Brexit live: Theresa May to make statement to the nation
Theresa May is making a statement to the nation after informing Parliament earlier today that she was asking the EU for a “short delay” to the Brexit process.
The Prime Minister held a series of meetings with opposition parties over the course of the evening.
Here are all the latest developments:
Here’s the moment earlier when the Prime Minister informed the Commons of her delay request
SNP also criticises Labour leader
SNP MP Stewart McDonald has told Jeremy Corbyn to “get a grip” after his refusal to engage in talks with the Independent Group present.
He tweeted: “I mean honestly, nine days until the country he wants to be Prime Minister of leaves the EU and @jeremycorbyn has gone full ‘you can’t sit with us’.
“This isn’t Mean Girls. Get a grip of your life, man!”
Former Labour MP criticises Corbyn
Astonishing. Yet again @jeremycorbyn puts petty party politics before the national interest. https://t.co/lfuvUsuoKm
— Chris Leslie (@ChrisLeslieMP) March 20, 2019
Corbyn refuses talks invite
Jeremy Corbyn refused to take part in opposition party talks because members of the breakaway Independent Group were present, other leaders said.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: “That is rather a strange way to behave in a national crisis.”
Chuka Umunna, spokesman for The Independent Group, said: “I find it extraordinary behaviour in a national crisis.”
Parties call for continuous session
The SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have called for Parliament to sit in “continuous session” until it can agree a “clear plan” for Brexit.
In a joint statement ahead of their meeting with Theresa May, the four Westminster party leaders – Ian Blackford, Sir Vince Cable, Liz Saville Roberts and Caroline Lucas – said a plan was needed that would enable the EU to agree a delay to Brexit beyond June 30.
They said that if the Commons was unable to agree a way forward they would be prepared “as a last resort” to take steps to secure a vote on revoking the Article 50 withdrawal process altogether.
“We agree that the House of Commons must formulate a plan that will give the EU Council the confidence to agree a longer extension beyond June 30, so that by the end of next week legislation can be in place to prevent a no-deal exit,” they said.
“Parliament should now sit in continuous session until it can reach a decision and set out a clear plan.
“We will be pushing for the House of Commons to support a referendum on remaining in the EU, others will put forward their own positions.
“If the Commons cannot agree, as a last resort we would be prepared to take steps to secure a parliamentary vote on the revocation of Article 50.”