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Scuffles broke out around John Bercow's chair as opposition MPs held a symbolic protest against Boris Johnson shutting down Parliament for five weeks.

In unprecedented late night drama, the MPs rushed the Speaker's chair shortly before he gave his own damning verdict of the suspension which followed another humiliating Commons defeat for the Prime Minister.

Labour MP Clive Lewis and Green MP Caroline Lucas were among those who held up signs reading "Silenced" before opposition lawmakers sang political songs.

Labour's Lloyd Russell-Moyle appeared to try to hold on to Mr Bercow in a symbolic bid to block him moving as Commons staff intervened.

Commons doorkeepers tried to pull away Mr Russell-Moyle - who months ago tried to grab the Commons mace in another protest - and he fell into his fellow protesters as others tumbled over.

The dramatic scene unfolded about 1.30am on Tuesday following a marathon day in Parliament.

It came during the traditional proroguing ceremony as Black Rod - the Queen's representative - told MPs she required their presence in the House of Lords. Usually this is a formality but this time she was drowned by by opposition MPs shouting "no".

(Image: Stephen Morgan/Twitter)

The ceremony continued and Parliament was suspended a short time later, the longest parliamentary session in the history of the UK. It came after Mr Johnson's second bid for a snap general election was rejected by MPs.

Labour MP Dawn Butler tweeted after the protest: "Proud to be a part of the team to try and stop the prorogation of Parliament."

Ms Lucas wrote: "Joining action with fellow opposition MPs to beseech Mr Speaker not to accede to Black Rod’s request to suspend parliament, echoing the action of members to try to prevent the Speaker proroguing at the request of Charles I."

Mr Bercow, who announced his resignation earlier on Monday, also gave a his own damning verdict of Mr Johnson's suspension.

(Image: Hannah Bardell ????????/Twitter)

He told MPs: “This is not a standard or normal prorogation. It represents an act of executive fiat."

Dozens of MPs stayed behind in the chamber - with many chanting "shame on you" as Government MPs filed out the chamber to head to the House of Lords for the conclusion of the ceremony.

SNP MP Hannah Bardell tweeted: "It is quite literally kicking off in the House of Commons."

Tory MPs followed Black Rod to the Lords but Opposition MPs stayed in their seats.

Those who stayed behind sang political songs.

Labour MPs sang the Red Flag, with the SNP singing Flower of Scotland.

Welsh MPs sang Bread and Roses.

Ms Lucas tweeted an image from the chamber of a sign saying "Silenced" sitting on the Speaker's throne.

Tory MPs were furious with Mr Bercow, who apologised to the Black Rod for his intervention.

(Image: Hannah Bardell ????????/Twitter)

After the ceremony, which formally suspended Parliament, Mr Bercow returned to the House of Commons and was applauded by opposition MPs.

But Conservative MPs did not return to the Commons in protest at Mr Bercow's announcement of his opposition.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson outlined opposition MPs decision to protest.

She said: "The Liberal Democrats, along with other opposition parties, voted against the Prime Minister’s election this evening. We will not allow him to use an election to sneak through a dangerous No Deal Brexit, for which he has no mandate.

"We relish the chance to take on Boris Johnson in an election, but only once Article 50 has been extended.

"And thanks to cross-party legislation, the Prime Minister must request an extension to Article 50 rather than crash us out without a deal on the 31st October.

"As Boris Johnson can’t seem to win a vote in Parliament, he has decided to silence us until 14th October.

"But we will not be silenced.

"The Liberal Democrats will continue to vociferously and vigorously campaign for a People's Vote, and to stop Brexit altogether.”

Mr Johnson said he wanted to head to the polls next month to break the political deadlock, as he accused opposition parties of making "outrageous excuses" to delay.

The Prime Minister has insisted he would not ask for another Brexit delay.

Labour and other opposition MPs refused to back the snap election bid - which needed a two-thirds majority in the Commons - while the risk of a no-deal remained.

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Amid stormy scenes in the chamber, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would not let his party walk into "traps laid by this Prime Minister".

"This Government is only interested in shutting down Parliament to avoid any scrutiny," he said.

MPs voted 293 to 46, short of the 434 needed - marking the new PM's sixth Commons defeat.

The prorogation, passed in the early hours of Tuesday despite 1.7million people signing a petition against it, makes a general election extremely unlikely until at least mid-November.

The arrogant Tory government formally replied to the petition signers - many of whom had also taken to the streets - rejecting their demands at 1am.

In a day of high drama, MPs also demanded the Government publish communications connected to prorogation and no-deal Brexit planning.

Former attorney general Dominic Grieve's demand for all written and electronic contact about the temporary suspension of Parliament and Operation Yellowhammer documents since July 23 to be released was approved by 311 votes to 302, a majority of nine.