Brexit news - LIVE: Jeremy Corbyn denies calling Theresa May 'stupid woman' after uproar in parliament
The latest Brexit developments at Westminster
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK
Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight
Jeremy Corbyn today came under pressure to apologise after MPs accused him of calling the prime minister a “stupid woman” during a heated exchange in the Commons.
The Labour leader firmly denied he had made a misogynistic remark, claiming during a point of order later on Wednesday that he muttered “stupid people” under his breath to refer to all MPs.
It came as television cameras picked up Mr Corbyn during prime minister’s questions saying something to those next to him after Theresa May likened his attempt to force a vote of no confidence in her leadership to a pantomime.
The footage went viral on social media, but Mr Corbyn later flatly denied using the phrase, telling MPs gathered in the chamber: “I referred to those who I believe were seeking to turn a debate about the national crisis facing our country into a pantomime as “stupid people”.
“I did not use the words “stupid woman” about the Prime Minister or anyone else, and am completely opposed to the use of sexist or misogynist language in absolutely any form at all.”
Ms May had suggested Mr Corbyn apologise if he had indeed used “inappropriate language” as the row overshadowed a heated PMQs that focused on the ongoing Brexit impasse.
The row comes as Sajid Javid, the home secretary, conceded that a Conservative manifesto pledge to keep net migration to the “tens of thousands” has been left out of post-Brexit plans released on Wednesday afternoon.
See below for live updates
Our Europe correspondent Jon Stone has written a fascinating piece on what sort of impact Brexit has had on other European countries and their relationship with the EU.
Read his take here:
Here's a clip from Sajid Javid's interview this morning on the Today programme, with the key details on the immigration plans.
Labour has put in a bid for an emergency debate on no-deal planning today.
The European Commission has started implementing its "no deal" Contingency Action Plan, covering 14 areas where UK withdrawal without a deal would create "major disruption for citizens and businesses" in the remaining 27 EU states, including financial services, air transport and customs.
It's nearly time for the last PMQs of the year. Here is a list of the questions being asked today. Interestingly, May critic Andrew Bridgen is on the list, so this could give us a chance to take the temperature of the Brexiteers.
The EU has unveiled a raft of measures to protect its “vital interests” in the event of a no-deal Brexit, writes our Europe correspondent Jon Stone.
The European Commission on Wednesday recommended 14 measures in a number of area including financial services, air transport, customs and climate policy.
More here:
PMQs has now started, which is the last of the year.
Theresa May begins by paying tribute to those killed in the Lockerbie bombing and by sending Christmas wishes to the armed forced and the emergency services.
Labour MP Mike Amesbury asks whether she is going to act on leasehold mis-selling or if she has 'kicked it into the long grass like the meaningful vote'.
May says that is not true and the government will introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows.
Tory Alberto Costa asks can she confirm that she will get a legally binding agreement on citizens rights before exit day?
May says the Brexit deal guarantees those rights. EU citizens will still be able to access 'broadly' the same rights in a no-deal scenario, she says. The EU needs to be clear too.
Jeremy Corbyn joins her in her tributes to the victims of Lockerbie and to the emergency services.
He wishes Theresa May a Merry Christmas but says she has "plunged this country into a national crisis". She has failed to win assurances on her Brexit deal and is now running down the clock before exit day.
He asks when the European Council will meet to approve changes they have already ruled out?
May says there are ongoing conversations with the EU. She has already set out the date for the meaningful vote - after January 14.
She says Corbyn always sets out what he is against but never says what he is for. He kicks off about a meaningful vote - but all he has a meaningful position.
Jeremy Corbyn says she is still unclear about when it will take place. The EU has no council meetings planned in that time.
May says she will set out the details of her conversations in the New Year. She says he may be angry but it doesn't hide the fact that he doesn't have a Brexit plan. He has to accept his responsibility for planning for Brexit.
Corbyn says it is the PM who is supposed to be doing the negotiations. If she doesn't like it then she should step aside and let someone else do it.
'The reality is the PM is stalling for time', he says. It isn't stoical, its cynical. Can the PM give a cast-iron guarantee that the vote will not be delayed again?
May says she has been clear when that will be brought back to this house. The majority of MPs stood on a mandate to deliver on Brexit. Corbyn has a duty to deliver on it 'but he's just bottled it'.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies