Brexit news: Theresa May's no-deal threats undermined by Jeremy Hunt as MPs debate proposed agreement
All the latest updates from Westminster
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK
Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight
Parliament would be able to stop a no-deal Brexit, Jeremy Hunt has admitted, as ministers continue to clash over the government's Brexit strategy.
The foreign secretary said it was "unrealistic" to think MPs would not block Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal if they wanted to - contradicting Theresa May's claim that her deal is the only alternative to a no-deal outcome.
In a further sign of cabinet splits, Amber Rudd, the work and pensions secretary, refused to rule out resigning if the government pursues a no-deal Brexit.
To follow events as they unfolded, see out live coverage below
Legal proceedings have been launched today against the government over its plans to press ahead with the roll-out of the contentious Voter ID trials.
It comes after a crowdfunding campaign by 64-year-old Neil Coughlan and backed by Jeremy Corbyn, reached £20,000, enabling him to instruct lawyers on his behalf.
Story here:
Cabinet members who oppose a no-deal Brexit have a “duty to resign” if Theresa May fails to abandon the policy, a senior Conservative MP says.
Dominic Grieve, who backs a Final Say referendum, also branded the idea of crashing out of the EU without an agreement as “committing national suicide”.
At least six cabinet members are known to strongly oppose a no-deal departure, including Philip Hammond, the chancellor, Greg Clark, the business secretary, and Amber Rudd, the work and pensions secretary.
More here:
In the Commons, Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick said he is "talking myself into supporting the PM's deal" because he could not countenance further "toxic" indecision on Brexit.
The Poplar and Limehouse MP said: "I'm talking myself into supporting the Prime Minister's deal next Tuesday against no deal and against further delay.
"I'm not quite there yet but I'm not far away.
"It seems the House isn't yet there at all but at some point we need to recognise the danger of no deal is still there and the only real alternative on the table is the PM's deal."
It comes ahead of the critical vote on Tuesday.
The Metropolitan Police has committed to "increased security", John Bercow has said, amid concerns over threats and abuse near parliament.
The Speaker said a meeting with Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick took place on Thursday.
Mr Bercow said he hoped the increased security would allow MPs, journalists and members of the public to "go about their business".
Labour MP Mike Gapes claimed his party was in a "bizarre position" over Brexit, noting: "According to the brief from the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) this week we're going for a sensible Brexit - whatever that is.
"The reality is all over the country we know there is no such thing as a jobs-first Brexit, it is entirely about mitigating the damage."
Mr Gapes said he did not believe any government would have negotiated "anything very different" to what Theresa May has negotiated with the EU, adding: "There's no socialist Brexit, there's no jobs-first Brexit, there's no better Brexit."
The Brexit deal debate in the Commons is now over for the day.
During the debate, Diane Abbott insisted Labour is "committed to honouring" the Brexit vote despite backbench warnings that it will "damage" the communities they represent.
The shadow home secretary said her party campaigned in 2016 on "remain and reform" of the EU and pushed for a "jobs-first Brexit" at the 2017 general election.
She also outlined her "immaculate record" of voting against measures which enabled further EU integration.
But Ms Abbott maintained Labour's opposition to Ms May's Brexit deal, claiming it treats issues of safety and security with a "degree of recklessness".
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, who wrapped up the third day of debate for Labour, later mocked the Tory post-Brexit vision for the UK as the "invisible chain" linking countries across the globe.
She said foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt had not realised The Invisible Chain was also the Spanish title for the film Lassie Come Home.
To laughter, she added: "It's no wonder the foreign secretary's vision of the invisible chain has been so enthusiastically embraced by his dog-loving cabinet colleagues.
"The health secretary with his invisible green paper on social care, the Transport Secretary with his invisible ferries and his invisible traffic jams, and of course the PM running around Europe obtaining invisible concessions on Brexit."
Mr Hunt responded saying Lassie was one of his "favourite childhood films", adding: "Lassie of course in that story was given to a member of the aristocracy, in fact the Duke of Rudling, but Lassie wasn't happy and she broke free without any kind of referendum and she came home, there is a lesson for all of us."
He rounded off the debate by telling MPs that Brexit would "restore sovereign control over immigration policy".
The debate will return to the Commons on Monday.
Business minister Richard Harrington has said he believes the PM should come back with a new plan immediately if she loses the vote on Tuesday.
Asked if he “worried” that PM have to come back to parliament within three days, he told Talk Radio: “I think it should be done within three mins of the vote.
“Seriously, I think the prime minister has to stand up, a bit like David Cameron did after the Syria vote - he stood up and said what he was going to do.
“Not every nuance of every detail, but I think we have to be guided by the prime minister then and I’m sure that’s very consciously on her mind to do so”
MPs must end their “brinkmanship” to avoid a no-deal Brexit that would shrink the UK economy by as much as 8 per cent and put thousands of jobs at risk, a leading business group is to say.
A disorderly exit from the EU would have “profound, widespread and lasting” economic effects and cannot be “managed” as some MPs have claimed, Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry is expected to say.
More here:
Boris Johnson received a £20,000 interest-free loan from the company owned by top Tory strategist Sir Lynton Crosby, official documents reveal.
The former foreign secretary, who is widely thought to be planning a leadership bid, received the sum from CTF Partners, which Sir Lynton jointly owns.
That's it for The Independent's politics liveblog for the day. Thanks for following!
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies