Tory MPs have demanded that the Commons be recalled during Christmas recess if the Government wants to stretch new Covid restrictions beyond three weeks.

Calls for MPs to have a say on any extension to the rules, brought in to tackle the omicron variant, grew on Monday after complaints that MPs were only set to be offered an initial debate and vote after the measures were implemented.

Rules legally mandating face coverings in shops and on public transport, plus a directive ordering people arriving into England to take a PCR test within two days and self-isolate until the result, come into force at 4am on Tuesday.

However, a Commons debate will not take place until Tuesday afternoon, with a vote likely by around 4pm. The measures are expected to pass. 

On Monday, three Conservatives challenged ministers to recall the House next month if the rules are to be extended.

Mark Harper, a former Tory chief whip, highlighted that they would expire or be renewed on Dec 20, four days after Parliament rises for its three-week Christmas recess. 

He demanded a guarantee from Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Commons Leader, that the House would be recalled if the measures were to continue beyond then.