Brexit news – live: Corbyn called ‘preening narcissist’ by defeated Labour MP as Boris Johnson warned over ‘strange’ statement

Sturgeon: some politicians ‘rethinking’ indyref2 views

Nicola Sturgeon said that some politicians who had previously opposed a second referendum are now “rethinking” their position.

Scotland’s first minister said: “There are already some signs that those who previously opposed an independence referendum are, when faced with the democratic reality of Thursday's result, now re-thinking that position.

“I welcome that. But let me be clear about this - I do not assume that an acceptance of Scotland’s right to choose will always equate to support for independence - just as I do not assume that everyone who voted SNP last week is yet ready to vote for independence.

“I recognise the work that those of us who support independence still have to do to persuade a clear majority in Scotland that it is the best way forward for our country.”

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon (Getty) 

Newly-elected speaker vows to ‘cherish the best traditions’

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has now been elected as speaker unopposed in the House of Commons (after being formally elected before the general election).

Taking the chair, he said he vows to “cherish the best traditions” of the chair of the speaker. “We have a very busy day ahead of us,” he said as up to 100 MPs prepare to be sworn in.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle speaking in Commons (EPA) 

PM vows to find ‘new and generous spirit’

Boris Johnson is making his first speech to the Commons, and is greeted with loud cheering by the newly-bolstered Conservative backbenches.

He welcomed Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the new speaker. “I think this parliament is a vast improvement on his predecessor - one of the best parliament’s ever produced,” he said, citing the diversity of MPs elected last week.

Johnson continued: “This new democratic parliament - this people’s parliament - is going to do something. What are we going do?” he asked.

“We’re going to get Brexit done - we are going to be able to get on with delivering on the priorities of the British people.”

“After three and a half years of wrangling and division, we in this government will do whatever we can to reach out,” he added. “To find a new and generous spirit to conduct our political dealings with each other.”

Boris Johnson addresses House of Commons (PA) 

‘PM will be judged on whether he keeps promises,’ says Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn, who remains the leader of the Labour Party, echoed the prime minister by paying tributes to the two young people killed in the London Bridge attack last month.

He offered his “congratulations” to Boris Johnson on winning the general election, and offers his apologies to those colleagues who lost their seats at Labour’s crushing defeat.

“The prime minister… will be judged on whether he keeps to his promises.”

“One of the greatest strengths of our parliament is that everyone represents a community - we are there to represent all of them.

“This is the first time a majority of Labour MPs are women,” he added. “This is also the most diverse parliament in history.”

Jeremy Corbyn speaking in Commons (AP) 

Horses on the tracks halt MPs’ journeys

Horses on one of the country’s main railway lines looks like it prevented several MPs from making it in time for the first official meeting of politicians in parliament since the general election.

Labour MP Cat Smith tweeted to say she was held up on her way to London from Lancashire due to the unusual reason of horses being on the line.

“It’s unlikely I’m actually going to make it to parliament in time for it opening at 2.30pm despite leaving 2 and half hours spare.... horses on the West Coast Mainline,” she tweeted.

And the shadow deputy Commons leader said she knew of “at least three” other MPs who were affected by the same hold-up.

“I’m not alone. Aware of at least three other MPs on different delayed trains,” said the Lancaster and Fleetwood representative.

Khalid Mahmood enters Labour deputy leadership race

Birmingham Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood has become the latest candidate to throw their hat into the ring to become Labour's new deputy leader.

He joins Dawn Butler in the race, while shadow cabinet ministers such as Angela Rayner, Barry Gardiner and Richard Burgon are also eyeing up a bid.

Mahmood told the Birmingham Mail:

“Since our party’s election defeat I’ve received many requests urging me to stand so I’m throwing my hat in the ring.

“I represent a constituency in the West Midlands and as an engineer believe in reviving British manufacturing with hi-tech so I know what people want.

“I’m not part of the metropolitan elite but in Birmingham, the workshop of Britain. I want to rebuild our country and the Labour Party.”

MPs begin swearing in process

In the House of Commons, MPs have begun swearing in for the new parliament. With almost 640 MPs to get through, it is expected to take the rest of Tuesday and most of Wednesday.

Holding a copy of the Bible, Boris Johnson went first, followed by Priti Patel and Dominic Raab, then the rest of the Cabinet.

The words of the oath are:

"I, [name of MP]] swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Johnson ruling out Brexit extension will limit UK's options, Ireland warns

Ireland has branded Boris Johnson's decision to block an extension of the Brexit transition period "strange" and said the move will limit the UK's options in the future.

The prime minister has said he will legislate to make it unlawful for the government to delay the end of the transition past the end of 2020 – limiting the time available to sign a trade agreement

Speaking on Tuesday Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said the move amounted to the “UK deciding to tie itself in terms of options", while senior EU officials said the scope of talks would have to be limited to adapt.

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Johnson orders ministers to skip Davos summit

Boris Johnson will not attend the annual shindig for international movers and shakers at Davos next month.

The decision has led to speculation at Westminster that the PM wants to distance his “people’s government” from the global elite of financiers and power-brokers who many blame for inequality and instability.

But a source close to Johnson insisted it was just a matter of timing, as the PM will have other issues on his mind when the World Economic Forum gathers in the chic Swiss ski resort from 21-24 January - a week before the scheduled date of Brexit.

The source said:

“The political priority and the focus of the government will be on Brexit and the NHS. That affects decisions on which summits we do and don’t attend. We will be doing a lot of international engagement, including by hosting the COP climate change summit, but our focus is on delivering, not on sipping champagne at Davos.”

Corbyn braced for confrontation with Labour MPs

Jeremy Corbyn is preparing for what is bound to be a deeply difficult meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) tonight.

The Labour leader is set to face renewed calls to stand down immediately when Labour MPs - or at least, those left after last week's election - gather in a Commons committee room at 6pm.

Corbyn and his allies have insisted that he should stay on until March to allow for a leadership election to take place, but many of his critics believe he should quit immediately, following the party's dire election showing, and make way for an interim leader.