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As it happenedended

David Cameron attacks ‘appalling’ successor after PM heckled and accosted in street during northern debacle

PM's last-but-one predecessor warns against a no-deal Brexit 

Adam Forrest,Lizzy Buchan,Jane Dalton
Friday 13 September 2019 13:16 EDT
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Boris Johnson’s speech in Rotherham interrupted by heckler protesting about his decision to suspend parliament

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David Cameron has hit out at Boris Johnson and his Brexit strategy, saying the prime minister was wrong to suspend parliament and warning that a no-deal Brexit would be a “bad outcome”.

It rounded off a dismal day for the prime minister after a trip to Yorkshire descended into chaos when he was confronted by an angry voter over Brexit in Doncaster and heckled over the suspension of parliament during a speech in Rotherham.

The prime minister was setting out plans to hand more powers to the north of England, but was derailed by an audience member, who shouted: “Why are you not in parliament sorting out the mess you’ve created?”

Mr Johnson said he was “cautiously optimistic” of getting a Brexit deal as he prepared for talks on Monday with Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, and negotiator Michel Barnier.

He claimed there was the “rough shape” of a deal in place.

But he made clear that if he was unable to get a new deal, he would not be deterred by “shenanigans” at Westminster from taking Britain out of the EU by 31 October.

His last-but-one predecessor Mr Cameron claimed Mr Johnson had behaved “appallingly” during the Vote Leave campaign.

See below for what was our live coverage

More than 100 cross-party MPs have written to the prime minister, urging him to condemn the planned annexation of the West Bank by the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 12:14

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has been confronted by an angry voter as he continues his unofficial election campaign with another visit to the north of England.

Ahead of a planned speech, he visited Doncaster Corn Exchange, where he purchased a cob loaf, some scones and English plums, joking with a lobster-seller: "We've got to take a few claws out of that Withdrawal Agreement."

Mr Johnson also told one shoe-seller: "We're going to get a deal. That's the plan, anyway. And if we don't, we're coming out on October 31. That's what we're going to do. Here we go, that's democracy."

But one woman told him he "had a cheek" to come to the town and accused him of spinning a "fairytale" over Brexit.

Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 12:19

More than a third of people in Wales would support the country becoming independent if it meant remaining in the EU, according to a striking new poll.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by Plaid Cymru, found 33 per cent would back breaking away from the UK - rising to 41 per cent if excluding "don't knows" - representing the highest level in polling history.

It comes amid concerns that Boris Johnson could be putting the union at risk over his pursuit of a no-deal Brexit, which could lead to a border poll in Northern Ireland and a second independence referendum in Scotland.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said the new poll represented a "historic high" for dreams of an independent Wales, and accused figures in Westminster of "wrecking Wales' future".

Mr Price said: "Westminster is in turmoil. Boris Johnson's reckless Tory government and Jeremy Corbyn's chaotic so-called opposition are wrecking Wales's future.

"It is no wonder that we are witnessing a surge in support for a New Wales - a nation proudly taking its place as an equal partner on the international stage."

The poll, which surveyed 1,039 Welsh adults, found 48 per cent voted "no" when asked if Wales should be independent to remain in the EU.

And only 24 per cent said they would support Welsh independence if a referendum was held tomorrow.

Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 12:43

Boris Johnson is due to make a speech in Rotherham shortly, where he is expected to pledge to give more power to the Northern regions.

Speaking to local business leaders, mayors and councillors, the PM was expected to say: "It is time that we gave more people a say over the places where they live, and it is time that we gave you the proper ability to run things your way.

“We are going to maximise the power of the north. And we are going to make sure that it is people here who are in control over the things that matter to them.

Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 13:00

Boris Johnson is making a speech to business leaders in Rotherham, peppered with a few rather poor gags about local industry.

He says there is 'no limit to the imagination, leadership and ingenuity in the north' but admits that opportunity is not evenly distributed across the UK.

He says the government is 'levelling up' on school funding across the country, backing teachers and tackling 'chronic underfunding' in further education colleges.

Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 13:12

The prime minister is getting heckled, although it is hard to hear what the person was shouting. It sounded like criticism over the suspension of parliament.

Johnson stumbled over his words while the man was addressing him.

Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 13:18

Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 13:19
Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 13:25

The PM struggled through the speech, during which he confirmed plans to devolve transport to regions in the north.

“It is time for the north to run its own trains,” he says.

Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 13:27

Now for the Q&A, the PM is asked how he can deliver on any of these promises if he can't secure an election.

Johnson says he will not be deterred from leaving the EU on 31 October or delivering on his domestic agenda. He says it is entirely relevant to set out his agenda across the country.

He argues there is 'ample time' to consider Brexit and says only 4 days have been lost by suspending parliament.

Lizzy Buchan13 September 2019 13:30

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