Conservative rebels win bid to let MPs take control of EU exit plans if Theresa May loses vote
Prime minister suffers humiliating double defeat in Commons
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 suffered two humiliating defeats in parliament as MPs flex their muscles ahead of a Commons showdown over her deal.
In extraordinary scenes, the government was found to be in contempt of parliament over its refusal to publish key Brexit papers after opposition MPs won a narrow victory to force their hand.
Tory rebels then inflicted a further defeat on the prime minister, by backing an amendment that would give MPs control over Brexit if Ms May's deal is voted down next week.
It comes as the prime minister began a five-day Commons debate on her Brexit blueprint, which culminates in crunch votes that could threaten her leadership and her government.
See below for live updates
The government has been found in CONTEMPT of parliament.
Ayes - 311
Noes - 293
Majority - 18
Extraordinary scenes. This has never happened in recent history.
MPs have found Theresa May's government in contempt of parliament over ministers' refusal to publish the legal advice they have received on Brexit.
Andrea Leadsom confirms that the government will back down and will publish the legal advice in full.
More here:
Things are moving very quickly now in the Commons. After that historic contempt vote, Commons leader Andrea Leadsom is now setting out the business motion for the Brexit deal debate. The business motion effectively sets our the framework for the debate, eg how long it goes on for, what the terms of reference are.
This is interesting because ex-attorney general Dominic Grieve has tabled a clever amendment to hand power to MPs if the PM's deal is voted down.
We've written about this in detail already (see here).
Ms Leadsom urges MPs not to push this amendment to a vote, as she says it is important not to prejudge the vote next week.
Labour's Valerie Vaz is having absolutely none of it. She says the PM has constantly tried to prevent parliament from having a say on Brexit.
Dominic Grieve is now up. He says his amendment will provide reassurance to MPs that the debate can continue after the vote next week, if needed.
Labour MP Clive Efford has tabled several amendments to extend the debate to allow backbench MPs more time to speak. He says he will not push these to a vote as he thinks the point has been made.
Andrea Leadsom has called for an inquiry into the use of an arcane parliamentary procedure called a humble address - which resulted in Labour winning access to the government's Brexit legal advice.
In a latter to the Committee of Privileges, Labour MP Kate Green, Ms Leadsom said: "The government is concerned that the recent use of motions by humble address undermine good government in the national interest.
"In particular, we are concerned that the use of this procedure to - for example - require the publication of Cabinet papers and legal advice will impact the ability of current and future governments to request and receive the best possible advice."
Hilary Benn, Labour chair of the Brexit committee, said it was "essential" for parliament to have more of a say and called on MPs to back it.
MPs are now voting on Mr Grieve's amendment.
Here is Dominic Grieve discussing why his amendment is so important in the Commons.
The Grieve amendment has passed - in the third embarrassing loss for the PM today.
Ayes 321
Nos 299
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments