Government hits back at EU claims it has no fresh plan, saying proposals for Irish border 'clear as day'

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Jeremy Corbyn 'reaches out' to Tory MPs over Brexit

The government has hit back at EU claims that it has not put forward a fresh Brexit plan, with just days left to secure changes to the Irish backstop ahead of crunch votes next week.

Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, insisted the UK had put forward proposals that were “clear as day”.

It came after French foreign minister Nathalie Loiseau and Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar both claimed the UK was yet to put forward a new proposal.

MPs will vote again on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week, with new concessions on the backstop seen as crucial to securing Tory MPs’ backing for the plan.

As it happened...

Key Points

• Equalities watchdog to investigate accusations of Labour antisemitism 
• Brussels gives UK 48 hours to make progress in Brexit talks
• Government hits back at EU claims it has made no new proposal on Irish backstop
• Hammond hints at prospect of cash boost for public services if MPs back May's deal

[7 March 2019 11:03 · Benjamin Kentish]

Theresa May has been urged to guarantee emergency food supplies in the event of a no-deal Brexit

[7 March 2019 11:21 · Benjamin Kentish]

The knife crime crisis could put Labour in power, writes Andrew Grice...

[7 March 2019 11:39 · Benjamin Kentish]

Labour MP Ruth Smeeth, who has suffered antisemitic abuse, has welcomed the EHRC's decision to look into allegations that the party has discriminated against Jewish people.

She said:

"This is a devastating indictment on the Labour Party. Decent members will be horrified that we have got into this position.

"However, after three years of appalling incidents of antisemitism, from a small number of racists within our ranks which the leadership failed to tackle, this is a necessary step.

"I welcome the EHRC intervention but today is another dark day in the history of our party which could and should have been avoided if concerns raised had been heeded last year."

[7 March 2019 11:46 · Benjamin Kentish]

Andrea Leadsom confirms to MPs that a second "meaningful vote" on Theresa May's Brexit deal will be held on Tuesday.

She says that "in the deeply regrettable" event that MPs reject the deal, she will make a further business statement in order to allow for votes on whether to pursue no-deal or extend Article 50.

[7 March 2019 12:11 · Benjamin Kentish]

Karen Bradley, the Northern Ireland secretary, has apologised for claiming that deaths caused by soldiers and police during the Troubles were not crimes. 

She made the controversial comments in the Commons yesterday, prompting some Northern Irish politicians to call for her resign.

She said in a statement:

"Yesterday I made comments regarding the actions of soldiers during the Troubles. I want to apologise. I am profoundly sorry for the offence and hurt that my words have caused. The language was wrong and even though this was not my intention, it was deeply insensitive to many of those who lost loved ones.

"I know from those families that I have met personally just how raw their pain is and I completely understand why they want to see justice properly delivered. I share that aim and that is why I launched the public consultation on addressing the legacy of the Troubles.

"My position and the position of this government is clear. We believe fundamentally in the rule of law. Where there is any evidence of wrongdoing this should be pursued without fear or favour whoever the perpetrators might be. That is a principle that underpins our approach to dealing with legacy issues and it is one from which we will not depart."

[7 March 2019 12:21 · Benjamin Kentish]

These are the comments that Karen Bradley has just apologised for:

[7 March 2019 12:35 · Benjamin Kentish]

The most senior civil servant at the Department for Exiting the European Union is set to retire on 29 March - the day Britain is due to leave the EU.

Philip Rycroft, 57, will be replaced as permanent secretary by Clare Moriarty, currently the top civil servant at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the government said. 

[7 March 2019 12:51 · Benjamin Kentish]

Northern Ireland secretary Karen Bradley is facing mounting pressure to resign over her comments yesterday.

Northern Ireland's former police ombudsman, Baroness Nuala O'Loan, called on Theresa May to sack the minister, saying she had showed a "total disregard for the rule of law" and "a total lack of understanding about Northern Ireland and utter contempt for those who suffered the loss of loved ones."

She said Ms Bradley had "demonstrated yet again that she is not fit to be the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland". 

[7 March 2019 13:09 · Benjamin Kentish]

Irish politicians have joined calls for Karen Bradley to resign over her comments about killings during the Troubles

[7 March 2019 13:24 · Benjamin Kentish]

Amber Rudd has claimed that Margaret Thatcher believed it was "not particularly relevant" to help other women.

The work and pensions secretary said the former prime minister inspired women simply through her position but "did not make any particular effort" to do so.

Speaking on International Women's Day, she told BBC Radio 2:

"I think she just didn't see herself as a champion of women, although she was externally because we all saw her and become inspired by it, but she didn't make any particular effort herself."