SPEAKER John Bercow has blocked Boris Johnson’s bid to bring his Brexit Bill back for another vote.
Explaining his ruling, he explained that the Government's motion on Monday afternoon was identical to the one already considered by MPs on Saturday.
Bercow told the Commons: "It's clear that the motions are in substance the same."
Over the weekend, the Prime Minister had hoped parliament would back his plan, but instead they backed former Cabinet minister Sir Oliver Letwin's bid to change the motion to withhold approval of the Brexit deal agreed between Johnson and Brussels "unless and until implementing legislation is passed".
Downing Street then decided not to have a "meaningful vote" on the amended motion.
Bercow said that meant the matter had already been decided.
He told MPs: "After more than three hours of debate the House voted by 322 to 306 for Sir Oliver Letwin's amendment, which stated that 'this House has considered the matter but withholds approval unless and until implementing legislation is passed'."
The Prime Minister was compelled to write to the EU asking for a three-month Brexit extension. Downing Street sent two letters, one to to European Council president Donald Tusk.
The first was an unsigned photocopy of the request he was obliged to send under the Benn Act, and the second was a letter explaining why the Government did not want an extension.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel