Corbyn fills four vacancies in his shadow cabinet

Jeremy Corbyn has filled four vacancies in his shadow cabinet following the Brexit vote.

The Labour leader appointed Rebecca Long-Bailey as shadow business secretary, Sue Hayman as shadow environment secretary, Christina Rees as shadow Wales secretary and Peter Dowd as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury

In total, 52 Labour MPs rebelled against Mr Corbyn's orders and voted against triggering Article 50 on Wednesday night.

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Jeremy Corbyn fills four vacant shadow cabinet seats

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn Credit: PA

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has filled four vacancies in his shadow cabinet.

He appointed Rebecca Long-Bailey as shadow business secretary, replacing Clive Lewis who quit the role this week due to the Article 50 vote.

Sue Hayman has been appointed shadow environment secretary, Christina Rees is shadow Wales secretary, and Peter Dowd is now shadow chief secretary to the Treasury.

McDonnell: Divisions in country are reflected in Labour

John McDonnell said it had been a "tough week" in response to fresh rebellion from Labour MPs over the Brexit Bill.

"In some ways, the divisions within the country are reflected in the Labour party," McDonnell said.

However he said that he could understand Labour MPs voted their constituencies.

The shadow chancellor admitted Clive Lewis quitting the shadow cabinet was "a real loss" to the party.

"He's really talented, Clive, but I'm sure he'll be back, he's got a major contribution to make in the future," he said.

McDonnell insisted that Labour would unite to protect the community from a 'Tory Brexit' and that Conservatives were "papering over the cracks" divisions within their own party.

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Labour 'hopelessly divided' after Brexit Bill vote

Dozens of Labour MPs defied leader Jeremy Corbyn Credit: PA

Jeremy Corbyn has been accused of leading a "hopelessly divided" party after dozens of Labour MPs voted against the Brexit Bill.

Senior frontbencher Clive Lewis quit the shadow cabinet to defy a three-line whip.

He had promised last week he would vote against the legislation at third reading if Labour amendments to safeguard against a "hard Brexit" were not passed.

A Conservative spokesman said: "This resignation shows that on Brexit, as with everything else, the Labour Party is hopelessly divided and can't even agree amongst themselves, let alone speak for ordinary working people."

Decision whether to sack rebels 'to be made in days'

Clive Lewis quit the Labour cabinet to vote against the Brexit Bill Credit: PA

Jeremy Corbyn will make decisions on whether to sack frontbenchers who defied the whip in the next few days, a Labour source said.

The Labour leader will also decide who will replace the resigned shadow cabinet ministers, the source added.

A total of 52 Labour MPs rebelled against Mr Corbyn's orders and voted against triggering Article 50.

Labour party's divisions resurface with Brexit Bill vote

ITV News' Political Editor Robert Peston has said Labour's internal divisions appear to have resurfaced during the Commons debate over the government's Brexit Bill.

The proposals were passed in parliament this evening by an overwhelming majority, but many Labour MPs were not happy about giving the Prime Minister permission to start the process of leaving the EU.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn told his MPs to support the legislation and "respect" the result of the EU referendum, but 52 of them ignored his order including shadow business secretary, Clive Lewis, who resigned before the vote.

Lewis is seen by some Labour MPs as a possible successor to Corbyn.

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'I expect Lords to do patriotic duty', says Brexit Minister

Brexit Minister David Davis has said he expects the House of Lords to follow MPs and vote overwhelmingly in favour of starting the formal process for the UK to leave the European Union.

Mr Davis added that peers have a "very important scrutiny role" but he expects them to "enforce the will of the people" and do their "patriotic duty".

Corbyn: Labour respected EU referendum result

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn ordered his MPs to support the Brexit Bill. Credit: PA

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party showed its "respect" for the EU referendum result by voting in support of the Brexit Bill.

Corbyn ordered his MPs to support the legislation, which gives Theresa May the power to begin formal talks for the UK to withdraw from the European Union, although 52 Labour MPs still voted against it.

In recent weeks, Labour has forced the government to reveal what their plan for Brexit actually is.

Both from their public statements and the amendments their MPs have voted down, the Conservatives have made clear they are determined to use Brexit to turn Britain into a bargain basement tax haven.

Labour has a profoundly different vision for our country, with a plan to rebuild and transform Britain so that no one and no community is left behind.

Article 50 is just the start of the negotiating process. Labour will be using every opportunity, both in Parliament and in the country, to protect jobs, rights and living standards, and achieve the best possible deal for Britain.

– Statement from Jeremy Corbyn

Farron: Lib Dem peers will try to amend Brexit Bill

Tim Farron wants a second referendum on the UK's final Brexit deal. Credit: PA

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has vowed the party's peers will aim to amend the Brexit Bill during its next stage going through the House of Lords.

Farron said the party's peers will also make another effort to ensure the country has a second referendum on the UK's final Brexit deal.

"Over the next few weeks, Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords will seek to make changes to the Government's plans," he said.

"Our goal will be to protect Britain's membership of the single market, protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK and to give the people the final say on Theresa May's deal."

Lords 'will face abolishment calls' if they delay Brexit Bill

A Government source warned peers not to delay the Bill's progress through the Lords.

"The Lords will face an overwhelming public call to be abolished if they now try and frustrate this Bill - they must get on and deliver the will of the British people," the source said.

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