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As it happenedended1575935021

General election news – live: Tories accused of spreading false claim aide was hit by Labour protester

Follow all the latest developments

Adam Forrest,Lizzy Buchan
Monday 09 December 2019 23:02 GMT
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Protesters berate Matt Hancock and staff after hospital visit

Boris Johnson has come under fire for failing to address a shocking image of a four-year-old boy forced to sleep on a NHS hospital floor – snatching the phone of a reporter attempting to show the image to him and putting it in his pocket.

Health secretary Matt Hancock was met with protesters shouting “shame on you” as he visited Leeds General Infirmary later on Tuesday. The Tories were accused of trying to “cheat and manipulate the media” after incorrectly briefing broadcasters that Mr Hancock’s aide had been punched by a protester.

It came as Mr Johnson faced a backlash over his remarks about EU citizens being able to “treat the UK as if it’s part of their own country”.

Meanwhile, John McDonnell unveiled Labour plans to begin nationalising utility companies within 100 days, while the DUP leader Arlene Foster said the prime minister “broke his word” that the Brexit deal would not include a customs border in the Irish Sea.

During a Question Time special to address the concerns of voters under 30, Nigel Farage was accused of “peddling racism” and “dog-whistle politics” during the Brexit referendum by Jo Swinson and Angela Rayner.

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley described Mr Farage standing in front of the infamous anti-migration “breaking point” poster as “the lowest moment of my life”.

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The fallout from the false reports that Matt Hancock's aide was punched continues.

BBC's Laura Kuenssberg says she is "happy to apologise" for earlier confusion and that two sources had suggested the incident took place.

While Robert Peston of ITV also apologises.

But The Observer's Carole Cadwalladr says "this has become the story" and joins calls urging the reporters who received the inaccurate information to name their sources, claiming doing so would serve the public interest.

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 21:05
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Jo Swinson coming under heat for her position to revoke, with the Tories' Robert Jenrick saying it was an odd position for a party named the Liberal Democrats to take.

Ms Swinson replies she is pro-European and "is not going to change [her] beliefs".

Jenrick asks "what's the point of having another referendum if you're just going to ignore the results?" - as the camera pans to certain approving audience members.

Ms Swinson says that is "just not true", before attacking Angela Rayner for telling "the most amazing amount of fudge" over the difference between a deal that keeps us in the customs union and single market, or Remain.

The bottom line is there isn't a Brexit deal that protects jobs and our economy. 

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 21:18
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Swinson accuses Farage of stirring racism and division

Things reach a crescendo as Farage says the Lib Dems have lied over Brexit.

"Your party - I remember the late Paddy Ashdown saying 'we will respect the voters and implement the result', and you have broken your word," he says.

A furious Ms Swinson responds: "Don't you talk about what people said during the referendum. All of the lies about Turkey being about to join the EU. You stood in front of that breaking point poster that stirred racism and division. I will take no lectures from you about your behaviour in the referendum.

Brexit Party leader says "you've lied for 50 years", referencing the "European army" that some EU leaders are keen on.

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley later says: "You standing in front of that "breaking point" poster was the lowest moment of my life", while Angela Rayner tells him to stop peddling "dog-whistle racism".

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 21:27
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Nigel Farage asked if he'll be voting Conservative "because it's the only way to get Brexit done".

Question comes from audience member who says he thinks "the only reason he opposes the government's deal is he likes being on TV".

Later, in an effort to stop him talking, Emma Barnett says: "Nigel I know you have a radio show, but this isn't your show."

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 21:33
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Jeremy Corbyn reads mean tweets about himself

A little light relief from the debate, featuring "commie hats" and "Maoist bicycles".

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 21:48
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What will you do to bring trust back to politics, leaders asked

Adam Price: Table a bill to make it illegal for politicians to lie

Nigel Farage: Reform the political system and abolish Lords

Angela Rayner: I won't lie and will call out those who do

Robert Jenrick: Deliver on the referendum result in 2016 and leave in January (Rayner: "What, like October?")

Jo Swinson: Stick to my principles of remaining in EU whether popular or not

Humza Yousaf: Fulfill promises and mandates of manifesto, and that he likes Price's bill

Jonathan Bartley: Lift the ceiling on fines that can be issued by electoral commission (also a fan of Price's bill)

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 21:54
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How can we be sure houses will be affordable when they'll be built by private developers, politicians asked

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick challenged over Tory pledge for 200,000 starter homes in 2015 - none of which have been completed.

He says previous administration instead decided to build 400,000 "affordable homes". Says Tories have built more home this year than any year in past three decades, and that you need private sector to work with state. Also trying to reform planning sector, Mr Jenrick says, claiming to be on course to build 300,000 new homes a year.

A handful of audience members (all under 30 years old) raise their arms when asked if they own their own property, compared to every politician on panel.

Although, it seems a different result would be in order if Mr Bartley's fellow co-leader had shown up instead.

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 22:00
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Why it's so hard to predict the result of the general election 

One ugly fact about elections in the UK is that they are decided in just a small number of the country's 650 seats, writes Jon Stone in his latest tactical voting blog. 

Anti-Brexit campaign group Best for Britain has calculated that as few as 40,704 tactical votes - moved between Final Say supporting parties - could prevent a Tory majority. 

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 22:29
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Johnson set to warn of 'clear and present' danger of hung parliament amid 'well-financed' efforts

Boris Johnson will warn there is a "clear and present" danger of another hung parliament if voters do not turn out to support the Conservatives on Thursday, according to PA.

With just two days to polling day, the PM will tell supporters during a campaign visit to Staffordshire that there are "well-financed" efforts to prevent a Tory majority through tactical voting.

Mr Johnson will warn that just 12 gains by the opposition parties would be enough to put Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street.

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 22:51
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That's it for our live coverage of the general election campaign this evening.

We'll be back tomorrow morning as the inimitable Adam Forrest resumes the reins.

Andy Gregory9 December 2019 23:43

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