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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Politics
Benjamin Kentish

UK politics - LIVE: Cabinet divisions continue in run up to big Chequers summit on Brexit

Theresa May faces the difficult task of trying to persuade her warring cabinet to agree the government's Brexit negotiating position ( AFP/Getty )

Divisions among senior Conservatives continue to rumble on ahead of a crunch cabinet meeting at Chequers on Friday.

The "away day" will see ministers attempt to thrash out an agreement on the government's Brexit plan, but senior Tories remain split on the UK's future customs relationship with the EU.

Brexiteer backbenchers met with the Julian Smith, the Tory chief whip, to warn they would not tolerate a softening of the government's stance.

Theresa May is expected to continue to meet ministers today to try to get them on board ahead of Friday's showdown.

Later, she will face Jeremy Corbyn at Prime Minister's Questions, with the Labour leader most likely to ask about Brexit or the NHS, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this week.

Live Updates

11:13
Pressure is mounting on Esther McVey over suggestions she misled Parliament several times in relation to a report on universal credit.
 
Opposition politicians are calling for her resignation...
10:55
Here's our full story, by Ashley Cowburn, on the explosive letter sent by the National Audit Office to Esther McVey, accusing her of making statements in Parliament that were "not correct"
 

'Let’s celebrate the NHS’s 70th birthday by burying some myths about it'

The important question is whether more money for the health service will improve outcomes, or whether there’s some kind of structural impediment
10:40
  
As the NHS celebrates its 70th anniversary this week, our economics editor, Ben Chu, debunks some of the most common myths about the health service...
 

'Let’s celebrate the NHS’s 70th birthday by burying some myths about it'

The important question is whether more money for the health service will improve outcomes, or whether there’s some kind of structural impediment
10:23
Conservative peer Baroness Warsi has called for an independent inquiry into Islamophobia in her party after criticising the response to several incidents as "woefully inept".

The former Tory party co-chair said "absolutely nothing tangible has happened" in response to her raising concerns, including by sending Theresa May a dossier of evidence. Writing in The Guardian, Baroness Warsi said: 

"The party needs to be proactive and change its culture."

Words without action are at best flannel and at worst represent simple contempt.

So it's time for my party to set out its stall. Not only does justice need to be done, it needs to be seen to be done.

There should be a forensic, wide-ranging and transparent inquiry into Islamophobia in the party. The process should be published, those who are found wanting should be publicly named and membership withdrawn.

And it needs to be cathartic, allowing witnesses to come forward and tell their stories."

She added:

"For years I have argued that an internal inquiry was the solution to this mess.

"Unfortunately the time for that has now long passed. As a plethora of people and organisations have said, only with a full, independent inquiry can we truly become the party we claim to be: One that deplores prejudice in all its forms and stamps it out wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head."

10:07
TheNational Audit Office has this morning sent a fairly damning letter to Esther McVey, the work and pensions secretary, accusing her of having made false statements in the House of Commons...
 
It relates to Ms McVey's response to an NAO report on universal credit. The minister had claimed the study did not take into account new information - a claim the watchdog denies.
 
The NAO also accused her of having misrepresented the contents of the report.
 
09:51
MPs enjoyed England's World Cup win over Colombia last night as much as anyone, if this video from Tory MP Ben Bradley is anything to go by... Theresa May is yet to comment on rumours it's coming home.
 
09:40
This is the big story this morning - news that the Vote Leave campaign "broke electoral law" by plotting with another group to breach legal spending limits, according to the Electoral Commission. The watchdog is expected to fine the organisation and senior figures, including Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, are likely to face further questions about how much they knew. Story by Rob Merrick...

Official Brexit campaign ‘broke electoral law’ by coordinating with another group to bust spending limit

Data firm Aggregate IQ used the cash to target enough voters to – a whistleblower claimed - potentially sway the referendum result
09:20
As the Tories' Brexit splits show no sign of healing, leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg has been forced to deny he is planning a leadership coup against Theresa May. Full story by Ashley Cowburn
 

Jacob Rees-Mogg rejects claims he is plotting 'coup' against Theresa May

Mr Rees-Mogg also dismissed claims he had amassed a war chest of £750,000 as 'fake news'
09:07
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage from Westminster.
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