Brexit as it happened: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn loses 'no confidence' motion

After another tumultuous day that saw Jeremy Corbyn refuse to resign despite suffering a one-sided "no confidence" motion result, David Cameron and Nigel Farage head to Europe in very different moods and the emergence of potential candidates to head up the Conservative Party (not Boris), it is no more clear what the political landscape of a post-Brexit Britain may look like. The rest of the picture outside Europe – the British economy, justice system, immigration, education - is murkier still. And it seems it will be a while yet before anything approaching clarity is in sight.

Stay up to date with the latest news on Brexit and beyond with International Business Times UK.

It did not take long for Jeremy Corbyn to respond to the motion. And to no one's surprise he chose to hang on. His statement in full:

"In the aftermath of last week's referendum, our country faces major challenges. Risks to the economy and living standards are growing. The public is divided.

"The Government is in disarray. Ministers have made it clear they have no exit plan, but are determined to make working people pay with a new round of cuts and tax rises.

"Labour has the responsibility to give a lead where the Government will not. We need to bring people together, hold the Government to account, oppose austerity and set out a path to exit that will protect jobs and incomes.

"To do that we need to stand together. Since I was elected leader of our party nine months ago, we have repeatedly defeated the Government over its attacks on living standards.

"Last month, Labour become the largest party in the local elections. In Thursday's referendum, a narrow majority voted to leave, but two thirds of Labour supporters backed our call for a remain vote.

"I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60% of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning. Today's vote by MPs has no constitutional legitimacy.

"We are a democratic party, with a clear constitution. Our people need Labour party members, trade unionists and MPs to unite behind my leadership at a critical time for our country."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has lost the vote of no confidence from the party's MPs, Sky News is reporting.

A Labour spokesperson says: "Following the ballot conducted today, the Parliamentary Labour Party has accepted the following motion: That this PLP has no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn as Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party."

Meanwhile, Westminster Bridge next to the Houses of Parliament and Portcullis House has been shut by the Metropolitan Police. The bomb squad are probing a 'suspicious vehicle' with a robot.

Pat Glass was promoted to Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet yesterday, today she says she will retire as an MP at the next general election.

Couple more videos while we wait news from Cameron's meeting. First up we have President of the European Council Donald Tusk giving his opinion on the UK's Brexit.

And another one featuring George Osborne suggesting the UK should not trigger the crucial Article 50 until relationship with EU is clear.

As well as Cameron, other photos are emerging of the leaders of EU nations arriving for the meeting in Brussels.

Cameron explaining his intentions as he arrives in Brussels for the EU Council.

Stephen Crabb has officially put his name forward in the Tory party leadership race, Politico is reporting.

The UK world and pensions secretary is seen as viable candidate for having a polar opposite upbringing to the old Etonians such as Johnson or Cameron, growing up in a council house Pembrokeshire, west Wales.

Whether the Conservatives will consider him ready to (presumably) become prime minster is another thing, however.

For reasons I'm not quite sure yet, Keanu Reeves how showed up in Westminster's Portcullis House and is speaking to MPs.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has told the Scottish parliament that "Scotland's voice will be heard" with regards to wanting to remain as a member of the EU.

She added that while she is looking into the possibility of a second referendum in a country which voted remain by 62% to 38%, it is not the first thing she is campaigning for.

Sturgeon said: "To ensure that the option of holding a referendum within the timeframe of UK negotiations on leaving the EU is viable, we will prepare the legislation now and secure time for it in our forthcoming legislative programme.

"However, let me clear about this - if the government concludes that the only way to protect Scotland's place in the EU is through a referendum on independence we will return to Parliament with that judgement and it will then be for Parliament to decide.

"I am not asking parliament to endorse that step today. A vote for this motion is not a vote for a referendum on independence."

She added: "Scotland spoke clearly for Remain and I am determined that Scotland's voice will be heard."

Sky News have obtained some pretty excruciating footage of Corbyn attempting to show off his new shadow cabinet to the media. At one point, the Labour leader forgets his microphone is still on and can be heard saying "this seems like a bad idea".

Later on in the clip, potential leadership challenger Tom Watson is then moved from his seat next to Corbyn and replaced by Corbyn's PPS Steve Rotheram. On the other side of Corbyn, Cat Smith, new shadow minister for voter engagement and youth affairs and known Corbyn supporter, is replaced by Emily Thornberry.

A story that is doing the rounds on social media involves an alleged hate incident which took place on a tram in Manchester involving two youths telling a man to "go back to Africa".

The full story about the incident, including video footage, can be seen here.

Corbyn is also being urged by SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson to appoint a new Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland to replace Ian Murray, the only Labour MP in Scotland, following his resignation from the shadow cabinet.

Robertson said:

"Jeremy Corbyn clearly has a lot on his mind at the moment, but he must make the appointment of a Shadow Scottish Secretary a priority.

"While the Scottish National Party continues to provide effective opposition and strong leadership, the Scottish people also deserve to have scrutiny of the UK government by the official opposition. I have written to the Labour Leader, urging him to make the appointment - Scotland deserves better at this crucial time.

"While Jeremy Corbyn has made several appointments to his new shadow cabinet, failing to appoint a Shadow Scottish Secretary is letting the people of Scotland down."

Chris Evans, the MP for Islwyn, has tweeted his two page letter to Corbyn urging him to resign so Labour can elect a new leader to "repair the damage that you have done".

According to the Telegraph, influential political adviser Sir Lynton Crosby is preparing the back Boris Johnson for the next Tory party leader.

The Telegraph reports:

David Cameron has arrived in Brussels ahead of his meeting with fellow leaders of the EU.

Looks like we have another resignation from the cabinet as Alan Whitehead quits as Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister.

Returning to the Labour leadership crisis, IBT UK columnist Alastair Campbell writes that "the British public will never elect Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister.

"Yes, he was elected leader by a landslide. Yes, he attracted lots of new members. Yes, he is right that division and inequality are massive problems in our country," states the political aide and author, best known for his work as Director of Communications and Strategy for Prime Minister Tony Blair between 1997 and 2003.

"But he is not going to be asked to solve them and, what's more, for all the fine words, he has given little indication of how he would try."

Campbell adds: "If you think Corbyn has to go, join the Labour Party, and help make that happen so that it can become a proper functioning campaigning party again, not a hard left sect and vanity project, as a general election nears."

Meanwhile, in Brussels European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker has complained that he just doesn't get the respect he deserves in Britain.

"I am accused of being undemocratic, a faceless bureaucrat, some kind of robot.That is the way I am portrayed in the United Kingdom," Juncker said. "I am willing to recognise this vote in the United Kingdom, but it has been turned against me. I respect what the British people have said and I would like to be respected."

Here's a video from the speech by Cooper:

Elsewhere, our reporter Ian Silvera is at a Westminster speech by Yvette Cooper, who is urging Corbyn to stand down.

Back in the UK, former defence secretary Liam Fox is stongly rumoured to be running for the Conservative leadership, a source tells the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme.

Fox resigned in disgrace in 2011 due to his relationship with Adam Werritty, a friend of Fox who was allowed to attend meetings with military figures and diplomats, as well as foreign trips despite having no official role in government.

Extract of the speech from Smith which earned him a standing ovation in Brussels:

"While I am proudly Scottish, I am also proudly European. Please remember Scotland did not let you down and I beg you colleagues, do not let Scotland down now."

Farage is back, saying the only upheaval in the wake of the Brexit a "political upheaval" which he adds sometimes a good thing, referring to Cameron and possibly Corbyn leaving.

He also once again described 23 June as "our Independence Day".

And this is what he said at his rpevious speech before he was booed.

The main reason the United Kingdom voted the way it did is because you have by stealth, deception, without ever telling the truth to the British or the rest of the people's of Europe, you have imposed upon them a political union," he said.

And when the people in 2005 in the Netherlands and France voted against that political union, rejected the constitution, you simply ignored them and brought the Lisbon Treaty in through the back door.

Farage, who has been heavily criticised by pretty much everyone who has spoken so far, now has his chance to talk, but is booed and jeered before he has even started.

Farage said when he came here 17 years ago for Britain to leave the EU "you all laughed at me...Well, you're not laughing at me now are you?"

Says the Commission is "in denial" about a number of issues, including the strength of their currency and immigration.

Makes prediction that the UK will not be last member states to leave the EU. Also couldn't resist a snipe at the MEPs, telling them "most of you have never done a proper job in your lives". Farage has been an MEP for 17 years.

Farage finishes to another chorus of boos.

Syed Kamall, leader of the ECR group told the Parliament that Cool heads must prevail with regards to the next stages of negotiations.

He added: "There are differences in the EU and the UK about best scenarios, but what is needed the most, is certainty over timetable of negotiations. The deal must be mutually beneficial, yet speed is not as important as the result.

"For centuries, Britain has welcomed people from all over the world...and will remain open and tolerant nation."

Manfred Weber, the German leader of the EPP group, is next to speak, saying the EU Referendum was fought on lies and "the worst liars can be found amongst Ukip".

Turning to Nigel Farage, he mentioned how he admitted if Britain voted to leave the EU then they would be able to pump £350m into the NHS. Weber said: "If he had an announce of decency, he would apologise today to the British people. Shame on you."

Junker has already attacked Farage for his attendance at the European Parliament debate.

Junker added: "The Parliament will discuss today the place of the UK near the EU (...) and I decided to be today in the house of European democracy.

"At the end of the day we must respect the will of the British people but this has also some consequences. I am sad after the vote in the UK. I really would have liked that the UK would have decided to stay with us but they decided differently.

"The Prime Minister should clarify the situation soon. I'm sad because I'm not a robot, a bureaucrat or a technocrat. I'm a human being and I regret the results of the referendum.

"I would like the UK to clarify its position. We cannot allow ourselves a prolong time of uncertainty period. There won't be secret negotiations. No notification, no negotiation."

Here is the list of speakers at the debate, including Ukip's Nigel Farage and National Front of France leader Marie Le Pen.

Jean-Claude JUNCKER

Manfred WEBER
Gianni PITTELLA
Syed KAMALL
Guy VERHOFSTADT
Gabriele ZIMMER
Philippe LAMBERTS
Nigel FARAGE
Marine LE PEN
Diane DODDS
Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT
Jean-Claude JUNCKER
Diane DODDS
Marcel DE GRAAFF ENF
Nigel FARAGE EFDD
Philippe LAMBERTS
Martina ANDERSON
Guy VERHOFSTADT
Ryszard Antoni LEGUTKO
Gianni PITTELLA
Manfred WEBER

Via the European Parliament website:

Live right now: The European Parliament debates outcome and consequences of UK referendum.

Link of the broadcast available here.

Up next on the Today programme was Diane Abbott, one of the few Labour MPs to have constantly publicly backed Jeremy Corbyn.

She said the outcome of the expected vote of no confidence against Corbyn is because it will be a "secret ballot taking place with no notice" and the outcome may be different if the ballot was public.

Abbott, who was appointed to shadow health secretary in the hastily reassembled shadow cabinet, also dismissed questions about what would happen if Corbyn does remain as Labour leader and whether Labour can win an election with him in charge as being "Westminster-centric".

She added: "This is about the party. All you're talking about is what MPs are saying...This isn't about Westminster MPs, it's about the party and the country."

Osborne said it is a "nonsensical argument" to suggest the government didn't have a plan if the UK voted for a Brexit and was in constant talks with the Bank of England

However, he did add: "It was not the responsibility of those who wanted to remain in the EU to have a plan for what to do if we quit the EU."

Osborne has been speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme following confirmation he will not stand in the Tory leadership race and Britain's Brexit.

He admits there were "pluses and minuses" from having a referendum, refuses to dwell on private conversations he had with Cameron about telling him not to hold a referendum at all.

He added: "I don't think you can take the attitude: 'The people have made a mistake, you need to elect a new people.'"

Jeremy Hunt has confirmed he is "seriously considering" throwing his hat into the ring for the next leader for the Tory party.

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain, the health secretary said: "But what I want to do now is start making an argument as to what we do next as a country. This is a big, big change and if we get it right we can succeed.

"Boris [Johnson] is a big voice and I think what we need to have is a debate and I want to see what Boris says, what Theresa [May] says, what all the other players in this say."

For the sake of balance, IBTimes UK has also compiled this video of the Labour MPs who are coming out in support of Corbyn as the pressure on him continues to mount.

As many as 150 Labour MPs are expected to vote to remove Corbyn from the party leadership follwoing reports several high profile names, including Alan Johnson, Margaret Hodge, Chris Bryant, Ian Murray, Helen Goodman, Ivan Lewis, Clive Efford and Bridget Phillipson took turns to lambast Corbyn duirng a meeting of the meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party in the House of Commons.

Johnson, who sent an email to Labour staff criticising Corbyn's leadership according to The Spectator, said: "I fought the [EU referendum] campaign and I take my responsibility, but you've got to take yours. Your office did not even turn up for the weekly meetings."

However, Young Labour activists will be in Parliament today (28 June) at 12pm demanding to see their Labour MPs in order to appeal for unity in this time of national crisis.

Organisers have said: "As young people we are extremely worried for our futures and the future of our country. Brexit as negotiated under the Tories is certain to be used as an excuse to erode the rights of workers and migrants. We need the Labour party to be united now more than ever to fight the Tories in opposition and build towards a Labour government.'

"We work tirelessly for the party. We campaign week in, week out to get Labour candidates elected. The referendum result has shown how important exercising democratic values in our politics are. This coup shows a complete disregard for the membership, without whom the Labour party could not function.'

"A general election is likely to be called soon. To spend the next few months fighting amongst ourselves rather than holding the government to account will make going out and talking to communities impossible."

Elsewhere, health secretary Jeremy Hunt - one name tipped to put himself forward as new Tory leader - has called for a second referendum to be held on the terms of leaving the EU if the UK can get a new deal to control its borders.

He said the new prime minister should negotiate the new terms with Brussels and put them to the British people.

"We must not invoke Article 50 straight away because that puts a time limit of two years on negotiations after which we could be thrown out with no deal at all," he said.

Full story here.

Some more news, chancellor George Osborne - not so long ago an absolute favourite to replace David Cameron as prime minister - has ruled himself out of running for the leadership of the Conservative Party, describing himself as a divisive figure as key names to head the party, and the government, continue to jockey for position.

Osborne said: "It isn't in my nature to do things by half-measure, and I fought the referendum campaign with everything I've got. I believed in this cause and fought hard for it. So it is clear that while I completely accept the result, I am not the person to provide the unity my party needs."

Read the full story here.

Good morning and welcome to the IBTimes UK's live blog on the continued fallout of the EU Referendum Brexit.

We may as well start as we mean to go on by announcing another Labour frontbencher has resigned adding more pressure on Jeremy Corbyn to resign ahead of his vote of no confidence.

Shadow justice minister Andy Slaughter is the latest MP to quit, telling the Labour leader: "The decision is my own, but taken after consultation with the officers of my local party and other members and councillors in Hammersmith. The view, by a clear majority, is that I should take this course."

The resignation form Slaughter is one of dozens of Labour frontbenchers to have quit following Britain's failure to stay in the EU, with many blaming Corbyn's apparent lack of leadership or even desire to actually remain.

Corbyn faces a vote of no confidence in his leadership, but has so far ignored all calls to strand down and insist he will lead Labour at the next general election with his new shadow cabinet.