Brexit news: Boris Johnson downgrades Tory Islamophobia inquiry and vows to sack ministers against no deal, amid Labour confusion over Corbyn stance

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Boris Johnson pledges to deliver Brexit by 31 October 'do or die'

Boris Johnson appears to have downgraded his promise of support for an independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.

The frontrunner for the Tory crown said he wanted a probe into all types of discrimination, despite having previously backed calls for an investigation specifically into anti-Muslim prejudice.

His rival, foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, also faced criticism after claiming the two sides in the Northern Ireland conflict must be treated “the same”.

At a Tory leadership hustings, Mr Johnson said it would be “absolutely folly” to rule out suspending Parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit againast the rule of MPs. He said the controversial measure should remain as “an essential tool in our negotiation”.

Meanwhile, Mr Hunt conceded the winner of the contest could spend the shortest time as prime minister in history, and said he would resign if he failed to deliver Brexit.

Mr Johnson told party members in Bournemouth that he wanted to be the prime minister of a “representative democracy, a great representative democracy in which we believe in our elected representatives to take the right decision”.

“I would rather than confiding in this archaic device to get this thing done at my own behest, I would rather confide in the maturity of common sense of parliamentarians, all of whom are now staring down the barrel of public distrust,” he said.

Mr Hunt told the hustings that he would introduce a “no-deal Bill” in the first Queen’s Speech in the new parliamentary session to ensure the country is “fully” prepared for such an outcome.

And, asked by moderator Hannah Vaughan Jones if he was “concerned by threats it could be the shortest tenure in history”, he replied: “Well, if we get this wrong, it will be.

“And we have got the biggest constitutional crisis in living memory and that is because MPs like me made a promise to the people that we would deliver the outcome of the referendum whatever it was and we failed.”

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Key Points

• Boris Johnson downgrades Islamophobia inquiry pledge...
• ...and threatens to sack any cabinet ministers who opposed no-deal Brexit
• MPs reveal plan to block no-deal
• ... as Japan's foreign minister warns against no-deal scenario
• Diane Abbott admits she is 'starting to worry' about Labour's Brexit policy

[27 June 2019 11:50 · Benjamin Kentish]

Tom Tugendhat, the chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, has criticised Boris Johnson's promise to introduce an Australian-style points-based immigration system if he becomes prime minister...

[27 June 2019 12:09 · Benjamin Kentish]

David Lidington, the deputy prime minister, has said he would not vote down the government to block a no-deal Brexit.

Speaking during a visit to Manchester, he said:

 

"I'm not in the business of wanting to put Jeremy Corbyn into government because I think that would be disastrous for the country on both economic and security grounds but I am very opposed to no-deal. I think it would cause significant harm to the manufacturing industry throughout the United Kingdom and agriculture throughout the United Kingdom and put further strain on the union of the United Kingdom."

He added:

"I believe we should follow the referendum result and leave with a deal and then use the implementation period to negotiate a very close partnership with the European Union.

"These countries are fellow democracies, geography isn't going to change, they're going to remain our closest neighbours and they're going to remain our most important trading partner in the world for as far ahead as I can see."

[27 June 2019 12:28 · Benjamin Kentish]

Boris Johnson has said he would sack any cabinet ministers opposed to a no-deal Brexit...

[27 June 2019 12:38 · Benjamin Kentish]

Theresa May has left the door open to voting against her successor's Brexit plan.

Speaking to reporters as she travelled to the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, the prime minister said:

"What I hope and expect is that my successor will be able to put before parliament proposals that will enable us to deliver on the vote of the British people in a way that will be good for the United Kingdom."

Asked if she would commit to supporting her successor's plan, even if it meant a no-deal Brexit, she said:

"What you are saying to me is 'Will you now say that whatever happens in the future you're going to agree with it?'

"Look, I think it's important for us to deliver Brexit in a way that is good for British people.

"It will be up to my successor to take this forward, to find the majority in parliament that I was not able to find on this issue and to deliver the decision of the British people in 2016."

[27 June 2019 12:49 · Benjamin Kentish]

Jeremy Hunt is facing criticism from some Tory and DUP MPs over comments he made about Northern Ireland during a hustings last night.

The foreign secretary said: "There is a need to treat both sides in the same way, however angry we may have felt about what happened

The DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told the Belfast Telegraph:

"I think he needs a little more information about what exactly happened as a result of the agreement.

"The reality is the IRA terrorists were given letters to enable them to return home from being on the run and evading justice.

"All of the terrorist organisations benefited from the early release of prisoners and there have been many other concessions made to terrorists. None of that has been sought nor replicated for members of the armed forces. Nor would we want them to be."

And Conservative MP James Heappey tweeted...

[27 June 2019 13:18 · Benjamin Kentish]

Boris Johnson appears to have downgraded his pledge of support for an independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.

The Tory leadership frontrunner made the pledge at a hustings earlier this month, along with several other candidates who were still in the race at that stage.

It came after Sajid Javid, the home secretary, asked the other then contenders live on air if they would support such a probe. They all agreed.

But in an interview with ConservativeHome, Mr Johnson suggested the inquiry should focus on all forms of discrimination.

He said:

“I took it up with Saj afterwards and he said that actually, if I understand it correctly, what we’ve committed to is a general investigation into all types of prejudice and discrimination, including antisemitism....So yes, we’ll have to study exactly what Saj has in mind, but it sounded like a sensible idea when he mentioned it.”

[27 June 2019 13:39 · Benjamin Kentish]

Downing Street has described a new attempt by backbench MPs to block a no-deal Brexit by voting down government spending plans as "grossly irresponsible".

A No10 spokesperson said:

"We don't know if that amendment is going to be selected at this point. Any attempt to deny vital funding to Whitehall departments would be grossly irresponsible.

"This is government spending for this financial year and funds crucial areas like schools, housing and welfare."

[27 June 2019 13:53 · Ashley Cowburn]

Theresa May has issued a plea for a diplomatic solution to the stand-off between the US and Iran, as Donald Trump openly discusses the possibility of military action in retaliation for Tehran’s downing of a US military drone.

Speaking as she set off for the G20 summit in Japan, Ms May called for the international community to “stand together against Iran’s deeply destabilising activity” but said the priority must be “the urgent de-escalation of tensions” and a diplomatic resolution.

In a message to fellow leaders apparently aimed squarely at Mr Trump, Ms May issued an appeal for international cooperation and compromise to deal with global challenges.

[27 June 2019 14:04 · Ashley Cowburn]

The PM has sent her successor as prime minister a signal that he cannot expect her automatic support on Brexit after she steps down.

Theresa May - on board declined to commit herself to backing her successor’s EU withdrawal plan in all circumstances, including a no-deal outcome.

And she said the new PM - either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt - must secure MPs’ backing for the path he proposes and should not shut down parliament to stop them from voting.

Asked by The Independent whether she could commit herself now to supporting the outcome offered by her successor, even if this meant no-deal, she indicated this was not something she was prepared to do.

“What you’re saying to me is ‘Will you now say that whatever happens in the future, you’re going to agree with it?’” she said.

[27 June 2019 14:28 · Ashley Cowburn]

Tom Watson, the deputy Labour leader, and 90 of the party's MPs and peers have issued a statement demanding Jeremy Corbyn withdraw the whip from Chris Williamson.

The statement said they cannot overstate the "depth and breadth of hurt and anger" at the readmission of the Derby North MP to the party following his suspension over allegations of anti-Semitism.

"It is clear to us that the Labour Party's disciplinary process remains mired by the appearance of political interference. This must stop. We need a truly independent process," the statement said.

"We call on Jeremy Corbyn to show leadership by asking for this inappropriate, offensive and reputationally damaging decision to be overturned and reviewed.

"Ultimately, it is for Jeremy Corbyn to decide whether Chris Williamson retains the Labour whip. He must remove it immediately if we are to stand any hope of persuading anyone that the Labour Party is taking anti-Semitism seriously."