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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

Liam Fox has claimed that Meaningful Vote 3 will only take place "if we think we can win".

Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 08:33

Theresa May's former Downing Street director of communications, Katie Perrior, said it was time for the Prime Minister to announce her departure date to get her Brexit deal through.

Writing in The Times Red Box, Ms Perrior said:

Maybe it's time to stop finding scapegoats and admit that Theresa May and her lack of leadership has made a bad situation worse.

With great sadness, it's time for her to swap her departure date in return for the deal. It's the least she can do.

Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 08:36

Mr Fox insisted that Mrs May was respected by the public, despite calls for her to go from MPs.

"What I was finding from real voters was people spontaneously saying 'I don't understand how Theresa May puts up with the pressure, she is a great public servant, her resilience is amazing'," Dr Fox told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"There seems to me to be a bigger disconnect now between Westminster and what is happening out in the country than ever before."

Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 08:43

He said Tory Eurosceptics had to accept that MPs would block a no-deal Brexit.

"For a lot of my colleagues, I think they still believe there is a route to no deal. I have come to the conclusion some time ago that was unlikely given the House of Commons that we have.

"I think we will see today that there is a mood in the House of Commons to stop us leaving without a deal, even if that means no Brexit. I think that is a constitutionally disastrous position."

Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 08:44
Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 08:56

Liam Fox suggested that the looming prospect of European elections could persuade MPs to back the Brexit deal.

"I'm not sure that there are many people in the House of Commons who would fancy that particular meeting with voters," he told Today.

"It would unleash a torrent of pent-up frustration from voters and I think that the major parties will do what they can to avoid having to fight those European elections.

"There is nothing in politics like a little bit of self-interest to concentrate the minds, and I think, as we get towards that date, increasingly my colleagues will have to decide which of the limited options they want to follow."

Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 09:04

Political billboards have popped up across the UK, from Glasgow to Dover, thanks to anti-Brexit group Led By Donkeys.

Each board is emblazoned with a quote from a politician or public figure, taken from past speeches, interviews and social media.  

Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 09:13

Housing Secretary James Brokenshire, Business Secretary Greg Clark, Cabinet Minister Brandon Lewis, and International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt have arrived at Downing Street ahead of a Cabinet meeting.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said "Good morning" to reporters as he walked through the door of Number 10 at the same time as Larry the cat.

Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 09:22

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has arrived, followed by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling in conversation with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns also arrived, followed shortly afterwards by Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd.

Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 09:33

As the Tory coup against the prime minister, her de-facto deputy, David Lidington, emerged as one of the likely candidates to replace her. 

Former leader and pro-Brexit backbencher Iain Duncan Smith warned his party would not accept a "ghastly" scheme that places Mr Lidington in Number 10. 

Shehab.Khan25 March 2019 09:41

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