Brexit vote result - LIVE : Theresa May offers Tory MPs free vote on no deal after her revised plan suffers second crushing defeat
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MPs have inflicted a devastating defeat on Theresa May's Brexit deal after last-minute assurances from the EU failed to convince Brexiteers and the DUP.
On a day of high drama in Westminster, parliament voted against the prime minister's blueprint by 149 votes.
Ahead of the Commons showdown, a hoarse Ms May desperately appealed to MPs to back her blueprint after she secured “legally binding” changes during an eleventh-hour trip to Strasbourg on Monday night.
But attorney general Geoffrey Cox dealt a significant blow to her efforts, issuing legal advice that said the UK could still be trapped in the Irish backstop, which is so despised by Tory Brexiteers.
The prime minister must now let MPs decide whether to rule out a no-deal Brexit and has been forced to allow her ministers to vote.
It means over the next 48 hours cross-party groups of MPs will probably table plans for delaying Brexit for different periods; for leaving on different terms; and for giving the British public a Final Say referendum.
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Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith told BBC Radio 4's Today that Brexiteer legal experts were examining the detail of the documents.
He said concessions on the backstop were needed in order to strengthen the position in the next phase of talks on a future UK-EU trade deal:
If it is correct that this backstop is both temporary and we can leave it at the moment of our choosing, that means we become a balanced partner in the negotiations.
That is how critical this really is. What we decide today will decide whether or not we will get a good relationship afterwards or whether we get spoon fed what the EU wants us to be."
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he hoped MPs at Westminster would back the deal as "there is no alternative".
"An orderly Brexit is crucial for both the EU and the UK," he said.
"I hope that the House of Commons will support the agreement reached by Theresa May. There is no alternative."
We've got a hectic day ahead of us - but here is a breakdown of some of the major events that are happening today:
09.30: Theresa May chairs Cabinet.
Mid-morning: Attorney General Geoffrey Cox to publish updated legal advice on the Brexit deal.
10.30: Deadline for MPs to submit amendments for tonight’s vote.
11.15: Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay to be quizzed by the Commons Brexit committee.
12.30: Possible Commons statement or urgent question on the attorney general’s updated legal advice.
13.00: Theresa May to open debate on second meaningful vote.
19.00: MPs start to vote — first on amendments, if selected, and then on the deal itself.
Everyone in Westminster waiting for Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, to reveal his verdict on the changes.
Multiple MPs have said they are waiting to make their decision based on what Mr Cox says.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, chairman of the European Research Group of Brexiteer MPs, has told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. the "Star Chamber" of lawyers was about to examine the deal:
I'm not sure that the agreements with the EU are a major change, that they continue to be promises of goodwill, and we have heard what the Irish have to say.
So my focus will be on whether the unilateral declaration is genuinely unilateral."
He added that "many Conservatives will be heavily influenced by the DUP's view".
Incredible thread from Tory MP Nick Boles - as he offers a warning to his colleagues considering voting against Ms May's deal:
The controversial Brexit backstop has not been rewritten or "undermined" by new clarifications presented to Theresa May, the Irish prime minister has said.
We are all waiting for Geoffrey Cox's opinion and here it is.... kind of....
In case you missed it - here is what Theresa May had to say last night:
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