Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Sir John Major says that if the UK left the EU there'd be a "high probability" Scotland would have another independence referendum and leave the UK. The UK's international prestige would also suffer, he claims.

And he warns that it wouldn't mean the UK would be better able to control immigration, nor would it make the UK Parliament more sovereign as to trade with the EU "we would have to accept its regulations".

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

The interview with Sir John Major resumes. He tells Today he often finds the EU "frustrating", but he adds "we are better off, safer and more prosperous in rather than out".

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

The Today programme appears to be having technical issues, and the line to Sir John Major's radio car has gone down. The interview has been temporarily halted, but they're hoping to get the line back up and running...

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Recalling his own battles with the Conservative Party over Europe, Sir John Major says if there's anyone in the UK who ought to be anti-European, it's him.

"I'm not a starry eyed European," he says, adding that he is skeptical about a lot of EU policy.

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Image source, PA

Sir John Major is speaking to the Today programme about David Cameron's EU reneogtiations.

Does he think the PM should decide his attitude to Britain's EU membership on the basis of the outcome of the negotiations? 

The former prime minister, who grappled with his party over Europe, doesn't directly answer. He says it's "clearly important" that changes are made in the EU "and that is what he's seeking to do". But he cautions that this week's summit isn't "High Noon". It's a process with discussions but we won't really know about an agreement until some time next year, he adds.

He says the negotiations shouldn't decide whether or not we stay inside the EU - but adds that he has no idea whether that's something Mr Cameron thinks or not.

Image source, Greater Manchester Police

Firearms laws in England and Wales are "confused, unclear and difficult to apply", the Law Commission says.

In a report, it highlights "pressing problems" undermining the effectiveness of laws on buying and owning guns.

Its recommendations - designed to make laws "clearer" and ensure they keep up with technology - include creating a new offence of possessing tools to turn imitation firearms into live ones.

The Home Office said it would "carefully consider" the report.

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Image source, Reuters

Increases have been agreed for the UK fishing industry in quotas for fish, including North Sea cod.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the cod quota would rise by 15%, and that for English Channel plaice would double.

The limits for 2106 were set at the annual EU Fisheries and Agriculture Council in Brussels.

Fisheries minister George Eustice said the agreement was a "great result" for British fishermen.

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Also this afternoon, MPs are to vote on whether to allow fracking under national parks amid calls for stronger safeguards.

Under government plans, fracking would only be allowed 1,200m below national parks, with drilling taking place from outside the protected areas.

Critics including Labour and Greenpeace have accused the government of a U-turn after it pledged an outright ban on fracking in national parks.

Ministers said their plans will protect "our most precious landscapes".

Some MPs shouted their opposition to the draft regulations when they were presented in the Commons - and they are now likely to be approved in a ballot vote on Wednesday without a debate.

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Hello and welcome to our rolling coverage of political developments. A busy day ahead with ex-PM Sir John Major on BBC Radio 4's Today in a moment, David Cameron v Jeremy Corbyn at Prime Minister's Questions at noon, with an update expected afterwards on the UK military action in Syria.

There's been more talk today of David Cameron's EU renegotiation ahead of Thursday's summit. A committee of MPs said treaty change would be needed to secure fundamental reforms, while EU Council chief Donald Tusk predicted a "serious debate with no taboos". In other political news, Margaret Thatcher's red prime ministerial dispatch box sold at auction in London for £242,500.

There's plenty to come tomorrow, including the last Prime Minister's Questions before MPs break up for Christmas. The Commons will also vote (without a debate) on whether to allow fracking under national parks.

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Image source, PA

Prince Charles receives copies of confidential cabinet documents, according to government papers released after a freedom of information battle.

The Cabinet Office's "precedent book" shows the prince, the Queen, ministers and a handful of others get papers from cabinet and ministerial committees.

Campaign group Republic, which got the information after a three-year battle, called the prince's access "wrong".

The Cabinet Office said the Queen and her heir should be "properly briefed".

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David Cameron set out his intentions in phone calls with European Council President Donald Tusk, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Tuesday, Downing Street says:

Sean Curran
Parliamentary correspondent

MPs will decide on Wednesday whether or not to approve plans to allow fracking in sites of special scientific interest. In July the Department of Energy and Climate Change set out which areas would be excluded from fracking. The draft regulations say hydraulic fracturing can only take place below 1,200 metres in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty, the Broads and World Heritage Sites. Tonight when the Commons was asked to approve the regulations without a debate some MPs shouted "object". That means there will be a "deferred division" - or vote - on Wednesday.

Image source, Labour Party

The leaders of the UK's political parties have taken very different approaches to their official Christmas cards this year. Prime Minister David Cameron turned the clock back to May's general election, while Jeremy Corbyn opted for a photo of a snowy bicycle for his first card as Labour leader.

For those who did not make it onto the leaders' lists, here is a selection.

Here's a recap of the main developments so far on Tuesday.

• EU leaders have to hold a "serious debate with no taboos"" on David Cameron's reform demands, European Council President Donald Tusk has said ahead of Thursday's meeting in Brussels. 
• The European Parliament's environment committee has rejected new EU standards for diesel car emissions, arguing that they are not strict enough.  
• Margaret Thatcher's red prime ministerial dispatch box has sold at auction in London for £242,500.  

Labour MSP James Kelly has been ejected from the chamber of the Scottish Parliament while trying to complain about a ruling the Presiding Officer made on the UK government's Trade Union Bill.

MSPs were debating the Westminster bill during topical questions, after Tricia Marwick rejected a bid by Scottish government ministers to block it.

After Mr Kelly refused orders to sit down, the Presiding Officer had him escorted from the chamber.

A number of other Labour MSPs raised points of order to protest.

Image source, Reuters

The gender pay gap for women in full-time senior employment is higher now than it was in 2005, the Commons Women and Equalities Committee has been told.

Ann Francke, from the Chartered Management Institute, cited research suggesting that closing the gap could boost the UK economy by £35bn by 2030.

MPs were taking evidence on the causes of the problem, and ways to fix it.

More flexible working, better childcare and cultural change within companies were cited as ways to boost equality.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the gap between men and women's pay for full-time workers was 9.4% in April 2015, compared with 9.6% in 2014.

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