Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says there will be no new negotiations but adds that talks on future relations or a postponement of withdrawal by a few months are possible.

European Parliament Brexit Coordinator Guy Verhofstadt MEP echoes his sentiment saying there is no majority to re-open or dilute the Withdrawal Agreement in the European Parliament.

"We stand by Ireland & the Good Friday Agreement," he adds.

The DUP leader in Westminster, Nigel Dodds, highlights his party's importance to the prime minister.

Theresa May's government is reliant on DUP votes to pass legislation.

Wednesday's Metro leads on the news that MPs have backed the Brady amendment seeking "alternative arrangements" to replace the Irish backstop in the Brexit plan.

The paper says Mrs May now has two weeks to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement with the EU - but points out that European Council President Donald Tusk has stated that the withdrawal agreement is "not open for renegotiation".

Image source, Reuters

"This is another deeply frustrating day for British business," says Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry.

"The never-ending parliamentary process limps on while the economic impact of no deal planning accelerates.

"The Brady amendment feels like a throw of the dice.

It won't be worth the paper it is written on if it cannot be negotiated with the EU.

Any renegotiation must happen quickly - succeed or fail fast.

"Firms will welcome confirmation that a majority of MPs oppose a no deal outcome.

"But rejecting a no deal doesn't get a deal. Until MPs can agree a solution, delay will do nothing to lift the threat of an economic cliff edge that is draining money from the UK."

Image source, AFP

MPs have backed an amendment seeking "alternative arrangements" to replace the Irish backstop in Theresa May's Brexit plan.

The proposal - put forward by Tory MP Sir Graham Brady - had the support of the government and won by 16 votes.

Another amendment, rejecting a no-deal Brexit, also won the support of Parliament.

Neither vote is binding - meaning the government does not have to act on them - but Theresa May has already agreed to try to reopen negotiations on the backstop.

The date for exit remains 29 March.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would now meet the prime minister - having refused to until she ruled out a no deal Brexit - to discuss the next steps.

But what exactly are the next steps?

The BBC's senior elections and political analyst Peter Barnes has explained just that in this handy guide...

DUP MP Nigel Dodds tells the Commons his party will work with Mrs May to find a solution to the Irish border problem.

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MPs have backed seeking "alternative arrangements" to replace the Irish backstop in the PM's Brexit plan - but what exactly is the backstop?

The Irish backstop is designed to maintain an open border on the island of Ireland.

At present, goods and services are traded between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with few restrictions. This could change if the UK leaves the EU single market and customs union.

The backstop is a safety net - an arrangement that will apply to the Irish border after Brexit, if a wider deal or technological solution cannot keep it frictionless.

What does the withdrawal agreement say?

Under the proposals included in the PM's withdrawal agreement, the backstop would see Northern Ireland staying aligned to some rules of the EU, if another solution can’t be found by the end of the transition period in December 2020.

That means that goods coming into Northern Ireland would need to be checked to see if they meet EU standards.

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"It is a totally mad decision for the House of Commons to take," says the SNP's Kirsty Blackman about tonight's vote on Graham Brady's amendment.

"I don't understand how the prime minister has got herself in this position.

"She has had since 23rd June 2016 to negotiate a deal - how are we only at this stage now?

"Asking for an extension is the only thing she can do."

Ben Wright
BBC political correspondent

MPs had the chance to take more control over the Brexit process but didn't.

After a torrid two weeks for the government, tonight brought some relief for its whips.

Tory MPs cheered as the Dominic Grieve amendment was kicked out by a comfortable margin.

It would have ensured six days of Parliamentary time for MPs to test the support of various Brexit scenarios.

The government benches delighted in the defeat of Yvette Cooper's amendment too, which could have ensured a "no deal" Brexit was blocked.

However, in narrowly passing the Caroline Spelman / Jack Dromey amendment MPs have said asserted they do not want a "no deal" Brexit.

The government is not compelled to comply but the political point has been made.

Theresa May has set herself a very high bar in the days ahead: to secure legally binding changes to a withdrawal deal EU leaders insist is closed.

The prime minister's decision to return to the negotiation table was enough to swing her own Brexiteers behind the Downing Street endorsed amendment by Sir Graham Brady.

It called for "alternative arrangements" to the Irish backstop but it's not clear what those alternative arrangements might be.

The drama will now move quickly to Brussels and the government's respite might be brief.

The passing of Graham Brady's amendment is "terrific", says former foreign secretary Boris Johnson.

He says the amendment is clear that the backstop must be replaced and "something better has to be put in its place".

He argues that the EU will be compelled to re-open the negotiation because the UK is "a huge trading partner".

Just as Donald Tusk has done, the Irish government downplays suggestions the withdrawal agreement is open for renegotiation.

Sir Graham Brady, whose amendment tonight was successful, said: "The most important thing I think was securing a pretty good majority in the context of this Parliament, a majority of 16. I really think there's a good chance it's broken the deadlock and is allowing us to move things forward.

"The prime minister now will go back to Brussels to seek some material changes to the withdrawal agreement but she'll do it with tangible proof that there is a majority for an outcome in the House of Commons.

"It is possible, with those changes to the backstop, that we can get something through."

He added: "One of the things we've been hearing for the last couple of the weeks was the EU saying 'why should we move, why should we compromise when we don't believe there's anything we can do that commands a majority in the House of Commons.

"We've now proved that wrong."

Sir Graham said his amendment "leaves the space for the government to negotiate an alternative arrangements" to the controversial Irish backstop.

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