MPs reject attempt to seize control of Commons agenda in latest attempt to prevent no-deal Brexit

Sir Keir Starmer says the conflation of a vote to leave the EU with support for a no deal was a "misrepresentation" of the views of voters.

He takes aim at leadership hopeful Andrea Leadsom, dismissing her central policy of a managed no-deal - which is essentially just a no-deal Brexit.

He describes the Tory leadership contest as an 'arms race' to come up with the most ludicrous and undeliverable promises.

'No wonder Boris Johnson is doing so well in this race,' he says. 

Labour’s plan for a soft Brexit has “run out of road” and the party should commit to a second referendum and campaign for Remain, the first minister has said. 

Mark Drakeford visited Brussels on Wednesday for a meeting with Michel Barnier and other EU officials, as MPs in Westminster prepared to vote on taking control of the Brexit process.

In the no-deal Brexit debate in the Commons, Labour's Sir Keir Starmer said the Conservative leadership contest has descended into the "disturbing, the ludicrous and the reckless" before adding: "It's become an arms race to promise the most damaging form of Brexit or to make the most absurd or undeliverable promises.

"No wonder (Tory MP Boris Johnson) is the frontrunner against that criteria," he said.

Meanwhile, a petition being circulated among Labour members calling for the suspension of one of its MPs - Roger Godsiff - has received hundreds of signatories from members of the party. 

The MP told anti-LGBT protestors in Birmingham they had a "just cause" as they demonstrated against LGBT teaching in schools.

He has already faced criticism from the party's shadow education secretary, Angela Rayner, who said at the weekend: “This might be the personal views of Mr Roger Godsiff but they do not represent the Labour Party & are discriminatory & irresponsible."

You can read more on the story which flared up at the weekend below

During the debate on no deal, the Labour MP Gareth Snell says he "made a mistake" voting against the withdrawal agreement three times.

Of the motion, he says: “Delaying this does not stop no deal - what it does is put it further into the future.”

Conservative MP Dominic Grieve has said he would not hesitate to bring down the government and resign the Conservative whip if a new prime minister attempted to force through a no-deal Brexit without the consent of MPs. 

MPs are now voting on the no-deal motion - expect the result in around 15 minutes. 

Labour and its cross-party alliance has lost its bid to block a no-deal Brexit by barring the next PM from suspending parliament. 

MPs voted by 309-298 against the motion. 

Responding to the defeat of Labour's motion, Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, said: “This is a disappointing, narrow defeat.

“But this is just the start, not the end of our efforts to block no deal. Labour stands ready to use whatever mechanism it can to protect jobs, the economy and communities from the disastrous consequences of a no deal Brexit.

“Any Tory leadership candidate should know that Parliament will continue to fight against no deal.”

Sajid Javid, the home secretary, is now launching his leadership campaign. He says Labour attempt to ruin his launch, because its the campaign they fear the most. "They failed, and here we are," he claims, as he thanks his guests for waiting while he voted.

Javid says he believes he is "uniquely qualified" to lead the Conservative Party, and keep Jeremy Corbyn far away from 10 Downing Street. 

The cabinet minister also claims to have a "credible" plan to deliver Brexit.

He says he listened to the rest of the candidates launch their campaigns, and says he would work for all of them. 

The Conservative cannot go for the "comfort zone" choice in the face of a general election and only one significant majority in the last quarter of a century. "We need tomorrow's leader, today," he says.