Brexit bill - as it happened: Government accused of 'cover up' as Labour vows to force release of secret papers
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Peers in the House of Lords have started the lengthy process of scrutinising Theresa May’s flagship Brexit legislation.
It comes after an influential committee in the Lords warned that the legislation – in its current form – is constitutionally unacceptable and will need to be substantially rewritten.
More than 190 members had lined up to speak during the two-day debate on the Bill’s second reading. During the first round of debates, on Tuesday, one of the best interventions came from the former Brexit minister Lord Bridges.
He challenged the Prime Minister to make clear what sort of relationship the Government wanted with the EU after Brexit, adding ministers have so far provided “no clear answers”, offering only “conflicting, confusing voices”.
He told peers he feared the Government would come up with “meaningless waffle” for its future relationship with Brussels, and that the implementation period would be “a gangplank into thin air”.
In the Commons – as Ms May headed for China on an official visit - Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary raised an urgent question following a leak of the Government’s Brexit impact assessments on Monday evening. The papers claimed that Britain will be worse off after leaving the bloc regardless of the deal.
Labour have now vowed to win a Commons vote to force the release of the secret analysis laying bare the economic damage from Brexit, as the affair was branded a “cover up” by one MP.
Urgent Question on Brexit papers granted by Speaker John Bercow - will happen in the Commons later this afternoon
The EU Withdrawal Bill has now started in the Lords. This is the first day of two days of debates at the second reading of the legislation.
Leader of the Lords Baroness Evans says today is "not about revisiting the arguments of the referendum"
Almost 190 peers are listed to speak over the two days of second reading, where the principle of the Bill will be considered.
Lords Leader Baroness Evans of Bowes Park said it was an honour to open the debate on such an important Bill.
"This Bill ensures we have a functioning statute book on the day we leave," she told peers.
"It is about providing certainty and continuity for people and businesses.
"It is about ensuring people's rights are upheld, and legal protections are maintained.
"It is vital to a smooth and orderly exit from the EU. My Lords, this Bill is not about revisiting the arguments of the referendum."
Lord Adonis is now speaking. He says 193 Lords are waiting to speak after him. "The final say should rest with the people, once they see the terms the Government agrees"
He says the interests of the public do not rest with making the country poorer.
Conservative MP Stephen Hammond has told BBC News the government should now publish its Brexit impact reports
Meanwhile, in the long-running Labour Party row in Harringey
Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) says, It's rare - and she will probably never say it again but she "shares sympathy with the Chancellor"
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