Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Brexit deal: Theresa May defends EU agreement in press conference after flurry of cabinet resignations

MPs react to May's statement and ministerial resignations

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
,Lizzy Buchan,Benjamin Kentish
Thursday 15 November 2018 17:36 EST
Comments
Brexit deal: Theresa May's draft withdrawal agreement explained

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Theresa May has been forced to defend her Brexit plan to MPs just moments after cabinet ministers Dominic Raab and Esther McVey dealt her authority a major blow by resigning from the government.

The prime minister secured the uneasy support of her cabinet for the draft deal with Brussels after a stormy five-hour meeting on Wednesday night.

Ms May also faces the growing prospect of a vote of no confidence in her leadership of the Conservative Party, as MPs, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, began publishing their letters sent to the party's 1922 committee - calling for the PM to step down.

See below for updates as they happened

Justine Greening - the former education secretary - says she does not like the deal.

"Why not allow people in our nation to have their say?"

May responds, saying this House chose to ask the people to Remain/Leave the European Union, overwhelmingly.

"The result was that we should leave the EU," the PM adds - outlining her opposition to a second referendum.

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 11:23

Jacob Rees Mogg - the Conservative MP who heads up the influential European Research Group of backbench Tory MPs - says what the PM says and what she does no longer match. 

He asks the PM: should he not put his letter (of no confidence) into Graham Brady.

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 11:28

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 11:29

Mark Francois, a Conservative MP, is outlining how every party will vote against the deal. "I plead with you to accept the political reality you now face," he says. 

May says she respects his views, but adds: "We will go forward with the negotiations to the EU council." She also says MPs will have the ability to amend the deal.

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 11:32

My colleague Rob Merrick has pointed out the PM's tone - in response to Justine Green's question on a second referendum - was markedly less hostile than in previous weeks. She has previously "categorically" ruled it out.

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 11:35
Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 11:41
Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 11:47

Former Brexit minister Steve Baker told the PM to trigger all of the "no-deal contingencies now" as the deal would not pass the Commons.

He said: "This backstop is completely intolerable and I feel confident that even in the unlikely event that legislation for it reaches this House it will be ferociously opposed.

"Will she therefore accept that this deal could well be a choice by the Government to have no-deal imposed upon on it at the last minute and will she therefore trigger all of the implementation of no-deal contingencies now?"

May told MPs the government would be "continuing the no-deal preparations".

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 11:49

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 11:49

With all the talk about Theresa May's leadership in the past 24 hours, here's a guide to the internal mechanics of a future contest:

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:04

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in