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 14:20 · Benjamin Kentish]

NEW: John Bercow has just chosen the amendments to be voted on by MPs tonight. They are:

Amendment A - Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) - Proposes an alternative Brexit plan, including a "comprehensive" customs union with the EU and closer alignment on rights, protections and the single market. 

Amendment B - Alberto Costa (Conservative) - Calls on the government to seek a treaty with the EU to mutually protect citizens' rights if there is a no-deal Brexit.

Amendment C - Caroline Spelman (Conservative) - Helps pave the way for legislation that would give MPs a vote on whether to extend Article 50 if no Brexit deal can be agreed.

Amendment F - Yvette Cooper (Labour) - Seeks to enshrine Theresa May's promise to give the Commons a vote on whether to pursue a no-deal Brexit or extend Article 50 if her deal is rejected.

Amendment K - Ian Blackford (SNP) - Would require the government to immediately rule out a no-deal Brexit "under any and all circumstances" and regardless of the exit date.

[27 February 2019 14:33 · Benjamin Kentish]

Diane Abbott, Labour's shadow home secretary, has criticised the government's sacking of Alberto Costa.

Mr Costa tabled an amendment seeking to secure citizens' rights in the event of a no-deal Brexit and was removed as a parliamentary aide to Scottish secretary David Mundell, despite the government saying it would not oppose his motion.

Ms Abbott said:

"The sacking of Alberto Costa for supporting citizens’ rights prolongs the anxiety and uncertainty that over 5 million people have faced for two and a half years.

Alberto Costa’s amendment was a sensible measure trying to protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK and our own British citizens in the EU.

These people are our friends and our neighbours and they don’t deserve to be treated as a political football kicked between the Home Office and No 10."

[27 February 2019 14:43 · Benjamin Kentish]

Opening the Brexit debate in the Commons, Theresa May's deputy, David Lidington, refuses to be drawn on what the government's position would be if there was a vote on whether to pursue a no-deal Brexit or seek to extend Article 50. 

He says he will not "speculate about hypothetical events".

[27 February 2019 14:48 · Benjamin Kentish]

David Lidington confirms to MPs that, if the Commons rejected both a no-deal Brexit and an extension to Article 50, the legislation that says the UK will leave the EU on 29 March will still apply.

[27 February 2019 15:06 · Benjamin Kentish]

David Lidington confirms that MPs will be given a say on the length on any Article 50 extension that is agreed with the EU, or that the government is seeking to agree with the EU.

He says:

"I do not see any circumstance in which, if there were a period that had been agreed with the European Union, that the government would not bring this back to the House."

[27 February 2019 15:17 · Benjamin Kentish]

David Lidington address Alberto Costa's amendment on citizens' rights.

He says the government has "consistently put citizens' rights first in our negotiations" and that the best way to guarantee them is to vote for Theresa May's deal.

The deputy prime minister says that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the rights of UK citizens living in the EU would be a matter for individual members states. The response of some states on this "falls short" of what the government wants, he adds.

[27 February 2019 15:30 · Benjamin Kentish]

Labour MP Chris Williamson avoids suspension from Labour despite claiming party had been 'too apologetic' on antisemitism 

[27 February 2019 15:47 · Benjamin Kentish]

NEW: Jeremy Corbyn has written to Conservative and DUP MPs asking them to vote for Labour's Brexit amendment tonight.

He said:

"In recent weeks I’ve been speaking to businesses, industry organisations and trade unions to get their views on the way forward. It is their overwhelming view that we need a new comprehensive customs union and close alignment with the single market.

We have all been worried about the job losses announced in recent weeks, the unprecedented concerns expressed by industry and the hard data that shows our manufacturing sector is now deep in recession.

Labour respects the result of the 2016 referendum, but we believe in getting the terms of our exit right. That’s why we are convinced our alternative plan can provide security for all our futures."

Outlining Labour's alternative Brexit plan, he added:

"I very much hope you will consider backing our amendment – which respects the result of the 2016 referendum, and one which safeguards jobs, investment and industry in this country."

[27 February 2019 16:10 · Benjamin Kentish]

DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds has confirmed his party will back Alberto Costa's amendment on citizens' rights:

He said:

"Part two of the draft withdrawal agreement on citizens' rights is one of the elements which should be supported right across the House of Commons. It is right therefore that this aspect should be agreed with the European Union whatever the outcome of negotiations are.

"It is the sensible thing to do and it is the right thing to do. The amendment has already received significant cross-party support from both Leave and Remain supporters alike.

"It is one that I would hope will be passed by the House of Commons and that the European Union would respond positively to this move and ensure that fears around citizens' rights can be laid to rest once and for all at the earliest possible opportunity."

[27 February 2019 16:24 · Benjamin Kentish]

Here's all you need to know about tonight's Brexit votes, courtesy of my colleague Lizzy Buchan