Theresa May under growing pressure as minister resigns in protest at 'humiliating' plan to extend Article 50
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Theresa May faced fresh pressure over her Brexit strategy after farming minister George Eustice resigned from government to oppose any delay to Britain's exit day next month.
Mr Eustice said he had backed the prime minister through "a series of rather undignified retreats" but he was afraid that the prospect of a vote on extending article 50 would lead to the "final humiliation of our country".
His resignation came after MPs overwhelmingly voted to lock in the prime minister’s promise to give parliament a veto over a no-deal Brexit, while Ms May opened the door to a "limited" delay to Brexit.
In a letter to Ms May, Mr Eustice wrote: “Developments this week will lead to a sequence of events culminating in the EU dictating the terms of any extension requested and the final humiliation of our country.”
He continued: “If the position of parliament is now that we will refuse to leave without an agreement then we are somewhat stuck,” he wrote.
“This is uncomfortable for everyone, but we cannot negotiate a successful Brexit unless we are prepared to walk through the door.”
Meanwhile, Labour confirmed it will table bid for second referendum - and shadow chancellor John McDonnell said there was a chance of the vote could be won.
He told ITV: "“We are still going to argue that we want a general election, we are still going to argue we think our deal that we have put up was the best option.”
“But we realise... we have got to break this deadlock.”
It came as the row over antisemitism in Labour rumbled on, with Tom Watson, the party's deputy leader, saying Liverpool Wavertree MP Luciana Berger's decision to quit Labour over anti-Jewish abuse was the "worst day of shame" in the party's history.
As it happened...
The European Commission has delivered a blow to a plan to protect EU citizens’ rights in the event of a no-deal Brexit – warning that it will “not negotiate mini-deals”.
The House of Commons voted on Wednesday for the “ring-fencing” of protections for EU nationals in the UK and British nationals in the EU27 – effectively saying that the part of the withdrawal agreement that concerns them should come into effect no matter what.
In a letter to George Eustice, Theresa May said she was "sorry" to receive his resignation.
Thanking him for his support for her Brexit deal, Ms May said: "I agree with you that parliament must now come together and honour the referendum result by voting for a deal which will give businesses and citizens the certainty they need and deserve.
"Our absolute focus should be on getting a deal that can command support in parliament on March 29. It is within our grasp and I am grateful to have your continued support in that important mission."
Environment secretary Michael Gove sets out his sadness at his junior minister's departure.
MPs' basic pay is set to increase by more than £2,000 in April, taking their salary to almost £80,000, the parliamentary expenses watchdog has announced.
The above inflation increase has triggered a backlash from campaigners and some MPs, who have compared the rise to that of civil servants and parliamentary staff.
More reaction to George Eustice's resignation, this time from Brexiteer Boris Johnson. He claims that no deal 'may yet be the best option for the UK'.
Story: Nigel Farage launches two-week nationwide 'Brexit Betrayal' march
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