Labour amendment defeat paves way for party supporting second referendum

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Results of vote on Brexit Labour amendment

MPs have emphatically rejected Jeremy Corbyn's Brexit vision, placing huge pressure on the Labour leader to row in behind a second referendum.

Mr Corbyn told Labour MPs earlier this week that he was ready to back a Final Say vote "to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country" if his plan was defeated.

The move came during a series of Commons votes, which saw a surprise Brexiteer rebellion on a bid by Labour's Yvette Cooper to cement the prime minister's promise to allow MPs to rule out a no-deal exit.

Ms May tried to take the heat out of the clash by allowing MPs to vote on delaying the UK's EU withdrawal beyond March 29 amid threats of a ministerial resignations.

Meanwhile, Labour was embroiled in fresh controversy after Derby North MP Chris Williamson was suspended for saying the party had been "too apologetic" over antisemitism.

As it happened...

Key Points

• MPs vote on amendments to steer Theresa May's Brexit plans
• Labour MP Chris Williamson suspended for saying party 'too apologetic' over antisemitism
• Tory MP loses government job after challenging PM to protect EU citizens rights
• Labour loses attempt to win softer Brexit and pivots towards second referendum

[27 February 2019 12:22 · Ashley Cowburn]

The SNP's Ian Blackford ask the PM to rule out no deal, and asks her to stop "blackmailing the country" - and predictably May replies there are only two ways to take no deal off the table: vote for a deal, or no Brexit.

He hits back saying Parliament will not be "bullied" into backing her deal. He says the SNP have moved an amendment today to rule out a no-deal, and asks the PM to vote for it. Unsurprisingly, May doesn't accept the offer.

Instead she criticises the SNP of raising council tax and claims the SNP - as part of the Scottish government - have betrayed the people of Scotland.

[27 February 2019 12:24 · Ashley Cowburn]

James Cleverly raises Chris Williamson's remarks in the Commons, without mentioning the MP. "You can never be too apologetic over antisemitism."

In response, Theresa May calls for Jeremy Corbyn to suspend Chris Williamson as a Labour MP.

"Perhaps if the Labour leader actually wants to take action against racism he would suspend (Mr Williamson)," she said.

[27 February 2019 12:33 · Ashley Cowburn]

The apology issued by Chris Williamson is not being accepted by the Labour MP Wes Streeting, and calls for him to be expelled from the Labour Party.

[27 February 2019 12:42 · Ashley Cowburn]

Labour's deputy leader, Tom Watson, who earlier called for Chris Williamson to be suspended from the party has not dropped his call after the MP posted an apology over his comments on social media.

[27 February 2019 12:48 · Ashley Cowburn]

Conservative MP Peter Bone ends prime minister's questions referring to the countless leaks of supposedly confidential cabinet meetings, with this question to Theresa May: "Wouldn't it just be easier to televise cabinet meetings?"

[27 February 2019 13:04 · Benjamin Kentish]

NEW: A Tory MP has lost his government job after tabling an amendment to protect EU citizens' rights if there is a no-deal Brexit

[27 February 2019 13:17 · Benjamin Kentish]

NEW: Labour has confirmed that Chris Williamson will be investigated for a "pattern of behaviour" but will NOT be suspended while this takes place. 

[27 February 2019 13:34 · Benjamin Kentish]

  ↵Breaking: Emmanuel Macron says France would block a Brexit delay 'without a clear objective'

[27 February 2019 13:50 · Benjamin Kentish]

[27 February 2019 14:05 · Benjamin Kentish]

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband calls for disciplinary action to be taken against Chris Williamson, who said the party had been "given too much ground" on antisemitism