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As it happenedended

Brexit - as it happened: Boris Johnson makes first speech since resigning over Theresa May's Chequers deal

Follow for all the latest updates from Westminster, as they happened

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Wednesday 18 July 2018 12:50 EDT
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Boris Johnson: 'We are volunteering for economic vassalage'

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Boris Johnson has claimed "it is not too late to save Brexit" in his first speech since resigning from government, where he tore into Theresa May's Chequers plan.

The ex-foreign secretary gave a resignation statement to MPs, where he claimed a "fog of self-doubt'' has fallen over Britain since the prime minister's Lancaster House speech and claimed her new plan would reduce the UK to "economic vassalage".

However Ms May was spared the pleasure of listening to his address, as she faced grilling by senior MPs on the Liaison Committee over her Brexit record.

Ms May also attempted to rally her deeply divided party at a meeting of the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers.

Earlier, Jeremy Corbyn attempted to exploit divisions in the Conservative ranks by claiming the party was “too busy fighting each other to negotiate” during prime minister's questions.

The Labour leader was also embroiled in a fresh antisemitism row after a veteran MP was heard berating him for being a "f****** antisemite and a racist".

His office has vowed to take action against Dame Margaret Hodge, for the comments, which came amid a furious internal row over the party's new code of conduct.

See below for live updates

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:28

Earlier, Tory MP David TC Davies told Conservative colleagues to 'stop the fear-mongering' and support May's Brexit plan, in a bit of a boost for the PM.

He is a Brexiteer, so it's worth noting.

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:29

Labour's Sharon Hodgson asks about closures of urgent care centres in her constituency.

PM says its right that decisions are taken at a local level.

Tory MP Marcus Jones asks about mental health which he describes as the 'Cinderella service' in the NHS.

PM thanks NHS staff for their work and admits mental health has been ignored for too long. She says its a focus for the government and spending is at record levels.

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:30

John Woodcock gets a huge cheer. He resigned from the Labour party this morning to sit as an independent.

He asks about poor train services, asking May to 'get a grip' on rail delays. Condemns the fact that services were poor on Sunday during the World Cup final.

May says she agrees with him and the rail companies must get a grip on this. Transport for the North was given unprecedented powers, she says.

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:34

David Davis, the ex-Brexit secretary, asks her to publish text of draft EU trade treaty.

May thanks him for his work as Brexit secretary and says she has published trade proposals.

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:35

Cheers for Keith Simpson, who praises May for dealing with ' a huge ego' last week - meaning Donald Trump.

He makes a joke about Boris Johnson, saying he's not referring to the MP for Uxbridge. He raises concerns about the president's meeting with Vladimir Putin.

May says there had to be 'some clarifications' about his statements on Russia. She says Trump showed his support for the UK after the Salisbury poisoning and Russia knows that it cannot act with impunity towards the UK.

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:38

Ex-Brexit minister Steve Baker says contingency plans must continue to be made for a no-deal Brexit.

May says he is right and it is important to prepare for every eventuality - and the EU must know that the UK is prepared to walk away.

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:40

Tory MP Sir Hugo Swire says the Home Affairs committee has asked for the publication of the civil service advice on the Windrush scandal to avoid the perception of a 'cover up'. He's referring to the guidance given to Amber Rudd on deportation targets before she resigned.

May says proper considerations must be made to protect personal information, but the home sec is considering it.

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:43

Anna Soubry asks for suspects not to be named by the media - and pays tribute to Cliff Richard for his legal victory against the BBC over invasion of privacy.

May says its an important point. It is a difficult issue and sometimes the publication of a name can strengthen the case against an individual.

Police and media need to recognise their responsibility, she says.

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:45

Nigel Dodds, of the DUP, asked a question about spina bifida earlier, which is another boost for the PM. If he had asked about Brexit, then she might have been in trouble.

Lizzy Buchan18 July 2018 12:47

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