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...
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Labour will put forward an amendment calling for a fresh EU referendum within a fortnight, John McDonnell has revealed.
After the party's alternative Brexit plans were emphatically rejected during a series of late-night votes in the Commons, the shadow chancellor said Labour will make its pitch for a public vote when the next "meaningful vote" is held.
More here:
Theresa May was left no room to back out of her pledge to give the commons a veto over a no-deal Brexit, after MPs voted to make it parliament’s will.
MPs voted by 502 to 20 for a motion locking in the verbal promises given by the prime minister to allow votes on whether to leave the EU without a deal and delay Brexit if her agreed deal is rejected.
Here's our write-up of the votes last night - and why they matter:
Arch Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg has suggested he is softening towards Theresa May's deal - as the threat of a delay to Brexit ramps up.
Writing in the Daily Mail, he said: "The Prime Minister says it is still her fervent hope that the UK leaves the EU on March 29. I share her sentiments.
"If – and I stress if – she can secure the necessary assurances on the backstop I have outlined, I would be delighted to support her deal and help avoid any delay to Brexit.
"It is not my job to tell other Conservative MPs what to do, but I am sure many other passionate advocates of Brexit would take the same pragmatic and patriotic view."
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson was on the Today programme this morning and he did not mince his words.
On the suspension of Chris Williamson, he said: "He's entitled to a fair hearing but I've been very, very concerned that his comments have almost been deliberately inflammatory and causing offence to not just parliamentary colleagues but people in the Jewish community who understandably have a real concern about antisemitism in the Labour Party."
Asked whether anyone from Jeremy Corbyn's office had argued against suspension, Mr Watson said: "I can't confirm that. I've no idea who said what in Jeremy's office. I honestly don't know that.
"I've asked to see Jeremy on Monday next week to talk about how we can further improve our measures to deal with antisemitism.
"When Luciana Berger left the Labour Party, I thought it was the worst day of shame in the Labour Party's 120-year history. A pregnant young MP bullied out of her own party by racist thugs."
Asked if Jeremy Corbyn was fit to be prime minister, Tom Watson told Today: "He could easily be prime minister.
"But, of course, we could do without the antisemitism because it allows you to ask me that question on the Today programme. We need to close these issues down and we do it by being absolutely vigilant in the way we deal with racism in our own ranks. That's on all of us."
Over in the Commons, the day begins with Brexit Questions followed by an urgent statement on the defence estate.
Interestingly - with four weeks until Brexit day - the main debate in the Commons is about St David's Day.
By-election alert - Voters will choose a successor to veteran MP Paul Flynn in Newport West on April 4.
Opposition chief whip, Nick Brown announced the contest to replace Mr Flynn, who died aged 84 earlier this month.
Mr Flynn represented the South Wales constituency for 32 years and his death prompted warm tributes from MPs on all sides for his service to his constituents and British politics.
He retained the seat at the 2017 general election with a 5,658 majority over the Conservative candidate.
During Brexit questions, Labour's Paul Blomfield pressed the government on how it would vote on a motion to rule out a no-deal Brexit.
Brexit secretary Steve Barclay dodged the question but said the positions between both parties were closer than it seems, particularly on citizens rights and the need to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Blomfield says it is not good enough and he needs to answer yes or no.
Barclay says the way to end uncertainty is to vote for the PM's deal and move on.
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