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As it happenedended

UK politics - as it happened: House of Commons suspended as Theresa May's new Brexit plan published in chaotic scenes

Read all the latest updates from Westminster, as they happened

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Thursday 12 July 2018 11:00 EDT
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House of Commons suspended while government hands out copies of Brexit white paper

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The publication of Theresa May's new Brexit plan descended into chaos when speaker John Bercow had to suspend the Commons to allow MPs to see copies of the white paper.

Labour described it as an "utter shambles" that MPs were unable to read the 98-page document until Brexit secretary Dominic Raab appeared to give a statement on the plans, which could allow some EU migrants preferable treatment as part of future trade deals.

It comes as Tory rebels ramped up pressure on Ms May to scrap her new Brexit plan, which has already caused the resignations of Boris Johnson and David Davis, as well as several other Tory Eurosceptics.

In a show of strength, Eurosceptic backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg and allies have tabled a string of amendments to the government’s trade and customs bill, raising the threat of Commons defeats on Monday.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump was due to face major protests after he arrived in the UK for his much-anticipated working visit.

See below for live updates

David Lammy is asking an urgent question now about the decision to halt hostile environment policies, which he says was "sneaked out" during the World Cup semi final last night.

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 10:37

Immigration minister Caroline Nokes says "additional safeguards" have been put in place to protect legal migrants, and says it is "not acceptable" for members of the Windrush generation to be impacted negatively.

She says it is a "temporary pause" in sharing of Home Office data with organisations such as banks and building societies for people over 30.

New guidance has been issued for employers and landlords to contact the Home Office if a Commonwealth citizen doesn't have the correct paperwork.

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 10:42

David Lammy pays tribute to the modern diversity of the UK as seen in the England football team, where 11 players have black or minority ethnic backgrounds.

Referring to Sajid Javid's pledge to foster respect in the immigration system, Mr Lammy tolds MPs: "Is it respectful to slip out this information during what was yesterday a World Cup spectacle?

"Is it respectful for her department still to not be able to tell us how many people have been detained?

"Is it respectful not to have any information about a transparent hardship scheme for those that are still in trouble?"

He called on her to scrap the hostile environment policy entirely.

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 10:47

Caroline Nokes says the policy cannot be restarted without her ministerial consent and she will not do so until she is sure Windrush migrants are not being negatively impacted.

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 10:50

Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, welcomes the move but says if the government is serious about helping the Windrush Generation then it should create a proper hardship fund "as a matter of urgency".

She calls for a "total review" of hostile environment and warns the "Windrush generation will not be the end of it in terms of unfairness and cruelty" unless it is scrapped.

Cohorts from areas such as south Asia and west Africa will be embroiled in this too if it is not ended, she adds.

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 10:54

Another major story breaking here.

Nato is holding an emergency session because of President Donald Trump's demands for higher spending on defence, sources said. 

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 11:03

The Times' defence correspondent has tweeted astonishing comments from Nato, where Donald Trump has said America will "do our own thing" unless the wealthiest economies spend more on defence.

Unclear whether this is linked to the Nato emergency session yet.

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 11:07

We are running a separate liveblog on Donald Trump's visit to the UK, as he is due to arrive this afternoon.

See all the latest here:

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 11:14

Trump is now expected to give an impromptu press conference.  

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 11:15

Meanwhile, MPs are now debating an urgent question on the cost of policing president Donald Trump's UK visit.

It comes as images emerged of police securing his visit being forced to sleep in cramped lines of camp beds filling a vast gymnasium and sleeping mats on the floor of a squash court.

The Police Federation has complained of the conditions its members are facing during the operation, which will see officers from across the country enlisted at a cost of up to £10 million.

Simon Kempton, the organisation's deputy treasurer in England and Wales, said 300 officers are expected to sleep in the gymnasium with no hot water and restricted access to warm food.

John Apter, chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation, said: "There's so much pressure on officers at the moment. Many are having rest days cancelled, working extended hours and this on top of it; do the bosses really care?

"It hits morale. It's tough at the moment, really tough and they don't deserve this - it's not right and it's not acceptable."

A National Police Chiefs' Council spokeswoman said Essex Police are working "at speed" to resolve the issue.

"Some of the accommodation pictured today for officers supporting the major operation for the US presidential visit is not acceptable and below the standard of other accommodation for this operation," she added.

Lizzy Buchan12 July 2018 11:35

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