LIVE: Boris Johnson tries to hold on to Brexit deal vote after setback – Sky News, Sky.com

Lib Dem leader: If PM can change his mind, why can’t voters?

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson argues the PM said he would never ask for a Brexit delay from the EU, yet he did on Saturday night.

She says, if the PM is allowed to change his, why can’t the UK public have that opportunity in a second EU referendum.

SNP attack PM for Commons no-show

The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford also asks why the PM isn’t answering today’s urgent question in the Commons.

He attacks the PM’s decision not to sign the letter asking for a Brexit delay.

Blackford says: “His behaviour lacks dignity, it lacks respect, it is not becoming of any prime minister.”

Government urged to abandon ‘sacred’ commitment to Brexit deadline

Former Tory cabinet minister Ken Clarke urges the government to stop giving a “sacred quality” to the date of 31 October.

He says: “The date was not selected by the British public or the British government.

“It was a compromise in the EU between the President Macron and the rest and was plucked out the air.”

Clarke adds: “What matters is we get the right withdrawal agreement.”

Corbyn challenged to set out how long second EU referendum will take

Barclay says “what has been ditched” is the Labour manifesto from the 2017 general election, in which Corbyn promised to respect the result of the 2016 EU referendum.

The Brexit secretary challenges Corbyn to detail how long a second EU referendum will take, having said he wants one.

Corbyn mocks PM’s ‘dead in a ditch’ vow on Brexit delay

Corbyn praises Barclay for “keeping a straight face” as he gave his answer.

The Labour leader attacks the PM for failing to attend the Commons to answer the question.

But Corbyn says he is “reassured” the PM is “not to be found anywhere in a ditch”.

This follows the PM’s previous claim that he would “rather be dead in a ditch” than request a Brexit delay from the EU, which Boris Johnson did on Saturday night.

Corbyn asks the government to publish an economic impact assessment of the PM’s Brexit deal.

Number 10 ‘disappointed’ at block on meaningful vote

Boris Johnson’s spokesman says he is “disappointed” at the Speaker’s ruling not to allow a meaningful vote this afternoon, saying parliament has been denied the chance to deliver on the will of the British people.

He added the government will push ahead with publishing the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and that MPs must ratify the deal before 31 October.

Brexit secretary accuses ‘genius’ Jeremy Corbyn of delaying publication of Brexit bill

In response, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay says the publication Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) will follow today’s urgent business in the Commons.

He says, therefore, Corbyn is delaying the publication of the WAB by asking his urgent question.

Barclay adds: “Genius”.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is now asking an urgent question on the publication of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill – which aims to put the PM’s Brexit deal into UK law.

Corbyn is also asking about the PM’s letter to the EU asking for an Article 50 extension.

Bercow hints he will allow fresh Commons vote on second EU referendum

Tory MP Robert Halfon says the Commons has previously voted against a second EU referendum, suggesting Bercow should rule out further votes on the issue if he is to follow the same convention as he followed today i.e. not allowing two votes on the same issue.

But, Bercow points out the votes on a second referendum occurred in the last parliamentary session and so the convention doesn’t apply.

Another Tory Brexiteer questions Bercow’s impartiality

Tory Brexiteer David TC Davies is the latest to question the Speaker’s impartiality.

He notes how Bercow has previously argued he is “not in the business of invoking precedent” otherwise nothing would change.

Davies says Bercow’s rulings “always seem to favour one side of the argument” and not the government, who are trying to implement the 2016 Brexit vote.

Despite his ruling being “irksome” to some MPs, Bercow states it is “procedurally right”.

Lib Dem MP suggests Speaker sends copy of parliament’s rules to government ministers

Former Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who is now an MP, cheekily suggests the Speaker sends a copy of Erskine May – which states parliament’s rules – to the government.

Bercow points out Erskine May is available for free online.

Tory Brexiteer questions Speaker’s impartiality

Tory Brexiteer Sir Bernard Jenkin says he’s aware the Speaker will often have to take rulings that will not please everyone.

But, calling into question the Speaker’s impartiality, Sir Bernard adds: “It is becoming remarkable how often you please one lot and not the other.”

Bercow has been viewed with suspicion by Brexiteers ever since he revealed he voted for Remain in 2016, despite him supposed to be impartial in his role.

Sir Bernard adds his Commons committee will soon be holding an inquiry on the role of the Speaker.

Bercow counters Sir Bernard’s suggestion by detailing how he often granted urgent questions and other Commons time to Tory eurosceptics in the past.

Labour MP praises Speaker’s ruling

Labour MP Angela Eagle praises the Speaker’s ruling for preventing the government “browbeating” parliament into voting again and again on the same issue.

Tory Brexiteer: ‘Law of the land’ still means UK will leave EU on 31 October

Sir Bill Cash argues the “law of the land” remains that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October.

He says the PM’s letter requesting a Brexit delay has not changed this.

Therefore he asks the Speaker to reconsider his decision.

Tory Brexiteer raises point of order following Speaker ruling

Tory MP Peter Bone raises a point of order, saying MPs voted on Saturday not knowing whether Boris Johnson would send a letter requesting a Brexit delay or not.

Bercow suggests this was not a matter of consideration for him, because he did not think it “pertinent” to think a government minister would disobey the law.

Bercow adds the government might argue there is a change of circumstances for the vote, because the PM has now requested a Brexit delay.

He says this is “not persuasive” as the application is part of a process.

Therefore, the motion is “in substance” the same as Saturday’s and the circumstances are “in substance” the same as well, Bercow says.

The Speaker does not allow a vote on the PM’s Brexit deal today.

Bercow says there are two issues to consider and these are of “substance” and “circumstance”.

The Speaker refers to his previous ruling not allowing a further vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal earlier this year, because the motions were the same.

European Parliament won’t ratify Brexit deal until House of Commons gives approval

(************ European Parliament Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt speaks to reporters …
                                            

Welsh and Scottish first ministers write to European Council’s Tusk

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have today written to European Council President Donald Tusk.

They urge him to consider a Brexit delay long enough to hold a second EU referendum.

They write: “An extension would allow us to adequately scrutinise agreement and the draft legislation in accordance with our constitutional responsibilities.

“While clearly it is a matter for the Council to consider how long such an extension should he, we would favor one which long enough to enable a referendum with remain on the ballot paper to be held in the UK.

“Both of our governments and legislatures are in favor of such a referendum and of the UK remaining in the EU. “

PM ‘sailing close to wind’ with promise to obey Brexit delay bill

Scottish judges have continued a court action into whether or not Prime Minister Boris Johnson has fully obeyed the law demanding he delay Brexit.

Remain campaigners argued at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Monday that, although he had undertaken not to frustrate the purpose of the so-called Benn Act, Mr Johnson was “sailing close to the wind” .

Judges will reconvene at a date to be confirmed. (Read the full storyhere.

ANALYSIS: Brexit: It is very unlikely that the PM will get his way today – here’s why

There were two pieces of received wisdom about the vote on the first Saturday sitting of parliament since 1982 – one factual, one political.

The first was that the government “pulled the vote” after they lost the Letwin amendment, which dictated that the PM’s deal could not be authorized until all associated Brexit-related legislation is passed.

The other was that nothing was decided, that it was a damp squib. Both **** are untrue.

Instead, the Commons did take a decision and the vote was not pulled. After the Letwin amendment passed, the government effectively chose not to contest the main motion. So the whole thing simply went through on the nod.

That itself was the decision the Commons took. It means that although Jacob Rees-Mogg has announced the government wants to bring back a vote on the deal later today, in all likelihood they will not be able to.

Good afternoon

Boris Johnson is set for a showdown with Commons Speaker John Bercow, with the prime minister expected to push for a so-called “meaningful vote” on his Brexit deal.

It is possible that Mr Bercow could block the government move, and rule that the vote cannot be repeated so soon because it effectively happened on Saturday.

He is expected to make a ruling at around 3. (PM.

If Mr Bercow does prevent Mr Johnson from having a meaningful vote in the Commons, the focus will switch to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which the government has confirmed it will introduce later.

This is the legislation which enshrines the Brexit deal into UK law.

We ‘ll have all the latest updates, quotes, video and analysis as another busy week at Westminster gets under way.

Key points

• Boris Johnson fails in attempt to hold vote on Brexit deal
• Speaker John Bercow rejects bid for “meaningful vote” on PM’s agreement with Brussels
• He says this is because MPs voted on Saturday to withhold support for the deal until necessary Brexit legislation passed
• Johnson has requested three-month delay to Brexit – but made clear to EU he doesn’t want extension
• Live reporting by Alan McGuinness, Aubrey Allegretti and Greg Heffer, political reporters