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As it happenedended

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

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Thursday 14 March 2019 17:36 EDT
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Moment MPs vote to delay Brexit until 30 June - if MPs approve the Prime Minister's deal

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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

Chris Bryant, the Labour MP whose amendment to Thursday night's motion has been selected by the Speaker, said it seeks to prevent a third vote on Theresa May's deal.

It draws attention to the parliamentary custom that issues which have been decided by the House may not be raised again in the same session.

Speaking on College Green, he told the Press Association: "The government wouldn't be able to bring it forward.

"Historically, what has happened on I don't know how many occasions, and I'll refer to this in my speech, is the speaker simply has not allowed the matter to be moved, when he or she has judged that the matter has already been decided in that Parliament."

Mr Bryant said he believed the second vote on Mrs May's deal on Tuesday was "legitimate" because it had undergone a "substantive change".

"If the government comes forward with a motion which is very different, that would be different," he said.

"I suspect that there will not be any further change from the EU. Circumstances don't make any difference."

Lizzy Buchan14 March 2019 16:01

An important story from earlier - the European Parliament has failed to endorse opening trade talks between the EU and the United States amid fears over Donald Trump's trade and environmental policies.

More from our Europe correspondent Jon Stone:

Lizzy Buchan14 March 2019 16:17

Labour's Chris Bryant has tabled an amendment that seeks to stop Theresa May forcing another vote on her Brexit deal because, he says, parliamentary rules do not allow a vote on the same thing twice in the same session.

He tells the Commons that there is a clear and long-standing precedent for this...

Benjamin Kentish14 March 2019 16:26
Benjamin Kentish14 March 2019 16:45

Brexit secretary Steven Barclay is wrapping up the debate for the government.

The Independent Group (TIG) MPs are pushing ahead with a cross-party amendment calling for a new Brexit referendum despite expecting it to be voted down, sources said.

A Tig source said: "I think it would be an absolute travesty if we get to the end of this process and Parliament has been too spineless to actually press an amendment.

"We absolutely refute this idea that it is one shot. We will be bringing it every opportunity now.

"I am under no illusion, without unequivocal Labour Party support it cannot pass.

"I fully expect the Labour Party to feel the heat and to get round to backing it next week."

Lizzy Buchan14 March 2019 16:53

MPs are now voting on the second referendum motion, tabled by TIG MP Sarah Wollaston.

This is the first time MPs have ever voted on whether to hold a second referendum, but it's been controversial as the People's Vote campaigners have distanced themselves from it.

Result expected about 5.15pm.

Lizzy Buchan14 March 2019 17:03

John Rentoul, our political commentator, has tweeted this very stark picture of all the abstaining Labour MPs. You can see them all sitting on the right hand side.

Lizzy Buchan14 March 2019 17:07

It's obviously a painful decision for some Labour MPs to abstain on the second referendum vote. Wes Streeting has tweeted his reasons why.

Lizzy Buchan14 March 2019 17:10

Lib Dem MP Layla Moran tweets a picture of the empty yes lobby. It looks like its going to be big defeat without Labour. 

Lizzy Buchan14 March 2019 17:12

The second referendum amendment is defeated overwhelmingly by a majority of 249 votes. Only 85 MPs voted in favour, and 334 against.

Here's our breaking story:

Lizzy Buchan14 March 2019 17:17

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