Select Committee
Parliament

Labour's Emma Reynolds asks the Brexit secretary to confirm the UK cannot unilaterally leave the backstop under the Withdrawal Agreement and that the decision would be taken by a joint committee.

Stephen Barclay replies it is a "normal approach" but the EU does not have a "veto" on the process and there is a requirement for both side to act in "good faith".

He adds there are "strong incentives" from an EU perspective not to stay in the backstop.

Ms Reynolds says that if there is no solution to the Irish border, the backstop would remain in place.

Mr Barclay tells the committee the backstop would open the EU to litigation because Northern Ireland would have a trade advantage.

The government's summary of the legal position on the Withdrawal Agreement has been published ahead of Attorney General Geoffrey Cox's appearance before MPs.

Should you wish, you can read the full 43-page document here, external.

Select Committee
Parliament

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The committee asks the Prime Minister's Europe Adviser Olly Robbins if the customs backstop is a "bad outcome" for the UK.

Oliver Robbins replies the backstop is an "uncomfortable position for both sides" and there is "not Withdrawal Agreement without a backstop".

Conservative MP Stephen Crabb asks if there are any provisions the Brexit Secretary has "concerns" with.

He replies "there are compromises with any negotiation".

Stephen Barclay says the "intention" is not to go into the backstop and there are safeguards such as extending the implementation period. He adds there are also safeguards coming out of the backstop including around timetabling and technology.

Select Committee
Parliament

The Brexit secretary is asked about the Attorney General's legal advice on the Withdrawal Agreement and why the government has not published as required by a resolution passed by MPs.

Stephen Barclay replies that the Attorney General will make a statement in the Commons this afternoon and the committee will have "ample opportunity to explore that with him".

There are "well established conventions" in terms of legal advice, he says.

The chair expresses concern that the will of the House of Commons is being ignored, and that is has implications for the final vote on the Brexit deal.

The Brexit Secretary says it is best for the Attorney General to address the issue.

Mr Barclay is then asked about why the government won't rule out a "no deal" scenario. He replies the government is "ruling in a deal".

House of Lords
Parliament

It's also a busy day in the Lords - the day begins with questions on agricultural subsidies, the Global Fund, external, disabled facilities in airports, and the restoration and renewal , externalof the Palace of Westminster.

Later this afternoon, peers will begin the first day of report stage scrutiny of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill.

There's a number of amendments tabled and Labour are expected to force votes on some issues - there have been rumours of possible concessions by ministers in an attempt to avoid defeat.

At some stage there will be repeats of the two statements made in the Commons this afternoon - on the G20 summit and Geoffrey Cox's Brexit legal advice.

The repeat of the Brexit statement could be particularly interesting, as Lord Keen of Elie answers questions from peers after.

In addition to that, there'll also be a short debate on the use of image and performance enhancing drugs in amateur and junior sport.

MPs will spend five days debating Theresa May's Brexit deal - here's how it will work.

Select Committee
Parliament

Hilary Benn asks if the secretary of state will be leading principally on the domestic preparation for Brexit.

Stephen Barclay replies there is a "huge amount to do" domestically in terms of the meaningful vote. If the deal passes, there will be a need for legislation including the Withdrawal Agreement bill. If the vote does not go through, there will be no deal planning.

He says he will be leading "phase 2" on behalf of the prime minister. He adds the government structure will have to reflect new work streams and a different approach outside the EU institutions.

The Labour MP asks if Michel Barnier will find him at the opposite side of the negotiating table.

Mr Barclay says the government are looking at the governance architecture of Whitehall.

House of Commons
Parliament

A busy day at the start of a busy week for MPs, with business kicking off at 2.30pm with Home Office questions, before the prime minister gives a statement on this weekend's G20 summit.

After that, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox will deliver a statement summarizing the legal advice given to the government over Brexit.

This follows a binding vote from the Commons last month ordering the advice to be published in its entirety, with some MPs suggesting that the government's decision not to do so is a contempt of Parliament. Labour have warned it risks a "constitutional crisis" for the UK.

Once MPs have had chance question the attorney general, they'll consider the Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill at second reading, which has come down from the Lords.

SNP foreign affairs spokesman Stephen Gethins wraps up the day, with an adjournment debate on Scotland's foreign policy footprint.

Select Committee
Parliament

Chair of the committee Hilary Benn begins by congratulating the new Brexit Secretary on his appointment. He asks when the committee will be able to see the results of the Irish joint mapping exercise - ie, north-south areas of co-operation.

Stephen Barlclay replies that he cannot give a precise date but he will have it as soon as possible.

Hilary Benn replies the secretary of state's predecessors said it would arrive shortly in April. He asks if the committee will see it before the meaningful vote and if there is a problem from the EU side.

The secretary says he is "alive" to the issue and that he will have to "clarify" on the EU point.

Select Committee
Parliament

The committee session is starting now. On the committee are:

• Hilary Benn (Chair) Labour
• Peter Bone - Conservative
• Joanna Cherry - Scottish National Party
• Sir Christopher Chope - Conservative
• Stephen Crabb - Conservative
• Jonathan Djanogly - Conservative
• Richard Graham - Conservative
• Peter Grant - Scottish National Party
• Wera Hobhouse - Liberal Democrat
• Andrea Jenkyns - Conservative
• Stephen Kinnock - Labour
• Jeremy Lefroy - Conservative
• Pat McFadden - Labour
• Craig Mackinlay - Conservative
• Seema Malhotra - Labour (Co-op)
• Jacob Rees-Mogg - Conservative
• Emma Reynolds - Labour
• Stephen Timms - Labour
• John Whittingdale - Conservative
• Hywel Williams - Plaid Cymru
• Sammy Wilson - Democratic Unionist Party

You can find out more about the committee and its work here., external

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, Getty Images

The House of Commons is due to vote on the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal with the European Union on 11 December.

Ahead of the five day debate on the withdrawal agreement and political declaration, the Exiting the EU Committee is questioning Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, and Oliver Robbins, Europe Adviser.

Stephen Barclay was appointed after former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab resigned over the contents of Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement.

The committee will cover the contents of the agreement, including the “backstop” option, and recent economic analysis of Brexit by the government and the Bank of England.

The committee will begin at 1.30pm.

Welcome to our coverage of the day's events in the House of Commons and House of Lords, the committee rooms and the Westminster Hall debating chamber.

A busy week ahead, as MPs and peers prepare to debate the PM's proposed EU withdrawal deal.

There's an early start to the Commons week, though, with a session from the Exiting the EU Committee beginning at 1.30pm today. We'll be covering it here.

Thanks for joining us.