Summary

  • MPs have voted in favour of new rules to curb what extra work they are allowed to do, amid the row about second jobs

  • Johnson announced plans on Tuesday to stop MPs working as political consultants

  • The Commons rejected a Labour motion on how to bring in the new rules, instead backing the government's plan

  • Earlier, Boris Johnson was quizzed about second jobs at PMQs and by senior MPs on the Liaison Committee

  • The PM admitted the government made a mistake by conflating the Owen Paterson row with his plan to overhaul the disciplinary process

  • Labour's Keir Starmer accused the PM of being a "coward" for not apologising for his role in the Paterson row

  1. That's it from uspublished at 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    Thanks for following our live updates today.

    Today's live coverage was brought to you by Hamish Mackay, Francesca Gillett, Adam Durbin, Joseph Lee, Justin Parkinson, Paul Seddon and Kate Whannel.

  2. What happened today?published at 19:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    This is where we end our coverage of the goings-on in Parliament.

    Here is a round-up of the day's events:

    • There was a stormy exchange between Sir Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson during Prime Minister's Questions. The Labour leader accused the PM of being "a coward, and not a leader" while Johnson questioned Starmer's work with a legal firm, whilst still an MP
    • Boris Johnson appeared at the Liaison Committee where he said he regretted his actions over the Owen Paterson case. He was also questioned on rape prosecution cases, COP26 and pressures on the NHS
    • During a debate about Covid contracts, health minister Gillian Keegan told MPs she had been "unable to locate a formal note" of a phone call between health minister Lord Bethell and Covid contractor Randox
    • Labour was defeated over its proposals on how to limit what additional work MPs could take on, but a crackdown is still likely after the government put forward its own plan.

  3. Watch: PM questioned on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe casepublished at 19:23 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    Earlier today at the Liaison Committee, former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt asked the prime minister if Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe could be home by Christmas.

    She is currently detained in Iran after being arrested five years ago, accused of plotting to overthrow the government, which she denies.

    The prime minister said it was a difficult case and it "breaks my heart" that he could not guarantee when Nazanin would be home with her husband and daughter.

    You can watch their exchange above.

  4. MPs back government plan on second jobspublished at 19:15 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    The government's alternative proposal has been backed by MPs, with 297 voting in favour and none against.

  5. Voting starts on government's planpublished at 19:05 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    The CommonsImage source, ParliamentLive.TV

    Labour's motion has been defeated.

    MPs are now voting on the government's alternative proposal.

    Like Labour’s motion, the government amendment wants the standards committee to come up with recommendations by the end of January which would prevent MPs from accepting paid work as a consultant.

    The government plan also asks the committee to produce proposals stating that "any outside activity undertaken by a MP should be within reasonable limits and should not prevent them from fully carrying out their range of duties."

    However, unlike Labour's motion, it does not specify what would happen once the committee produces its recommendations.

  6. MPs reject Labour's motionpublished at 19:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    MPs have rejected the second jobs motion from Labour.

    231 MPs voted for the motion and 282 voted against.

  7. Voting begins on Labour's second jobs motionpublished at 18:50 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    The debate on MPs' second jobs has come to an end and the voting is beginning.

    MPs will first vote on Labour's proposal.

    Their motion would order the standards committee to design rules by 31 January aimed at banning MPs from working as political consultants.

    Their motion also ensures MPs would get a vote on bringing in these rules, shortly after the committee publishes its recommendations.

  8. Johnson 'looked weak and sounded weak', says Tory MPpublished at 18:42 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    Laura Kuenssberg
    Political editor

    After PMQs and the Liaison Committee, the PM then went to face his own MPs at the 1922 committee - one texts to say, he "looked weak and sounded weak" and "authority is evaporating".

    Other MPs leaving the meeting of Tories where the PM was speaking: "He needs a lemsip", "excellent", "muted" and "fair to say it's been a rough couple of weeks".

  9. What are MPs debating tonight?published at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    MPs in the House of CommonsImage source, ParliamentLive.TV

    The House of Commons is currently debating Labour and Conservative plans to change the system of rules on MPs' second jobs. And they're both fairly complex.

    Labour's motion would order Parliament's standards committee to draw up new rules by 31 January, designed to bring in a ban on MPs working as political consultants.

    The motion also says that, if the government doesn't grant MPs a vote on these new rules within 15 days of that date, backbench MPs would get the power to force one.

    But the government has proposed an alternative plan.

    Its amendment to the motion would still see the committee coming up with recommendations by the same date - 31 January - but what happens next is left unclear.

    The votes are expected soon.

  10. Companies offer gifts, dinners and trips for influence, says MPpublished at 18:27 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    Zarah Sultana

    Labour MP Zarah Sultana talks about her surprise on becoming an MP in 2019, and seeing the gifts and dinners that companies lavish on parliamentarians to influence them.

    One of them was Heathrow Airport, which sent a food hamper to encourage MPs to vote for a third runway, she says.

    "I was surprised to walk down corridor where big businesses host dinners for MPs. Over a glass of fine wine and a big meal, they extend their influence," she says.

    Quoting a quip by former Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner, she says fact-finding missions paid for by business are always to destinations like the Bahamas in winter - not Greenland.

    MPs are already in the UK's top 5% of earners, but for some that is not enough, Sultana says.

  11. The current rules on MPs' second jobspublished at 18:21 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    MPs in ParliamentImage source, UK PARLIAMENT/ROGER HARRIS

    With both of the UK's largest political parties debating their plans to reform to the rules around what second roles MPs can hold, it might be a good time to remind ourselves what the existing system allows.

    Currently MPs are allowed to take on a second role, as long as they are not a government minister.

    They must publicly declare any additional income, along with gifts, donations and shareholdings over 15%.

    Those who leave government must consult the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) about any jobs they want to take up in the two years after leaving. They are banned from lobbying the government for two years as well.

    In addition, all MPs are "strictly forbidden" from being paid for "advocating a particular matter" in Parliament.

    Read more here.

  12. Owen Paterson is my friend, says Tory MPpublished at 18:08 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    Danny KrugerImage source, ParliamentLive.TV

    Conservative MP Danny Kruger says former colleague Owen Paterson - who has quit Parliament after being found to have broken rules on lobbying - is his friend.

    He adds that Paterson has done "good service to the state" - but does not defend his actions on behalf of two companies that prompted the current row over second jobs.

  13. How much did Starmer make for legal work while an MP?published at 17:53 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    Reality Check

    Keir StarmerImage source, PA Media

    At PMQs earlier, Boris Johnson repeatedly referred to Sir Keir Starmer’s earnings as a lawyer and, in particular, money he’d been paid by law firm Mishcon de Reya since he was elected to Parliament in 2015.

    Starmer's entries in the MPs' register of interests show he was paid £7,060 by Mishcon de Reya for legal advice in December 2015, and £4,500 per month between June and September in 2016 for legal advice to the Mishcon de Reya Academy, which provides training.

    In total, Sir Keir has earned over £100,000 from his legal work since becoming an MP, although none since he became Labour leader last year.

    Some of the payments he has received have come from sources that are not named in the register. Starmer says the sources of those payments weren’t named to protect client confidentiality.

    The Labour leader says he gave up his practising certificate nearly two years ago, so he is no longer able to give legal advice.

  14. What's still to come this evening?published at 17:42 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    After PMQs and a marathon questioning by senior MPs, Boris Johnson might have been hoping the day's parliamentary wrangling was over.

    But debate over a Labour party motion on second jobs has been well under way for a couple of hours now.

    The opposition day motion on standards in public life was called after Labour unveiled its plans to ban extra jobs for MPs - unless they are public service roles - on Tuesday.

    But as the party announced the proposals, the prime minister revealed his own, echoing Labour's call - but one which the opposition described as merely a "watered down" version of their plan from the government.

    Following the debate MPs will vote on the two plans, expected at around 19:00.

    Read more about what is happening in Westminster tonight here.

  15. Dial down the mud-slinging, Tory MP urgespublished at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    Meanwhile, back in the Commons, MPs continue to debate proposed changes to rules surrounding their ability to work second jobs.

    Tory MP Mark Fletcher says recent headlines about MPs' second jobs "simply reinforce" what the public feels about politicians.

    But he argues this is unfair and urges Labour and other opposition parties to "dial down the mud-slinging" against Conservatives.

    You can read more on the current rules for MPs' second jobs here.

  16. Highlights from a lengthy question session with the PMpublished at 17:19 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    Media caption,

    Chris Bryant challenges Johnson over MPs' standards

    That was lengthy session of the Liaison Committee.

    Here are some of the highlights:

    • Boris Johnson told the committee he "regrets" the approach he took over the Owen Paterson case
    • He apologised for not wearing a mask during a recent hospital visit but said the moment "barely lasted 30 seconds"
    • On rape prosecutions, the prime minister said he was working "flat out" to improve conviction rates
    • Asked about violent pornography, Johnson argued that people - such as Wayne Couzens and terrorists - were "coarsened" by such material and that online giants should act
    • On the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, he said it was more "complicated" than simply paying a historic debt and that it breaks his heart he could not guarantee her release before Christmas
    • Finally on NHS pressures, the prime minister said there were "shortages" in "key areas"
  17. Final Liaison Committee questioning of 2021 endspublished at 17:14 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    The questioning of Boris Johnson has now ended, with chair Bernard Jenkin thanking the prime minister for his time and generosity in attending the Liaison Committee for the third and final time this year.

    Johnson indignantly points out this is in fact the fourth time he has been grilled by the committee chairs, after a session was delayed from last year.

    The PM adds he will see them in 2022 - a prospect he is no doubt relishing!

    Thanks for sticking with us, we'll have a summary of the afternoon's events with you shortly.

  18. Hunt pushes PM on plans to stem NHS staff vacanciespublished at 17:09 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    Jeremy HuntImage source, Parliamentlive.tv

    Jeremy Hunt, who is also a former health secretary, then asks about efforts to fill a vacancies in the NHS, which he says now stands at 93,000.

    He asks whether the government will back a proposal to introduce independent estimates every year for the number of doctors that need to be recruited.

    Boris Johnson says he is "happy to study" the idea, but the government has its own targets. He admits there are shortages in "many key areas".

  19. We're working as hard as possible to secure Nazanin release - PMpublished at 17:05 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    RIchard RatcliffeImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Richard Ratcliffe, husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, recently spent 21 days on a hunger strike outside the Foreign Office

    Last but not least is Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative MP who chairs the Health and Social Care Committee.

    The former foreign secretary asks about the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. He says Iran has linked her release to the UK's repayment of a historic debt - and asks whether only the UK will decide on this.

    Boris Johnson says in an "ideal world" the UK would be able to resolve the issue by repaying the debt, but things are more "complicated" than that.

    He adds that he continues to be "horrified" by how she has been treated and the government is working "as hard as we can" to secure her release.

    He adds that it "breaks his heart" that he cannot guarantee, however, she will be home for Christmas.

  20. Are you responsible for empty shelves, prime minister?published at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2021

    "Are you responsible for empty shelves in Supermarkets," asks MacNeil.

    The PM says he is responsible for "trying to help improve supply chains".

    He says the problem is caused by global factors such as a shortage of HGV drivers.

    Has Brexit made it worse, asks the SNP MP.

    "It is a pan-European problem," the PM replies adding that working conditions for HGV drivers should be improved.

    Committee chair Bernard Jenkin jokes that he could renew his HGV licence if it would help.