Brexit news - LIVE: EU slaps down Boris Johnson plans as Corbyn's team rage over no-deal claims

Boris Johnson pledges Brexit on 31st October in BBC interview

Leadership contenders Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have clashed over the Halloween Brexit deadline, as the foreign secretary said he is the candidate that can be trusted to reach a deal with the EU.

It comes after Mr Johnson, the frontrunner to replace Theresa May, pledged to take Britain out of the EU "do or die, come what may" by the 31 October, and called on Jeremy Hunt

The move led to Mr Johnson being criticised by the UK's former civil service chief, Lord Kerslake, who said the ex-foreign secretary's premiership would be an "opportunity for disaster".

The European Commission also reiterated that the Brexit withdrawal agreement will not be negotiated, “full stop” – despite claims by Boris Johnson that he would somehow be able to re-open talks.

When asked whether the agreement could be reopened under any circumstances – including to stop a no-deal or prevent a hard border in Ireland, – a spokesperson for the Commission was emphatic: “I can confirm, as has been repeated several times, we will not be renegotiating the withdrawal agreement, full stop,” she told reporters in Brussels.

This liveblog has now closed, but you can view Wednesday's events below

Key Points

• Boris Johnson could be "opportunity for disaster" as PM, warns ex-civil service chief
• Jeremy Hunt claims he is the candidate to be trusted to deliver a Brexit deal
• ... but bridles in live interview after asked if he's 'richest member of the cabinet'
• DUP leader Arlene Foster insists leaving by 31 October is 'very important'
• Jeremy Corbyn spokesman rejects claims allies will 'accept any Brexit'

[26 June 2019 16:16 · Ashley Cowburn]

A Boris Johnson premiership could be the trigger for Conservative ministers to break ranks and back a People’s Vote to block a no-deal Brexit, contenders for the Liberal Democrat leadership have said.

And both deputy leader Jo Swinson and home affairs spokesman Sir Ed Davey said they were hopeful of defections to the Liberal Democrats as the prospect of leaving the EU without an agreement on 31 October comes nearer.

Asked whether victory for Mr Johnson in the Tory leadership contest on 23 July would act as a “recruiting sergeant” for Lib Dems, Ms Swinson told a Westminster media hustings: “I suspect so.”

[26 June 2019 16:20 · Ashley Cowburn]

Number 10 played down suggestions that the meeting between Theresa May and Vladimir Putin on Friday will mark a thaw in British-Russian relations, which have been in the deep freeze since last year's chemical attack in Salisbury.

The prime minister's official spokesman said the PM would take the opportunity to restate her concern about Russia's "pattern of malign activity".

And he added: "This meeting does not represent a normalisation of relations."