Westminster as it happened: New rules to tackle sexual harassment as leaked report shows one in five parliamentary staff affected
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MPs and peers could face expulsion under tough new sanctions for sexual harassment and bullying recommended in a report that revealed one in five people working in Westminster has experienced inappropriate sexual behaviour.
The cross-party document, which was leaked to The Independent, outlines plans for a new behavioural code and an independent grievance procedure to help root out abuse in the Palace of Westminster.
Theresa May held a second day of crunch talks with her Brexit "war Cabinet", where different Tory factions are struggling to agree on what Britain's future relationship with Europe looks like.
Elsewhere, shadow chancellor John McDonnell has given a speech pledging to help local councils bring public services in house, amid growing concern about serious financial challenges facing local authorities.
See below for live updates.
Today is the final day in Parliament before MPs head off on a 12-day break. On the agenda today, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom will give a statement about the sexual harassment report, and there are UQs on Motability scheme and same-sex marriage in Bermuda.
The Tories have risen four points ahead of Labour, according to a new poll for The Times.
The YouGov poll shows the Tories on 43 per cent, up 1 point compared with last week, Labour on 39 per cent, down 3 points, and the Lib Dems on 8 per cent, up 2 points.
The Indy's John Rentoul also picks up another interesting detail, which shows 44 per cent of people think leaving the EU was the wrong decision.
Specialist FGM prosecutors have been appointed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after the number of reported cases hit more than 5,000 last year.
Solicitor General Robert Buckland told MPs about the appointments after concerns raised about the lack of successful prosecutions.
Mr Buckland told the Commons there should be "greater and deeper understanding" of the offence as a result of the appointments and police will be better-equipped to spot "the tell-tale signs of FGM abuse".
Almost half of FGM victims last year involved women and girls living in London, according to figures released by NHS Digital.
A third were women and girls born in Somalia while 112 cases were UK-born nationals. The practice is illegal in the UK and it is compulsory for family doctors, hospitals and mental health trusts to report any new cases in their patients.
FGM - intentionally altering or injuring the female external genitalia for non-medical reasons - carries a sentence of up to 14 years in jail.
Mr Buckland said: "I'm glad to say with the appointment of lead FGM prosecutors in each CPS area and agreed protocols for local police forces there should be a greater understanding and a deeper understanding by police officers, in particular as to the tell-tale signs of FGM abuse and what to do about them.
"Early investigative advice from the CPS is vital in these cases."
The Government is considering banning puppy sales by pet shops and other third party dealers.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said a ban will be explored as part of a package to drive up welfare standards alongside enhanced licensing conditions for breeders due to come into force later this year.
The possible ban would mean anyone buying or adopting a dog would deal directly with the breeder or an animal rehousing centre.
Last year, Defra concluded that a ban on third party sales would lead to the creation of an illegal market following evidence from Dogs Trust and Blue Cross.
Mr Gove said: "We need to do everything we can to make sure the nation's much loved pets get the right start in life.
"From banning the sale of underage puppies to tackling the breeding of dogs with severe genetic disorders, we are cracking down on sellers who have a total disregard for their dogs' welfare."
Under new rules to take effect later this year, anyone who breeds or sells dogs must be licensed and will be banned from selling puppies and kittens under eight weeks old.
They must also show puppies alongside their mother before a sale is made, and sales must be completed in the presence of the new owner in order to prevent online sales where prospective buyers have not seen the animal first.
The Independent's Rob Merrick has been at a briefing with the Prime Minister's official spokesman and has sent through these lines.
Asked about financier George Soros backing a campaign for overturning Brexit, the spokesman said: “There are obviously many political and campaign groups in this country - that’s entirely right and as you would expect in a democracy.”
He defended the right for the Best for Britain campaign to exist and be funded, but insisted the UK is leaving regardless.
He said: “That’s what we are going to deliver and there won’t be a second referendum.”
On the sexual harassment report, the PM's spokesman said anonymity for the accused was "standard in workplace grievance procedures”.
He said: “There is obviously a separate issue if we are talking about a criminal complaint - that’s not what today is about.” It is a “matter for police” whether someone would be identified.
Bermuda has become the first country in the world to repeal a law allowing same-sex couples to marry. The island’s governor, John Rankin, approved a bill on Wednesday that reverses a Supreme Court ruling last year authorising gay marriage.
MPs have been pressing the Government on the issue in the Commons, as Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory, but ministers said they could only intervene in "exceptional circumstances".
Story:
The Press Association's Harriet Line has filed this report from the Commons on the Bermuda debate:
Same-sex marriages at sea on some cruise ships are to be banned after Bermuda repealed legislation which allowed gay and lesbian couples to wed, an MP has said.
Labour's Chris Bryant said Cunard and P&O's Bermuda-registered ships will no longer be able to hold the ceremonies, amid claims that Britain is being made a "laughing stock in the international human rights field" because of the decision.
The British Overseas Territory had allowed couples of the same gender to marry since May 2017, but now a law has been put into force establishing domestic partnerships.
Mr Bryant, who asked an urgent question on the issue in the Commons, said the move was a "backwards step for human rights in Bermuda and in the overseas territories".
"Same-sex Bermudian couples who have been married under the ruling of the ... Bermudian Supreme Court have now been rendered an anomaly.
"Gay and lesbian Bermudians have been told that they aren't quite equal to everyone else - they have been told they don't deserve, this is the word being used, they don't deserve the full marriage rights that other Bermudians enjoy.
"And Cunard and P&O's Bermuda-registered ships will be banned from holding same-sex marriages at sea."
Labour's Lloyd Russell-Moyle (Brighton, Kemptown) asked: "How do we expect to be leaders of the world on this issue, how do we expect to raise this issue seriously at the Commonwealth, as the minister has suggested, if they will all turn around and say 'Well, in the territories you sanction it, in Northern Ireland you sanction it?'
"We are making our country a laughing stock in the international human rights field."
Shadow Foreign Office minister Helen Goodman described the legislation as "shameful", and said it "turns same-sex couples into second-class citizens".
Foreign Office Minister Harriett Baldwin said the Government had decided not to intervene and block the legislation.
She told MPs: "After full and careful consideration in regards to Bermuda's constitutional and international obligations, the Secretary decided that in these circumstances it would not be appropriate to use this power to block legislation, which can only can be used where there is a legal or constitutional basis for doing so, and even then only in exceptional circumstances."
More here from today's lobby briefing.
On Bermuda, the PM's official spokesman said: "We are seriously disappointed that the Domestic Partnership Bill removes the right for same-sex couples to marry in Bermuda.
"But that Bill has been democratically passed by the Parliament of Bermuda, and our relationship with the overseas territories is based on partnership and respect for their right to democratic self-government."
In an interesting comment on Brexit, the PM's spokesman said he was not expecting "significant moments" in Brussels tomorrow. Top Brexit official Olly Robbins was expected to meet EU leaders to report on the UK's position on the end state.
Theresa May and her Brexit "war Cabinet" have been locked in talks over the future relationship.
But when the spokesman was asked about Mr Robbins, he said: “I’m not aware of his travel plans - I’m not expecting any significant moments in Brussels tomorrow.”
Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom has said proposals to tackle bullying and abuse in Parliament will "fundamentally change the working culture".
She said an "ambitious" report by the Cross-Party Working Group on an Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy was a "major step towards a safer and more professional environment" in Parliament.
Delivering a statement in the Commons, said: "It is a right, not a privilege, to be treated with dignity and respect at work and this ambitious report is a major step towards a safer and more professional environment.
"I hope that Honourable and Right Honourable Members across the House will welcome the report, which will, I am confident, ensure that our Parliament is among the best in the world, demonstrating our commitment to equality, justice and fairness."
She said six months after the start of the new scheme an "appropriate body" will review the operation of the new processes.
Mrs Leadsom also said a motion would be brought before the House and be debated in the first two weeks after the February recess.
Shadow Commons leader Valerie Vaz said: "Everyone in Parliament must be able to work together cooperatively, respecting the expertise of the House and balancing our responsibilities as elected representatives in a safe and secure and constructive workplace, so that everyone - our constituents, staff and staff of this House - can benefit from working for the common good in this extraordinary place."
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