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

May looks utterly defeated in the Commons as she continues to bat off hostile questions from all sides of the House on her Brexit agreement. Labour MPs offering "sympathy" and saying they "feel sorry for her". Probably a more friendly reception than her own side.

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:06

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:10

New: Theresa May's spokesman has just told a briefing of journalists that she will fight any vote of confidence against her - after a threat in the chamber from one Tory MP.

It comes as the European Research Group is due to meet in around 30 minutes - it is the highly influential group of Conservative backbenchers, led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, who just made the threat in the Commons. 

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:17

This is not confirmed by Downing Street, but this would obviously be an interesting development.

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:19

Dominic Raab, who resigned as Brexit secretary this morning, has just given an interview to the BBC. He says the deal is "damaging for the economy but devastating for public trust".

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:22

David Mundell - the Scottish secretary - has also been on the airwaves. In a highly-critical interview he hits out at Dominic Raab, who resigned as Brexit secretary, saying: "I'm not taking lessons on standing up for our United Kingdom from carbetbaggers".

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:35

Minister resignation watch: Ranil Jayawardena, a ministerial aide at the Ministry of Justice, has resigned from his post, telling the prime minister in his letter: "This is not taking back control." He is now the fifth person to walk out of the government.

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:38
Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:46

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:49

Jacob Rees-Mogg is to formally submit his letter of no confidence in the prime minister.

Ashley Cowburn15 November 2018 12:55

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