Boris Johnson news – live: Bercow scuppers bid for fresh vote on Brexit deal amid court challenge over 'childish' EU letters
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson is to seek to fast-track legislation to ratify his Brexit deal through the Commons in just three days as he attempts to avoid another delay to Britain’s departure from the EU.
Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg told MPs debate on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill would start on Tuesday with ministers hoping to get it through all its Commons stages by Thursday.
MPs have strongly condemned the prime minister for giving MPs only until Thursday to debate the draft legislation, which was shown to be 110 pages long with 125 pages of notes when it was published.
Ministers are likely to face opposition attempts to amend the legislation, including the “programme motion” setting out the Commons timetable for the bill.
It came after John Bercow, the Speaker, blocked Mr Johnson’s request to hold a vote on his deal after he ruled that the government could not re-run the same vote.
More than a quarter of a million people sign letter demanding Final Say vote
More than 250,000 people have added their names to an open letter demanding a Final Say referendum in only 48 hours.
The letter, organised by People’s Vote and The Independent, urges senior figures in the UK and EU to allow the British public hold a fresh vote on the PM’s deal.
It can be signed at www.peoples-vote.uk/letter.
Scottish court allows legal challenge over Benn Act to continue
The Court of Session – Scotland’s highest civil court – has decided a legal challenge to make sure that Boris Johnson complies with the Benn Act will continue this week.
Lord Carloway said he wanted to make sure the prime minister obeys the law in full. The date for the next hearing has not yet been set.
Jo Maugham QC – one of the campaigners who brought the case – says he’s “delighted” by the decision.
Donald Tusk ‘consulting’ on Brexit extension
Boris Johnson’s apparent attempt to thwart delay by not signing his extension letter properly “doesn’t change anything” about the request, Brussels has said.
“President Tusk acknowledged receipt of the extension request on Saturday. And as he stated he’s now consulting with the EU27. So for us this form doesn't change anything,” said European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva.
Our Europe correspondent Jon Stone has all the details.
Labour MP says she will back PM’s deal at second reading
Labour MP Lisa Nandy has offered backing for Boris Johnson’s deal and says she will “support the [withdrawal agreement] bill at second reading”.
She warned that people will “seriously start to compromise because the stakes are very high indeed”.
Labour secures urgent question on Boris Johnson's Brexit deal
It is going to be a busy afternoon in the Commons. The Speaker has granted two urgent questions, which will then be followed by three government statements.
Jacob Rees-Mogg's statement on upcoming business should be interesting for Brexit watchers, as will Jeremy Corbyn's urgent question.
Confused? Your guide to what could happen in Brexit this week
Another meaningful vote, the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and an emergency summit could be on the cards ahead of the Halloween Brexit deadline.
Steve Barclay says failure to hold vote on Saturday was 'disappointing' for government
The Brexit secretary is appearing at the Lords EU select committee, where he is being grilled by peers on the Brexit process.
He said it was "disappointing" that the meaningful vote did not take place on Saturday.
"I think the deal is a win, not just for the UK, but for the EU as well, who want to see the UK leave in a smooth and orderly way. And it was obviously frustrating I think for many of us on Saturday that we were not able to have the meaningful vote," Mr Barclay said.
Mr Barclay also admitted that businesses in Northern Ireland would need to complete extra forms for exports, which would be a big administrative burden for firms.
Asked if the UK could still crash out of the EU after the transition period, Mr Barclay said: "I just don't see that as a credible scenario, because firstly we have just seen the Prime Minister deliver a deal when he was accused of having a sham negotiation and going for no deal.
"Secondly, both sides have agreed a framework for the negotiations and legal commitments to expedite those discussions and to act in good faith."
First ministers of Scotland and Wales write to EU asking for extension
Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford have written a joint letter to Donald Tusk, the European Council president, asking for him to support an extension. They have also written to Boris Johnson to set out their concerns.
SNP MP subjected to abuse outside parliament
The prominent Scottish nationalist MP Joanna Cherry – the QC who has been a leading part of legal cases against Boris Johnson over the past few months – has tweeted about abuse she received outside parliament today.
The Derby remark no doubt refers to the rebel army of Scots, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, who reached the English city of Derby in 1745.
MPs consider amendment to remove no deal ‘trapdoor’ at end of 2020
So far today the two amendments the Labour party is now very keen on – a second referendum and a customs union with the EU – have been subject to a lot of discussion.
But there is a speculation there could be a third amendment attached to Boris Johnson’s deal – one aimed at preventing any possibility the UK could crash out of the EU at the end of the transition period in December 2020 without trade agreements in place.
ITV’s Paul Brand suggests this will prove the most popular amendment.
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