As it happenedended1568667613

Boris Johnson: 'The Incredible Sulk chickens out' of Brexit press conference amid noisy protests as EU decries lack of 'concrete proposals'

MPs warned of 'flaw' in legislation to block no-deal

Adam Forrest,Benjamin Kentish,Chris Baynes
Monday 16 September 2019 18:40 BST
Comments
Boris Johnson ducks out of press conference amid noisy protests, leaving empty podium next to Luxembourg's PM

Boris Johnson was branded "The Incredible Sulk" after he cancelled a planned press conference because of noisy protests in Luxembourg following his meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker, as the European Commission president said the UK has still “not yet made” proposals to replace the Irish backstop.

It comes as Jolyon Maugham QC and rebel MPs warned that there is a “flaw” in the legislation demanding the prime minister asks Brussels for a three-month Brexit delay.

The Lib Dems’ foreign spokesperson Chuka Umunna said the party could win 200 seats at the next election, while leader Jo Swinson ruled out any electoral pact with Labour or forming a coalition with Jeremy Corbyn.

Here's how we covered developments as they happened:

1568618331

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of events at Westminster and beyond.

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 08:18
1568618839

As you may be aware Boris Johnson compared himself to the Hulk at the weekend, provoking much mirth and mockery.

The European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt said: “Even to Trumpian standards the Hulk comparison is infantile.”

And Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo has also weighed in – claiming the monster he played can be “dense and destructive”.

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 08:27
1568619012

Chuka Umunna has told The Independent’s editor he would want the Lib Dems to fight to rejoin the EU even if Brexit happens.

As well as stressing the party pro-European credentials, the foreign affairs spokesperson is expected to brand Johnson a “peddler of hate” in his keynote speech at the Bournemouth conference today.

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 08:30
1568619209

Boris Johnson asked whether Michael Gove was “a bit cracked” after the Brexiteer betrayed him during the 2016 Tory leadership race, David Cameron has said.

The former prime minister recalled the fraught battle to replace him in No 10 in his memoir, which is being serialised in The Times ahead of its publication on Thursday.

Gove initially supported Johnson’s campaign but then dramatically withdrew his backing and announced he would stand himself - leading the now-PM to quit the contest.

Johnson also texted Cameron to say he felt like a “leper” in the aftermath of the referendum.

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 08:33
1568619373

Boris Johnson has said he believes “passionately” that a new Brexit deal can be struck with Brussels as he prepares to hold his first face-to-face talks as PM with Jean-Claude Juncker in today

But he will warn the European Commission president – during a working lunch of snails, salmon and cheese – that he will reject any offer to delay Britain’s departure.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Johnson said he was working “flat out” to reach an agreement.

He said: “If we can make enough progress in the next few days, I intend to go to that crucial summit on October 17 and finalise an agreement that will protect the interests of business and citizens on both sides of the Channel, and on both sides of the border in Ireland ... I believe passionately that we can do it.”

No 10 made clear the PM will stress he wants a new deal agreed by 18 October.

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 08:36
1568620570

Dominic Cummings, the PM’s most senior adviser, said the government could suspend parliament for a second time if it loses a Supreme Court battle on Tuesday.

But a No 10 source said Cummings only made the double prorogation comment as “a joke”.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock has the details.

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 08:56
1568621359

Tory rebel David Gauke has said Boris Johnson must obey the law on Brexit.

Referring to the PM’s Incredible Hulk analogy, Gauke, who lost the Tory whip over his Brexit stance, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Maybe the Incredible Hulk doesn't have to comply with the law, but the British government does.

“And if Parliament has neither supported a deal, nor supported a no-deal departure, then the law is clear that he has to seek an extension, the prime minister has to seek an extension and that is what he will have to do.

“That is what the law states.”

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 09:09
1568621924

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has insisted the government would comply with the law.

And yet he said there were still “considerations” about it would obey the legislation passed in parliament last week. “I think the precise implications of the legislation need to be looked at very carefully,” he told the Today programme.

“We are doing that … the legislation that was required, the surrender bill, is deeply, deeply flawed.”

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 09:18
1568622477

After Sam Gyimah joined the Lib Dems from the Tories, Jo Swinson’s party is expecting more defections during this week’s conference.

Members have even written a song about it.

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 09:27
1568622736

Boris Johnson questioned Michael Gove’s mental health after his former ally knifed him in the back during the 2016 Conservatives leadership contest, according to David Cameron.

The latest juicy details from the former PM’s autobiography include texts Johnson sent him in the messy aftermath of the referendum. “Blimey, is he [Gove] a bit cracked?”

Read more here:

Adam Forrest16 September 2019 09:32

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in