Boris Johnson news – live: Major blow for prime minister as Commons vote paves way for bill preventing no-deal Brexit
Follow all the latest developments
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rebel Tories have defied Boris Johnson's threats of deselection to align with opposition MPs and derail his Brexit plans in a historic Commons vote.
MPs voted to seize control of the house agenda, paving the way for a bill to be tabled tomorrow that would prevent the prime minister from crashing the country out of the EU on October 31.
The prime minister's statement to the House earlier this evening was upstaged when Tory MP Dr Phillip Lee dramatically crossed the floor to sit with the Liberal Democrats, depriving him of his majority.
Mr Johnson said he would put in train a motion calling for a general election next month.
Labour have said they may vote in favour of such a poll, but only if they could be certain Mr Johnson would not move the date until after Britain is due to leave on October 31, in effect bringing about a no-deal by default.
Here are Mr Johnson's words on Ireland. AFP has reported that he plans to visit the country on Monday.
Does Mr Johnson think that post-no-deal negotiations will provide deals "half as good" as that which the UK already has with countries around the world, asks Ken Clarke, who is sitting next to Theresa May.
"I've long been a fan of" Mr Clarke's, says the PM.
Mr Johnson says he wants a deal, and the best way of doing that is to vote for the government later, he adds.
Ian Blackford comments that Mr Johnson's first addresses in the Commons suggest "this must be the shortest-ever honeymoon period" for a new PM.
Jo Swinson is just asking Mr Johnson about Phillip Lee's defection. She's asking about the risks to the NHS and whether the PM will "stop Brexit".
In response Mr Johnson says there are now more doctors in the system, and talks up recent investment he says he is making.
So ends his answer.
Somewhat tangentially related to UK politics, but...
Donald Trump has once again used Twitter to attack Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London. This time he has misspelled the Labour mayor's name in a spat about golfing.
Philip Hammond's turn...
Will Mr Johnson publish the UK's new deal proposals this afternoon, and then send them to the EU?
"We certainly shall" do a deal, the PM says. "There is no point in having a negotiation... as long as there is a risk that parliament will make that negotiation impossible," he adds. EU leaders ask him what parliament is doing when they talk about a deal, he says.
Mr Johnson further urges the Commons to vote with the government later.
Here, the Indy's video team has put together a short clip showing Phillip Lee's defection.
Here's a bit more detail on Mr Johnson's exchange with Ken Clarke, in which the father of the House's view of the PM's tactics is clear.
Mr Clarke said of Mr Johnson's strategy: "It is to set conditions which makes no-deal inevitable, to make sure as much blame as possible is attached to the EU and to this House for that consequence, and then as quickly as he can fight a flag-waving general election before the consequences of no-deal become too obvious to the public.
"Would [he] let me know whether that clear explanation of his policy is one he entirely accepts?"
Mr Clarke said "years of negotiations" would follow with the EU and the rest of the world to sort new trade, security and other arrangements in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Mr Johnson said he was a "lifelong fan" of Mr Clarke, adding: "I don't want an election, we don't want an election, I don't think [Jeremy Corbyn] wants an election as far as I can make out.
"We want to get the deal done and the best way to get a deal is to support the government in the lobbies tonight."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments