Brexit news: Tom Watson defies Jeremy Corbyn over second referendum as Macron issues fresh attack on Brexiteers
Follow the updates from Westminster as they happened
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.Labour's deputy leader, Tom Watson, has said a fresh Brexit referendum is "the only way" to solve the current crisis.
Speaking before the major Put it to the People march in London on Saturday, he said the best way to unite the country was to "have a final say - and then live with the result".
It came as Theresa May faced mounting pressure after European Union leaders seized control of the Brexit timetable during late night talks in Brussels.
EU leaders said they would be prepared to defer Britain’s departure until 22 May if the government’s deal is approved next week - if not, then a deadline of 12 April has been set, they added.
Reports suggested that the chairman of the influential 1922 group of Conservatives, Sir Graham Brady, visited Ms May this week and relayed the message that MPs in the party want her to stand down.
Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load
Here's more from Tom Watson, Labour's deputy leader, who has this evening said a fresh Brexit referendum is "the only way" to resolve the current crisis.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's Put it to the People march, he said:
"Brexit is currently stuck in the pipework of Parliament, with MPs split, completely unable to agree or find a way forward.
"The current impasse is not working for people who voted to leave or people who voted to stay. I really don't think Parliament will be able to resolve this.
"That's why I've come to the reluctant view that the only way to resolve this and have legitimacy in the eyes of the public is for the people themselves to sign it off.
"It can only bring closure if we're all involved in making the decision.
"It can only begin to bring the country back together again if we all have a final say - and then live with the result.
"So, I have an explicit message for Theresa May: I will vote for your deal or a revised deal you can agree with my party. I will help you get it over the line to prevent a disastrous no deal exit. But I can only vote for your deal - or any deal - if you let the people have a vote on it too."
Former Tory minister Sir Oliver Letwin, who is part of the group of senior MPs pushing for indicative votes to be held next Wednesday, says:
"We believe that we have the numbers to pass the amendment on Monday and thereby guarantee indicative votes on Wednesday."
Uri Geller has vowed to stop Brexit using the power of his mind.
The self-proclaimed psychic, who is best known for bending spoons, wrote an open letter to Theresa May to say: "I love you very much but I will not allow you to lead Britain into Brexit."
He adds: "As much as I admire you, I will stop you telepathically from doing this - and believe me I am capable of executing it."
Theresa May has written to MPs outlining the options ahead for Brexit.
"The Council's decisions mean we have a clear choice," the prime minister wrote.
"1. We can revoke Article 50 - but that would be to betray the result of the referendum.
"2. We can leave with no deal on 12 April - but the House has previously said this is not something it will support.
"3. If it appears that there is not sufficient support to bring the deal back next week, or the House rejects it again, we can ask for another extension before 12 April - but that will involve holding European Parliament elections.
"4. If it appears that there is sufficient support and the Speaker permits it, we can bring the deal back next week and if it is approved we can leave on 22 May."
The prime minister has also offered a sort-of-apology for her speech on Wednesday night when she blamed MPs for the UK's failure to leave the EU on 29 March.
She wrote: "I expressed my frustration with our failure to take a decision, but I know that many of you are frustrated too.
"You have a difficult job to do and it was not my intention to make it any more difficult. People on all sides of the debate hold passionate views and I respect those differences."
Responding to the latest Brexit developments, Ireland's deputy leader Simon Coveney has said the UK holds the "prime responsibility" for protecting the Good Friday Agreement.
"The commission has always said that their responsibility will be to obviously respect the Irish situation, but also to protect the integrity of the EU single market and customs union," he said.
"We also have a competing challenge here which is as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement that needs to be protected.
"The British government also has that responsibility. In fact, arguably I would say the British government has the prime responsibility here, because of course it is British government policy that has led to this challenge in the first place."
Mr Coveney added: "There is an understanding across the European Union that the border question is a very emotive and political question on this island, that's why we've had so much support and solidarity across the European Union for solutions to that question, that's why we have the backstop within the Withdrawal Agreement.
"It's why, even in a no-deal scenario, the European Commission will work with Ireland to ensure that of course we need to protect the single market."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments