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As it happenedended

Boris Johnson news: More than 50 Labour MPs ‘ready to back new Brexit deal’, amid fears PM ready to cut Northern Ireland loose

Follow along with how the day in Westminster unfolded

Adam Forrest,Ashley Cowburn,Samuel Osborne
Tuesday 10 September 2019 18:45 EDT
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Arlene Foster warns that Northern Ireland backstop would amount to 'break-up of UK'

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More than 50 Labour MPs could be ready to rally behind a compromise Brexit agreement allowing Boris Johnson to avoid crashing out of the EU, according to a leading member of a cross-party group.

It comes as DUP leader Arlene Foster demanded a meeting with Mr Johnson amid growing unionist fears that he will cut Northern Ireland loose in his desperation for a deal.

Tory rebel Oliver Letwin, meanwhile, has backed a second Brexit referendum, while Jeremy Corbyn vowed Labour would fight a general election with the “biggest people-powered campaign we’ve ever seen”.

Follow along with how the day in Westminster unfolded

Adam Forrest10 September 2019 14:16

Adam Forrest10 September 2019 14:35

Rhondda Labour MP Chris Bryant has confirmed he wants to succeed John Bercow as Commons speaker and will stand in the race.

Earlier former Labour minister Harriet Harman confirmed she also wants to replace him in the post when he stands down on 31 October.

Adam Forrest10 September 2019 14:40
Adam Forrest10 September 2019 14:58

Adam Forrest10 September 2019 15:03

Lord Paddy Ashdown was a man for “ideals, not shabby deals”, a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in honour of the former Liberal Democrat leader has heard.

Tory ex-prime minister Sir John Major paid the glowing tribute to a man he said was a “spontaneous optimist” as he addressed a congregation that included fellow ex-premiers Tony Blair, David Cameron and Gordon Brown.

Describing Lord Ashdown as a “political opponent who became a friend”, Sir John said: “Not one moment of Paddy’s life and times was ever wasted.

“He was always an internationalist, wedded to reason and consensus and dismissive of tribal politics. A man for ideals, not shabby deals.”

Adam Forrest10 September 2019 15:20

Our associate editor Sean O’Grady thinks MPs and the public have a right to know the truth: did the PM tell the truth to the head of state about his reasons for proroguing parliament? 

With MPs voting in favour of a motion demanding the government hands over all communications, we could be about to find out soon.

Adam Forrest10 September 2019 15:30

Adam Forrest10 September 2019 15:40

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has condemned Iran over claims the country breached assurances not to deliver oil to any EU-sanctioned entity in Iran or elsewhere.  

Mr Raab has now summoned the Iranian ambassador, saying the actions represent an unacceptable violation of international norms.

He said: “Iran has shown complete disregard for its own assurances over Adrian Darya 1.“This sale of oil to Assad’s brutal regime is part of a pattern of behaviour by the Government of Iran designed to disrupt regional security.

"This includes illegally supplying weapons to Houthi insurgents in Yemen, support for Hezbollah terrorists and most recently its attempts to hijack commercial ships passing through the Gulf.”“We want Iran to come in from the cold but the only way to do that is to keep its word and comply with the rules based international system."

Ashley Cowburn10 September 2019 15:46

Union leaders have voted to throw their weight behind a day of global school climate strikes inspired by schoolgirl Greta Thunberg, writes political correspondent Lizzy Buchan.

Delegates at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) backed a motion calling for a 30-minute action on 20 September, in a show of solidarity with young people protesting the looming climate crisis.

While stopping short of strike action, members were encouraged to spend half an hour backing the school strikers, either in protest, walk-outs or support for teenagers walking out of class.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady, who brought the motion, said: “The trade union movement is sending a clear message today that it is up to the challenge of fighting the climate crisis and building a stronger and greener economy.

“Climate change is a trade union issue and our planet's future is at risk. The work done by Greta Thunberg and school students around the world has been inspirational and now it's time for the rest of us to catch up.”

Ashley Cowburn10 September 2019 15:59

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