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As it happenedended1548147630

Westminster today - as it happened: MPs vote down plan for Leveson part two inquiry

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
Tuesday 22 January 2019 04:00 EST
Comments
Jeremy Corbyn taunts Theresa May over Boris Johnson's 'crazy' comments

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MPs have rejected a new statuary inquiry – dubbed Leveson part two – into relations between the media and the police by 304 votes to 295.

The amendment was put forward by the former Labour leader Ed Miliband, who during the Commons debate accused ministers of “fearing” the press and said their actions had been “contemptible”.

Labour also abandoned an attempt to force media organisations to pay all legal costs in libel cases whether they win or lose, unless they sign up to a state-backed regulator.

It came after Theresa May was challenged at Prime Minister's Questions today over the stark split in the Cabinet over post-Brexit customs arrangements with the EU, after Boris Johnson branded her proposals "crazy".

Jeremy Corbyn taunted the prime minister - asking her whether she agreed with her Foreign Secretary, or with her business secretary, Greg Clark, who supports the "customs partnership" idea.

Ms May was unable to answer - or say whether her customs plans would be ready for the end of the transition period she hopes to agree, ending in 2020.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load

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Good morning everyone and welcome to The Independent's live updates as Theresa May faces her latest grilling at PMQs.

Adam Withnall9 May 2018 09:55
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Adam Withnall9 May 2018 10:38
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Adam Withnall9 May 2018 10:42
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Ashley Cowburn9 May 2018 11:15
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Ashley Cowburn9 May 2018 11:17
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Ashley Cowburn9 May 2018 11:32
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Ashley Cowburn9 May 2018 11:46
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Prime Minister's Questions will start in around 5 minutes - we'll be bringing you the highlights from the Commons.

Ashley Cowburn9 May 2018 11:54
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Prime Minister's Questions has just started. John Bercow, the Speaker, is missing PMQs to attend the funeral of his predecessor Michael Martin. 

Jeremy Corbyn uses his first question to highlight a "customs partnership" - asks whether she agrees with the Foreign Secretary that the plan is "crazy". The PM says we will need to agree customs arrangements after Brexit. 

May says what's "crazy" is that for years Labour opposed TTIP and no wants to sign up to a policy that would mean they have no say in it.

Ashley Cowburn9 May 2018 12:04
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Corbyn is now highlighting comments from another Cabinet minister, Greg Clark. 

Corbyn says the case for a new customs union is clear with the EU - he asks why the PM is ignoring all the businesses and trade unions on the issue. 

May says we are leaving the customs union and what we are doing is ensuring there is no hard border with Ireland. She says Labour wants to go into a customs union with the EU with no say over trade policy. "Typical Labour, letting Britain down once again," she says. 

Corbyn adds she divides over a "divided" Cabinet and has had 23 months in order to negotiate an agreement. He asks what is the PMs preferred question and when it is likely to be implemented. 

May says "questions have been raised" about her two options in the Lancaster House speech and further work is required. 

Ashley Cowburn9 May 2018 12:08

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