Tory chief whip facing calls to resign over claims he told Conservative MPs to ignore 'pairing' agreement - as it happened

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Harriet Harman calls for an end to pairing in Parliament, Theresa May responds 'The breaking of the pair was an error'

Julian Smith, the Tory chief whip, faced calls to resign over suggestions he intentionally ordered Tory MPs to defy "pairing" arrangements.

Some Conservative backbenchers joined Labour in saying he should quit if it is proved that the events that led to Brandon Lewis, the Tory chairman, breaking an agreement not to vote were intentional.

Meanwhile Dominic Raab travelled to Brussels for his first day of negotiations with the EU.

The new Brexit secretary took over from David Davis last week and has faced a difficult week as he attempts to win support for the government Brexit strategy agreed at Chequers.

One of the key sticking points in talks with Brussels is how the Northern Irish border will be managed, and Theresa May crossed the Irish Sea on Thursday to speak to residents and businesses working across the border. She was joined by Karen Bradley, the Northern Ireland secretary.

As it happened...

Key Points

Julian Smith facing calls to resign over Brexit vote 'whipping' scandal

[19 July 2018 16:18 · Kristin Hugo]

No 10 has confirmed that Stuart Andrew, the Pudsey MP, has been appointed as defence minister to replace Guto Bebb, who resigned in order to vote against the government on Brexit earlier this week.

Meanwhile Kelly Tolhurst is appointed as business minister, replacing Andrew Griffiths, who was forced to quit after it was revealed he had sent a series of inappropriate text messages.

[19 July 2018 16:19 · Kristin Hugo]

Dominic Raab is currently giving a short press conference with Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, in Brussels.

He says it is vital that the UK and EU make progress in negotiations on their future relationship and says he is looking forward to conducting talks with "renewed energy, vigour and vim".

[19 July 2018 16:40 · Kristin Hugo]

Downing Street has again said Theresa May has full confidence in Julian Smith and Brandon Lewis, and that the prime minister has not spoken to her chief whip today.

A spokesperson insisted May did not mislead Parliament when she said Lewis voted "in error" during crunch Brexit votes on Tuesday.

They refused to say whether the prime minister had been aware of the whipping situation.

[19 July 2018 16:58 · Kristin Hugo]

That's all for today. Stay tuned to www.independent.co.uk to find out whether Tory chief whip Julian Smith is able to hold on to his job... Thanks for reading.