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As it happenedended1554334968

Brexit news - live: MPs pass emergency law forcing prime minister to avert no deal by one vote

Follow our live coverage of the day’s political events

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Adam Forrest
Wednesday 03 April 2019 18:35 EDT
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Brexit: MPs pass emergency law forcing Theresa May to seek further delay to avert no deal by one vote

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A cross-party bid to block a no-deal Brexit has cleared the Commons after Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn met for last-ditch talks to break the deadlock.

In a series of late-night votes, MPs backed the bill, tabled by Labour's Yvette Cooper, which was rushed through in a single day to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal next Friday.

It comes after Ms May was hit by two ministerial resignations over her decision to hold talks with Mr Corbyn, which also sparked fury among Tory MPs.

Mr Corbyn said the meeting in the prime minister's Commons office was "useful but inconclusive", adding: "There has not been as much change as I expected".

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The bill passes by ONE vote. 313 votes in favour, 312 against.

Yvette Cooper makes a point order, where she thanks MPs for the careful and considered debate.

She says MPs are very keen to work with the government to avoid a damaging no-deal Brexit.

Brexiteer Mark Francois says it is a constitutional outrage, rather than a considered debate.

That does not represent the long term view of the Commons, he says.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 23:26
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MPs have narrowly passed an emergency bill to avert a no-deal Brexit by forcing Theresa May to seek a further delay to Britain's departure from the EU.

The legislation, proposed by Labour's Yvette Cooper, instructs ministers to hold a House of Commons vote on a plan to ask the EU for another extension to the Article 50 period. It was approved by MPs with a majority of just one vote.

The bill designed to ensure Britain does not crash out of the EU on 12 April - the date it is currently due to leave.

Full story here.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 23:37
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A former Tory MP who resigned from the party whip this week has launched a scathing attack on Theresa May's head of communications. Read the full story here

Henry Austin4 April 2019 00:40
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Chancellor Philip Hammond has said there is a "perfectly credible" case for giving people a Final Say referendum on Brexit. Read the full story here.

Henry Austin4 April 2019 00:42

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