MPs are due to return to parliament in June despite fierce debate against the proposals.

A row has been growing over the last several weeks with SNP, Lib Dem and Labour MPs against the plans to scrap virtual proceedings.

This afternoon 350 voted for the Business of the House motion, which did not include any measures to continue the remote voting and debates after today.

Mps from devolved administrations have argued they would be going against their own governments' guidance to stay at home, as opposed to the Westminster government's stay alert guidelines.

During a fiery debate this afternoon, Orkney MP Alistair Carmichael said public health was more important than MPs returning. He suggested the motivation was to ensure the Prime Minister had more support behind him during Prime Minister's Questions on a Wednesday.

He added: "It has even been reported that the Leader of the House suggested that to get more MPs in, perspex screens should be installed between the benches and between members. Someone has obviously told him how things are being done in Tesco these days.

"In recent weeks we have demonstrated that the business of this house can be done from behind a screen, as we do right now, but it is from behind a computer screen not a screen of perspex, the only purpose of which would be to shield the Government from scrutiny and the Prime Minister from ridicule. The Leader of the House must think again."

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard added the move was going to subject Westminster to "ridicule", secifically referring to the way voting would be carried out.

He said: " I know that a physical vote has been trialled; indeed, I have seen the pictures, and I think once the public see how that is proposed we will be in danger of exposing this Parliament to even greater ridicule.

"Why is the Leader prepared to go to any lengths, it seems, no matter how ridiculous, not to continue with the system that is already in place and that works?

Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the House of Commons, replied that the MP was a "separatist" and said he "does not wish this parliament to be the parliament of the United Kingdom".

The Conservative MP also highlighted incidences where technology such a video-conferencing had not worked during committees and debates as one of the reasons to bring MPs back.

However he said that the Commons would be a 'Covid-secure' workplace by the time recess ends.

The LibDems later said the Conservatives were putting the public at risk, with Mr Carmichael adding: "It is an insult to those who have suffered and died for Jacob Rees-Mogg to suggest that MPs should put their communities at risk by travelling hundreds of miles to London each week for the whims of the Government."