsession hearing on #nobileofficium - its lawyer claims #noboff is hypothetical since judges could order @BorisJohnson to send Benn Act letter on Monday 1/2
— Severin Carrell, Esq (@severincarrell) October 4, 2019
After campaigners called for the use of an obscure power, the judge said it would be “unprecedented” for an official to exercise powers to sign the Article 50 extension on behalf of Boris Johnson, since the unique power of nobile officium – which would allow a court official to sign the letter – has never been used over a prime minister.
Lord Drummond Young said: “In the circumstances of this case it is unprecedented. There’s a question of competence.”
The three judges - Lord Drummond Young, Lord Menzies and Lord Turnbull - set the date for the hearing for Tuesday.
Updated
Tom Watson told to 'hang his head' and resign after raising Beech accusations in parliament
Daniel Janner, the son of the late Labour MP Greville Janner, who was one of Beech’s victims, has also accused the deputy Labour leader, Tom Watson, who raised the matter in parliament after speaking to Beech, of being “partially responsible”. He claimed Watson “applied pressure on the police and should hang his head in shame and resign”.
Watson, who was a backbencher at the time, said the review contained “multiple inaccuracies” about him and that it did not make clear letters from him about allegations against Brittan were received by police after they had already interviewed the pper.
In a statement, he said it “cannot be argued that it was pressure from me that led to Lord Brittan being interviewed”.
He added: “I have always said that it wasn’t my place to judge whether sexual abuse allegations were true or false – that was for the police.”
Updated
Steve Rodhouse, the officer in charge of Operation Midland and Operation Vincente – an investigation into a separate rape claim against the former home secretary Leon Brittan – has issued an apology.
I am sincerely sorry for the distress that has been caused to innocent people and their families as a consequence of Operation Midland and Operation Vincente.
In hindsight I can see that I did not ensure that we got the balance right between our determination to maintain that confidence and our duty to robustly test the allegations being made.
I understand the criticisms that have been made of my decisions during these investigations but I acted with the best of intentions throughout and I hope that I have demonstrated the transparency, honesty and integrity which have always been vital to me; my decisions were not taken lightly or without great consideration of their impact.
Nevertheless, I sincerely regret the damage that the investigation caused to the reputations of those who were accused and for the hurt felt by their families.
Updated
Downing Street has said the public needed to be assured that the Met had learned lessons from the case.
A No 10 spokeswoman said:
This is a deeply concerning case. The trial of Carl Beech raised serious issues over the Metropolitan police response. We welcome the decision to publish further detail. It is vital the public receives independent assurances that the Met has learned lessons identified in this review.
That is why the home secretary has asked Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services to follow up on the report’s findings and ensure the necessary improvements have been made and continue to be made.
The Met’s deputy commissioner, Sir Stephen House, said:
The Met is determined to learn lessons from Sir Richard’s review to improve our response to similar situations in the future. The Met and the officers involved cooperated fully with Sir Richard.
Mistakes were made in Operation Midland and we have apologised for those. We apologise for them again today. However, we do not agree with everything Sir Richard wrote in his report or indeed all of his recent statements regarding further investigations into the actions of officers.
This morning, the former Tory MP Harvey Proctor called for the Met police commissioner, Cressida Dick, to consider her position.
“She showed no leadership or professional ability to insist on investigation into Beech himself,” he said, accusing her of failing to amend previously inaccurate statements on the credibility of Beech’s allegations.
“Her inaction was irresponsible and immoral and she should now consider her position.”
Updated
Scotland Yard officers 'agreed to tell media they believed VIP abuse claims'
Moving away from Rory Stewart for now, it has emerged that Scotland Yard officers agreed to tell the media they believed “Nick”, the key witness into an ill-fated multi-million pound investigation into an alleged Westminster VIP paedophile ring, whose claims sparked a major police operation.
A new report reveals that revelation was omitted three years ago when the Metropolitan police released a heavily redacted version of the high court judge’s report on its handling of the £2.5m Operation Midland, which shut without a single arrest.
Former High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques said a “major contributing factor was the culture that ‘victims’ must be believed” in his findings.
The report added:
Whilst the responsible officers assert that they kept an open mind, several failures can only be explained by an unwarranted and disproportionate belief in ‘Nick’s’ credibility.
The most significant error in this investigation was the decision to apply for search warrants coupled with formulating inaccurate statements which were placed before the district judge.
But for that decision, this investigation may well have been completed without the dreadful adverse consequences I have described.
The operation saw the homes of D-Day veteran Lord Edwin Bramall; Lady Diana Brittan, the widow of former home secretary Leon Brittan; and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor raided on the basis of false claims made by fantasist Carl Beech, who was jailed earlier this year for perverting the course of justice.
My colleagues Simon Murphy and Vikram Dodd have the full story, which will be updated shortly.
Updated
You can read the newly announced mayoral candidate’s letter to Londoners in full here.
Here is an excerpt:
We are going to have to work together to lead London through one of the most challenging times in its history, through the uncertainty of Brexit, and in the face of an ever more divisive politics.
And there is so much to do immediately. I felt this in Poplar, when I saw a man who had just been stabbed to death in a park, and when a woman in the neighbourhood led me into a public lavatory, to show me male heroin addicts shooting up in the female cubicles.
I felt it in Lewisham, where some people are living with seven people in a two-room flat, and waiting three weeks for a GP appointment.
I feel it through the frustration of tech entrepreneurs, struggling to plan for the future. And almost every day I feel the consequences of the vicious party divisions in Westminster.
Updated
There is also confirmation that Stewart’s video on the Millenium bridge was a genuine selfie, after he was forced to admit pretending to hold his phone in Kew Gardens during a clip he posted back in May.
Ok, turns out he was holding the camera... https://t.co/dauxnC4J9p
— Owen Gibson (@owen_g) October 4, 2019
It now appears that the former international development secretary resigned on stage at the Royal Albert Hall last night, where he also read a letter from Boris Johnson’s Eton house master in 1982.
Stewart has released a video next to St Paul’s cathedral, warning that London is in danger from Brexit and that “extremism is taking over” the UK.
I am running as an Independent candidate for Mayor of London, and here’s why.
— Rory Stewart (@RoryStewartUK) October 4, 2019
Please join me in my campaign: https://t.co/8y3xWpl9hY#Rory4London pic.twitter.com/jnaNy8IF0s
The former diplomat and deputy governor in Iraq also told the Standard:
It’s always difficult to run against your own party. It’s been a painful journey for me. I suppose it was really crystallised when I had the Conservative whip removed.
I’ve been proud to be a member of the Conservative party. There are many values I share with it. I parted company largely over Brexit and the tone of the party, which has become increasingly aggressive.
Updated
Stewart to stand for mayor of London as an independent
In a letter published in the Evening Standard, Stewart said:
Our leaders have become so bad at listening to the people ... Instead, they have retreated to a madhouse of mutual insults in the Gothic shouting chamber of Westminster, pitting one group against another – rich against poor, London against the rest, Brexit against Remain – and all the time getting further and further away from compromise, practical solutions, and the centre ground. And this is why I’ve decided to stand, not for a party, but as an independent.
Stewart’s decision marks a blow to the Tory candidate Shaun Bailey before the election in May 2020. The former youth worker’s campaign has been criticised and the current mayor, Sadiq Khan, has remained odds-on to secure a second term.
Today’s @EveningStandard exclusive: Rory Stewart is standing to be Mayor of London as an independent pic.twitter.com/8hzakgnwwa
— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) October 4, 2019
Updated
The president of the Conservative Association for Rory Stewart’s constituency has said the party is heading in an “extreme” direction.
Robert Craig, president of the Penrith and The Border Conservative Association, told the PA news agency:
It’s a great shame and it is not unexpected given he is still out in the wilderness with the whip removed. I suppose had that changed... it seems to have become clear that that wasn’t going to change and he has other ambitions.
Asked if Stewart would have remained as a Tory MP if the whip has not been withdrawn from him, Craig replied: “Possibly.”
He said Stewart had told him of the decision about two weeks ago, and that the reason for his resignation would become clear later today.
He was really popular and a great, inspirational MP, who actually appealed to a lot of people who wouldn’t have got involved in the Conservative Party locally.
In itself it is really sad because quite a lot of us are really quite fed up with where this situation has got now. The direction of the party... I really struggle now to align myself with the leadership and where we are heading, the extremity of where we are at. It’s not broad it’s not moderate, it’s extreme.
Craig added that he did not try and convince Stewart to remain in the post and instead “congratulated” him on his next move, which he did not reveal.
Boris Johnson's Brexit proposals are the government's 'final offer', says Lewis
The Home Office minister Brandon Lewis told the Today programme this morning:
From our point of view it’s a final offer. But we are open and understand the fact that the EU may come back and say ‘Look, this deal is fine, but can we just look at this...?’ and we’ll have to look at that when we get to that point.
But I’ve got to say, to be frank, as the prime minister said, this is our clear final deal. We think it’s a good deal, it’s a fair deal, it delivers both legally and security-wise for both our country here in the UK and obviously our friends in Europe.
Asked if the government was willing to enter into negotiations, he said:
From our point of view, this is the final deal, but we’ll wait and see what our partners in the EU come back and say.
He then claimed there was a “building majority” of MPs who supported the plan. He also discussed police and security services having access to messages sent on the web, as Peter Walker notes.
On R4 Brandon Lewis is arguing for this mysterious form of web semi-encryption which allows access to messages for good police and security services but is mysteriously impermeable to repressive regimes/hackers etc. Seems to only be available to UK ministers, oddly.
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) October 4, 2019
Updated
The Scottish National party MP Joanna Cherry has told Good Morning Scotland that Boris Johnson “has form for doing things that are unlawful”.
We’re not bringing this case because we think there’s any loophole in the Benn act. We’re bringing this case because we’re dealing with a British prime minister who brags about not obeying the law and has form for doing things that are unlawful.
Boris Johnson is not above the law, whether in Scotland or south of the border, thanks to the decision of the UK supreme court.
If this court case achieves nothing else but getting him to be clear about what his position is, then it will have achieved something.
Updated
Later today, the court of session – Scotland’s highest civil court – will hear arguments about whether Boris Johnson can be forced to extend article 50.
This would avert a no-deal Brexit if a deal is not struck and passed through parliament, and the legal action will ask the court to require Johnson to seek an extension to avoid leaving the EU without a deal.
The legal action, led by the businessman Vince Dale, the Scottish National party MP Joanna Cherry, and the Good Law Project lawyer Jolyon Maugham QC, could also see a court official given the power to sign the letter if the prime minister refuses to do so.
The Benn act was passed by parliament last month requiring the government to ask for an extension until 31 January if an agreement is not reached with the EU by 19 October.
Cherry, who was described as the “driving force” behind the case, said:
Like much of what Boris Johnson says, there is a gulf of truth between the obvious facts of the matter and what he and his government have been saying. He cannot be trusted, and this court action is about ensuring he abides by the law.
If Boris Johnson tries to defy the law and defy both the Holyrood and Westminster parliaments by crashing out of the EU without a deal – then we are calling on the Scottish courts to uphold the law.
Maugham told the Independent yesterday:
This is a very simple case. Our supreme parliament – elected from 46 million – has directed the prime minister – elected from 160,000 – to seek an extension. That is the law, and no man or woman is above it.
Despite the announcement of Johnson’s plans for Northern Ireland, many still suspect he will try to ignore the legislation – which is thought to only be able to obstruct no-deal – and leave the EU on 31 October regardless.
The outer house court hearing today will seek an order to ensure Johnson requests an extension to the article 50 process if he refuses to abide by the terms of the Benn act.
My colleague Severin Carrell will be at the court.
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MPs from beyond the Conservative party have tweeted about Stewart’s resignation.
This is a huge loss. Rory has been a strong voice for Cumbria and for decency, moderation and common sense. https://t.co/2g7wXA64GE
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) October 4, 2019
I was sorry to see @RoryStewartUK step down as a prison minister determined on reform. And now sad to see that he’s leaving parlt. Best wishes for the future! https://t.co/LSZyA4ceJY
— Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) October 4, 2019
Stewart, a former Cabinet minister, was among the 21 rebels who had the whip removed by Boris Johnson when they backed a move in the Commons designed to block a no-deal Brexit.
The Penrith and The Border MP ran against Johnson in the race to lead the party in June, staging a memorable, old-school campaign where his video campaigning and public walkabouts earned him acclaim.
However, he fell at the third hurdle – failing to receive enough endorsements from MPs – amid speculation that Johnson’s supporters had acted in concert to oust Dominic Raab, after Stewart received fewer votes than in the previous ballot.
Upon news of the vote, the then international development secretary said he frequently didn’t know what Johnson “actually believes about anything” and that he was worried Johnson would let people down as PM.
Stewart, a staunch opponent of a no-deal Brexit, did not immediately give any reason for his decision to leave the party.
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Nick Boles, who also resigned from the party earlier this year, said today marked “a personal liberation for Rory”.
He tweeted: “Last rites are being read for moderate One Nation conservatism. Rory Stewart joins Ruth Davidson, Sam Gyimah, Amber Rudd and many others. A sad day for British politics but a personal liberation for Rory who will go on to greater things, no doubt.”
Ruth Davidson, the former Tory leader in Scotland who resigned earlier this year, citing the conflict she felt over Brexit, tweeted:
Very sorry to see. Our party should have room for talented, experienced and committed people from across the Conservative spectrum. https://t.co/zeri6XHvJ1
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) October 4, 2019
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Rory Stewart quits Tories and will stand down as MP at next election
The former Tory leadership candidate Rory Stewart has resigned from the Conservative party, saying he will stand down at the next general election.
It’s been a great privilege to serve Penrith and The Border for the last ten years, so it is with sadness that I am announcing that I will be standing down at the next election, and that I have also resigned from the Conservative Party.
— Rory Stewart (@RoryStewartUK) October 4, 2019
You can read my colleague Peter Walker’s story in full:
Stewart’s former cabinet colleague Amber Rudd tweeted: “What a loss to politics. An outstanding MP and minister. One of the strongest speakers in parliament. Principled, patient, thoughtful. I feel certain he’ll be back.”
We’ll bring you developments as they happen, and here are all our latest political articles, as well as Politico’s roundup of all today’s news and a schedule for the day.
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