Brexit news: UK to request Article 50 extension to delay EU exit until at least June
May finally wins a key showdown but cabinet unity in tatters as top ministers oppose her motion
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Your support makes all the difference.MPs have overwhelmingly voted to delay Brexit after the Commons backed a motion ordering Theresa May to ask the EU to extend article 50 until at least June.
Amid dramatic scenes, Labour provoked fury among pro-EU MPs by abstaining on a bid for a Final Say referendum, which was defeated by 249 votes.
Rebel calls to allow parliament to take control of the Brexit process through "indicative votes" were also defeated, though narrowly.
It comes after the US president Donald Trump also made an explosive intervention into the debate, saying a public vote would be "unfair" and he was "surprised at how badly" the Brexit talks had gone.
But worryingly for Ms May cabinet unity crumbled when it came to a free vote on the government's Brexit delay motion.
Eight of her top ministers voted against it – and a further 180 Conservative MPs did likewise.
Ms May will now eye a third vote on her withdrawal agreement while Britain asks the EU for a delay to the date of its exit from the bloc.
See below how we covered Thursday's events live
Uh oh... trouble brewing over the second referendum amendment. Former Labour spinner Alastair Cambell, who is heavily involved with the People's Vote campaign, says it was wrong to push for a final say vote today.
In the Commons, David Lidington gives the second referendum amendment short shrift, telling lead MP Sarah Wollaston, who quit the Tories for the Independent Group, that 'the government's views on a second referendum are well rehearsed.
On Hilary Benn's amendment on indicative votes, he says it is not a responsible way forward as it seeks to give precedence to backbench business on Wednesday. It hands a power of veto to the smallest parties.
The People's Vote campaign has now put out a statement about tonight's clash.
A spokesperson said: “We recognise there is a range of opinions on when to press the case for the public being given the final say, which means some of these MPs will vote for the Wollaston amendment, some may vote against, and some will abstain.
“But we do not think today is the right time to test the will of the House on the case for a new public vote. Instead, this is the time for parliament to declare it wants an extension of Article 50 so that, after two-and-a-half years of vexed negotiations, our political leaders can finally decide on what Brexit means.
“That is because a People’s Vote is not just another option in this Brexit crisis – it is a solution to this crisis. When the real costs of Brexit are measured up against the broken promises made for it in 2016, we believe Parliament will have better opportunities to decide it is only fair and reasonable to give the public a real say on this crucial decision for our country.”
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer says May would have won last night's no-deal vote if she had put down a simple motion rather than trying to be clever.
'The lessons of yesterday have not been learned', he says, as she risks further splits and chaos by trying to wrap ta THIRD meaningful vote into her Brexit delay motion.
She isn't even pretending anything has changed on the deal, he adds.
The SNP’s Joanna Cherry intervenes, asking about reports that attorney general Geoffrey Cox may argue that article 62 of the Vienna convention could be used to say the UK could not be trapped in the backstop.
Sir Keir describes this as the “nuclear option” of “crashing the treaty” and says he would be surprised if Cox were to argue this as the UK could be taken to court.
Bit of clarity here from the Labour whips on the order of votes later. If the second referendum amendment is passed, then the indicative votes one will fall.
NEW: Sir Keir Starmer confirms that Labour will not support the second referendum amendment.
He says: "This will be the first time I have quoted Alastair Campbell at the despatch box... 'I think it's the wrong time, I think it's the wrong reason'
"Those pressing this amendment seem to be out of step with co-campaigners campaigning for this push. They may have a reason... but we will not be supporting amendment H tonight."
Lots of shouting and jeering from MPs. Someone, possibly TIG MP Anna Soubry, shouts 'Shame on you'.
Away from the chamber for a minute, Labour MP Stephen Kinnock said that the indicative votes amendment might have been met by David Lidington's offer of a fortnight of votes on alternative Brexit options.
Mr Kinnock, who is one of the signatories, told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "I'd like to have a proper check of what was said... but that sounds like it's moving very much in the right direction.
"It may possibly mean that we don't have to move our amendment.
"But we need absolute confirmation that we are going to have March 20 set aside and that will pave the way to setting parliamentary time aside to debate these options."
Plaid Cymru leader Jonathan Edwards is apoplectic about Labour's decision to abstain on the second referendum.
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