The World at One
BBC Radio 4

Jacob Rees-Mogg says he does not have any reservations about Boris Johnson becoming PM.

He tells BBC Radio 4's World at One: "I think he will be a first class prime minister and an inspired leader for this nation.

"The key point is he has got a character. He is a politician with a big character, not a grey, backroom operator."

A busy morning here in Westminster. Here are the top lines:

• Frontrunner Boris Johnson has launched his bid for the Tory leadership. He said he was "not aiming for a no-deal Brexit" but the UK should be prepared for one. He said, ultimately, he did not believe Parliamentary colleagues would be able to block no deal and would face "mortal retribution" from the electorate if they tried.
• He relied heavily on his record as London mayor in his pitch, and swerved a question on whether he had taken cocaine or not.
• Home Secretary Sajid Javid will launch his campaign later - the last contender to do so
• Later, Labour will attempt to take control of Parliamentary business as a first step towards trying to block no deal.
• Elsewhere today, Theresa May took part in PMQs - Jeremy Corbyn focused his criticism on her industrial strategy and record on renewable energy.
• Mrs May told the Commons she would continue as a backbench MP once she is no longer in Downing Street.

House of Commons
Parliament

After PMQs, and following Caroline Lucas's remarks, there's now a ministerial statement in the Commons on the government's carbon emissions pledge.

Business Secretary Greg Clark says the plan means the UK could become the "first major economy" to end its contribution to global warming.

The UK stands ready to "lead the way" in the next industrial revolution, he says, which he adds will be driven by clean growth and renewable energy.

The UK is showing there is not a "false choice" between protecting the environment and growing the economy, he says.

House of Commons
Parliament

Green MP Caroline Lucas welcomes the government’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero by 2050.

She says she would like to congratulate her for "facing down the chancellor" over the plan.

She calls for "deeds not words" from the PM in her final weeks in office, by cancelling Heathrow expansion, diverting money for roads into public transport and banning fracking.

In reply, Theresa May says the decision on carbon emission constitutes "action, not just words" because the ambition will be written into legislation.

Boris Johnson supporter Liz Truss was asked about the booing of journalists who quizzed him at his launch earlier.

Some seemed unhappy, in particular, at a question about his character and some of his more controversial statements.

"I think it's fine for an audience to express support or question particular questions. This is a free country," Ms Truss said.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Barry Sheerman asks whether Theresa May plans to stay on as a backbencher when she steps down as prime minister, and give back "a bit of the medicine" meted out to her by her critics.

Theresa May confirms that she will be staying on in Parliament as a constituency MP.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Wayne David asks the PM whether she thinks it would be "fair" to cut income tax for the top 10% of earners.

Tory leadership frontrunner Boris Johnson recently pledged to cut income tax bills for people earning more than £50,000 a year if he becomes PM.

Theresa May does not engage with the question directly, pointing out instead that under the Conservatives the top 1% of earners have paid more income tax than under the last Labour government.

House of Commons
Parliament

Lib Dem MP Tim Farron asks for cross-party efforts to improve the social care system.

He calls for support to form a multi-party group in Parliament to push for a "new deal" in this area.

Theresa May says the government intends to bring forward draft legislation on social care and all MPs will be able to scrutinise it.

Image source, PA

Chancellor Philip Hammond has said it will be "impossible" for the UK to leave the EU by 31 October, and it was not "sensible" for Tory leadership candidates "to box themselves into a corner on this".

This, of course, contrasts with a number of said candidates who are saying that's absolutely what must happen.

Speaking at a Bloomberg conference, Mr Hammond said: "Parliament will not allow a no-deal exit from the EU, and our experience to date has suggested that it may not be that easy to agree a deal in Parliament.

"I don't think it would be in our national interest that we drive towards this cliff edge at speed."

Mr Hammond also said the EU was not going to renegotiate the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

He added that, if Parliament does not find a Brexit compromise, “we will have to go back to people through democratic process, either with a referendum or general election to test public opinion again on this question.”

House of Commons
Parliament

The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford criticises various of the Tory leadership candidates for promising to deliver tax cuts. "attacking women's rights" and threatening to shut down Parliament early to deliver a no-deal Brexit.

The contest so far has been a "total horror show", says Mr Blackford. He asks whether the PM will support this afternoon's bid to stop a future prime minister pushing through a no-deal Brexit.

Theresa May replies that she will not be voting for this afternoon's motion, as it seeks to hand over control of the parliamentary agenda to opposition parties.

She again points out that Brexit could have been delivered by now if MPs had voted for it.

House of Commons
Parliament

Ministers have “done nothing to protect steel jobs", Jeremy Corbyn says.

The Labour leader also criticises the government for not investing in the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project.

In reply, the prime minister says renewable sources of energy have generated "a record amount of electricity".