Boris Johnson news: PM faces new grilling on groping claim, as talks on toppling him stall and senior MP expelled from Tory conference

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Boris Johnson comments on groping allegations: 'I've said what I've said about that. They are not true'

Boris Johnson has admitted he cannot remember the lunch at which he is alleged to have groped a female journalist – despite repeatedly denying the incident took place.

It comes as opposition talks to oust the PM if he tries to force through a no-deal Brexit have been plunged into fresh turmoil amid splits over who should lead a temporary government.

And Conservative MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has been sent home from the party's annual conference in Manchester after what a Tory spokesperson described as a "totally unacceptable" clash with security staff.

Late in the evening details emerged of Mr Johnson's planned offer to Brussels. In a speech tomorrow he is to say that the EU must "engage" with his proposals or see the UK walk away without a deal.

The plans, reportedly including the offer of a four-year period inside the EU's regulatory framework for Northern Ireland following the end of the transition period in 2021, represent a "reasonable compromise" on his part, the PM is to say.

Mr Johnson's ultimatum will be delivered despite the passing of the Benn Act, which is designed to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

His opponents accused him of being determined to “force an undemocratic and destructive vision of Brexit on the country”.

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Key Points

• Irish deputy premier dismisses reported UK proposal as 'non-starter'
• Johnson claims UK could soon pay EU £400m a week
• Labour seeking clarity if PM 'squats' at No 10 after losing confidence vote
• PM says his 'loving, caring' character will return after Brexit
• Tory MP prompts conference lockdown after clashing with security

[1 October 2019 21:53 · Vincent Wood]

Peter Mandelson, who was European Commissioner for Trade between 2004 and 2008, has accused Boris Johnson of "blagging his way through Brexit" while "trivialising the jobs at stake in the North East".

He writes in The Independent: 

As with his latest "plan" for the Irish border, Johnson is talking without sufficient attention to the detail, or to the real impacts of the views and decisions he expounds.

Bluffing and blagging your way through as the prime minister is trying to do is the last thing Britain needs at the moment. He says all he cares about is leaving on 31 October. But the North East will be living with the results the day after and picking up the pieces for years to come. That’s why we should not act without the public having the final say in a proper vote where the real Brexit choices can be finally spelled out.

Read more below: 

[1 October 2019 22:11 · Jon Sharman]

Boris Johnson will lay down a “take it or leave it” ultimatum to Brussels on Wednesday, warning he will take the UK out of the European Union without a deal if it is rejected, write Andrew Woodcock and Jon Stone.

If the EU is unwilling to “engage” with the final offer, there will be no further negotiation and Britain will leave without a deal in 29 days’ time on 31 October, said Downing Street.

The prime minister will spell out details of what he describes as a “fair and reasonable compromise” in his keynote speech to the Conservative conference in Manchester.

And he will make clear he is ready to defy legislation that requires him to extend negotiations to January if he fails to seal a deal, warning that there will be “grave consequences for trust in democracy” if Brexit is delayed again.