Westminster today - as it happened: Government wins Syria motion vote by majority of 61

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Syria air strikes: How events unfolded

Theresa May has avoided defeat on a non-binding motion in the Commons over Britain’s role in the missile strikes on Syria’s suspected chemical weapons facilities.

A motion brought forward by Jeremy Corbyn, which stated the House of Commons has considered Parliament's rights in relation to the approval of military action by British forces overseas, was approved by 317 to 256 - majority 61.

Several Labour MPs defied Mr Corbyn's request to vote against the emergency debate motion, as the Opposition sought to express its dissatisfaction at the Government's treatment of Parliament in relation to the military action in Syria.

Opening the debate, Mr Corbyn said: “I am sorry to say the Prime Minister's decision not to recall Parliament and engage in further military action in Syria last week showed a flagrant disregard for this convention.”

But Ms May defended her decision to take action without seeking Parliament's approval, saying that coming to the Commons beforehand would have compromised the “effectiveness of our operations and safety of British servicemen and women”.

Earlier on Tuesday, Theresa May also apologised to Caribbean leaders for the Government’s “appalling treatment” of the so-called Windrush generation.

It comes after Amber Rudd, the home secretary, announced on Monday she was setting up a new taskforce to speed up the regularisation of the immigration status of people who arrived in the UK as long ago as the 1940s.

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Key Points

• 'Day of national shame' - Theresa May apologises over Windrush generation deportation threat
• May defends Syria air strikes amid criticism for refusal to grant parliamentary vote

[17 April 2018 09:50 · Ashley Cowburn]

Theresa May is now addressing the Commonwealth heads of Government. She says that some nations are choosing the shun the rules based international system and undermine it, referring to the suffering inflicted on the Syrian people. 

"The use of chemical weapons is morally wrong and strictly prohibited," she says. 

[17 April 2018 09:56 · Lizzy Buchan]

May pledges to make the Commonwealth more sustainable and promises a 'Blue charter' to improve the oceans, as well as resources to tackle malaria. Applause as she promises to work to half malaria by 2023

[17 April 2018 09:59 · Lizzy Buchan]

May says all members will sign a cyber agreement to counter those who would 'abuse the freedom of the internet'.

[17 April 2018 10:01 · Ashley Cowburn]

After the debate in the Commons on Syria, there will also be a debate on anti-semitism, following a row within the Labour Party. The debate has been brought forward by the government. 

This is from the communities secretary Sajid Javid.

[17 April 2018 10:06 · Lizzy Buchan]

Applause for the PM as she takes aim at the 'legacy of discrimination' over homosexuality laws in the Commonwealth. She says 'no one should face persecution for who they love and who they are'. The UK will support countries to change 'outdates laws'

[17 April 2018 10:07 · Lizzy Buchan]

Applause for the PM as she takes aim at the 'legacy of discrimination' over homosexuality laws in the Commonwealth. May says 'no one should face persecution for who they are and who they love'. The UK will support countries to change 'outdated laws', she says.

[17 April 2018 10:09 · Ashley Cowburn]

Quite significant part of May's speech just now at Commonwealth head's of government. On draconian same sex laws, she says: "They were wrong then, they are wrong now."

Same sex relations are still illegal in 36 Commonwealth member states.

[17 April 2018 10:21 · stubbs87]

Sat in the white room inside @10DowningStreet , @AndrewHolnessJM said the meeting gave them a chance to “strengthen… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

[17 April 2018 10:22 · Ashley Cowburn]

[17 April 2018 10:30 · Lizzy Buchan]

Jamaican PM Andrew Holness puts pressure on the PM to sort out Windrush - saying “it is only fair” to those affected https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Da-Y6CxWAAASDKW.jpg