Jacob Rees-Mogg clashes with Scots as MPs forced back to Westminster

Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack

The Commons leader insisted parliament would be "Covid-19 secure" by June 2 when MPs come back from a two-week recess, with no return to the "crowded, bustling chamber of old".

MPs' staff will be "strongly advised to continue working from home" and social distancing measures that cap the number of parliamentarians in the chamber at 50 will continue, with physical voting taking up to 45 minutes to keep MPs at least six feet apart in voting lobbies.

But Mr Rees-Mogg was told it was “simply Orwellian” to claim that ending virtual parliamentary debates would improve scrutiny of government, and warned that ministers risked breaching equalities laws when it came to MPs who have underlying health conditions, or live with family who do.

In an urgent question to Mr Rees-Mogg, Orkney and Shetland Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael said the government is asking MPs to undertake "non-essential journeys" to return to Parliament, adding: "In my case, almost the entire length of this country, to stay in second homes - something which, when done by leading Government advisers, led to their resignation.

"If ever there was a case of do as I say, not as I do, then this is it."

Mr Carmichael said he found the virtual arrangements "stilted and artificial", but added: "If it's a choice between that and putting the safety of members, their families and staff of the House at risk, then that is no choice at all and it should only end when safe to do so."

He said reports claimed Mr Rees-Mogg had suggested "Perspex screens" should be installed in the chamber to get more MPs inside.

"Someone has obviously told him how things are being done at Tesco these days," Mr Carmichael added.

Mr Rees-Mogg accused the Lib Dem MP of passing judgement from his “Shetland eyrie”, and dismissed a claim that Tory MPs were being told to return in order to provide support for Boris Johnson at PMQs as "fundamentally trivial".

"Under the hybrid proceedings the time this House is able to spend debating legislation faces being cut by around two-thirds,” Mr Rees-Mogg said.

"We have to recognise that if we persist with the present arrangement it will become harder to make progress in a timely fashion.”

Earlier, at Scottish Questions, SNP MP Alan Dorrans challenged the Scottish Secretary Alister Jack over why he was making a 700-miles round trip to appear in the Commons when Scottish and UK Government advice said those can work at home should do so.

“As a Cabinet Minister and a Secretary of State, it is right that I should be here in the Chamber so that I can be properly scrutinised and answer these questions,” Mr Jack replied.

“I came down at the weekend and travelled on a train very safely. I will return safely and I will be isolating myself when I do, but that is solely because I go back to family.

“I do not see why we cannot have proper scrutiny of Parliament when we have the virtual proceedings, which work for some, but for me it is absolutely about being here, being scrutinised and being at the Dispatch Box.”

Mr Dorrans also raised the issue at PMQs, asking Boris Johnson: "Condemn or condone, Prime Minister?"

Mr Johnson replied: "All I can say is no. I won't. I think the Secretary of State for Scotland does an admirable job."

In a tweet after his first appearance at the despatch box since being appointed shadow Scottish Secretary, Edinburgh MP Ian Murray said: “The hybrid virtual Parliament works very well. We should keep it until it’s 100% safe for everyone to return.”

And Labour’s shadow Commons leader Valerie Vaz asked if Mr Rees-Mogg had held talks with Public Health England and urged him to publish any advice it had given him.

Ms Vaz also pressed for answers on how Commons staff will be protected, with Mr Rees-Mogg confirming a risk assessment has been carried out.

The Commons leader said there was “extra cleaning going on” and said work was underway to ensure MPs who have to shield indoors or have family members who do will be represented.

During a telephone briefing with journalists after PMQs, a spokesman for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "The Government's own advice, its own public health advice, is those who can work from home should.

"Parliament has developed a successful system using technology to ensure the scrutiny of Government, while allowing people to work remotely.

"The Government has yet to provide an honest explanation as to why they want to bring this virtual system to an end.”

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