Brexit news - live: MPs vote for June extension as May meets Merkel and Macron ahead of crunch Brussels summit
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Your support makes all the difference.MPs voted to authorise Theresa May to seek a Brexit delay until 30 June, amid fresh warnings from France and Germany over the details of any extension.
The prime minister personally appealed to Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron during meetings on Tuesday, while European Council president Donald Tusk said there was “little reason to believe” Brexit could be sorted by June.
His comments come ahead of a crunch Brussels summit on Wednesday, at which EU leaders will decide whether to approve the prime minister’s request or offer a longer delay.
All 27 remaining EU heads of government must agree to an extension if the UK is to avoid the default position of a no-deal Brexit on Friday night.
See how the day unfolded below:
Former Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd made a rare speech today, backing a second referendum at the People’s Vote rally in London. Worth a watch.
More on the Brexit-related threatening messages received by MPs. Jarod Kirkman, 51, pleaded guilty to seven charges at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The full charges state that Kirkman sent a threatening email to Labour MPs Yvette Cooper, Jenny Chapman and David Lammy, Conservative Nicky Morgan, former Tory Nick Boles, as well as Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen of the Independent Group.
He also pleaded guilty to a charge of racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment against Labour MP David Lammy.
The charge states that he “with intent to cause David Lammy harassment, alarm or distress displayed some writing, sign or other visible representation which was threatening, abusive or insulting”.
Investigating officer Detective Inspector Craig Laws said: “We have a duty to take all threats seriously, including those made to Members of Parliament.”
Irish beef farmers have already incurred losses of €101m (around £87m) since last autumn because of the effects of Brexit, the Irish parliament has heard.
Irish Farmers Association (IFA) president Joe Healy said his organisation has calculated that “angry and frustrated” beef farmers have already incurred the “unacceptable” losses since last October, and are crying out for help.
“Farmers cannot afford to carry this loss and it must be made good by the government and EU Commission,” Mr Healy said.
He believes large retailers and meat plants have taken advantage of anxiety around Brexit, which has resulted in a lack of competition for Irish farmers, affecting prices and income for small farms.
DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds has branded the talks between Theresa May and the leaders of France and Germany as “humiliating and embarrassing” for the UK.
“The problems the prime minister is attempting to solve were not created by the decision to leave the EU, rather the ineffective negotiations by the prime minister to implement that decision.
Mr Dodds also claimed the Brady amendment – a set of alternative arrangents to the backstop – had offered a way out of the Brexit impasse. “Instead of treating this proposal seriously, the prime minister has effectively accepted the backstop and opted not to stand up to Brussels,” he said.
“Nearly three years after the referendum the UK is today effectively holding out a begging bowl to European leaders.”
Philip Hammond insisted he has “never advocated” a second Brexit referendum, although he has acknowledged it is a "coherent proposition".
Speaking at Treasury questions earlier, the chancellor was also pressed by
Conservative Brexiteers about his views on a customs union with the EU and whether businesses are ready for a no-deal Brexit, a scenario which he said he “sincerely hopes” will not arise.
Tory MP Philip Hollobone asked: “Given that the people have already decided, presumably the Chancellor doesn't want a second referendum.”
Mr Hammond replied: “I, contrary to some reports, have never advocated a second referendum. I simply observed that it is a coherent proposition along with many others that have been discussed in this House.”
It's a) not in either May or Corbyn's interests to actually reach a deal or b) to be the one who walks out. Unclear… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
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