Fun and games in parliament as Brexiters protest at Speaker Bercow's decision to accept D Grieve's amendment to the business of the house motion for the coming Brexit withdrawal deal debate to require a govt statement "within three sitting days".
They claim the motion was supposed to be unamendable; Bercow says no, just non-debatable. Pro-remain MPs rising to defend Bercow as doughty champion of parliament. Ken Clark cheekily invited the protesters to exit parliament and don a yellow vest.
Leader of the House Andrea Leadsom tries a bit of a fightback, asking Bercow to confirm that he took advice before accepting the Grieve amendment and asking him to publish that advice. Cue uproar!
After a second attempt by Leadsom, Bercow declines to reveal whether the Clerk of the House advised for or against accepting the Grieve amendment.
Iain Duncan Smith broadens the issue: This sets a new precedent; will back-benchers now be able to amend any and all business motions on any topic in future? "I will reflect on the question", says Bercow, but "if we were only guided by precedent then nothing would ever change".
J.R. Mogg has a go: The rules say motions must be put by a minister, he says, but if including a back bencher amendment is the amended version still being put by a minister? Yes, says Bercow.
James Cleverly's turn: Might it be appropriate to avoid changing the rules at such a contentious moment? Bercow's response is something along the lines of 'my gaffe, my decision'
Andrew Percy: people out there believe there's an institutional stitch-up [to stop Brexit], how are you going to reassure? Bercow plays the innocent: "It's the house's decision". "I'm simply seeking to facilitate the house in deciding its policy".
Crispin Blunt: "From here on we will have an unshakeable conviction that the referee is not neutral." I'm on the side of members, responds Bercow.
The House of Commons has now been arguing about procedures for a full hour. Labour MPs (who all support Bercow's decision) are rising in numbers to insist that the house should instead be "getting on with it".
Things are getting feisty: Adam Holloway asks why Bercow has a particular sticker in his car (a ref to the famous "Bollocks to Brexit" sticker as reported by e.g. @GuidoFawkes). Bercow goes for the feminist side-step: It was my wife's car!
And that's it - the house moves on.
And that's it - the house moves on.
Remainers put another notch in the bedpost: D Grieve's anti-Brexit amendment passes by 308 votes to 297. Govt must now make a statement within three (not 21) days of defeat in the withdrawal deal meaningful vote.
