House of Commons
Parliament

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson says MPs must not "tip our country into an election at a point where there is any risk that we will crash out of the European Union during the campaign".

"We must act responsibly," she says.

The SNP's Ian Blackford urges Boris Johnson not to try and block tomorrow's bill.

"And yes, let us have an election," he says

"But let us have an election that respects the democracy of this House."

House of Commons
Parliament

"He wants to table a motion for a general election," says Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

"Fine.

"Get the bill passed first in order to take no deal off the table," he says.

"The leader of the opposition has been begging for an election for two years," says the PM.

"I don't want an election but if MPs vote tomorrow to compel another pointless delay to Brexit then that would be the only way to resolve this."

He confirms that his party will be tabling a motion for a general election.

House of Commons
Parliament

"Not a good start Boris," one MP shouts out.

House of Commons
Parliament

Prime Minister Boris Johnson now responds to the vote.

"Let there be no doubt about the consequences of this vote tonight," he says.

"Parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might reach with Brussels."

"This will mean more dither and more delay."

House of Commons
Parliament

The motion to take control of the House of Commons agenda has been passed by MPs.

Ayes - 328

Nos - 301

Majority - 27

Lib Dem Chuka Umunna and Conservative Sir Edward Leigh share selfies from inside Parliament.

Mark D'Arcy
Parliamentary Correspondent

MPs are returning to the chamber but our correspondent says the result of the voting is taking longer to come through than we thought.

"Maybe it is closer than we expected."

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

MPs vote by dividing into two separate areas - the aye and no lobbies on either sides of the House of Commons chamber.

Once they have voted they can return to the Commons chamber.

The result of the vote is expected at approximately 22:04.

The motion states that "the House has considered the matter of the need to take all necessary steps to ensure that the United Kingdom does not leave the European Union on 31 October 2019 without a withdrawal agreement".

The motion also enables MPs to take control of the order paper in order to bring forward Hilary Benn's bill.

The bill would make it unlawful for the UK to leave the EU on 31 October without a deal - unless MP have agreed to a no-deal exit.

House of Commons
Parliament

The debate has concluded and MPs are now voting on Sir Oliver Letwin's motion.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Conservative Andrew Bowie pleads with MPs not to "undermine this prime minister as so often this House undermined the last prime minister".

"Please give our negotiators the support they need to make the changes we need," he says.

"We need to get this done, we need to leave the EU and then we can at long last move this country forward."

House of Commons
Parliament

Lib Dem Brexit spokesman Tom Brake suggests the Leader of the House could be provided "with a pillow to make him more comfortable".

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Labour MP - and Brexit supporter - Kate Hoey says if the bill is passed it would "humiliate this Parliament".

She also says it would be "sending a signal to all those people who voted to Leave that we know best, that we are being arrogant".

She argues that her own party will face the consequences when there is a general election.

As the debate rolls on inside, noisy and boisterous groups of protesters remain outside Parliament, says BBC reporter Dan Johnson.

He says those still there are the "tail end" of several protest groups, some opposed to Brexit altogether, some opposed to what they call the "trampling of democracy".

The protesters are numerous enough to block the streets, he says. "They say if Boris Johnson is prepared to shut down Parliament, they are prepared to block the streets in defence of democracy as they see it."