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Brexit news - live: Three ministers resign as MPs vote to seize control over EU exit from May

Follow The Independent's live coverage of today's political events 

Benjamin Kentish,Lizzy Buchan
Monday 25 March 2019 20:59 EDT
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House of Commons votes 329 to 302 to approve Letwin's amendment A: The Brexit Next Steps motion

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Theresa May has suffered another humiliating defeat in the Commons after MPs dramatically wrested control of the Brexit process from the government.

Pro-EU Tory ministers Steve Brine, Alistair Burt and Richard Harrington resigned from their posts to back a cross-party bid to hold indicative votes on Wednesday, allowing the Commons to test support for different Brexit options.

Some 30 Conservative MPs rebelled against the government to support the amendment tabled by Tory MP Sir Oliver Letwin, potentially paving the way for a softer Brexit deal that keeps the UK closer to Brussels.

It comes after the prime minister admitted there was "still not sufficient support" to bring her Brexit deal back to the Commons for a third "meaningful vote". MPs have overwhelmingly rejected her plan twice already.

Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 21:05

The Leave campaign "played with fire" when suggesting Brexit would drive down immigration, a Tory MP has said.

James Cartlidge told MPs many people voted to leave the EU on the basis it would reduce immigration.

But he said it has, in fact, had the opposite effect, and the UK was seeing an "unprecedented" increase in immigrants from India and China.

Mr Cartlidge said MPs needed to be "honest" with the public, saying they may well have voted differently had they known immigration would increase.

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 21:21

Theresa May’s grip on Brexit and on power is so fragile that I now suspect a general election could happen, writes Independent political commentator Andrew Grice.

Read his column here:

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 21:30

Back in the Commons, shadow Brexit minister Jenny Chapman is wrapping up the debate for Labour. She says it is time for MPs to take the reins from the PM and find a way out of the Brexit impasse.

'Tonight parliament must step into the void and find a way through,' she says, adding that the amendments would not be necessary 'if the government was doing its job'.

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 21:42

Brexit secretary Steven Barclay is now closing the debate. He receives a ribbing from the SNP's Stephen Gethins, who asks if he is going to vote against the government again. Barclay rebelled on a vote to rule out no-deal last week.

Both Oliver Letwin and Margaret Beckett intervene to ask why he won't accept their amendments, but he dodges the questions. He tells Letwin that David Lidington addressed this earlier.

He says May's deal is the only one on the table and it is important that the government maintains control of the Commons timetable - so he rejects the amendments.

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 21:49

Labour has decided NOT to move its amendment so MPs have moved straight onto the critical clash on indicate votes.

Result expected in about 13 minutes.

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 21:58

Government sources are reportedly saying that business minister Richard Harrington has resigned so he can back the Oliver Letwin amendment.

Interesting tweet from Labour MP Mary Creagh, who suggests Alistair Burt, a foreign office minister, is also rebelling.

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 22:04

Richard Harrington has announced his resignation, with a statement on Twitter. Read our story here.

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 22:10

The government has been defeated by 329 votes to 302 - meaning MPs will take control of the Commons agenda on Wednesday.

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 22:15

MPs are now voting on Dame Margaret Beckett's amendment, which aims to prevent an accidental no-deal Brexit.

Result expected in 15 mins.

Lizzy Buchan25 March 2019 22:18

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