Boris Johnson news: PM discusses Brexit with Trump in phone call, after critical date for commons bid to block no-deal revealed
John Bolton arrives in UK as rebel MPs plot against prime minister
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Your support makes all the difference.Rebel MPs are plotting to rewrite the Commons rulebook and rip up parliament’s standing orders in a bid to prevent Boris Johnson from forcing through a no-deal Brexit, The Independent has learnt.
It comes as No 10 pinpoints Monday 9 September as the critical day for a legislative battle with the cross-party campaign to block a no-deal departure.
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott suggested Labour was gearing up to table a no-confidence motion in the PM.
Green MP Caroline Lucas, meanwhile, apologised after not including any people of colour in her proposed all-female “emergency cabinet”.
The fractured British political scene also played host to John Bolton, the US’ National Security Adviser, who arrived in the UK to meet with British officials.
Speaking following a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on a visit to London, Mr Bolton said the US could focus on certain sectors like manufacturing and car-making where the two countries may agree, and work out more complicated areas later.
Mr Bolton said US trade negotiators think this is acceptable under World Trade Organisation rules.
Mr Bolton also said issues like security in Iran, and fears over Huawei’s involvement in the UK’s 5G network could wait until after Brexit to be resolved.
A Downing Street statement said: “The Prime Minister joined a meeting at Downing Street today between senior officials and US National Security adviser John Bolton.
“They discussed the close UK-US trading relationship and our shared commitment to an ambitious free trade agreement once the UK leaves the EU.
“They also spoke about Brexit and a range of other issues – including Iran, Hong Kong and 5G.”
If you would like to see how the day’s events unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below:
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of developments at Westminster and beyond, as Boris Johnson chairs a Downing Street meeting of leaders from police, probation and prison sectors to discuss his plans for law and order.
Can the rebels stop a no-deal Brexit? Secret talks are being held by cross-party MPs on a plan to rip up parliament’s standing orders with the aim of coming up with a bill compelling the prime minister to seek an extension from the EU.
Read all the details in The Independent’s exclusive story.
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott has refused to say whether Labour will move a vote of no confidence against Boris Johnson’s government in the first week of parliament’s return, said:
“It’s above my pay grade to say when we’ll move the vote of no confidence,” she told Radio 4’s Today programme.
“But who has confidence in Boris Johnson apart from the people around him? The more he announces these bogus, unfunded announcements, I think the less confidence there will be in him in the general public.”
Told the motion has to be moved soon to stop Brexit, Abbott replied: “Yes it does. But one of the things we have to do is consult with other parties – it’s no good moving a vote of no confidence if the Lib Dems, for instance, are not going to vote for it.”
She added: "We are talking to all of the other parties in parliament and if we move for a vote of no confidence we'll want to do it with confidence that we can win it.”
Boris Johnson has said dangerous criminals must be taken off the streets and punishments “truly fit the crime” if the public was to have confidence in the justice system.
He also announced an extra £85m for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to help it manage its caseload. It follows a series of announcements over the weekend in which he promised to “come down hard” on crime, including a £2.5bn programme to create 10,000 additional prison places and the extension of police stop-and-search powers.
Here’s our home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden with the details.
Justice secretary Robert Buckland has been reminded he previously said it was the duty of government to avoid the “chaos of a crash-out Brexit” on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme,
“I have consistently argued that point and I still do [believe] that … that’s why I think the work that’s been done within government to ensure an orderly Brexit is vital,” he said.
“The choice that faces us now is either disorder in terms of Brexit or an orderly, sensible approach and that’s why I’m really pleased the structure of cabinet committees, the way in which government is bearing down upon the issues, shows a sense of urgency and purpose that is absolutely essential if we’re to avoid the sort of disorder I’ve talked about.”
Buckland said he believes the PM is in favour of “as orderly a Brexit as possible – that is why the work of government at the moment is focused hugely on that effort.”
He added “there is a difference between crashing out and not achieving a deal”, and said ongoing work will “avoid the chaos of a crash-out”.
One leading think tank has warned that the government is “running out of time” to block a no-deal Brexit in parliament.
The Institute for Government (IFG) has said MPs may have limited opportunities to stop it, saying if Johnson loses a vote of confidence he may still try to plough on regardless.
The IFG report explores why there was less scope for MPs to make their voices heard than there was under Theresa May in the run up to the previous March 29 deadline.
Even if MPs do succeed in forming an alternative government, it would still need to go to Brussels to seek another Brexit extension and the EU would have to approve it, all with time rapidly running out.
In a strategy note circulated to 300 MPs, Labour MP Margaret Beckett and Tory MP Dominic Grieve have urged their colleagues to focus on the arguments for a second Brexit referendum.
The memo warns that getting caught up solely on constitutional battles in the months’ ahead risks playing into Downing Street’s hands.
Here’s Ashley Cowburn with the details.
Amid much talk of cancelled holiday plans, the rebel Tory MP David Gauke – who tweeted photos of himself messing about with the inflatable unicorn made famous by the England World Cup squad – has revealed his vacation is over.
Today marks the first day of grouse hunting season – the “glorious twelfth”. Or, as animal rights activists have it, the “inglorious twelfth”.
Labour has called for an immediate review of the practice over concerns the burning of the Scottish moors is causing environmental damage. The party has suggested hunters could do some “simulated shooting” instead.
Ashley Cowburn has more.
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson has responded to comments made by justice secretary Robert Buckland.
Having previously warned of the “chaos of a crash-out Brexit”, Buckland told Today that a no-deal Brexit need not be chaotic if properly planned for. Swinson, unsurprisingly, is not convinced.
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