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As it happenedended

Tory leadership debate – live: Johnson refuses to say whether he would resign if Brexit deadline is missed as he flounders over US diplomatic row

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Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Tuesday 09 July 2019 12:40 EDT
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Conservative leadership debate: Jeremy Hunt asks Boris Johnson if he will resign if Brexit not delivered by October 31

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Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are going head-to-head in their only televised debate of the Tory leadership contest.

The two candidates to succeed Theresa May clashed after a day in which tensions between the UK and the US deepened following the leak of comments made by the British ambassador in Washington.

Earlier, MPs overwhelmingly backed moves to extend abortion and same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland, if power-sharing is not restored by October.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn told party members that Labour will back Remain in a new referendum over a no-deal Brexit or a Conservative agreement.

See below for live updates

NEW: Former Labour health minister Lord Darzi has also announced he is resigning the Labour whip.

He told Newsnight: "As an Armenian survivor of the Armenian genocide, I have zero tolerance to anti-Semitism, Islamophobic or any other discrimination against religion or race."

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 15:27

Another peer has resigned in what is shaping up to be a pretty gloomy afternoon for Jeremy Corbyn. Lord Turnberg, a senior medical professional, has joined Lord Darzi and Lord Triesman in quitting.

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 15:47

In a video posted on Twitter, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: "I'm really pleased that, whatever outcome the next Prime Minister puts before us whether it's a deal of some sort or no deal, we've agreed that it must be subject to another referendum.

"In that referendum remain must be an option and Labour will be campaigning for remain. That's a really important point of principle.

"I'm equally pleased that we've achieved consensus on this. The trade unions are behind it, the shadow cabinet's behind it, and I know it's what our members want."

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 16:05

In a sign of the weakness of Labour's Brexit stance, the Tories have seized on Jeremy Corbyn's words as proof that the party is failing to honour the result of the referendum.

See here the Conservative attack line on Twitter:

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 16:20

Number 10 has confirmed that Sir Kim Darroch is not attending a meeting between Ivanka Trump and the International Trade Secretary Liam Fox in Washington.

The PM's spokesman said: "He isn't attending that meeting but he is supporting Liam Fox in other ways on his trip."

However the spokesman insisted Theresa May has "full confidence" in Sir Kim and believes he is a "highly respected and dutiful public servant".

The spokesman told a Westminster briefing: "In relation to Sir Kim, the PM's view is that he is a highly respected and dutiful public servant and he has the full confidence of the PM."

The spokesman said: "The PM has let him know personally that he has her full support."

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 16:31

Jeremy Corbyn has admitted Labour could still fight the next general election as a pro-Brexit party, saying: “We'll decide our policy when the election comes.”

Speaking after pledging to “campaign for Remain” in a referendum on any withdrawal plan put forward by the Tories, the Labour leader said his stance could change in an election campaign.

Asked if Labour was now a “leave or remain party”, Mr Corbyn said only that he would “give the people the choice” of whether to leave the EU, in a referendum.

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 16:42

Responding to the resignations of three peers from the Labour whip, a spokesman said: "We completely reject these false and offensive claims.

"The Labour party at all levels is implacably opposed to antisemitism and is determined to root out this social cancer from our movement and society.

"Labour is taking decisive action against antisemitism, doubling the number of staff dedicated to dealing with complaints and cases.

"And since Jennie Formby became general secretary, the rate at which antisemitism cases have been dealt with has increased four-fold.

"Our records show that antisemitism cases that have gone through the stages of our disciplinary procedures since September 2015 account for about 0.06% of the party's membership.

"This represents a tiny minority, but one antisemite is one too many, and we will continue to act against this repugnant form of racism."

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 16:47

MPs have started voting on Conor McGinn's amendment on same-sex marriage, which would extend gay marriage to Northern Ireland.

Result due in the next 15 minutes.

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 17:00

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 17:05

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The amendment passes by 383 votes to 73.

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 17:16

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