UPDATED: Yes there's a deal on Afghan docs, but NDP not part of it...

There is a deal. Between three of the parties, at least. Here's Conservative House Leader Jay Hill:

"We have an agreement of three of the parties that were involved in those negotiations that respect, Mr. Speaker, not only the Speaker's ruling but also the need to preserve national security. And my understanding, Mr. Speaker, is that in very short order that agreement will be signed by the prime minister and the leaders of the official opposition and the Bloc Quebecois and we look forward to moving forward on this issue on the Afghan documents."

Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale had this to say, right after Hill:

"We are hopeful that the agreement that has been arrived at will bring the matter to a successful conclusion,: he said, then adding, however, that the government is on notice that: "We will continue to be alert and vigilant in the process. The process depends very much on the honest behaviour of all the parties...Now that we have proceeded this far and can take some satisfaction in the achievement of this agreement it will be important to get the process going forthwith ."

In other words, let's get on with it. The Bloc Quebecois insists that all documents that need to be seen will be seen by the group of MPs in the room, but the NDP doesn't see it that way, which is why it walked away from the table this morning.

NDP MP Jack Harris had this to say in the foyer, outside the House of Commons:

"It's, in fact, a very secretive process that will not get at the truth and the parliamentarians will not get to see all documents. What we're trying to find out here is what did the government know and what did they do. Well, you won't find out that from this process because they have a special procedure for what they're calling cabinet confidences and for legal advice. The whole point of this here is have we breached our international obligations and did the government know that they were doing that. Well, you won't find that out because this process will not allow that to be made public."

So, Harris says, now the Speaker will have to decide if an agreement without one party complies with the will of Parliament or if the NDP can proceed with a motion of privilege (that the government is in contempt of Parliament). The NDP has already put forward a motion, proposing an alternative to the deal:
Motion June 14 - Draft 1

Now, no longer part of the negotiations, Harris was less guarded than he has been over the past few weeks, saying the government has indeed been "ragging the puck" on the process.

He also says the expert panel of jurists who will decide what documents can or cannot be seen (if there is a dispute), has not been named.

Harris has argued to the Speaker in the House why the agreement is not good. Hill, Gooddale and Bloc House Leader Pierre Paquette have argued the opposite. We'll let you know what happens.....

UPDATE: Unlikely to hear from the Speaker on this today as, according to his office, he hasn't had time to properly review the deal. So stay tuned....

UPDATE 2: It is Wednesday and the agreement has still not been tabled and, therefore, the Speaker has not been able to review it. The leaders have to sign it before it is tabled and we are told that hasn't happened yet (although it will "soon"). So it really is down to the wire. Continue to stay tuned....

UPDATE 3: Correction. PMO says it was tabled at 3:25 today (Wednesday)....and here is a link to a copy of the agreement.