Brexit news - live: MPs vote for June extension as May meets Merkel and Macron ahead of crunch Brussels summit
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.MPs voted to authorise Theresa May to seek a Brexit delay until 30 June, amid fresh warnings from France and Germany over the details of any extension.
The prime minister personally appealed to Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron during meetings on Tuesday, while European Council president Donald Tusk said there was “little reason to believe” Brexit could be sorted by June.
His comments come ahead of a crunch Brussels summit on Wednesday, at which EU leaders will decide whether to approve the prime minister’s request or offer a longer delay.
All 27 remaining EU heads of government must agree to an extension if the UK is to avoid the default position of a no-deal Brexit on Friday night.
See how the day unfolded below:
The Conservative MP Anne Marie Morris - a Brexiteer - has hinted at an event in Westminster today that she could vote against her own government in a vote of no confidence, according to HuffPost.
“My country comes first and my party, which needs desperately rebuilding, comes second,” she said.
Tory MP Huw Merriman, Philip Hammond's parliamentary aide, has defied the orders of government whips by speaking at a People's Vote rally in London this afternoon.
The Bexhill and Battle MP said it was "seriously wrong" that he had been threatened with losing his government job if he attended the rally to explain why he recently voted in favour of another referendum during a free vote in parliament.
He said:
"But he explained he wants a fresh vote in order to "get this country through the mess we are currently in".
"Parliament has failed. Parliament cannot make its mind up. There is no majority in parliament for any one thing.
"So if I'm true to that view that I want to deliver what the majority voted for the last time then that leads me here to a confirmatory vote.
"It's time now to bump this over the line, ask the people to do the job that parliament should do but can't and bring on a People's Vote."
A no-deal Brexit could see the UK's economic growth fall by 3.5 per cent by 2021, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.
Leaving the EU without a deal in a way that disrupted supply chains and tariff-free trade would have "large and long-lasting negative impacts", it said.
In its twice-yearly World Economic Outlook, the organisation downgraded its predictions for UK growth from 1.5 per cent to 1.2 per cent for 2019 and from 1.5 per cent to 1.4 per cent for 2020.
Here's the somewhat awkward moment when Theresa May arrived in Berlin with no one there to greet her. She walked into the building where she was due to hold talks with Angela Merkel alone, before Ms Merkel rushed out to greet her...
Must have been a phenomenal restaurant. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D3t9yynXsAAckTN.png
NEW: John Bercow has selected none of the amendments to the government's motion proposing to delay Brexit until 30 June.
The debate on the motion is just about to begin.
Opening the Brexit debate for the government, solicitor general Robert Buckland says the government "did not want to be in this position".
He says today is a "moment of solemn reflection" and it is a "great disappointment" that MPs have refused to approve the withdrawal agreement.
Of the deal, he says:
"If we are to leave the EU in a smooth and orderly manner, then we must find a way to find a plan for the way forward that includes it."
He says it is clear that MPs are unwilling to leave the EU without a deal.
Robert Buckland wraps up his speech by saying it is up to MPs "to chart a course for this country beyond the EU and to agree a plan which can see us deliver what I hope and believe to be a bright future with a close and meaningful partnership with the EU".
He says the government's proposed extension will provide this, telling the Commons: "Support the prime minister at tomorrow's council, support a plan that will deliver on the referendum and take the United Kingdom out of the European Union."
Matt Pennycook, Labour's shadow Brexit minister, says the government should be "mortified" that it has been forced to ask for MPs' approval to seek another delay to Brexit.
He says the fact a further extension is needed is "a damning indictment of this government's mishandling of the negotiations and its failure to secure a deal that could command the confidence of the Commons".
That the vote is only happening because of a bill tabled by Labour MP Yvette Cooper is a sign of "the very serious erosion of trust between the executive and this legislative", he adds.
Labour's negotiating team has just left the Cabinet Office, where it has been holding talks with government ministers on Brexit.
Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey told reporters the talks were "really constructive".
She said:
"We've had really constructive discussions today and covered a number of issues in great detail.
"There's not really been any fundamental shift or a change in position of the deal itself. But we're hopeful that progress will be made.
"We're continuing discussions with the government over the coming days."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments