Tory rebels await Speaker’s decision on bid to restore aid pledge

MPs say they received advice amendment was in scope of bill amid claims it has been deemed not relevant

Conservative rebels planning to stop Boris Johnson's planned cuts to aid spending could be thwarted if the Speaker rules their amendment to restore the 0.7% pledge is out of scope of the bill.

Leaders of the rebellion said they had received advice the amendment was in scope but Tory sources said Commons clerks had told the Speaker that the amendment to the advanced research and invention bill was not relevant to the matters contained in the bill. The Speaker has declined to comment until he speaks to the house.