there have been angry allegations in the house of lords over the and about conditions of lord lester.signed last week after the committee found that he harrased a woman. he denies all the charges. but it was voted by 101—78 to reject the disciplinary committee's conclusions. peers reflected on the lessons from this case. the moral is that it is impossible for members of this house to be impartial when we are judging one of our own. we should agree on what we think are fair procedures. and, as dame laura cox has said, we should then make the process entirely independent. i feel very sad about this whole business and sad for the complainant, i'm sad that the commissioner has had a tough time, i'm sad for lord lester and his wife and his family, and i want us to make a pledge to behave better as men and women who try to remake our world. we want an equal society and you came and we will only achieve that when there is mutual respect between men and women. i'm not saying and i have never said that the house should believe lord lester rather than ms sanghera. i do not know who is telling t

one time i was sitting in the house of lords. i was sitting in a chair, visitors weren't. ghter] justice kennedy: one of the barristers, the queen's counsel in the case said, "now the lord's wish to turn to the statute." and lawyers know what's coming up. the maximum statutory construction and they cancel each other out, either one. [laughter] justice kennedy: he says, 'i shall be forced to leave the room.' [laughter] justice kennedy: and the counsel said, " oh, my lord, i would not wish to precipitate such a calamitous event." and we don't have time for that stuff. [laughter] that's why we have the briefing. david: so, justice kennedy, justice stevens stayed on the court until he was 90, some of the other justices obviously stayed longer than that. you're obviously in good mental and physical shape, so you could have stayed longer. why did you decide to retire now? justice kennedy: because it's hard to leave something you love, but you can do it if you do it for something you love more. [applause] david: so, some justices retire upon the confirmation of their successor. yo

whole brexit process there has been quite a significant role for the lords and indeed in opening the debate, the leader of the househere have been 68 reports since the referendum on elements of brexit and many hours spent debating and amending the eu withdrawal bill and the lords has been very involved in all this, but everybody in the lords accepts the meaningful vote itself is a matter for the elected house. if you do want someone to explain what's going while those votes are being held, tune into bbc parliament on tuesday. there will be full coverage of the proceedings in the commons plus live analysis of any and every vote from our parliamentary correspondent mark darcy. now, let's take a look at some other news from around westminster in brief. at prime minister's questions, the labour leader jeremy corbyn used his six questions not to ask may about defeat inflicted on her government on tuessay or about the impending brexit vote, instead he raised changes to the welfare system. child poverty is rising, homelessness rising! destitution writing! household debt rising! when will the prime minister turn her warm w

the house of lords is also debating the agreement, but the house of lords is an entirely different kettlers vote against the deal, which they probably will because although there are 800 members of house of lords, it is overwhelmingly remain. so let's get a tiny flavour of that debate and let's hear from a face that you may well remember. this is someone who has been highly critical of the brexit project. then those will suffer most are those least able to bear the strain. and when the election comes, it will have been a tory that led the referendum campaign, it will have been a tory government that perpetuated the living standards, it will be a tory government that is blamed for what we are talking about today. he said that they need to be aware of what will slow growth and damaged the economy. and those debates both continue tomorrow. thank you alicia. that's all for today's brexit: the debate. we'll be back again at the same time tomorrow as the debate about brexit continues tonight at westminster, the options for what could happen at the end of it are many. is there any chance the pri

his comments did not go unnoticed in the house of lords. al, it would be particularly difficult to guarantee perishable foods coming onto the market and that would be impeded, and this is likely to drive up some price increases. is it about time that the government was completely honest with the british people that are no deal outcome, in addition to all the other adverse impact it would have, could have serious implications for public health in terms of access to fresh fruit? my lords, thank you. of course, it is is why the government thinks that a deal should be made in we would encourage that a deal is the best way forward, but clearly it is the responsibility of any government to plan for all scenarios. that is why over the last two years, the border delivery group has been working extremely effectively, helped by the permanent secretary of hmrc and the second sector of the home office, precisely to look at ways of ensuring that there is a steady supply produce. my lords, could my noble friend indicate whether he thinks oranges are healt

a house of lords committee says it's concerned about how the scheme will work.aught by british trawlers must be landed. in the past, fish that took boats over their quota would be thrown overboard or discarded. the aim is to avoid wasting fish and to encourage crews to be more selective. the scottish fishing federation says the laws are well intended, but it's the fallout that could cause problems. everyone, most especially including the scots fishing industry, is instinctively against discarding. so, the problem is agreed. the solution is not agreed. peterhead is the biggest white fish port in europe. here, a variety of fish, including haddock, cod, whiting and plaice are caught at the same time. different types of fish have different quotas. but according to the new rules, when a boat catches its quota of any species, it will now have to stop fishing. fresh fish is of course important to fish and chip shops, and one of the concerns that the committee has raised is that if boats can't discard and have to stop fishing earlier in the year, then millions of pounds

we remember her as a goat -- great code breaker and demonstrative member of the house of lords. and her with on i have news for you. and harry leslie smith who passed away only this morning. and an irrepressible campaigner for the rights of refugees and the welfare state in the national health service. he was passionate about the principle of healthcare for all as a human right. we thank harry for his life and work. before and secretary said of their brexit deal it mitigates most of the negative impact. prime minister tell us what to mitigate? >> can i first of all, i am sure the house wishes to pass condolences. what we see behind the analysis we published today and the chancellor recognizes this morning, our deal is the best deal available for jobs in the economy that allows us to honor the referendum and the opportunity of brexit. the analysis does not show we will be poorer in the future. it shows better off with this deal, what would make an impact on the economy for the future would be the polities of the right honorable gentlemen for borrowing higher taxes, the biggest wri

it's also been day 2 of a three day debate on the agreement in the house of lords, who's been speakings not stopped people from speaking. last night, we brought you a familiar face in the shape of michael, the conservative peer. now we have another famous familiar face, and this time a labour peer, michael, you may remember him from his days in east enders, but when he finished, he too became an amy e there is no strength in delusional isolation. the empire has gone and wishing it back will not bring it here. that is why the deal that is on offer is unacceptable, even if it is the best of the worst. now caught the house of commons and house of lords are not sitting this and coming friday, so that debate will resume on monday afternoon. thank you alicia. that's all for today's brexit: the debate. we'll be back again at the same time tomorrow. as we've been hearing — today's debate in the commons has been dominated by the economic impact that brexit will have. however, the issue of the northern ireland backstop— designed to prevent the return to a physical border between thje designed to

one time, i was sitting in the house of lords in a chair. as a visitor. [laughter] justice kennedy: one of the barristers said, now, my lords, i wish to turn to the statute. lawyers know what's coming up. statutory construction. they cancel each other out. they cancel each other out. he said, i should be forced to leave the room. [laughter] the counsel said, i would not like to precipitate such a calamitous event. [laughter] justice kennedy: we don't have time for that stuff. [laughter] justice kennedy: that's why we have the brief. david: justice kennedy, justin stevens stayed on the court until he was 90. some others have stayed longer than that. you are obviously in good mental and physical shape. you could've stayed quite a bit longer. why did you decide to retire now? justice kennedy: because it's hard to leave something you love but you can do it if you do it for something you love more. [applause] david: some justices retire upon the confirmation of their successor. you did something different. you retired on the date that you handed your letter of

weapons come from western countries that are subject to domestic and international legislation the house of lords this practice. saudi arabia and the u.a.e. did not respond to repeated attempts to contact them but a senior yemeni official confirmed that the arab coalition knew its weapons were being passed on. the last occasion was started by the coalition about the leakage of a weapon that was handed over to a resistance faction in ties that was linked to al qaida in aden this is confirmed by the coalition. that. we have transparency in the coalition to say yes although it is partial and not influential. the yemeni situation is stressful and there are clashes between parties and tribes. but there are parties allied with the coalition who deal with the who fees in one way or another. but the situation is almost completely under control. in twenty eighteen germany approved four hundred million euros worth of arms sales to saudi arabia but has now put the exports on hold. in june belgium announced the withdrawal of the license from a belgian company to export to saudi arabia. international human ri

she is on the way to the house of lords, they are taking their posts, this is caesar's men running aroundus to the sunday telegraph, segway us interview with jeremy hunt who may have his eye on the topjob. he says here in this interview that he fancies a crack at succeeding theresa may. he also talks about, another interesting choice of headline given the quote is, but basically we will find a way of muddling through no matter what. you actually want a bit more strength and belief, if we are going down this path of a no—deal brexit, which is quite possible the way we are going, increasingly possible, you need someone are going, increasingly possible, you need someone who is going to lead the country who believes in it. jeremy hunt says the uk will flourish! he doesn't quite say that. he has no data to do that. meanwhile, businesses are preparing themselves to do what they need to do in case there is not one and he is coming out with basically fantasy solutions as well. that is the tragedy of the whole thing. we are going to end up, in three and a half months time, with no deal and that is

weapons come from western countries that are subject to domestic and international legislation the house of lords this practice. saudi arabia of the u.a.e. did not respond to repeated attempts to contact them but a senior yemeni official confirmed that the arab coalition knew its weapons were being passed on. look at that location was started by the coalition about the leakage of a weapon that was handed over to a resistance faction ties that was linked to al qaida in aden this is confirmed by the coalition. we have transparency in the coalition to say yes although it is partial and not influential. the yemeni situation is stressful and there are clashes between parties and tribes. there are parties allied with the coalition who deal with the who fees in one way or another. but the situation is almost completely under control. but even. in twenty eighteen germany approved four hundred million euros worth of arms sales to saudi arabia but has now put the exports on hold. in june belgium announced the withdrawal of the license from a belgian company to export to saudi arabia. international human ri

of politics this week? richard morris has our countdown. at 5, a famous name returns to the other house. lordelection. the successful candidate was lord carrington. at 4, all backbenchers must be careful around chief whip julian smith. and so, it seems, must ministers. at 3, laughter at the liaison committee, as the pm is asked exactly what kind of new relationship the uk must expect from the eu. we're going to be very good friends, working closely, working together... friends with benefits? sorry? i missed your quip, i'm sorry. friends with benefits, prime minister. at 2, norman french is ok in parliament, but not its modern equivalent. so michael gove tries a french accent. le president... you're not allowed! sorry. i'll translate. the french president is, on this occasion, wrong. and at 1, happy holidays. here's the white house's festive video featuring melania trump and some very red christmas trees. richard morris there. now, it's awards season here at westminster, so we sent jack fenwick to the red carpet to catch up with some of the winners. here's his report. i'm in church house in th

one time i was sitting on the house of lords. one of the barristers said now the lord's return to it -- return. lawyers know what is coming up. they cancel each other out. he said i should be forced to leave the room. and the council said i would not wish to precipitate such a calamitous event. we do not have time for that stuff. david: justin -- justice demons stayed until he was 90. you are obviously in good mental shape and physical's -- physical shape. why did you decide to hire -- we tire now. justice kennedy: it is hard to be something you love, but you can do it for something that you love more. [applause] some justices retire on the confirmation of their successor. why did you do it that way? the way thatdy: you described the second way is the traditional way. to retire contingent upon the appointment of your successor, it seems to me, not a good idea authoritye confirming knows that there is no urgency. some people might prefer the sitting judge to the judge that has been nominated. i think they should be concentrated on

surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and i will dwell in the house of the lord goodbye to a man of great faith and great integrity. a truly beautiful human being. honor his noble character, his life of service, and of the sweet memories that he leaves for his friends, his family, and for our grateful nation, for more than 60 years george herbert walker bush has been my friend and he has been my role model. today, as we entrust his soul to history, andame to his memory to our hearts, i must begin with an apology. fe, i am about to do something that you always hated and that your mother always told you not to do, brag about yourself. i will do this because it must be done. seebecause as a lawyer i that being beloved by all lawyers is a loophole. [laughter] about yourself, you once wrote. let others point out your virtues, your good points. well, today mr. president, i am the other. with the special privilege and joy of sharing your good points. as we have heard and as we know, george bush was a charter member of the greatest generation. ,s we gather here to salute

the government was defeated in the house of lords over part of its counterterrorism bill.of a proposal to give greater safeguards to aid workers going into conflict areas. the bill includes a measure that could lead to a british national being jailed for ten years, if he or she visited a designated conflict zone without a reasonable excuse. it's not clear either what would count as proof of a legitimate reason for being in a designated area. would it be a letter on headed paper from the employer or more substantive evidence? and carrying such evidence in some form in and out of a war zone could pose security risks for the individual and those in the conflict area. and if the risks of going to a particular area are increased for uk nationals or residents, then their organisation, national or international, is less likely to want to send them. the police have been extremely clear for some time, since well before this new power was introduced, that any person returning from syria, who has travelled there — for any reason — can expect to be investigated to establish what risk

when i entered the house of lords, it was assumed i'd sit, like most scientists, on the crossbenches.hey found out i was a member of the labour party. i voted for brexit. the way i see the eu is like having a broken leg and then trying to pick up someone else that's got two broken legs and carry them to the hospital. brexit was not based on rational decisions. i think people that are still remain are a bit obnoxious! rude. no, i'm not rude, actually, that's not true. i'm essentially quite a shy individual. i have one or two ideas of who i think it might be, but i'm not going to say. who is this? he looks like super mario! hello! hi. hello, aisleyne. how do you do? you're very dapper! well, i'm not really, actually, i'm just dressed for work! so you think we should stay part of the eu? well, unfortunately, i don't know that we can anymore, i think we've probably burnt our boats. and i'm happy about that. yeah, and i understand that you are, because you're a brexiteer and you voted for it. what are your thoughts towards people saying that we should have a people's vote? you can'tjust vo

nick baines, bishop of leeds and the church of england's lead representative of europe in the house of lordsfor the clergy‘s view of the current political climate. the bishops are very well connected to their parishes, right around the country as opposed to what is going on locally. notjust in relation to brexit, but in relation to social needs. we pick up what is happening at that level, but also the other level of just watching the division, listening to the language and pursuing party interests or individual ambitions taking over from the focus on the national interest. how do you break the log jam? that is the question. and carrying on the way we are with the current discourse, looks set still to play to this sort of, the zero—sum game rather than saying, how do we take a step back and sort out this conversation that is characterised by respect and honesty about the complexity of what we're facing. do you really think it is the place of the church to comment on politics? well if it isn't, whose place is it? the church is made up of real people. if you're going to cut the church of, who e

the house of lords also spent most of the day discussing the prime minister's brexit deal.te in which more than 180 peers are expected to take part. the conservative former cabinet minister lord hunt said those who rejected the deal were playing with fire. it was, he said, time to put party politics aside and back the deal. it must not be a question of who blinks first, we should not be blinking at all. politics is always the art of the possible, that is why we should now embrace the british tradition of sensible and reasonable compromise which has stood us in such good stead for centuries. labour's former northern ireland secretary, lord murphy, said two years of "botched" negotiations had ushered in a free—for—all. many nationalists see brexit as a means by which we could have a united ireland. many unions see it by means as the union can strengthen even more. and all that's undermined the work of three decades. the problem for brexiteers, my lords, including my good friends in the dup is that they never had a proper plan of their own. and voters weren't told that in 2016

let's look at how westminster is seen here, that is the victoria tower at the house of lords end of there, or the counting, thatis taking place there, or the counting, that is further back to the east of the building the house of commons. our political editor, laura kuenssberg, joins us now. what a surprise, on a night like this! you sound so pleased to see me extra measure mug of eyes i am a lwa ys extra measure mug of eyes i am always pleased to see you. —— dusan —— you sound so pleased to see me!|j am always pleased to see you. my senseis am always pleased to see you. my sense is that the prime minister's supporters i have spoken to are sure she is safe, the microphone has come out in downing street, which shows she is ready to give her own statement to the country. one minister said to me i am not sure it will be as comfortable for us as we believe. in westminster, even though it might seem crazy, the number of votes by which she wins or loses will be really important, the dynamic which shapes events in the coming months. for people who might be turning on the television now, we hav

surelygoodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and i will dwell in the house of the lordsay good-bye to a man of great faith and great integrity. a truly beautiful human being. and to honor his noble character, his life of service,h answeet memories he leaves for his friends, his family, and for our grateful nation. for more than 60 years, george herbert walker bush has been my friend and he's been my role model. today, as we entrust his soul to heaven, his name to history, and his memory to our hearts, i must begin with an apology. heffy, i'm about to do something you alwa hated and that your mother always told you not to do. brag about yourself. i will do this because it must be done, and because, as a , lawysee that thing beloved by all lawyers. a loophole. w, don't brag about yourself, you once wrote.nt let others put your virtues, your good points. well, today, mr. president, i am that other. with the special privilege and joy of sharing your good points. as we have heard and as we know, george bush was a charter member of the greatest generation. as we gather here t

i was told by the leader of the house of lords. for preparing for a brexit without a withdrawal agreement. a no deal? yes, and those discussions should be intensified. for there to be a plan b theresa may's plan must be rejected, and looks ever more likely. one of the uk's biggest outsourcing companies — interserve — is reported to be in rescue talks to avoid its collapse. interserve employs 16,000 people here, providing services in key sectors including schools and hospitals. most of its income comes from government contracts. with all the sport now, here's mike bushell at the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. today's football matches could well have an effect on the top of the ta bles have an effect on the top of the tables in england and scotland. the first of them is under way, and liverpool will go above manchester city at the top of the premier league if they can beat bournemouth. approaching half—time they are doing just that. mo salah scored from close range. 38 minutes gone. punters to city have a chance to respond later,

nick baines, bishop of leeds and the church of england's lead representative of europe in the house of lordsshops of what they are seeing?” think you can answer that into microwaves. the bishops are very well connected through their parishes around the country to what is going on locally, notjust in relation to brexit, but in relation to the social needs, so we pick up what is happening at that level of conversation, but also, at another level, just watching the division, listening to the language, seeing party interests of individual ambition taking over from a focus on the national interest. how do you break the logjam ? the national interest. how do you break the logjam? that is the question. carrying on the way we are with the current discourse, it looks set to play to their zero—sum game agenda, rather than seeing, set to play to their zero—sum game agenda, ratherthan seeing, how set to play to their zero—sum game agenda, rather than seeing, how do we ta ke agenda, rather than seeing, how do we take a step back and have a different sort of conversation that is characterised by respect,

surely in the house of lords you have someone else to shop for you!nything online because i didn't know who i was handed my money over to —— i wouldn't thereby anything online. i used to say that about my fruit and vegetable shopping. but in the end, ijust don't have time and i found that the on line shopping that i get is found that the on line shopping that igetisa found that the on line shopping that i get is a pretty good quality, i am reasonably satisfied with that. i did not have to queue up for it, packet and bring it home. i used to love it but i do not have the time to do it. my biggest on line shopping seemed was buying paperclips on line. very lazy. should we move on to the telegraph. you would think the government would not have time to make announcements and come up with new rules for employers that that is what they are doing. actually, they are really important these rules. a new code being drawn up to protect employees in the wake of some of the real scandal is we have had recently, these nondisclosure agreements which have been used t

a transport minister has tried to reassure travellers and her fellow members of the house of lords thatrch, and that people could continue to book their holidays with confidence. she was introducing air service regulations aimed at ensuring there's no disruption to flights should there be a no—deal brexit. several peers criticised the government's planning for brexit. the awful spectre of a no—deal brexit grows every day, day by day, relentlessly. like lemmings, the government are heading blindly towards a cliff edge. there's paralysis in the house of commons. the prime minister seems to be totally manoeuvring to get what she wants, irrespective of what is best for the country. in britain, we have the third largest aviation industry in the world. we are a nation that loves to travel and we have a highly competitive aviation market based largely on cheap airfares. but if there's no deal, uk and eu airlines will lose the automatic right to operate services between the uk and the eu without the need for advance permission from individual states. civil aircraft are not at risk of being grou

there are discussions taking place, i was told last week by the leader of the house of lords, between... what's known as no deal. yes. and those discussions should be intensified. for there to be a plan b, plan a — theresa may's deal — must first be rejected and, right now, that does look ever more likely. matt cole, bbc news. in our cardiff newsroom is the labour mp and supporter of the people's vote campaign anna mcmorrin. thank you for speaking to us today. you are campaigning for a people's vote. we a re you are campaigning for a people's vote. we are hearing there is a group of senior life campaigners preparing for another referendum, should you not work together? we are seeing increasing support across the house whatever way you support, however it you voted. i am hearing increasing support from im constituency for a vote on the final deal and that is the pressure, the support for that is getting more and more everyday. to what end do you think a second referendum would help the country? well, there is absolutely no support for the deal that theresa may has put before us to vote

there was a house of lords select committee about drone technology and do a lot of recommendations that think anybody in the government has a possibility for this issue, that is one of the challenges. this issue falls across many different bits of government but i think the first thing is probably to make sure somebody in government is responsibility —— is responsible. we need to decide what our most important bits of infrastructure is and what is to be protected. we look at threats from cyber attack. in a way, drone technology is an extension of that solicitor culminated area and one of the first things is defines a leading government to be responsible for it and work out what the next step should be. thank you for joining us. the headlines on bbc news... police say they have identified ‘persons of interest‘ in the hunt for those responsible for drones that halted operations at gatwick airport. the us defence secretary james mattis resigns — a day after president trump announces the withdrawal of troops from syria. a remembrance service has taken place in lockerbie to remember the 270

house of commons and/or sing a clean brexit, no dealyou want? the house,is clean brexit, no dealyou want? the house, is already has and has legislated for it in the house of lords the majority don‘t want no deal? the next few months and the majority don't want no deal? that is why we need a leader of the government that will make it clear the government will make it clear the government will have some steel to get there despite the majority view of mps who wa nt to despite the majority view of mps who want to steal the referendum result from the people. that is what is at sta ke. from the people. that is what is at stake. when you hear the stuff about people‘s vote is people who took the losing side in the referendum, wanting to reverse that vote. are you worried about losing tonight? a number of people are quietly confident mrs may is going. number of people are quietly confident mrs may is goingm theresa may wins, good luck to her, she will command the support of more than half of my colleagues and therefore all of us as far as confidence in her government is concerned and she is free from challenge for a year. it is up to her to make clear that she will get

and an outbreak of modesty in the house of lords. it is not a matter for a junior minister... er. ..to... all that to come and more. but first: it was a night when more than a third of conservative mps said they had no confidence in theresa may. but, having won the vote, the prime minister headed for brussels to seek more concessions over her brexit deal. back at westminster, mps tried to find out when they'd finally get a "meaningful vote" on it after the decision to postpone this week's debate and vote. when andrea leadsom, the leader of the house, outlined next week's schedule there was no sign of it. something spotted by her labour shadow. i don't know if i heard properly. has the leader actually given all the business next week? because i didn't hear when the debate on the on the meaningful vote would resume. it is obviously not listed for next week, so when will it come back? she said the government could no longer be trusted. even now, the prime minister is having made an agreement with the eu, is saying she will go back and find another way. the government spent money,

my mum worked for the lib dems in the house of lords, in the wet's office, and she said he was a remarkabled wrote a report for the lib dems on press freedom and he said, presenting it to lord ashdown, he was the sharpest politician he ever met. my dad is a lawyer and very forensic in these things and he was extremely impressed by him. i think we all were. without sending to put —— without sounding too sentimental, i wish more politicians like this. as far from the bullingdon club as we can get. instead of smashing up pipes, he would be saving bosnia or something like that. he wasn't in it for personal gain and we could do with more politicians like that. words like principle and conviction coming through. i was really impressed byjohn coming through. i was really impressed by john major's coming through. i was really impressed byjohn major's tribute. he was an opponent in politics but a valued friend in real life. notjust a good politician but a really good human being, which is something to aspire to. and when he steps down, he didn'tjust go to the countryside and put up his feet. he was

lord richard newbie of the british house of lords joining us from outside parliament. remember when that happened in the election 2016 in the u.s. just pointing that out. in the markets it was a touch below 126. joining us is alan ruskin, deutsche bank chief international strategist. what is the trade, was the expectation? alan: it has been such a wild ride. i'm not sure there's a trade that will last more than five minutes. one thing that is clear is there is so much volatility that has been priced into the market. if you look at implied volatility, not just through january for -- not just through january 21 of the next year, the range of decline on sterling are roughly 1.15 to 1.30. the market is pricing in all sorts of possibilities. result, meaning a good result from a sterling ,tandpoint, sterling rallies even if we get a bad result, i do not think volatility can be sustained at these levels. short volatility is being structured in that way is probably the better way to be, as much as people can go short volatility. that is the inclination at this point. alix: if

but a house of lords committee says it‘s concerned about how the scheme will work and how it will be eports. they are a lifeline for around 2.4 million motorists who have some form of disability. lewd ba d g es lewd badges allow them to park free of charge and for up to three hours on yellow lines. that makes them is very valuable and the of badges reported as stolen rose to 4000 last year. data from the department of transport and analysed shows that most councils in england, including middlesbrough, nottingham and shropshire, failed to take action against a single motorist is using the motorists over the last 12 months. of those that did, the largest number of prosecutions were in three boroughs. i —— i think the figures show that councils will and fourth were they have got the evidence. this is hard to prove, clearly we have to stick around and find out when we see somebody using a blue note, we had to get a large amount of evidence before we prosecute. the disability charity scope has called a level of prosecutions disgraceful and pointed out that this is not a victimless crime. j

meanwhile, the house of lords has begun its own three—day debate on the brexit deal. t have a "meaningful vote" on the issue — but more than 180 of them hope to take part in the debate. one of the early speakers was the archbishop of canterbury. he said he'd voted to remain in the eu, but the referendum result had to be delivered. but the risk we face now is not a decision to leave without an agreement, it is an accidental leaving without a agreement. we may drift into something that no single person chooses as their ideal. and if that happens, or even with some of the other options we have, there is a significant danger of adverse economic effect, with a falling government revenue, rise in unemployment and greater property. some will argue that is only going to be temporary, but we need to remember that for those in poverty, temporary is an eternity. but a former deputy prime minister warned that any brexit would simply make people poorer. and if this house is solemnly going to vote knowingly, as we have heard here today, for a slower economy, for lower tax revenues,