House of Commons
Parliament

MPs are currently debating the first group of amendments which deals with parliamentary scrutiny and the rights of EU citizens in the UK. 

The debate should conclude at 9pm when MPs will vote on some - but not all - of the amendments.

The "lead amendment" for the group, Labour's clause calling for regular reports on negotiation, will be put to the House.

Some amendments, such as Harriet Harman's clause guaranteeing residence rights for EU nationals, will be put to a vote on Wednesday.

Whether votes take place on other amendments in this group is left to the discretion of the deputy speakers who take into account which amendments have been most commented on.

There will then be a three hour debate on the next group of amendments which focus on the the role of the devolved administrations.

Votes on the amendments in this group will take place at approximately midnight. 

It's a been an eventful day in Parliament so far. Here's a recap of what's been happening.

• Commons Speaker John Bercow has said he would be "strongly opposed" to US President Donald Trump addressing the Houses of Parliament during his state visit to the UK.
• His comments are welcomed by several Labour and Lib Dem MPs
• Earlier Theresa May warned MPs not to "obstruct" the will of UK voters by changing the parliamentary bill aimed at getting Brexit talks under way - as MPs started debating the details 
• Mrs May also hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks in Downing Street, discussing trade and Iran among other issues
• NHS hospitals in England will have a legal duty to charge overseas patients upfront for non-urgent care if not eligible for free treatment.

Jack Evans, Political Research Unit

Speaker Bercow said addressing parliament was an 'earned honour' and there were 'many precedents' of State Visits that did not include addressing both houses. This is certainly true, but in recent history it has become more frequent. An address to both houses has taken place around twice a year in the past decade. Back in the 1970s only three leaders spoke to both Houses- one of which was HM Queen.

Notable statespeople to have spoken to both Houses include:

• May 2011- President Barack Obama
• September 2010- Pope Benedict XVI
• 2012, 2002, 1995, 1988, 1977,  1965- HM Queen Elizabeth II
• May 1993- Nelson Mandela
• June 1982- President Reagan
• April 1960- President Charles de Gaulle
• April 1956- Nikita Khruschev, First Secretary of the USSR

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has welcomed John Bercow's statement that he will not support President Trump speaking in Parliament during a future state visit.

Mr Farron said it was not wrong of the UK government to invite Mr Trump to come to the country and he concedes that people with a worse record on human rights have been invited to speak before Parliament. 

But he says it would be wrong for the UK to "roll out the red carpet" to Mr Trump given his "appalling" statements on torture and other issues and the travel ban from seven predominantly Muslim states.

He says the "finger should be pointed" at Theresa May for making what he said was a "rash and desperate" offer of a state visit. 

Speaker Bercow can't block President Trump from addressing both Houses of Parliament in the Royal Gallery, since invitations for speakers in that room are issued by the Lord Great Chamberlain. 

But for the Lord Great Chamberlain to do so would risk unnecessarily politicising the Queen, since he acts as her representative in the Palace of Westminster.

That is extremely unlikely, so it seems that the Speaker's actions today may well have torpedoed any chance of the President speaking on the Parliamentary estate.  

Scotland's senior prosecutor warns that the country could be at risk of becoming a safe haven for international criminals as a result of Brexit.

Kim Ghattas, the BBC's Washington correspondent, says there has been no reaction yet from the White House to Speaker John Bercow's comments.

She feels that it will be seen as a bit of an embarrassment, even a "slap in the face", by the Trump administration and possibly by the president himself.

But she says it is likely to be seen very differently by supporters of the US President, who may wonder why their man would want to address MPs - most of whom did not want him to be president - anyway.

House of Commons
Parliament

Amendments to require regular negotiation reports from the government doesn't add very much and are not necessary, says Conservative MP Mark Harper.

Fellow Conservative MP John Penrose agrees, arguing that there are plenty of ways for MPs to get information from ministers such as asking "urgent questions".

If an MP is granted an urgent question a government minister must answer it in the House of Commons. 

House of Commons
Parliament

Matthew Pennycook also speaks to two other Labour amendments on EU citizens living in the UK, which would guarantee the rights of EU nationals living in the UK when Article 50 is triggered.

He says that such a move would end uncertainty but would also represent "the best possible start to negotiations ahead". 

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, says EU nationals may need ID cards to work in UK after Brexit

The first minister says he thinks a system of compulsory ID cards may be brought in post-Brexit

House of Commons
Parliament

After that excitement, MPs turn to debate of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill.

The first groups of amendment deal with parliamentary scrutiny of the process for the withdrawal from the EU. 

Shadow Brexit minister Matthew Pennycook begins proceedings by speaking to Labour's amendment - new clause three (NC3).

This amendment states that MPs should be updated by report on negotiations at least every two months. 

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Stephen Doughty asks if the Speaker has noted the deep concern of MPs regarding allowing President Trump to address MPs in the Palace of Westminster.

John Bercow says he would be strongly opposed to such an address - even more so after the "refugee ban".

He notes that an invitation to make such a speech would require the name of the Speakers of the Commons and the Lords. 

"I would not wish to issue such an invitation," he says.

He continues that "our opposition to sexism and racism and our support for an independent judicairy" are "hugely important considerations".  

His statement is met by applause from some MPs.

House of Commons
Parliament

Earlier today, the Speaker John Bercow announced that House of Commons clerks will no longer be required to wear wigs.

Conservative Geoffrey Clifton-Brown urges the Speaker to reconsider and suggests MP should have a chance to debate this. 

Another Conservative MP Sir Gerald Howarth also objects arguing that the way clerks dress "adds to the dignity of the house".