Westminster as it happened: New rules to tackle sexual harassment as leaked report shows one in five parliamentary staff affected

Welcome to The Independent's politics liveblog, where we will be bringing you all the latest updates from Westminster throughout the day.

The story leading today so far is a new report into sexual harassment and bullying in the Palace of Westminster, which calls for tougher sanctions for MPs and peers guilty of inappropriate behaviour.

The explosive report was leaked to The Independent last night, with the revelation that one in five (19%) of parliamentary workers had experiences sexual harassment in some form.

Expect plenty of reaction throughout the day, as Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom delivers a statement to MPs on the cross-party group's findings.

Here's our exclusive story:

Billionaire financier George Soros has donated £400,000 to a pro-remain campaign group, which is pushing to overturn Brexit.

He is one of a trio of individuals linked to Best for Britain, which reportedly intends to launch a country-wide advertising campaign later this month, pushing for a second referendum which could stall the UK’s departure from the EU.

The Telegraph has given it both barrels and accused Best for Britain of a "secret plot", saying it intends to target MPs and push them to vote against a final deal on Brexit, triggering another referendum.

Story here:

Labour is set to offer help to local councils to bring public services in-house, as John McDonnell warns the party cannot afford to wait for power nationally to begin dismantling austerity.

The Shadow Chancellor will today use a speech in Preston to claim that austerity measures have “blighted” communities in Britain and forced councils to cut and privatise public services. ​

Story here:

Reaction is starting to come in to the sexual harassment report, which made The Independent's front page today.

Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas, who sits on the working group, said it was a "blow for patriarchal politics" but warned it did not go as far as she would have liked.

Writer Kate Maltby, who accused former Cabinet minister Damian Green of inappropriate behaviour, said she was "cautiously optimistic" about the findings.

Europe Correspondent Jon Stone tweets about the revelations about financier George Soros' support for a pro-Remain group, which has been making waves.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has written for The Independent arguing how Brexit will ensure the full benefits of free trade are made available to everyone.

He says: "In the EU referendum the British public voted to restore our sovereignty, and that will require the restoration of a rich tradition: to make Britain an independent global trading nation once again. 

"For the first time in over 40 years, we are beginning to shape our own trade agenda and define our own trade policy – and I am determined that this will not only benefit businesses and consumers in the UK, but allow some of the world’s most disadvantaged people to trade their way out of poverty."

Theresa May's Brexit "war cabinet" meets again today against a backdrop of official forecasts showing the regions and sectors of the economy which face being hardest-hit by withdrawing from the European Union.

The Prime Minister sought to ease Tory tensions over her approach by insisting she had "no doubts" about her plan for a new relationship with Brussels.

At a lavish black-tie event for Tory donors on Wednesday, Ms May said she had an "ambitious" vision for the UK after Brexit.

She said: "Ever since the British people delivered their vote in the referendum, I have had no doubts about what our new relationship with the EU must mean for the United Kingdom.

"It will mean taking control of our money - so we are not sending vast annual subscriptions to the EU.

"It also means control of our borders - so we decide on our own immigration policy; one which attracts the brightest and the best to come to these shores, and one which also ensures we are investing in our own talent here at home.

"And it means control of our laws - so British courts are supreme and the European Court of Justice no longer overrules them."

She stressed her plan would mean leaving the single market and customs union but "constructing a completely new trading partnership with the EU".

But her comments came as impact studies released to MPs by the Government revealed the north east of England and West Midlands will sustain the biggest hit to economic growth from Brexit.

Mrs May chaired the Brexit sub-committee on Wednesday and will do so again on Thursday to thrash out what kind of trade relationship the UK will seek in negotiations.

Jane Merrick, a former Independent on Sunday political editor, who accused ex-Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon of inappropriate behaviour, has posted a series of interesting tweets about the sexual harassment findings.

She also says plans to afford anonymity to MPs would be wrong, as naming the accused can encourage victims to come forward.

Veteran BBC interviewer John Humphrys had the tables turned on him when an MP demanded to know if he had apologised to a colleague over controversial remarks he made over the BBC gender pay gap.

The awkward moment came in the wake of a leaked off-air conversation Mr Humphrys had with the BBC's North America editor Jon Sopel regarding complaints by former China editor Carrie Gracie on wage disparities between men and women at the corporation.

Interviewed on Today, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Jo Swinson said to Mr Humphrys: "While I have got you here John, can I just ask have you apologised to Carrie Gracie for the remarks that you made about her courageous stance on equal pay?"

Mr Humphrys said: "I wrote an email to Carrie Gracie immediately after that exchange, yes I did as a matter of fact, and she replied.

"Quite what this has to do with what we are discussing here I fail to see, but there we are."