MPs take afternoon off... after running out of work

MINISTERS came under fire last night after MPs were given a half day off because they ran out of work.

Britain is 50 days away from leaving the EU and a raft of crucial new laws still needs to be passed.

But the House of Commons rose four hours early after business for the day dried up. Liberal Democrat Christine Jardine said it was “finishing for the day when most people are only coming back from lunch”.

“The country’s future is at stake, and it’s about time the national interest took priority,” she added.

Labour’s Diana Johnson said the situation was “bang out of order”.

Labour MP Virendra Sharma said: “Parliament still has tons of legislation to get through before the end of March. Brexit is the most important legislative and political process since the Second World War.

“It makes no sense to go home and avoid working on ensuring the country’s future when there’s so little time left.”

The Commons sitting began at 11.30am and ended at 3.27pm. It would usually run to 7.30pm on Wednesday.

The Government has announced it is cancelling the February recess for MPs to deal with Brexit.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “The business of the House is set out in advance. There have been days recently where they have been working beyond midnight dealing with statements and debates on Brexit.”

Asked if the situation was embarrassing, the spokesman said: “There is a lot of work going on in relation to Brexit.”