House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Sir Bill Cash suggests that Alex Salmond is pursuing this issue of Article 50's irrevocability because he knows that the outcome of the answer affects whether the European Court of Justice "gets its hands on this".

Alex Salmond denies this and argues that the issue is about whether the House has a "genuine choice" when it votes on a Brexit deal.

The Commons Speaker insists he acted "honestly and honourably" in criticising the US president.

House of Commons
Parliament

Alex Salmond continues his speech to ask if Article 50 is irrevocable.

Intervening, Conservative MP John Redwood says the Supreme Court's recent judgement on Article 50 was based on the proposition that it is irrevocable.

However another Conservative MP, and former Attorney General, Dominic Grieve argues that there are "powerful legal arguments" in favour of the possibility to reverse Article 50. 

House of Commons
Parliament

SNP MP Alex Salmond says that the government's "serious announcement" should be followed by an amendment so it can be "tested and debated".

Labour's Angela Eagle agrees that it would makes things easier for MPs.

She adds that the government's proposed parliamentary vote will be "a Hobson's choice not a proper choice". 

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative MP Alistair Burt repeats Yvette Cooper's earlier question to ask if MPs would get a vote if there is not a deal.

David Jones replies that it is hard to see how MPs could be given a vote if there was no deal.

Labour's Chuka Umunna says MPs should be able to send the government back to EU partners to negotiate deal if one hasn't been reached.

Falling back on WTO rules would be "deeply damaging and wholly unacceptable", he says.

David Jones argues that it would be a "sign of weakness" for the House to send the government back to the EU to negotiate further.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Stephen Doughty asks what the minister meant when he said the UK "would fall back on other arrangements" if no deal was reached.

David Jones says the scenario is "extremely unlikely" but confirms that the UK would fall back on WTO rules.

House of Commons
Parliament

Keir Starmer concludes his speech early to let the minister, David Jones, explain further the vote that will be given to MPs on the final deal.

David Jones repeats his earlier statement that the government will bring forward a motion on the agreement to be approved by Parliament; and that the vote will be held before the European Parliament votes on a final deal.

Lib Dem Nick Clegg intervenes to ask what happens if a deal is reached on withdrawal but not on the future EU-UK relationship.

David Jones replies that the government does not expect to achieve such an agreement. 

However, he adds, that if no agreement is reached the UK "will fall back on other arrangements".

House of Lords
Parliament

Before today's business gets under way the Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, makes a statement on the prospect of US President Donald Trump addressing both Houses of Parliament when he makes his state visit to the UK later this year. 

Yesterday Commons Speaker John Bercow told MPs he would veto any proposal to allow the president to address both houses in Westminster Hall.

Lord Fowler says the procedure for agreeing who addresses parliament is "long established". 

Both speakers recieve a request and "they both have to agree".

He says he was "not consulted" on John Bercow's decision to speak yesterday but that he's spoken to his Commons opposite number today who is "genuinely sorry for failing to consult with me".

On the prospect of Mr Trump addressing Parliament, he says he "will keep an open mind" and "consider any request for Mr Trump to address Parliament". 

He adds that it's not his role to weigh up the pros and cons of the president speaking, but adds that he's spent "the last 30 years campaigning against prejudice and discrimination".

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Vernon Coaker makes a point of order to ask if the Deputy Speaker Natasha Engel can require the government to produce a manuscript amendment "so we know what we are debating for the rest of the afternoon".

Natasha Engel expects the minister will explain when he speaks.

Keir Starmer says the rest of the debate should be spent probing the concession. 

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Yvette Cooper asks if it is clear whether MPs will get a vote if there was no deal.

Keir Starmer replies that it was not clear and suggest MPs asks the minister when he speaks. 

House of Commons
Parliament

Brexit Minister David Jones says that there will be a vote to cover the withdrawal arrangements but also the future relationship with the EU.

He also confirms that the government will bring forward a motion on the final agreement to be approved by both Houses of Parliament.

He says the government "expects and intends" this vote to happen before the European Parliament votes in the agreement.

That is a huge and very important concession, says Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, who began the debate saying "there must be a vote before the deal is concluded". 

House of Commons
Parliament

Before the bill gets underway, Labour MP Paul Farrelly raises a point of order to ask if and why only new clause one will be voted on.

Deputy Speaker Natasha Engel explains that new clause one is considered to be the lead amendment and will therefore be voted on.

As to whether there will be votes on other amendments, she says that will depend on what happens during the debate.

The decision as to what MPs vote on depends in part on which amendments have been commented on during the debate. 

The World at One
BBC Radio 4

The Speaker of the House of Commons is facing calls to consider his position after saying he's opposed to President Trump addressing parliament.

But a former Conservative minister who once called John Bercow "stupid and sanctimonious" is backing him on this issue.

Simon Burns MP says the Speaker was "reflecting the views of a significant number of MPs" and "I share his view".

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Sir Gerald Howarth however says that the Speaker's statement yesterday caused "some concern".

He asks if the Speaker will ensure that "we can have full confidence in your impartiality". 

John Bercow replies that he was commenting on a matter that falls within the remit of the chair.

Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond clashes with the deputy speaker in a heated exchange over whether he had cut off an SNP MP while speaking.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Edward Leigh makes a point of order to say that MPs may disagree with John Bercow's stance on President Trump but argues that unless MPs respect the Speaker "there will be complete chaos".

Conservative Peter Bone agrees but express concern over the "worrying breach of etiquette" of MPs clapping in the chamber.

It shouldn't happen, says Speaker John Bercow.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative MP Peter Bone asks if the housing shortage could be solved by reducing immigration.

Sajid Javid suggests this would not make the difference "he thinks it would".

He says that two thirds of demand has "nothing to do with immigration" but to do with people living longer. 

He adds that even if immigration fell to zero there would still be a two million deficit of homes.