A Kent MP has been required to take a vow of silence over the Brexit debate but not because he opposes withdrawal from the European Union.

North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale has been asked to chair a committee that will examine the Brexit bill after this week's debate in The Commons.

He says that by convention MPs with such responsibilities do not vote on any bill they are overseeing and make no comment in public about their views to retain impartiality.

The MP issued a statement to explain why he would not be speaking on the bill.

“As the longest-serving member of the Speaker`s Panel of Chairmen I have been asked, together with my equally long-serving opposition colleague, George Howarth, to participate in the chairmanship of the bill during its committee stage on the floor of the House of Commons.”

“This means that, in accordance with the protocol of the House, neither Mr Howarth nor I are permitted to vote at any stage of the proceedings on the legislation.

"We may not, therefore, also make further public comment upon the progress of the legislation of both Houses of Parliament nor upon the content of the bill or proposed amendments as we are required to maintain strict impartiality.”

With the exception of Sir Roger, all of the county’s remaining MPs are expected to back the bill, which will trigger Article 50 - the first stage of the process to leave the EU.

In last year’s referendum, every single constituency in the county voted to leave the EU except Tunbridge Wells, which is represented by Greg Clark.

A total of 35,676 voters backed the remain camp compared to 28,320 to leave.