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

'I do not believe that we should be revoking Article 50' Theresa May speaks after EU agrees plan to delay Brexit

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.

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Key Points

• Labour's deputy leader says fresh referendum 'the only way' to solve Brexit crisis
• EU leaders decide Brexit fate behind closed doors as Article 50 extension secured
• Revoke Article 50 petition calling for Brexit to be cancelled hits 3.8m signatures
• Armed forces set up team in nuclear bunker to prepare for no-deal scenario
• Minister suggests Conservative MPs to be offered free vote on Brexit 'plan B' options

[22 March 2019 10:14 · Ashley Cowburn]

[22 March 2019 10:33 · Ashley Cowburn]

[22 March 2019 10:42 · Ashley Cowburn]

Amid the drama of the EU council summit in Brussels on Thursday evening, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said: “The EU very clearly today has to deal with a British political crisis. British politicians are today unable to implement what the people have asked of them. "

[22 March 2019 11:05 · Ashley Cowburn]

Matthew Pennycook - Labour’s shadow Brexit minister - is now asking an urgent question on the Article 50 extension. 

Responding for the government Kwasi Kwarteng outlines the conclusions of the EU Council summit last night. 

He says any extension of Article 50 beyond May 2019 will require the UK to take part in European elections later this year - something the PM will not countenance. 

Pennycook says given the significance of the summit yesterday, a statement should have been made to parliament, rather than opposition MPs “dragging” ministers to the chamber.

[22 March 2019 11:14 · Ashley Cowburn]

Kwarteng provides a pretty dire response to Pennycook, and the only question he does engage with (when will the next meaningful vote be), he fails to answer, simply saying it is the government's intention to bring the vote back.

"In respect to his question about the meaningful vote, it is the Government's full intention, I think, to bring this meaningful vote to the House," he says.

[22 March 2019 11:19 · Ashley Cowburn]

Kwarteng adds that it would be “surprising” if the prime minister does not offer free votes on any indicative votes in the House of Commons, should MPs reject the meaningful vote. 

Indicative votes allow MPs to vote on a series of Brexit plans, including a second referendum. 

"If the House is being asked to decide a way forward, it would be surprising if those votes were not free votes."

[22 March 2019 11:34 · Ashley Cowburn]

Brexiteer Conservative MP Mark Francois said: "Can I remind the minister of Denis Healey's first rule of politics: When you are in a hole, stop digging.

"Whenever the meaningful vote is tabled, if you, Mr Speaker, allow it, I believe this house will vote it down, not least because of the rather hubristic speech the PM made when she effectively attacked members of this house for having the temerity to vote with their consciences. So, I think it won't go through."

Mr Kwarteng replied: "The government's focus at the moment is to make sure we can potentially get a meaningful vote and actually secure the deal on the table, that is what I have always maintained.

"If the meaningful vote doesn't get through, we will have to look at alternatives."

[22 March 2019 11:40 · Ashley Cowburn]

[22 March 2019 12:02 · Ashley Cowburn]

Theresa May has returned to London after a tumultuous summit in Brussels, where she is expected to spend the day at Downing Street hammering out her strategy for next week, writes political correspondent Lizzy Buchan.

The prime minister’s spokesman was clear that she would only bring her deal back to the Commons for a third meaningful vote when there was a “realistic prospect of success” but it is understood that No10 is gearing up to bring the vote back on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Peers and MPs must pass legislation to change the date of Brexit by Friday, in order to prevent the UK crashing out of the bloc without a deal.

The PM’s spokesman told a regular Westminster briefing that it was up to Commons Speaker John Bercow whether he will allow a further vote - after Mr Bercow ruled the PM could not bring back the deal without substantial changes.

But he added: “There is now European Council approval of the legally binding assurances she negotiated with President Juncker in Strasbourg.

“One should give extra assurance to parliament in the event the backstop is ever used that it will only be temporary.

“The second aspect that the UK and the EU will begin work immediately to replace the backstop with alternative arrangements by the end of 2020. I would point to those as significant issues.”

Ms May is expected to continue discussions with ministers and MPs across the house, before spending the weekend working at Chequers, her country retreat.

[22 March 2019 12:14 · Ashley Cowburn]