Brexit news: Theresa May promises parliamentary vote on second referendum in desperate bid to force through exit plan

We're now into the Q&A after Theresa May's speech. The prime minister is asked who she would like to succeed her as prime minister but refuses to comment. 

Asked whether there will definitely be another Brexit referendum if MPs vote for it, she dodges the question.

But she says the full Withdrawal Agreement Bill will be published "in the next few days".

Theresa May's speech has not gone down well with one of the MPs who backed her deal last time around.

As the prime minister was still speaking, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke tweeted...

In her speech, Theresa May outlined what she called "a ten-point offer to everyone in parliament who wants to deliver the result of the referendum".

Here it is in full, in her own words:

One - the government will seek to conclude alternative arrangements to replace the backstop by December 2020, so that it never needs to be used.

Two - a commitment that, should the backstop come into force, the government will ensure that Great Britain will stay aligned with Northern Ireland.

Three - the negotiating objectives and final treaties for our future relationship with the EU will have to be approved by MPs.

Four - a new Workers’ Rights Bill that guarantees workers’ rights will be no less favourable than in the EU.

Five - there will be no change in the level of environmental protection when we leave the EU.

Six - the UK will seek as close to frictionless trade in goods with the EU as possible while outside the single market and ending free movement.

Seven - we will keep up to date with EU rules for goods and agri-food products that are relevant to checks at border protecting the thousands of jobs that depend on just-in-time supply chains.

Eight - the government will bring forward a customs compromise for MPs to decide on to break the deadlock.

Nine - there will be a vote for MPs on whether the deal should be subject to a referendum.

And ten – there will be a legal duty to secure changes to the political declaration to reflect this new deal.

Nicola Sturgeon confirms - not that confirmation was really needed - that the SNP will oppose Theresa May's bill.

NEW: Theresa May refuses to confirm she will hold second Brexit referendum even if MPs vote for it

Downing Street has declined to say whether Conservative MPs will be given a free vote on a second referendum - saying only that whipping arrangements would be discussed nearer the time.

And No10 indicated that there will be no requirement in the bill for Remain to be an option on the ballot paper. 

The wording of any referendum question would be determined only after the decision on whether or not to hold a fresh public vote has been settled, said a senior source.

Some more negative reaction to Theresa May's speech, this time from DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds, who says:

“We will examine the legislation closely when the bill is finally published but the fundamental flaws of the draft Withdrawal Agreement treaty itself remain unchanged.

Many of the proposals on the backstop serve as an attempt through domestic law to mitigate a bad deal whereas the focus should be on getting a better deal.

The only positive vote in the House of Commons on Brexit was the Brady amendment which called for alternative arrangements to the backstop to be implemented in the treaty and other changes to remove the current threats posed by the backstop.

That still remains the best way forward to a stable majority in the House of Commons which would deliver Brexit and protect the union. That is what this or a new prime minister must address.

We will have to await the publication of the text of the bill to see what the proposals actually mean but the fact is that the fatal flaws of the draft treaty remain."

Rather than winning support for her deal, Theresa May's speech this afternoon seems to be costing her votes. Here's another Tory MP who previously backed the deal now saying they will not do so again...

More dissenting voices and talk of "betrayal" coming through on Twitter:

Jeremy Corbyn said: “The Prime Minister's proposal tonight seems to be largely a rehash of the government's position in the cross party talks that failed to reach a compromise last week.

“On key elements - customs, market alignment and environmental protections - what the Prime Minister calls her new Brexit deal is effectively a repackaging of the same old bad deal, rejected three times by parliament.

“We will of course look seriously at the details of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill when it is published. But we won't back a repackaged version of the same old deal - and it’s clear that this weak and disintegrating government is unable deliver on its own commitments.”