Boris Johnson news: Corbyn urges Tory MPs to help block no-deal Brexit after opposition leaders agree plan at crunch meeting

A note of caution for anyone getting excited by today’s agreement.

Party leaders are “still discussing the actual methodology” of how the legislative route might work, but they have, for now, agreed to focus on that and keep any vote of no-confidence in the government as a plan B.

We’re expecting a joint statement from opposition party leaders shortly.

In other news, the popular Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb has announced he is standing down at the next general election.

We have that joint statement issued following the cross-party Brexit talks led by Jeremy Corbyn.

Westminster opposition leaders said they “agreed on the urgency to act together to find practical ways to prevent no-deal, including the possibility of passing legislation and a vote of no confidence”.

Boris Johnson and the European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker will talk on Tuesday as efforts continue to find a Brexit deal.

The PM is also sending his EU “Sherpa” – Europe adviser David Frost – for talks with Brussels officials on Wednesday.

European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said the phone call between Johnson and Juncker would be a chance to “touch base” following the G7 summit, which the commission president was unable to attend for health reasons.

“More generally I think we have been saying that we stand ready to of course engage constructively with the UK on any concrete proposals that are compatible with the Withdrawal Agreement, so this is exactly in the spirit of constructiveness and engagement that the two will speak later in the afternoon.”

British officials believe there has been a “rhetorical shift” in recent days from the EU side, who have previously viewed the Withdrawal Agreement and backstop as “sacrosanct”.

While sources do not yet believe there has been a substantial change in the EU’s position, the UK wants to use the perceived shift to prise open some space for negotiation.

Asked whether the prime minister was willing to accept the existing Withdrawal Agreement if the backstop is removed, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “We have been clear the changes we are seeking relate to the backstop.”

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the cross-party meeting had been “positive and productive”.

He said: “With no mandate or majority, the numbers are stacking up against Boris Johnson and his extreme Brexit. The possibility of stopping Brexit is real and must be realised.

“Parliament must grasp this opportunity, unite to stop Boris Johnson shutting down democracy - and be ready to use all mechanisms to block a no-deal disaster, including deploying legislation as a priority.

“The SNP will play our full part and do everything we can to stop Brexit - but Scotland’s future will not be left in Westminster’s hands.”

Boris Johnson is on course for a major row with Conservative Brexiteers after Downing Street admitted that he is only seeking to changes to one part of the current Brexit deal – the backstop.

Benjamin Kentish has more.

That joint statement from the Labour Party, SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, the Green Party and the Independent Group for Change, in full:

“The leaders of the opposition parties held a productive and detailed meeting on stopping a disastrous no-deal exit from the EU.

“Jeremy Corbyn outlined the legal advice he has received from shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti which calls Boris Johnson's plans to suspend parliament to force through a no-deal ‘the gravest abuse of power and attack upon UK constitutional principle in living memory’.

“The attendees agreed that Boris Johnson has shown himself open to using anti-democratic means to force through no deal.

“The attendees agreed on the urgency to act together to find practical ways to prevent no-deal, including the possibility of passing legislation and a vote of no confidence.

“The party leaders agreed to further meetings.”

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said opposition leaders had a “very positive meeting” and agreement that pursuing legislative means to stop a no-deal Brexit should be the focus of the opposition.

Speaking on the BBC’s World at One programme, she said: “What is clear is there is a real sense of urgency. We don't have time to lose. We are very much looking to act as soon as possible.”

Swinson said the opposition politicians did not discuss who would lead a caretaker government if Johnson lost a vote of no confidence.

A Downing Street source has responded to the agreement forged by the opposition MPs, describing it as “perverse”.

The No 10 spokesperson said: “We are now making progress because our European partners realise we are serious about leaving the EU on October 31 - no ifs, no buts.

“It’s utterly perverse that Corbyn and his allies are actively seeking to sabotage the UK’s position.

“This coalition of anti-democrats should be honest with the British public, they are against us leaving the EU no matter what.

“The government believes politicians don't get to choose which public votes they respect.”