Brexit news - live: Boris Johnson attacking ‘rule of law’, say lawyers as Keir Starmer warns of job losses

Follow all the latest developments in UK politics today

Former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke jailed after being found guilty of three sexual assaults

The rule of law is “under attack” from Boris Johnson’s internal markets plan for Brexit, according to the Law Society. The solicitors’ body said “we have a choice about what sort of country we want to be and what we want to be known for around the world”.

The controversial proposal to tear up part of the Brexit treaty with the European Union passed its second reading in the Commons on Monday by a majority of 77 despite a rebellion among Tory MPs.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer called on the government to implement a targeted extension of its furlough scheme, as millions of job losses loom.

The Labour leader continued to self-isolate after a family member developed coronavirus symptoms, as he awaited the results from a test he said they were only able to obtain due to his wife’s job in the NHS.

Angela Rayner is set to face off against Mr Johnson in PMQs on Wednesday as a result.

It came as former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of three counts of sexual assault against two women.

Key Points

• Charlie Elphicke jailed for two years
• Starmer calls for furlough scheme replacement
• Patel says she would call police on neighbours breaking ‘rule-of-six’
• ‘Rule of law is under attack,’ solicitors warn
• Leaked report warns of lorry queues and Eurostar delays
• Ed Miliband attacks Boris Johnson over ‘failure

[15 September 2020 20:40 · Andy Gregory]

Government urged to extend eviction ban to avoid ‘cliff-edge’ for renters

Labour is demanding the government perform an eleventh-hour U-turn and extend the eviction moratorium until they have a “credible” plan to ensure people do not lose their homes as a result of the pandemic, Ashley Cowburn reports.

With just six days remaining until courts can once again begin procession proceedings, shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire warned of a “cliff-edge” facing thousands in the rental sector.

Her comments came after Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, announced a brief extension to the reprieve on evictions until 20 September, following intense pressure from homelessness charities and opposition parties.

In an attempt to alleviate concerns over the imminent lifting of the ban, the government extended the notice period for renters are given to leave a property from three to six months, excluding cases involving anti-social tenants.

Last week, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government also said evictions will not be enforced in areas where local lockdowns have been imposed, and announced a “truce on enforcement” over Christmas.

While welcoming the measures that would prevent the “misery” of tenants facing eviction over the festive period, charity Shelter warned those people who were served notices by landlords before August could “still face automatic eviction when the moratorium expires”.

[15 September 2020 22:07 · Andy Gregory]

Asylum-seekers to be housed in military barracks

The government is to house people who have crossed the Channel in small boats in military barracks while their asylum claims are processed.

The Home Office has been accused of "exceptionally poor communication" over the plans.

Around 400 people including families are to be housed in temporary accommodation at Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent, from next week.

They are understood to include migrants who have crossed to the UK in small boats.

Local Tory MP Damian Collins says he "cannot support" the decision and called on the Home Office to find "more suitable" accommodation.