Protesters swarmed the Capitol building and forced a lockdown, halting debate in House and Senate

 

Pro-Trump protesters push through barriers and enter the Capitol building as police pull back to protect members of Congress.

Vice-President Mike Pence says he will not block the certification of Biden as president-elect, despite demands from Trump.

As Republicans in Congress push forward with an attempt to block the certification of election results, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell condemned his colleagues and warned they could "damage our Republic forever".

Speaking directly to his party members on the Senate floor, McConnell urged them to reconsider their actions: "If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral."

"The voters, the courts and the states have all spoken," he said, pointing out none of the allegations posed by lawmakers could change the result - Joe Biden's victory.

"We cannot simply declare ourselves a national board of elections on steroids."

The challenge to the election results is not likely to succeed, but it will prolong matters in the chamber.