Politics

Parliament LIVE: Latest from Commons as Brexit Minister takes on MPs in 'toxic' house


MPs have returned to the House of Commons for the second day of debate following the Supreme Court ruling that Boris Johnson’s prorogation of Parliament was unlawful. Arguments reached fever pitch in the Commons yesterday, and now Speaker of the House John Bercow has told lawmakers to stop treating each other as enemies. On Wednesday several criticised the rhetoric of Prime Minister Boris Johnson for deepening division in the country, with that criticism continuing in the Commons today. Here are the latest updates from Parliament, all times in BST.

10.22am update: SNP’s Europe spokesman Peter Grant said his party would support a general election if there is an extension which stops a no deal Brexit

Mr Grant said: “If he wants a general election I’ll make this offer to him from the SNP – bring back an extension that takes no-deal off the table and he can have his general election.

“I heard yesterday a question which to me and a lot of people seemed to say to the prime minister in a specific set of circumstances where the law specifically requires you to take a very precise action, will you do what the law requires?

“I heard the Prime Minister say no. That is an extraordinary state of affairs. We have not yet had a satisfactory answer as to how the Prime Minister thought that single one word answer ‘no’ was not an assurance that he would defy the law.

“Will the minister confirm that the Prime Minister will obey the law of the land?”

Mr Duddridge replied: “I can guarantee that there will be no shilly shallying, the law will be obeyed.”

10.08am update: Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of “whipping up division”

Sir Keir, on why provisions were in the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019 outlining the terms of a Brexit extension letter and the duty to accept an extension offered by the EU, told MPs: “Those were not in the previous version of this Act which was passed in April because there was a consensus the then prime minister (Theresa May) would comply with the law, understood the rule of law and could be trusted, and therefore it wasn’t necessary to put them in.

“They are in the Act now because, I’m afraid to say, this is a low point in our history, across this House those assumptions no longer hold.

“And the answers given last night by the Prime Minister and his behaviour make it less likely.

“If the Prime Minister genuinely wants to get a deal through this House, he wouldn’t have divided this House in the way that he did yesterday.”

Sir Keir said the Prime Minister’s behaviour was not that of someone “trying to unite the House” around a deal nor unite the country, adding: “This Prime Minister is whipping up division and I’ve not seen that from a prime minister in my lifetime.”

Labour MP Paula Sheriff added to this, claiming Mr Johnson was “inciting hatred towards MPs”.

She told the BBC that “without any shadow of a doubt” that the Prime Minister’s behaviour was making MPs less safe.

“I can stand here today … and tell you that I believe the Prime Minister is inciting hatred towards MPs,” she said.

10am update: Mr Bercow suggested there could be a wider inquiry into the UK’s political culture.

House Speaker John Bercow suggested there could be a wider inquiry into the UK’s political culture.

He said: “I have, overnight, received an approach from two very senior members on either side of the House pressing the case for a formal consideration of our political culture going forward.”

9.52am update: John Bercow opens the day’s session, asking lawmakers to stop treating each other as enemies

Making a statement at the start of business, Mr Bercow said: “I think there’s a widespread sense across the House and beyond that yesterday the House did itself no credit.

“There was an atmosphere in the chamber worse than any I’ve known in my 22 years in the House. On both sides passions were inflamed, angry words uttered, the culture was toxic.

“This country faces the most challenging political issue that we have grappled with in decades. There are genuine, heartfelt, sincerely-subscribed-to differences of opinion about that matter.

“Members must be free to express themselves about it and to display, as they unfailingly do, the courage of their convictions.

“It ought, however, to be possible to disagree agreeably.”

9.00am update: Today’s schedule in the House of Commons

  • 9.30am – An urgent question on complying with the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act
  • 10.15am – An urgent question on Hong Kong
  • 11am – An urgent question on illegal arms sale to Saudi Arabia
  • 11.45am – An urgent question on the language and role of the Prime Minister in creating a safe environment in the country and Parliament
  • 12.45pm – A statement on the international climate action summit
  • 1.30pm – Business statement
  • 2pm – Conference recess motion



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