0:00:17 > 0:00:18On this programme:
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Parliament is put into lockdown after a terror attack
0:00:20 > 0:00:23outside Westminster.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27It seems that a police officer has been stabbed.
0:00:27 > 0:00:35That the alleged assailant was shot by armed police.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38As MPs are held in the chamber for their own safety,
0:00:38 > 0:00:41the Scottish Parliament also suspends its sitting.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43The fact that our sister Parliament has had a serious incident
0:00:43 > 0:00:49is affecting this particular debate.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51On a shocking and dramatic day, the first MPs knew
0:00:51 > 0:00:54of the attack was this statement from the Deputy Speaker,
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Lindsay Hoyle.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Order!
0:00:57 > 0:01:00I am now going to suspend the sitting of the house.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05This house is now suspended, but please wait here.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Outside the chamber, it was slowly becoming
0:01:07 > 0:01:10clear what had happened.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13At around 2:45pm, pedestrians and police had been mown down
0:01:13 > 0:01:15as the attacker's car was driven across Westminster Bridge
0:01:15 > 0:01:19and crashed into railings.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22A man then tried to get into parliament and stabbed an armed
0:01:22 > 0:01:25police officer who was protecting one of the entrances.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27The officer was killed.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Police later said the attacker also died in the incident and that more
0:01:31 > 0:01:33than 20 people had been wounded.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36With the scale of the deaths and casualties still unclear,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39inside Parliament the Commons chamber was locked down,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43meaning MPs were unable to leave.
0:01:43 > 0:01:4515 minutes after the sitting was suspended, the Leader
0:01:45 > 0:01:48of the Commons updated MPs.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Events have been moving rapidly and I want to emphasise
0:01:52 > 0:01:54that the knowledge that I have which is definite is
0:01:54 > 0:01:58so far very limited.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02What I am able to say to the house is that there has been a serious
0:02:02 > 0:02:07incident within the estate.
0:02:07 > 0:02:13It seems that a police officer has been stabbed.
0:02:13 > 0:02:21That the alleged assailant was shot by armed police.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23An air ambulance is currently attending the scene
0:02:23 > 0:02:28to remove the casualties.
0:02:28 > 0:02:34There are also reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity
0:02:34 > 0:02:38of the Palace of Westminster, but I hope colleagues on all sides
0:02:38 > 0:02:43will appreciate that it would be wrong of me to go into further
0:02:43 > 0:02:46details until we have confirmation from the police and from the house
0:02:46 > 0:02:51security authorities about what is going on.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53The Shadow Leader of the House stood up.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Can I thank the leader for the statement and just to say
0:02:56 > 0:02:58that our thoughts and prayers are with the police officer.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01And to thank the police and security services,
0:03:01 > 0:03:06and all the staff for looking after us so well.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09To the honourable lady, I think those sentiments will be
0:03:09 > 0:03:13shared without reservation in all parts of the house.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15We remain suspended until further notice.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19With that, the sitting was suspended again and David Lidington came back
0:03:19 > 0:03:23to the chamber 20 minutes later with another update.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25It is clear that the advice from the police, the director
0:03:25 > 0:03:27of security, is still that the chamber should
0:03:27 > 0:03:33remain in lockdown.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36I think, as most colleagues will realise, a number of right
0:03:36 > 0:03:38honourable and honourable members are also in other parts
0:03:38 > 0:03:41of the estate and for obvious reasons are unable to be
0:03:41 > 0:03:44present for business.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49There have been conversations through the usual channels.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53I hope the house would agree that in the current circumstances it
0:03:53 > 0:03:58would not be right to continue with today's business.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Discussions between the usual channels will take place to ensure
0:04:02 > 0:04:04that the business that has been interrupted can be rescheduled for
0:04:04 > 0:04:10another mutually convenient date.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14I know, Mr Deputy Speaker, that you will want to keep the house,
0:04:14 > 0:04:19although we remain in lockdown here, informed about any news
0:04:19 > 0:04:21that comes through from the security authorities.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25But in view of what I sense to be the mood of the house
0:04:25 > 0:04:28and the situation in which we find ourselves, I beg to move
0:04:28 > 0:04:30that the house do now adjourn.
0:04:30 > 0:04:31The question is this house shall now adjourn.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33As many of the opinion say aye.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34Aye!
0:04:34 > 0:04:36The ayes have it.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39And so Parliament was suspended for the day.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43The Lords, which was due to sit at 3pm, called off its sitting.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Meanwhile, MPs were held in the Commons chamber for more
0:04:46 > 0:04:50than two hours before being eventually released.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52A joint statement from the Commons Speaker,
0:04:52 > 0:04:54John Bercow, and Lord Fowler, the Lords Speaker, sent
0:04:54 > 0:04:57thoughts to all those affected and their families,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59and expressed gratitude to the police and all
0:04:59 > 0:05:03the emergency services.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Before the attack, it had been a Wednesday like most others,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11when the news agenda was set by Prime Minister's Questions.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13The Labour leader had used the session to accuse
0:05:13 > 0:05:16the Government of cutting school funding in England.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19He said smaller budgets could lead to bigger class sizes
0:05:19 > 0:05:23and less choice for pupils.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Theresa May defended a consultation that had been held on school funding
0:05:26 > 0:05:29and she accused Labour of wanting to pull up the ladder
0:05:29 > 0:05:31on achievement.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33But the session began with Mrs May offering
0:05:33 > 0:05:35condolences following the death of Northern Ireland's former
0:05:35 > 0:05:40Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Of course we do not condone or justify the path he took
0:05:43 > 0:05:47in the earlier part of his life and we should never forget that,
0:05:47 > 0:05:51nor the victims of terrorism.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54However, as my noble friend Lord Trimble set out yesterday,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57he played an indispensable role in bringing the Republican movement
0:05:57 > 0:05:59away from violence to peaceful and democratic means,
0:05:59 > 0:06:03and to building a better Northern Ireland.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06A sentiment echoed by the Leader of the Opposition.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Martin played an immeasurable role in bringing about peace
0:06:09 > 0:06:13in Northern Ireland and it's that peace that we all want to see
0:06:13 > 0:06:17endure for all time, for all people in Northern Ireland.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20He moved on to proposed changes to school funding.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23He said school budgets were being cut by more than 6%
0:06:23 > 0:06:28and he took a swipe at the former Chancellor George Osborne's new job.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32The manifesto on which he fought the last election promised that
0:06:32 > 0:06:36under a future Conservative government, the amount of money
0:06:36 > 0:06:40following your child into school will be protected.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42No wonder even the editor of the London Evening Standard
0:06:42 > 0:06:49is up in arms about this!
0:06:49 > 0:06:55Mr Speaker, the cut to school funding equates the loss of two
0:06:55 > 0:06:58teachers across all primary schools, six teachers across
0:06:58 > 0:07:01all secondary schools.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05So is the Prime Minister advocating larger class sizes?
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Shorter school days?
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Or unqualified teachers?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Which is it?
0:07:12 > 0:07:16We have, as we said we would, we have protected the schools budget.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20We now see more teachers in our schools, we see more teachers
0:07:20 > 0:07:24with first-class degrees in our schools.
0:07:24 > 0:07:30We see 1.8 million more children in good or outstanding schools.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33That's a result of the policies of this government.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Jeremy Corbyn quoted a letter from a primary school
0:07:35 > 0:07:38teacher called Eileen.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43She wrote to me to say teachers are purchasing items such as pens,
0:07:43 > 0:07:47pencils, glue sticks and paper out of their own pockets.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Fundraising events have quadrupled as funds are so low that parents
0:07:50 > 0:07:54are having to make donations to purchase books.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57This is disgraceful, says Eileen.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Does the Prime Minister agree with Eileen?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Theresa May said her government wanted children to get
0:08:03 > 0:08:06on on the basis of merit.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Jeremy Corbyn was unconvinced.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12And in the Budget, the government found no more money for the schools
0:08:12 > 0:08:18budget, but it did find ?320 million for her own special schools,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22grammar schools, vanity project.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24So there's no money for Eileen's schools, yet ?320 million
0:08:24 > 0:08:25for divisive grammar schools.
0:08:25 > 0:08:32What kind of priority is that?
0:08:32 > 0:08:35We've put forward a proposal, we are consulting on it.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Consultation closes today.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42We will respond to that consultation.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44But he talks about the issue of the sort of system
0:08:44 > 0:08:46in schools we want.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Yes, we want diversity.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51We want different sorts of schools.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53We have put money into new school places.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55But I say to the right honourable gentleman,
0:08:55 > 0:08:59his Shadow Home Secretary sent her child to a private school.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02His Shadow Attorney General sent her child to a private school.
0:09:02 > 0:09:12He sent his child to a grammar school.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14He went to a grammar school himself.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19Typical Labour, take the advantage and pull up the ladder behind you.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22The SNP's Westminster leader turned to Brexit.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26The Prime Minister says that she wants Article 50
0:09:26 > 0:09:30negotiations to lead to a deal and she wants people to know
0:09:30 > 0:09:34the outcome of that deal before it is approved.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39Will the Prime Minister confirm that in the period for an agreement,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42the House of Commons will have a choice, the House
0:09:42 > 0:09:44of Lords will have a choice, the European Parliament
0:09:44 > 0:09:46will have a choice, 27 member states of the European Union
0:09:46 > 0:09:52will have a choice?
0:09:52 > 0:09:55If it's right for all of them to have a choice about Scotland's
0:09:55 > 0:09:57future, why should the people of Scotland not have a choice
0:09:58 > 0:10:03about their own future?
0:10:06 > 0:10:08This isn't a question about whether the people of Scotland
0:10:08 > 0:10:13should have a choice on their future.
0:10:13 > 0:10:19The people...
0:10:19 > 0:10:24The people of Scotland voted, exercised their right
0:10:24 > 0:10:27to self-determination, and voted in 2014 to remain a part
0:10:27 > 0:10:33of the United Kingdom.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36The people of the United Kingdom last year voted to leave
0:10:36 > 0:10:39the European Union.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44We are respecting both of those votes.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47He is respecting neither of them.
0:10:47 > 0:10:48Theresa May.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52The Transport Department has announced that the ban on airline
0:10:52 > 0:10:54passengers carrying laptops and other devices in their
0:10:54 > 0:10:58cabin baggage will be brought in by Saturday.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00It affects flights to the UK from Turkey, Lebanon,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06The Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, told
0:11:06 > 0:11:09the Commons he wanted aviation to continue as normal.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13These were extra security measures to make sure it was safe.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16I know the whole house will recognise the fact that we face
0:11:16 > 0:11:18a constantly evolving threat from terrorism and must respond
0:11:18 > 0:11:21accordingly to ensure the protection of the public against those
0:11:21 > 0:11:23who would do us harm.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26The changes we're making to our security measures
0:11:26 > 0:11:29are an important part of that process and I assure the house
0:11:29 > 0:11:30we'll continue to work closely with airlines,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33airports and the wider travel industry over the coming weeks
0:11:33 > 0:11:38to ensure that passengers know what is expected of them.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Have checks on these items been stepped up in addition to changes
0:11:42 > 0:11:45to their placements on the aircraft and what evidence does he have that
0:11:45 > 0:11:49placing potentially problematic items in the hold is safer
0:11:49 > 0:11:51than in the cabin, especially as potentially explosive devices
0:11:51 > 0:11:57such as lithium ion batteries have been banned from hold luggage?
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Mr Speaker, aviation security is rightly under constant review.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04Can he assure all of us that all is being done to make sure these
0:12:04 > 0:12:05regulations are effective, consistent and put
0:12:05 > 0:12:08the passenger first?
0:12:08 > 0:12:11We respond in aviation security to the evolving threat
0:12:11 > 0:12:16that we face from terrorists.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20There are some things that we make public and others that we don't.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I'm not going to give the honourable gentleman full details
0:12:23 > 0:12:25of the background to the decision.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28It's been taken, it's in response to an evolving threat.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30He would not expect me to do that.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Suffice to say to the house, we have taken the steps we have
0:12:33 > 0:12:35taken for good reason.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Having just returned from the Conservative Middle East
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Council trip to Egypt, we were able to see the devastating
0:12:40 > 0:12:43effects to the local economy in Sharm el Sheikh on the continuing
0:12:43 > 0:12:46ban on flights to that region.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48We were also able to meet with the president and hear first
0:12:48 > 0:12:51hand from the Egyptians their concerns that they are being
0:12:51 > 0:12:53singled out in some way.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57That may be the reaction of other allies who are being named today.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Will my right honourable friend commit to discussing with other
0:13:00 > 0:13:03ministers a diplomatic offensive to go to these countries to explain
0:13:03 > 0:13:06to them why these actions are being taken and they are not
0:13:06 > 0:13:09being singled out?
0:13:09 > 0:13:11This is not a question of singling out countries.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15We would never embark on a process of singling out countries.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18The decisions we take are purely and simply taken on the basis
0:13:18 > 0:13:22of what we believe the risks are and where we believe we need
0:13:22 > 0:13:27to take steps to protect United Kingdom citizens.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Safety has to be our top priority, but there really
0:13:29 > 0:13:30are too many loose ends.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34If there really are clear security grounds for the restrictions
0:13:34 > 0:13:36the Secretary of State has introduced, he has to be
0:13:36 > 0:13:39clearer about what those security grounds are.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Otherwise both the UK government and the US government will remain
0:13:43 > 0:13:47open to the suspicion that they are unreasonably singling
0:13:47 > 0:13:51out particular countries in the Middle East and North Africa
0:13:51 > 0:13:57rather than thinking through properly what precautions
0:13:57 > 0:13:59can actually keep flights safe from terrorism wherever
0:13:59 > 0:14:01the aircraft involved fly from.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03I understand his desire for information, but the reality
0:14:03 > 0:14:07is we have an evolving security threat to aircraft, we take
0:14:07 > 0:14:10decisions as and when we believe it is necessary to do
0:14:10 > 0:14:12so to protect our citizens.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14I'm very clear, it's nothing to do with singling out
0:14:14 > 0:14:17countries, it's nothing to do with what the destinations are.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20The decisions we take are purely and simply based on an evolving
0:14:20 > 0:14:23security threat and what we believe is the right way to protect
0:14:23 > 0:14:27United Kingdom citizens.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Sir Desmond Swayne.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34Why are they safer in the hold?
0:14:34 > 0:14:39Mr Speaker, as I said, and I hate to be disingenuous
0:14:39 > 0:14:42to my honourable friend in terms of repeating the answers,
0:14:42 > 0:14:46but I can't discuss the detail of that evolving security threat.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Would he outline what steps will be taken to reassure passengers
0:14:49 > 0:14:51as well as inform them on the work the government is doing?
0:14:51 > 0:14:54We are not saying to people do not travel to these countries.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56We are not saying to people cancel your flights.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00We are not saying to people cancel your holidays.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04We want aviation to continue as normal.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07We are simply taking additional security measures to make sure
0:15:07 > 0:15:08that aviation is safe.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Can I just ask the Secretary of State to give assurance
0:15:11 > 0:15:14to my constituents and other Muslim people around the UK who may be
0:15:14 > 0:15:19feeling that this is another attack on their liberties?
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Can I ask him to give an assurance that it is not that
0:15:22 > 0:15:25and that they will be treated properly and with dignity
0:15:25 > 0:15:27as they travel through UK airports?
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Let me also be clear about this point.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31In recent years, we've seen a whole range of
0:15:31 > 0:15:33horrendous terrorist events.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37In those events, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and people with no
0:15:37 > 0:15:41faith and many others have died side-by-side.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Our job is to protect every single citizen of the United Kingdom
0:15:44 > 0:15:48whatever their faith.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50This is about protecting every single citizen of the United Kingdom
0:15:51 > 0:15:53whatever their faith.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54Chris Grayling.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58You're watching Wednesday in Parliament with me, Alicia McCarthy.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales has strongly criticised
0:16:07 > 0:16:09the Lord Chancellor, Liz Truss, saying her view
0:16:09 > 0:16:12of her constitutional duty towards the judiciary was completely
0:16:12 > 0:16:14and utterly wrong.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Earlier this month, Liz Truss told the Lords Constitution Committee
0:16:17 > 0:16:19that she was a huge believer in the independence of
0:16:19 > 0:16:29the judiciary, but drew the line at saying what the press should print.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31The Daily Mail branded the Lord Chief Justice and two
0:16:31 > 0:16:34High Court judges "enemies of the people" after they ruled
0:16:34 > 0:16:36against the Government in the first Brexit hearing last November.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Lord Chief Justice, I want to ask you about the press coverage
0:16:40 > 0:16:43of the first judgment in the Article 50 proceedings, which you presided
0:16:43 > 0:16:49over in the High Court.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52He said the Constitutional Reform Act of 2005 placed a duty
0:16:52 > 0:16:55on the Lord Chancellor to protect the independence of the judiciary.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01The very words are, the need to protect that independence.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Before us a week or so ago, she said she will respectfully
0:17:05 > 0:17:08disagree with some who have asked me to condemn what the press
0:17:08 > 0:17:12are writing, stating that she draws the line at saying
0:17:12 > 0:17:16what is acceptable for the press to print or not.
0:17:16 > 0:17:23She thought the best way to proceed was to make the positive case.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27In light of the constitutional requirements and those answers,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31how and by whom, in your view and that of the judiciary, should
0:17:31 > 0:17:34this independence be protected?
0:17:34 > 0:17:37In short, I believe the Lord Chancellor is completely and utterly
0:17:37 > 0:17:43wrong in the view she takes.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45I regret to have to say that.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Can I explain the position I took?
0:17:48 > 0:17:51First, it seems to me inappropriate to say anything
0:17:51 > 0:17:55during the time of the decision.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Secondly, it was inappropriate to say anything until
0:17:57 > 0:18:00the legislation had been passed.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Thirdly, I'm extremely reluctant to get into an argument that in any
0:18:03 > 0:18:09way compromises the position that the judiciary have taken
0:18:09 > 0:18:13on Brexit, which is to get on with the legal problems and leave
0:18:13 > 0:18:17the politics to the politicians.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20He said it was important to maintain a free press.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22I think criticism is very healthy.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25If you've got something wrong, fine.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28But there's a difference between criticism and abuse.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32I don't think that is understood.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34I don't think it's understood, either, how absolutely essential
0:18:34 > 0:18:39it is that we are protected.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Because we have to act as our oath requires us,
0:18:42 > 0:18:48without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53It is clear, after Brexit, in relation to the first
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Article 50 judgment, that the claimant had
0:18:57 > 0:19:04been subjected to quite a considerable number of threats.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08It's the only time in the whole of my judicial career that I've had
0:19:08 > 0:19:13to ask for the police to give us a measure of advice and protection
0:19:13 > 0:19:18in relation to the emotions that were being stirred up.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23I think that it's very wrong that judges should feel it.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27I've done a number of cases involving Al-Qaeda, I dealt
0:19:27 > 0:19:32with the airline bombers plot, some very, very serious cases.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34I've never had that problem before.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37The circuit judges were very concerned.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39They wrote to the Lord Chancellor because litigants in person
0:19:39 > 0:19:42were coming and saying, you're an enemy of the people.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46I regret to have to criticise as severely as I have,
0:19:46 > 0:19:51but to my mind she's completely and absolutely wrong.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54I'm very disappointed.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56I can understand what the pressures were in November,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58but she has taken a position that is constitutionally
0:19:58 > 0:20:04absolutely wrong.
0:20:04 > 0:20:05Thank you, Lord Chief Justice.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08I'm very glad that the committee has given you the opportunity
0:20:08 > 0:20:09to set out your position.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11You have done so very clearly.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14I will do so with the whole of the history of this problem
0:20:14 > 0:20:17on June 15th here in Parliament.
0:20:17 > 0:20:18We shall look forward to that.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22I'm relieved to be able to say that the committee produced a report
0:20:22 > 0:20:24on the office and role of the Lord Chancellor a couple
0:20:24 > 0:20:27of years ago which takes more or less the same view,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30but not in such clear and robust terms as you were able to.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32I'm sorry, there's no point in mincing words.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Indeed not.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Why I feel so firm about this is that in the Financial Times
0:20:39 > 0:20:42article, the Lord Chancellor went on to say that, and I can see
0:20:42 > 0:20:50the force of her concern, that when the powers in the European
0:20:50 > 0:20:53court are repatriated the decisions of the courts will come
0:20:53 > 0:20:57under greater scrutiny.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Well, it really is absolutely essential that we have a Lord
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Chancellor who understands her constitutional duty.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Yes, thank you.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06I think we need to move on, however.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Before we leave controversy entirely...
0:21:09 > 0:21:14I don't think I've said anything controversial.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15At least to lawyers.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16Indeed not.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20The Prime Minister is gearing up to trigger Article 50 next week,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24the official start of the process for the UK leaving the EU.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27The UK voted by 52% to 48% to leave the European Union
0:21:27 > 0:21:30in a poll in June.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Negotiations over the terms of that exit will begin shortly.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37In the Commons, the leader of the Liberal Democrats launched
0:21:37 > 0:21:39an attempt to have a second referendum once the Brexit
0:21:39 > 0:21:45deal is drawn up.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Bringing in what's known as a Ten Minute Rule Bill,
0:21:48 > 0:21:49he explained what he wanted.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51I accept that we have had our mandate referendum
0:21:51 > 0:21:53in which the British people voted to leave.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55But voting for departure is not the same as voting
0:21:55 > 0:21:57for a destination.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Now the Government should give the British people a decision
0:21:59 > 0:22:03referendum to be held when the EU negotiation is concluded
0:22:03 > 0:22:06so that the British people have all the necessary information
0:22:06 > 0:22:10and know what our future partnership will be.
0:22:10 > 0:22:20It is the people who are suffering in this country.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23It is the people who are sovereign in this country.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26The people can and must have their say over what comes next.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28This bill would enshrine in law their right to do so.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31The detail or even the general nature of the deal that this
0:22:31 > 0:22:33government may reach with the European Union
0:22:33 > 0:22:35is currently completely unknown and a mystery to us,
0:22:35 > 0:22:36a mystery to them.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Yet the British people are now told they must simply shrug and accept
0:22:39 > 0:22:43any old deal irrespective of its content or its quality.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46What started with democracy cannot end now with a stitch-up.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49The deal must not be merely rubber-stamped by politicians,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52it must be agreed by the people.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Tim Farron won the right to take his bill forward,
0:22:55 > 0:23:00but as it doesn't have Government backing, it won't become law.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03The terror attack at Westminster also had a dramatic impact
0:23:03 > 0:23:06on events in Holyrood.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09MSPs had gathered for the second day of, and crucially to vote on,
0:23:09 > 0:23:13whether or not to back a motion giving the Scottish Government
0:23:13 > 0:23:15a mandate to negotiate the terms of a second independence referendum
0:23:15 > 0:23:18with the UK Government.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23The debate had been opened by the External Affairs Secretary.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26The UK withdrawing from the EU presents Scotland with one
0:23:26 > 0:23:30of the most critical challenges it has faced in the modern era
0:23:30 > 0:23:35as we face being taken out of the EU against our will.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39If Scotland can be ignored on an issue as big and important
0:23:39 > 0:23:42as this, it is clear our voice and our interest can be ignored
0:23:42 > 0:23:47at any time on any issue.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50The SNP wants to put the trading relationship with the EU ahead
0:23:50 > 0:23:55of the internal UK market.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59This refusal to recognise any benefit derived from being part
0:23:59 > 0:24:02of the UK is a result of an increasingly
0:24:02 > 0:24:06nasty nationalism.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10The First Minister says the people's voice must be heard.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13She has conversed with them, consulted them, and asked them
0:24:13 > 0:24:17a once-in-a-lifetime question.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21They gave their answer and it was no.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Now the people are saying enough is enough.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Time to stop the campaign, not restart it.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32To heal the wounds, not reopen them.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36Listen to them, First Minister, for the love of Scotland.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Listen to them.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42MSPs were told of the attack at Westminster by the Deputy
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Presiding Officer partway through their debate, but carried
0:24:44 > 0:24:48on for another half-hour before the presiding officer intervened.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51I've certainly no wish to cause undue alarm here,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54and security has been increased here, but I'm also aware
0:24:54 > 0:25:01that the fact that our sister Parliament has had a serious
0:25:01 > 0:25:04incident is affecting this particular debate and is affecting
0:25:04 > 0:25:07the contribution of members.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10It is for that reason we are deciding to suspend the sitting.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14We will find time to resume this debate.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Thank you.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22We will resume this debate and we will be able to do
0:25:22 > 0:25:24so in a full and frank manner.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27I think to continue at the moment would not allow members to make
0:25:27 > 0:25:30contributions in the manner they would wish to.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34And so that debate was halted and will now be rescheduled.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36The Welsh Assembly also called a halt to its
0:25:36 > 0:25:39proceedings for the day.
0:25:39 > 0:25:40That's it from me for now.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44Do join me at the same time tomorrow for another round-up of the day
0:25:44 > 0:25:45here at Westminster.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48For now, from me, Alicia McCarthy, goodbye.