Brexit news: Theresa May secures ‘legally binding’ changes to EU deal after last-ditch Strasbourg visit

  ↵Theresa May will have told a 'straight-up lie' if she cancels crunch Brexit votes this week, Yvette Cooper says

There is an awareness in Downing Street that the Brexit trap closing in around Theresa May has become impossibly tight this morning, writes political editor Joe Watts.

On one side the wall of an intransigent House of Commons rumbles towards Ms May, pushing her slowly against the wall of an immoveable EU.

“At the moment I think it’s too early for me to predict how the rest of the day goes,” said one source, underlining the uncertainty that clouds even the next few hours.

That uncertainty shows in the official schedule for the rest of today outlined at this morning’s lobby briefing. The prime minister’s spokesman said there would be a written statement laid before the commons – the vehicle through which Number 10 would publish a new Brexit deal ahead of a vote tomorrow.

And the PM’s spokesman was also adamant that the intention of the government is to have that vote tomorrow. But try to find out exactly what that vote may be on and things become less clear.

Despite the fact that no new political meetings are scheduled in Brussels, technical talks are on-going and there are some in Number 10 praying for a breakthrough. The prime minister spoke to Jean-Claude Juncker last night, along with a slew of other EU leaders on the phone.

If there is a breakthrough it could be reflected in the motion that must be laid before the commons this evening, for there to be a vote on a new deal tomorrow – something May has promised will happen.

But if, as seems likely, there is no breakthrough, then it may be that Number 10 switches the motion from a straight vote on a new deal, to one on some kind of aspirational deal – an attempt by May to show the EU there could be a majority in the house for a changed withdrawal agreement if only Brussels would allow one.

In addition to the written statement, it is likely there could be an oral statement to MPs by someone from the government.

That could be delivered by Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay, thought he is scheduled to be giving evidence to a select committee at around the time a statement would come. It could also be delivered by May herself.

Astonishingly, it feels like a decision on that statement and on exactly what kind of vote to put to the house tomorrow simply hasn’t been taken yet, because they are waiting to see how events play out in the next few hours.

NEW: Commons Speaker John Bercow has granted Jeremy Corbyn an Urgent Question today on Brexit.

It is an attempt by Mr Corbyn to force the prime minister to address the Commons. She is not obliged to answer and could instead send one of her ministers, but it's not a good look for the prime minister.

Of course, if she decides to give a oral statement today anyway, the UQ becomes largely redundant. But it appears that decision has still not yet been made by No10.

No10 has just announced that Theresa May has held a further telephone conversation with Jean Claude Juncker, the European Commission president. Clearly the government is still hopeful of some sort of breakthrough in talks with the EU today...

Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, says it is "imperative" that Theresa May answers today's Urgent Question herself, rather than sending a minister in her place...

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has accused his opposite number, Philip Hammond, of "cowardice" over Brexit.

Speaking at Bloomberg, he said:

"The position of the Chancellor of the Exchequer comes with a responsibility which I think Philip Hammond actually has abdicated in his current role.

"If Brexit ends up leading to even half of what the government's own forecasts suggest could happen, I think history will judge harshly the few who could have prevented and averted this potential disaster and did so little."

Mr McDonnell said the government had already presided over the "slowest growth in six years, investment falling, manufacturing in recession, a trade deficit of over £10bn last quarter, growth forecasts being revised downwards by the Bank of England and others ... firms announcing their intentions to leave the UK".

He continued:

"I think all this was avoidable were it not for the political weakness and yes, these are strong words, the cowardice of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

"Failure to stand up for our economy and failure to stand up for the interests of our country.

"And whatever happens with Brexit, that's damage to people's lives that cannot be undone."

Opinion: Only Jess Phillips can save the Labour Party - Corbyn can't let her go, writes Matthew Norman

Breaking news - Irish minister Simon Coveney suggests May will travel to Strasbourg tonight to try to secure concessions.

Theresa May will fly to Strasbourg this evening to try to salvage her Brexit deal ahead of a vote in the Commons tomorrow, the Irish government says.

But Simon Coveney, the deputy prime minister, played down any talk of a breakthrough – saying Ms May would “try to finalise an agreement if that’s possible”.

Philip Hammond will use this week's Spring Statement to announce new measures to protect biodiversity, after a major climate change protest by schoolchildren