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Theresa May escapes with a draw at PMQs after Jeremy Corbyn again fails to turn chaotic week into despatch box success

Labour leader muddled his first two questions but landed some punches on the Government's vague Brexit plan

IT was the first PMQs since Donald Trump’s shock victory, there’s a damning report out on social mobility and damaging leaked Brexit memos.

Of course Jeremy Corbyn kicked off with this week's head-to-head with none of these.
Instead he opened with a question about the plight of hundreds of Chagos islanders now living in the UK.

 Theresa May escaped with a draw today at PMQs
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Theresa May escaped with a draw today at PMQsCredit: PA:Press Association

But before anyone watching had time to google the history of the Chagossians he’d quickly moved onto whether Britain could leave the customs union – suggested by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, according to a Czech newspaper.

As Theresa May refused to answer the question informing us for the zillionth time that the Government was “preparing carefully” for negotiations the Labour leader jested: “He’s only a few places down!”

“Would it be in order for the Foreign Secretary to come and tell us what he actually said?”

Bojo – looking distinctly unimpressed - could only look on in contempt shaking his head.

Jezza then shifted onto the leaked Deloitte report suggesting the Government has no plan for Brexit saying if it was written by “ill-informed consultants” could she put the plans before parliament.

Insisting the Government does have a plan, Theresa May snapped back: “His shadow cabinet can’t even decide whether it supports Brexit or not.”

 Jeremy Corbyn landed a few hits after the government's chaotic week
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Jeremy Corbyn landed a few hits after the government's chaotic weekCredit: PA:Press Association

Mr Corbyn then had another go at Bojo over comments he made at a dinner two weeks ago when he said Brexit would be a “titanic success” and he leaned over to speak to the PM.

Looking relaxed and amused Jeremy Corbyn joked: “She’s getting advice from the Foreign Secretary now. Can we all hear it?”

But his feeble joke couldn’t raise a laugh from fellow Shadow Cabinet Ministers Kate Osamor and Dawn Butler sitting behind him.

 Jeremy Corbyn joked: “She’s getting advice from the Foreign Secretary now. Can we all hear it?”
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Jeremy Corbyn joked: “She’s getting advice from the Foreign Secretary now. Can we all hear it?”Credit: PA:Press Association

And the PM hit back: “They talk, we act. They posture, we deliver. We are getting on with the job. He’s not up to the job.”

But Mrs May saved her best for last when Jezza demanded the Government defend judges against criticism from the media.

She declared: “I believe, this Government believes in the independence of the judiciary. But we also believe our democracy is underpinned by the freedom of our Press.”

SCORE:  Theresa May Jeremy Corbyn

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