Brexit: McDonnell says it is 'inevitable' Labour will back second referendum - Politics live

Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs and the publication of the government’s official analysis of the economic impact of Brexit

• Philip Hammond’s morning interviews - Summary
• PMQs - Snap verdict

4.11pm GMT

MPs are debating the offensive weapons bill this afternoon. The government has just won a vote removing from the bill a section originally in the bill banning high-powered military-grade rifles. As we reported last week, the government backed down in response to pressure from Tory Brexiters and the DUP.

MPs are now voting on the Govt’s Amdt 26 which removes their own ban on .50 caliber rifles. This is a failure to act in the national interest. @UKLabour are opposing Govt’s u-turn on the ban of these powerful weapons which is supported by police & security services. Result 345

Govt pass Amdt to not ban .50 caliber rifles by 309 votes to 274. https://twitter.com/labourwhips/status/1067803771969957890

The Government has tabled an amendment that effectively reverses their proposed outright ban on these weapons. Instead they want to focus on their safe storage and security. There's not many of them - 159 licences for 0.50 calibre, and perhaps five of these anti-tank guns.

You know a government is in a weak position when it can't even ban the possession of *checks notes* "anti-tank guns." https://t.co/SIkZLifizy

4.03pm GMT

A senior Airbus executive gave evidence to the Commons business committee this morning. As the Labour MP Rachel Reeves, who chairs the committee, reports, she said the company had had to spend €15m on no deal contingency planning.

"Airbus has spent 15 million euros on preparing for #NoDeal. I would much rather that money had been spent into research and technology or more skills..."

Katherine Bennett, Senior Vice-President of Airbus UK.@CommonsBEIS #Brexit #Aerospace pic.twitter.com/37ta4Yu0R5

Continue reading...