Boris Johnson news – live: PM faces fresh Brexit setback ahead of emergency Commons session as MPs threaten to delay vote

Follow all the latest developments

Countdown to Brexit: How many days left until Britain leaves the EU?

Boris Johnson has launched a charm offensive with expelled Tories, hardline Brexiteers and Labour MPs in a bid to get his Brexit deal passed at a special Commons sitting on Saturday.

But his plans were thrown into disarray after a cross-party bid led by expelled Tory Sir Oliver Letwin sought to delay approving the deal until the legislation has passed.

Tory MP John Baron caused alarm by claiming he is “inclined” to vote for the deal because the UK could still leave on no-deal basis at the end of the transition period in December 2020.

Key Points

• Brexit vote could be delayed in extraordinary move by cross-party MPs
• ... as Macron says 'I do not think we shall grant' extension
• Momentum founder says Labour rebels should be deselected
• Tory MP says UK could still ‘leave on no-deal terms’ in December 2020
• Climate protester scales scaffolding around Big Ben

[18 October 2019 10:17 · Adam Forrest]

Geoffrey Cox publishes legal statement on Brexit deal

Attorney general Geoffrey Cox has published a legal statement on the mechanism that replaces the backstop in the Boris Johnson’s new Brexit deal.

It concludes by saying there are “no grounds” for thinking the agreement would trap any part of the UK in EU arrangements because of “the right of members of the Northern Ireland legislative assembly to withhold consent to the continued application of those provisions”.

You can read it here.

Attorney general Geoffrey Cox (EPA) 

[18 October 2019 10:22 · Adam Forrest]

Letwin amendment seeks to uphold Benn Act

Tory rebel Sir Oliver Letwin has filed a crucial amendment to the Brexit deal vote in the Commons on Saturday.

It would allow sceptical Tory MPs to vote for the deal but retains the need for the government to abide by the Benn Act and ask for an extension.

A reminder: MPs have backed off from trying to attach a second referendum vote to the deal on Saturday – and seem set to wait and see if the deal fails before launching a bid at a Final Say public vote next week.

[18 October 2019 10:52 · Adam Forrest]

Jon Lansman calls for Labour rebels to be deselected

Momentum founder Jon Lansman has called for Labour rebels who vote for Boris Johnson’s deal to be deselected ahead of the next election. 

“Labour MPs cannot and must not vote for it. If they do, the NEC [National Executive Committee] will have no choice but to be replace them with a new, socialist Labour candidate at the next election.”

John McDonnell earlier warned there would be “consequences” for MPs in his party who vote for Boris Johnson’s deal – but would not say whether that included having the whip removed and being effectively expelled.

All the details here.

[18 October 2019 11:16 · Adam Forrest]

Labour MP Ronnie Campbell will back deal - how many others?

In case you missed it, Labour MP Ronnie Campbell told Newsnight he would vote for Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.

John McDonnell said earlier this morning he would “have a word with Ronnie” in an effort to twist his arm and get him to switch back.

Campbell was not one of the five Labour MPs who voted for Theresa May’s deal (at the third time of asking).

Those were: John Mann, Caroline Flint, Jim Fitzpatrick, Kevin Barron and Rosie Cooper.

So how many more Labour MPs can the government persuade?

According to Sky News, Ian Austin, John Woodcock, Kelvin Hopkins and Frank Field are also “believed to be close to backing a deal”.

And there’s Stephen Kinnock, who has spoken about his desire to see a deal done, but also talked about the need for a deal to protect workers’ rights.

[18 October 2019 11:32 · Adam Forrest]

John Mann says ‘over nine’ fellow Labour MPs will back deal

Having just speculated that as many as 10 or 11 Labour MPs could vote for the deal, we have an interesting prediction just in.

Labour MP John Mann said he will vote for Boris Johnson's Brexit deal and expects “over nine” of his fellow Labour MPs to follow suit, he said on Friday.

“I will be voting in favour of it, it’s a deal that’s been agreed with the European Union, it's a two side deal and that satisfies me,” Mann told Irish national broadcaster RTE.

Asked how many Labour MPs would also support Johnson's deal, he said: “More than nine ... I don’t know how many because there is different pressures at play but it will be in double figures.”

[18 October 2019 11:38 · Adam Forrest]

Boris Johnson will summon cabinet at 4pm

Boris Johnson is summoning his cabinet at 4pm to give its official backing to his Brexit deal – although, given there appears to be no opposition, this is not a significant moment, writes Rob Merrick.

The more important focus will be on the prime minister and his aides ringing around wavering MPs who could, just, give him a majority in the showdown Commons votes tomorrow.

However, there are not expected to be any further conversations with the DUP – after it savaged the agreement as a betrayal and vowed to vote against it.

If – and it’s a big if – the vote is won, the full withdrawal agreement bill that must follow could be published as early as Monday, with No 10 still insisting it can be raced through parliament in time for a 31 October exit.

Some MPs and experts believe it could take several weeks to wade through a blizzard of expected amendments, requiring an extension even if MPs approve the initial motion tomorrow.

[18 October 2019 11:48 · Adam Forrest]

Could parliament still vote for a second referendum?

Enough speculation, for the time being, about how many MPs will back Boris Johnson’s deal. What about the number ready to back a second referendum?

Supporters of a Final Say vote are confident they now have enough support in the Commons, believing up to 15 of the sacked Conservatives will join them – but only after the deal has gone down on Saturday.

Our chief political commentator John Rentoul has taken a look at how the numbers could stack up for another public vote.

[18 October 2019 12:04 · Adam Forrest]

ERG boss Steve Baker staying quiet for now

Steve Baker, the chairman of the European Research Group (ERG), is not yet telling anyone how many of “his” group will vote for Boris Johnson’s deal.

Baker – the self-described “Brexit hardman” – has previously insisted ERG members are independent thinkers, so he can’t tell them how to vote.

Although he is one of the 28 “Spartans” who voted against Theresa May’s deal three times, there is speculation most of the Spartans will back the deal. Baker, Mark Francois and Peter Bone have all made encouraging noises.

[18 October 2019 12:20 · Ashley Cowburn]

New poll shows shows 41% of public want MPs to back Brexit deal

According to a snap poll by YouGov, 41% of the general public want MPs to pass Boris Johnson's Brexit deal during Saturday's sitting of the Commons - opposed to 24% who want MPs to reject the agreement. 

[18 October 2019 12:53 · Adam Forrest]

Jess Phillips reminds Labour MPs PM has been ‘racist’

If there are still wavering Labour MPs who have not made up their minds whether to back the deal, Jess Phillips has reminded them about Boris Johnson’s history.