During the opening day of the debate on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, Shailesh Vara asks the Prime Minister why, since neither the EU, Ireland or the UK wish to use the backstop, the EU would not, as a sign of good faith, permit one additional line in the agreement to the effect that the UK could give three months' notice to leave the customs union.

Following the Government statement on Johnston Press going into administration and its subsequent acquisition by a new consortium of its creditors, JPI Media, Shailesh Vara pays tribute to the Hunts Post and Peterborough Telegraph and urges the Government to ensure that the new consortium do more than the statutory minimum to help those who will lose their jobs.

Shailesh Vara answers MPs’ questions on his Northern Ireland Office ministerial portfolio