Senior Tory reveals plot to oust Boris Johnson on first day as PM in extraordinary revelation
Former premier Sir John Major warns of constitutional crisis over ‘do or die’ Brexit plan
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.A former Europe minister has revealed he quit the government to table an emergency motion in parliament that could have blocked Boris Johnson from becoming prime minister.
Sir Alan Duncan‘s motion was rejected by speaker John Bercow but it exposes the depth of rifts within the Conservative Party over the expected elevation to 10 Downing Street of the Brexiteer who has vowed to take the UK out of the EU in October, deal or no deal.
At the same time Mr Johnson was warned he faces “constitutional crisis” within weeks over his “do or die” plans.
Sir John Major became the third former PM in as many days to issue a stern warning about a premiership led by Mr Johnson, who is expected to be confirmed as Britain’s next prime minister on Tuesday.
Whoever succeeds Theresa May “must choose whether to be the spokesman for an ultra-Brexit faction or the servant of the nation he leads” said the former Tory premier.
“He cannot be both,” he said.
Further pro-EU ministers are expected to follow chancellor Philip Hammond, justice secretary David Gauke and international development secretary Rory Stewart in resigning before they can be sacked by Mr Johnson.
The moves came on the day Jo Swinson was elected as the first female leader of the Liberal Democrats, defeating Ed Davey in the race to replace Sir Vince Cable.
And Jeremy Corbyn outlined proposals to accelerate the expulsion of antisemites from Labour‘s ranks.
See below for what was our live coverage
We are expecting the results of the Liberal Democrat leadership contest within the hour, as Sir Vince Cable prepares to hand over power.
Jo Swinson has been the favourite for some time but Sir Ed Davey is apparently putting up a good fight.
Read this piece from the weekend about how the contest is on a knife edge:
Alan Duncan has revealed he decided to resign as foreign minister so he could push for an emergency vote that would have seen Boris Johnson forced out of Downing Street as soon as he is elected
We are poised for the announcement of the new Liberal Democrat leader any moment.
You can watch the livestream here:
BREAKING: The new Liberal Democrat leader is Jo Swinson.
A record number of members voters took part - with some 47,000 votes, while Ed Davey has 28,020 votes.
Jo Swinson says she is "absolutely over the moon" at result, "as the first woman to lead our party".
She says she joined the party at 17-years-old and it has been like a family to her, with all the ups and downs.
Swinson says the party is 'ready for the fight of our lives'. Some people say liberalism has had its day but she can tell from the energy in the room that liberalism is not dead.
She says she will do whatever it takes to stop Brexit.
Jo Swinson pays tribute to her rival Sir Ed Davey, who she says will pay a crucial role in the party's future.
She also praises Sir Vince Cable for all his work leading the party, saying she has big shoes to fill.
The SNP are straight out of the blocks, urging Jo Swinson to rule out any future pacts with the Conservatives and "apologise" for cuts made under the previous Lib Dem-Tory coalition.
The crucial thing to know is Ms Swinson's East Dunbartonshire seat is at the top of the SNP's hit list in a general election.
Within two minutes of the announcement, SNP's Mhairi Black had put out a statement.
She said: "Jo Swinson was one of the most enthusiastic cheerleaders for the Tory coalition government.
"She must move quickly to apologise for the devastating cuts she imposed, and rule out any future Tory pact - if she wants anyone to believe the Lib Dems have changed their ways.
"People haven't forgotten that it was the Lib Dems who trebled university tuition fees to £9,000 a year, scrapped the Education Maintenance Allowance, introduced the bedroom tax, imposed the cap on public sector pay, and the damaging cuts to social security for disabled people.
"While the SNP has consistently opposed Tory cuts, the Lib Dems enabled the worst of them - pushing millions of people into poverty and inequality, and forcing families to rely on food banks and emergency aid to feed their children."
Ian Lavery, Labour chairman, also pointed to Jo Swinson's record during the coalition years.
He said: “Jo Swinson sat at the top table of the coalition government and voted for vicious attacks on the most vulnerable and tax cuts for the super-rich and big businesses.
“Austerity couldn’t have happened without Liberal Democrats – leading to shocking levels of child poverty, the tripling of tuition fees, a homelessness crisis and rising food bank use.
“Labour is the only party that can stop the Tories, and transform Britain so that it works for the many not the few."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments