Brexit news: Theresa May secures ‘legally binding’ changes to EU deal after last-ditch Strasbourg visit
Follow live updates from Westminster
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 secured “legally-binding’’ changes to her Brexit deal after an eleventh-hour dash to Strasbourg on the eve of a dramatic Commons vote.
In a late-night press conference with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, Ms May urged MPs to back her “improved” deal in the meaningful vote tomorrow after pledging she had secured reassurances that the UK would not be trapped in the Irish backstop.
Cabinet Office minister David Lidington set out details of some of the changes agreed with Brussels in a Commons statement as he tried to buy the prime minister time to finish her talks before the Commons rose for the night.
It comes ahead of a parliamentary showdown on Ms May’s Brexit deal on Tuesday, which returns to the Commons after it was overwhelmingly rejected by MPs in January.
As speculation mounts over a fresh humiliation for Ms May, all eyes will be on the Brexiteers and her DUP allies to see if the changes the prime minister has secured will be enough to get the deal over the line.
Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load
Commons Brexit committee chair Hilary Benn asks why Irish deputy PM Simon Coveney announced earlier today that Theresa May will travel to Strasbourg this evening. Is this true, he asks?
And even if an agreement is reached between Ms May and Jean-Claude Juncker tonight, will it have the approval of EU heads of government, he says?
Walker again completely refuses to answer either question.
Labour's Yvette Cooper, chair of the Commons home affairs committee, asks for confirmation that votes will go ahead on no-deal and extending Article 50 on Wednesday and Thursday if Ms May's deal is rejected again tomorrow. Robin Walker confirms this is the case.
Sky News is reporting that Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, has pulled out of his appearance in front of the Commons Brexit committee this afternoon. He's expected to give a statement in the Commons instead.
While MPs are demanding answers in the Commons, here is Theresa May delivering a bible reading in Westminster Abbey.
Some might say the quote would be appropriate as a message from the prime minister to the EU...
Robin Walker confirms that votes on no deal and extending Article 50 will go ahead later this week if Theresa May's deal is rejected tomorrow
My colleague Lizzy Buchan is watching work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd's appearance in from of the Commons work and pensions committee...
Managed migration sees a wider range of claimants moved over to the UC system, not just people with changes to their circumstances, or those making new claims.
The Work and Pensions Secretary said that revised regulations concerning the pilot initiative would be brought before Parliament by July.
Ms Rudd told the Commons Work and Pensions Committee: "There has been a lot of interest in what progress we are making with our managed migration pilot.
"And we have decided to go ahead and do that in Harrogate.
"And that is being set up for early piloting as soon as possible.
"We have chosen them because they have had Universal Credit for three years. They are an experienced job centre. And they are an area which have both urban and rural claimants.
"And we will be making sure we have the opportunity to test and move as many as possible in an effective way so that we can really learn and demonstrate the success of managed migration."
Sajid Javid, the home secretary, is currently answering an Urgent Question from Labour's Diane Abbott on the case of Shamima Begum, who fled the UK when she was 15 to join Isis.
Mr Javid stripped Begum of her British citizenship, preventing her from returning to the UK. She is currently in a Syrian refugee camp. It was announced at the weekend that her newborn son had died.
Addressing MPs, Mr Javid refuses to comment on any specific case but says decisions on stripping people of their citizenship "are based on advice and intelligence from the security services, from counterterrorism police and from specialist security and legal officials in the Home Office". He adds:
"When people dedicated to keeping our country safe give an informed recommendation, any home secretary should listen very carefully."
He says the UK cannot provide support to any British national in Syria because there is no UK consulate there.
Mr Javid also warns against setting a precedent, saying:
"I don't want any more children brought into a war zone because their parents think that they will automatically be bailed out no matter what the risk."
Labour's Diane Abbott says Shamima Begum and her child should have been allowed to return to the UK.
She says:
"This school girl, born and brought up in Bethnal Green, was Britain's responsibility."
Allowing her to return home would have allowed her child a chance to live, she said.
Ms Abbott says many commentators believe Mr Javid's decision to strip Begum of her citizenship was illegal "because she was not a dual national".
BREAKING: After hours of speculation, No10 has just confirmed that Theresa May IS on her way to Strasbourg for talks with EU leaders.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments