Well fancy that. The Intelligence and Security Committee has just elected Dr Julian Lewis as its Chair, NOT Chris Grayling - who was No10's chosen candidate. Quite a rebellion by its members against Downing Street.

Quite a mini coup. Of the 9 members of the ISC, I'm told the vote was 5-4 in favour of Lewis. Lewis nominated himself this afternoon, having been told he had all four Labour/SNP votes, stunning Grayling, who nominated himself yesterday and didn't expect any challenges.

Another stunning development: Dr Julian Lewis has just been stripped of the Tory whip, “for working with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage”, a Govt source says. Chief Whip’s decision. Will now sit as an independent - so Tory majority down to 79.

Tory MPs a little aghast at all of this tonight. One says: “Grayling is the only person ever to have lost a rigged election. And now No10 what to confirm it to everyone?”

Senior Tory MP Andrew Mitchell tells @TimesRadio the ISC affair is “a terrible mess”. “No10 has been extremely heavy handed in the way it has handled the committee. The lack of respect they’ve shown Parliament has done them no good, and they need to put this right”.