Attempts to push Northern Ireland legislation through the Commons have been heavily criticised by MPs.

Secretary of state Paul Murphy found himself on the receiving end of a series of attacks on Wednesday over his attempt to pass new laws to create a new monitoring commission to oversee the ceasefire.

He argued the bill was vital to show that the government was still committed to the peace process.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Quentin Davies pledged his party's support to the government but accused ministers of arrogance.

"We would have been quite prepared to discuss a proper timetable for getting this bill through," he said.

"The approach they take would be offensive to anybody of democratic principles."

For the Liberal Democrats, the party's Northern Ireland spokesman Lembit Opik revealed his unease at the day's events.

"In principle we will not oppose this progress but we do so with little enthusiasm," he said.

Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble attacked the government, arguing that lack of time could not be used as a defence.

"The...opportunity for scrutiny is greatly reduced. This has been around for 14 months. This has had a very long gestation period," he told the Commons.

Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay issued a stinging attack on his own front bench, challenging Murphy to give a better explanation.

"There is still no reason why it has to go through in one fell swoop," he said.

He accused the minister of "failing to understand the gravity of the situation" and described Murphy's actions as "reprehensible".

"It is a travesty that we are being asked to rubber stamp this legislation. If we acquiesce, it will happen again and again and again."

For the SDLP, Seamus Mallon claimed MPs could not stop what the government was trying to do because the commission had been created under international law.

"The reality is...we cannot amend this legislation," he said.

"The function of the commission, that is received from the draft international agreement. This parliament has no capacity to deal with the functions of the committee."

And Democratic Unionist leader the Rev Ian Paisley also attacked the timetabling of the bill.

"The people of Northern Ireland are again being treated in a disgraceful manner," he said.

"This legislation proposes to allow another sovereign state to have an unprecedented say in the internal affairs of the Northern Ireland Assembly."