Live blog: MPs debate Digital Economy Bill

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The ever controversial Digital Economy Bill is set for its second reading today as MPs give it another quick look before approving it in the "wash-up" phase, now the election has been called.

We are ready and waiting for the debate to start and will be bringing you the arguments as they are spoken in the house.

Read on for more about the Digital Economy Bill, and why campaigners want it to be properly debated.

19:12: Unfortunately we are going to have to call it a night for this debate on IT PRO, for tonight at least anyway.

If you want to watch the rest of tonight's debate go to the Parliament website.

The final (mini) committee stage and vote will take place tomorrow during the wash-up phase and we will keep you updated on how it goes.

Thanks for reading!

19:06: Now people are wishing Simon well for his retirement... Can we get back to the debate kids?

18:57: "It's not all about big corporate fats cats... these measures are supported by all the unions [as well]," added Simon.

18:54: Slightly patronising Star Wars analogy naming Peter Mandelson as Darth Vader, the file sharer as Luke Skywalker and Steven Speilberg playing the Emperor. Hmmm...

18:52: Sion Simon, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, was the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Creative Industries. He is now stepping down to try and become Mayor of Birmingham but first he will have his say on the Bill he was a part of.

18:51: Tom Watson, Labour MP for West Bromwich East, said that we will not stop sharing and this is what the internet is about. He also claimed that Luff "should be proud" that young people are using images in a political way.

However Luff have an angry response calling it shameful.

18:45: Misunderstanding of how to deal with filesharing on internet connections with more than one computer using the network and IP address could mean "the end of public wi-fi," said Luff. Ok, slow down! Don't threaten me tweeting from the pub!

18:43: Provisions of the bill have been "misunderstood by campaigners," according to Luff who believes the measures to cut off and throttle connections are not as "draconian" as people think.

18:40: Luff claims Labour members of his committee thought the broadband tax was "regressive."

18:36: Luff thinks it is the worst process he has gone through to pass a bill, calling it a "scandal."

However he has said that if there was a division he would support the bill but "under duress and under protest" as "he hates and loathes the process" it has gone through.

18:33 Peter Luff, the chair of the business, innovation and skills committee takes his 15 minutes of fame and starts by agreeing with Mitchell that it is a "rag bag" of clauses.

18:32: Good Twitter reaction to Mitchell's speech, giving the nerds a voice!

18:29: Mitchell becomes the latest MP to say the digital switchover to DAB is too soon and won't be doable until there are decent designs for cars.

18:24: Mitchell admits he doesn't know the full extent of the bill and he can't, nor can the rest of the house, focus on helping constituents to understand when they are mid-campaign mode.

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