PMQs today: Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn clash over Brexit as Tory MPs issue demands over EU deal - as it happened

All the latest updates from Westminster, as they happened

Theresa May responds to high court ruling that air pollution plan is 'unlawful'

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn clashed over Brexit at the first Prime Minister’s Questions since the parliamentary recess.

The Labour leader mocked David Davis' assurances that Brexit will not result in a "Mad Max-style world borrowed from dystopian fiction", and asked the Prime Minister if the Government could set the bar "just a little bit higher".

Ms May reiterated her desire for a "bespoke economic partnership" with the EU amid renewed pressure from her own party as more than 60 Tory MPs signalled they could remove their support if Ms May tried to pursue a softer Brexit.

The powerful European Research Group - led by arch eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg - intervened ahead of crunch Cabinet talks on Thursday where the Prime Minister will strive to unite warring factions over the future relationship with the EU.

It comes as the Government asked the EU to consider granting the UK a longer Brexit transition period than the one proposed by Brussels.

See below for live updates

Key Points

• More than 60 Tory MPs send letter to Theresa May demanding she push for a harder Brexit
• Jeremy Corbyn's lawyers threatens to sue Tory MP Ben Bradley over 'Communist spy claims
• Britain asks EU to consider longer transition period after Brexit
• Prime Minister to meet DUP and Sinn Fein to kickstart progress on powersharing talks in Northern Ireland
• PM announces review into patient concerns of side effects in several medicines

[21 February 2018 11:02 · Lizzy Buchan]

[21 February 2018 11:13 · Lizzy Buchan]

Lawyers for Jeremy Corbyn have written to Ben Bradley demanding a full apology and legal damages after the Tory MP made false claims about Mr Corbyn's alleged dealings with a Communist spy in the 1980s.

The letter, seen by The Independent, says the claims caused "serious harm" to the Labour leader's reputation and demands an apology and donation to a charity of Mr Corbyn's choice.

[21 February 2018 11:31 · Lizzy Buchan]

Ben Bradley, a Tory party vice-chairman, tweeted the accusation about Jeremy Corbyn, later deleting it after the Labour leader threatened him with legal action.

Now Mr Corbyn has gone further, telling Mr Bradley that “serious harm has been caused by your libellous statement” and demanding the apology, on Twitter, “in terms to be agreed with us”.

Follow the story here:

[21 February 2018 11:39 · Lizzy Buchan]

Another breaking story here - The Government has asked the EU to consider granting the UK a longer Brexit transition period than the one proposed by Brussels.

The European Commission has said the transition, during which the UK would be bound by EU rules despite being outside the bloc, should end on 31 December 2020, but UK negotiators said on Wednesday that they want to discuss the possibility of a longer duration.

Our Europe correspondent Jon Stone has the latest:

[21 February 2018 11:56 · Lizzy Buchan]

Environmental lawyers have scored a third High Court victory over Government plans to tackle air pollution. 

Mr Justice Garnham said the Government's plan was "seriously flawed" in respect of 45 local authority areas which are not expected to reduce pollution to within legal levels until 2021.

He said: "Because the obligation is zone-specific, the fact that each of the 45 local authority areas will achieve compliance in any event by 2021 is of no immediate significance.

"The Environment Secretary must ensure that, in each of the 45 areas, steps are taken to achieve compliance as soon as possible, by the quickest route possible and by a means that makes that outcome likely."

He added: "In effect, these local authorities are being urged and encouraged to come up with proposals to improve air quality over the next three years, but are not being required to do so.

"In my judgment, that sort of exhortation is not sufficient."

[21 February 2018 12:02 · Lizzy Buchan]

PMQs is coming up shortly.

[21 February 2018 12:05 · Lizzy Buchan]

Labour's Ruth Cadbury is up on her feet first, asking about the Government's defeat on air quality.

Theresa May says the complaints are not quite accurate, as the Government was taking action to tackle the problem. The High Court found in the government's favour on several counts, she said.

[21 February 2018 12:06 · Lizzy Buchan]

Speaker John Bercow gives MPs a ticking off for roaring at eachother, saying most people at home disapprove of the heckling and shouting.

He mentions the harassment scandal and tells MPs to "stop it!".

[21 February 2018 12:08 · Lizzy Buchan]

Jeremy Corbyn leads unusually with a question on Brexit, where he pokes fun at David Davis' speech yesterday. Asks if he could have "set the bar a little bit higher" than a "Mad Max-style dystopia".

May hits back, saying it was rich for Labour to criticise the Government when they cannot agree with eachother.

[21 February 2018 12:10 · Lizzy Buchan]

Jeremy Corbyn leads unusually with a question on Brexit, where he pokes fun at David Davis' speech yesterday. Asks if he could have "set the bar a little bit higher" than a "Mad Max-style dystopia".

May hits back, saying it was rich for Labour to criticise the Government when they cannot agree with eachother.