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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

Here is our story on the same-sex marriage vote:

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 17:18

MPs are now voting on Stella Creasy's amendment, which would extend abortion to Northern Ireland if power-sharing is not up and running again by October.

Result due in 15 minutes.

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 17:21

MPs have backed Stella Creasy's amendment to extend abortion laws to Northern Ireland by a huge majority - 332 votes to 99. 

It requires the UK government to comply with their human rights obligation in Northern Ireland in relation to abortion after a damning UN report found women were 'subjected to grave and systematic violations of rights through being compelled to either travel outside Northern Ireland to procure a legal abortion or to carry their pregnancy to term.'

As with the same-sex marriage amendment, it is conditional on whether power-sharing can be restarted by October.

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 17:31

Our story with all the latest on MPs' support for liberalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland.

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Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 17:36

Away from the Commons for a moment, Jeremy Hunt has criticised Donald Trump for his attack on the UK ambassador Kim Darroch – and vowed to keep the top diplomat in post if he wins the race to No 10.

The foreign secretary broke ranks after No 10 -– and Boris Johnson – refused to hit back at the US president directly, calling his comments “disrespectful and wrong”.

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 17:50

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 18:10

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has hailed the abortion vote as "significant step forward for women in Northern Ireland".

Karen Murray, RCM director for Northern Ireland said: "The lack of access to abortion for women in Northern Ireland has already been declared a breach of human rights by the supreme court and the passing of this amendment today means the Government will now have to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland by the end of October this year.

“The current legal arrangements in Northern Ireland are not only unfair to women when it comes to choices about their own healthcare options, but the law also impacts on midwives’ ability to deliver high quality maternity care to women.”

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 18:26

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 18:46

John O'Doherty, director of The Rainbow Project and member of the Love Equality campaign, hailed the passing of the same-sex marriage amendment.

He said: "All love is equal and we are proud to celebrate this achievement with our community, friends, colleagues and allies from across these islands.

"Our future got a little brighter today and we hope that LGBT people across Northern Ireland will wake up tomorrow feeling more hopeful for the future we all want to see."

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 18:59

Independent MP Nick Boles raised a point of order on the "grossly offensive attack by the President of the United States on Her Majesty's ambassador and indeed on Her Majesty's Prime Minister"

He said: "This afternoon he has sent some messages that amount to gross discourtesy and I am certain that many honourable members will want to indicate that the United Kingdom will not be bullied by anyone, not even the President of the United States."

Deputy Commons Speaker Dame Rosie Winterton said Mr Boles' views have been put on the record and that there are "mechanisms" available to him to pursue the matter further.

Lizzy Buchan9 July 2019 19:15

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