Labour MSP Monica Lennon asks the Scottish government what action SEPA has taken to seek regulatory compliance for the sites affected by the cessation of medical waste services by Healthcare Environmental Services Ltd.

Environment, climate change and land reform, rural economy ministers will now be quizzed during portfolio questions.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says is Mr Russell confident he will be able to look Scotland's fishermen in the eye when the Scottish government wants to lock them in the common fisheries policy.

"Yes," Mr Russell briefly replies.

In answer to a later question from SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing, Mr Russell highlights concerns about access to markets coming from fishing communities.

Labour MSP James Kelly wonders if the budget will need to be re-written.

The Brexit secretary says if there is a supplementary UK budget, there would need to be a supplementary Scottish budget.

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Labour MSP Pauline McNeill asks if the Scottish government's position is that it would not support a radically better deal.

Mr Russell disagrees that that is his government's position, but says he cannot see the parties at Westminster coalescing around a new deal.

SNP MSP Alex Neil asks if there is a second referendum will the government commit to consulting with Holyrood about its preferred wording.

Mr Neil, who voted to leave the EU, also says that any referendum that restricted the questions to being between remain and Theresa May's deal would not be credible.

Mr Russell agrees to consulting Holyrood about the preferred wording in a "People's Vote".

In terms of the question, there must be real alternatives and the only ones at the moment are Theresa May's deal and remaining, he argues, but says he is happy to discuss this.

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford seeks assurances for EU citizens living in Scotland.

Mr Russell calls on the prime minister to unilaterally commit to all of the conditions in the Withdrawal Agreement on EU citizens.

That would not reassure all individuals involved, he concedes, and says the Scottish government will continue to argue settled status fees should be removed.

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says last night Theresa May's deal was "savaged by MPs", yet the PM carries on as if nothing happens.

Mr Scott calls for the Scottish government to be "rock solid" in its support for a "People's Vote"

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The prime minister is "preserving herself in office at the expense of all of us", replies Mr Russell, reiterating his call for her to resign.

The Brexit secretary tells the chamber there is a majority for a "People's Vote" at Westminster if Labour backs it.

He calls for the prime minister to be "consigned to the dustbin of history".

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie says two and a half years after the EU referendum, we have a UK government that has no idea where it will go.

Our parliament has a clear majority against Brexit in principle and a clearer majority in favour of a so-called People's Vote, he tells the chamber.

Mr Russell says anyone standing outside the UK looking in "will despair".

The first minister will speak for this parliament and for Scotland when she is in London today, he states.

The Conservatives, both UK and Scottish, are failing to deliver for the people of Scotland the Brexit secretary adds.

Mr Russell says he hopes the vote of no confidence in Theresa May succeeds today and leads to a general election.

However if that does not happen we must move very, very quickly to a "People's Vote", he says.

The Brexit secretary insists it is "shameful" that Theresa May has not resigned.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says last night was "an historic occasion" and leaves the prime minister "without a shred of credibility".

The PM has failed to engage in any discussions to build unity, he insists.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that if the PM had an ounce of self-awareness, she would have resigned he asks.

He says there should be a general election to bring in a new government.

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Mr Russell says in considering the largest ever defeat a prime minister has ever experienced it is important to point out 118 Tory MPs joined the 35 SNP MPs who voted against Theresa May's deal.

The Brexit secretary adds there is not an ounce of shame in the Tory ranks.

He insists he has been more positive about the way ahead than anyone else in this chamber.

Leading European politicians have insisted there will be no change without the prime minister changing her own red lines, points out Mr Russell.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says this statement is "yet another reminder" that Brexit,for the SNP, isn't about the EU, but rather about Scottish independence.

I do not support a no deal Brexit, Mr Tomkins says, but insists this possibility was made more likely by those who did not support the PM's deal last night.

Is the first minister in London today as the leader of the SNP or as first minister, he asks.

He also asks: will the SNP play a constructive role in the cross-party talks called for by Mrs May after the vote yesterday?

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The Brexit secretary says the Scottish government is clear that the best outcome is to remain in the EU and a second referendum would allow that to happen.

Mr Russell adds he hopes the UK government will bring forward a motion to facilitate the second referendum on Monday.

"UK parliamentarians must, as a matter of democracy, return to the people."

The referendum must be "rigorously policed", he insists.

The Brexit Secretary says membership of the EU has enriched Scotland and the whole of the UK.

He says Scotland has been left "isolated and ignored" and adds he is ready to make the case for remaining in the EU passionately in a second referendum.

Mr Russell says the UK government "can and should" rule out a no deal Brexit.

Until that happens it is necessary for the Scottish government to intensify its work to prepare for that eventuality he adds.

We're making every effort to ensure we get the vital information we need, states the minister.

The Brexit secretary says more time is needed to reach a deal and that time must be used to a productive end, not to save the PM's face again.

He confirms SNP MPs will support the no confidence motion, but if this fails, the SNP will step up its calls for another vote on EU membership.

Mr Russell says Mrs May's MPs have "emerged blinking into the daylight today" saying the disaster is a problem, not for them, but for the EU.

"That is, presiding officer, self-deluding mince."

If the prime minister does not change her red lines, there can be no deal and adds there is a "stalemate in that crumbling palace by the Thames", he says.

The Brexit secretary explains the first minister spoke to Theresa May last night and is in Westminster today speaking to SNP MPs.

The first part of any plan is to rule out no-deal, he insists.

The Brexit secretary recalls arguments that a no vote on independence would mean Scotland would stay in the EU.

This government was elected on a manifesto that Scotland should have the right to hold a second independence referendum if there was a material change in circumstances, he states.

Last night was "not just a defeat, it was a rout", he tells the chamber.

Mr Russell says in a normal political world, this defeat would have led to the immediate resignation of, if not the government, at least the leader of the government.

Mrs May's commitment to approach opposition parties should have happened at the start of the process, not denouement, the cabinet secretary insists.

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Brexit Secretary Mike Russell gets to his feet to begin his statement entitled 'Protecting Scotland's Interests' - the Scottish government's resopnse to last night's historic defeat for Theresa May's Brexit deal.