Covid: Case for recalling MPs over emergency, says Sir Keir Starmer

Boris Johnson should consider recalling MPs to debate the Covid "emergency" facing the UK, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said.

But he added that it was more important for the prime minister to give the public daily updates on measures to limit the spread of infection.

MPs from across the parties have urged the government to reopen Parliament so they can debate new Covid restrictions.

The government says MPs will return if a Brexit trade deal is agreed.

But it has ruled out recalling Parliament to debate the Covid situation - and tier 4 restrictions, which were introduced two days after Parliament had gone into Christmas recess, meaning a vote could not take place.

A government spokesperson said: "Whenever possible we have committed to allowing Parliament to vote on matters of national significance but we cannot hold up urgent regulations needed to control the virus and save lives."

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Sir Keir has backed the recall of Parliament to ratify any Brexit deal.

Asked at a press conference in London, where he was making a speech about Labour's devolution policies, if he would also back a recall to debate Covid, he said: "I think there is a case to look at whether we should recall Parliament".

But he said it was more important that the prime minister gives daily updates on the crisis, as "people need to know the way forward".

"We cannot be in any doubt the virus is now out of control" he added.

"Make no mistake, this is now a real emergency.

Parliament closed for the Christmas break on Thursday, but events over the weekend have prompted MPs from across the parties to demand a return to Westminster.

On Saturday, Mr Johnson announced that areas in London, Kent, Essex and Bedfordshire would be put into a new set of tier four restrictions - meaning people can not mix indoors with anyone not from their household.

He also scrapped a planned relaxation of the rules over Christmas in the south-east of England, while restrictions were toughened up elsewhere in the UK.

Some MPs want to debate the border situation, particularly in Kent, and others may want to call for an extension of the Brexit transition period; but wishes don't recall Parliament, ministers do.

Specifically, a minister of the Crown must request the Speaker to recall MPs.

The Speaker then considers whether this would be in the public interest (it's hard to imagine a situation where a minister would ask for a recall and the Speaker denied them).

But the gaping hole in this process is that there is no mechanism for anybody but the government to bring Parliament back from a recess early.

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Conservative MP Mark Harper - chair of the Covid Recovery Group, which is made up of around 50 Tory backbenchers - said the changes in England should "be put to a vote in the Commons at the earliest opportunity, even if that means a recall of the House".

A number of other Conservatives called for a recall including Steve Baker, Tim Loughton and John Redwood, although others have not backed the idea.

Writing on the Conservative Home website, Conservative William Wragg said "The plain fact is this: Parliament debated and voted on the original rules that were to be in place to govern Christmas, along with the revamped tier system. Parliament should do the same for these new rules and additional tier."

This would mean the changes carried "greater legitimacy among the public", he added.

People at St Pancras station in London, waiting to board the last train to Paris on Sunday

Recall demands have also been driven by France's decision to close its border with the UK for 48 hours over fears of the spread of a new coronavirus variant

No lorries or ferry passengers have been able to sail from the port of Dover, causing long queues.

It comes as EU and UK negotiators struggle to agree a post-Brexit trade deal, with 10 days to go before the UK leaves EU trading rules. The government has repeatedly said it will not extend Brexit trade negotiations beyond the current 31 December deadline.

In 2016 MPs were recalled to Parliament following the murder of Jo Cox, whose empty seat was marked with two roses

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Plaid Cymru's leader at Westminster Liz Saville Roberts both said Parliament should be recalled following these developments - and that the Brexit talks should be extended beyond 31 December deadline.

Responding to demands to recall Parliament, Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect - the union which represents parliamentary staff - expressed concern that his members' safety would be put at risk if large numbers of MPs returned to Parliament amid rising coronavirus cases.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is understood to have been pushing for more use of remote working for MPs, to combat the spread of infection and keep staff safe.

Mr Rees-Mogg confirmed on Monday that, when Parliament returns, the government would introduce measures allowing all MPs to contribute to "substantive" Commons debates via video link.

At the moment, they are only allowed to take part in question times, statements and urgent questions from home, not debates on legislation.

Writing to the Procedure Committee, Mr Rees-Mogg said the change to the rules had been taken with the "aim of reducing physical attendance" at Westminster, which is under tier four restrictions following the emergence of a new variant of the Covid virus.

Many MPs have urged the government to allow online voting, but Mr Rees-Mogg said the system of proxy votes - with MPs present in the chamber voting on behalf ones that that can't be there - would continue in its current form.