Summary

  • MPs back May's plans to offer a vote on an extension if her deal fails to get support

  • The amendment was put forward by Yvette Cooper to make the PM keep her word

  • 20 Tory MPs voted against the plan

  • Labour's amendment was defeated by a majority of 83 and they will now back a further referendum

  • Earlier: Theresa May faced off against Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs

  1. David Lidington opens Brexit debatepublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    David LidingtonImage source, HoC

    Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington opens the debate, and it is not long before he is taking interventions.

    Conservative Ed Leigh says the choice facing MPs is now "no longer between an imperfect deal and no deal, but between an imperfect deal and no Brexit".

    Independent MP (formerly Labour) Frank Field rises to make a similar point.

    Mr Lidington says he agrees with both his colleagues.

  2. Speaker selects five amendmentspublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Brexit debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    The Speaker John Bercow has selected the following amendments to the Brexit motion:

    • Labour frontbench amendment (a): Pushes the Labour Party's proposals for Brexit which include creating a permanent customs union with the EU and a close relationship with its single market.
    • SNP amendment (k): Insists the UK should not leave the EU in any circumstances without a deal "regardless of any exit date".
    • Spelman/Dromey amendment (c): This cross-party amendment gives Theresa May until 18 March to meet one of the three outcomes set out on Tuesday - pass a deal, ask MPs to vote on whether to leave without a deal, or ask MPs to vote on whether to extend Article 50. It allows MPs to legislate for this process by taking control of parliamentary business this Thursday.
    • Costa amendment (b): Conservative MP Alberto Costa's amendment requires the government to seek a joint UK-EU commitment to adopt the citizens' rights part of the withdrawal agreement, regardless of the outcome of Brexit negotiations.
    • Cooper/Letwin amendment (f): This cross-party amendment reiterates the statement made by the PM on Tuesday and gives MPs the chance to vote on it specifically. It states that if MPs vote to delay Brexit, the government should seek an extension from the EU and bring forward legislation to change, in law, the date of the UK's departure.

    At the end of the debate, the MPs behind these five selected amendments will decide whether to put them to a vote. They may decide not to, depending on what ministers say this afternoon.

    Voting is likely to take place around 19.00 GMT.

  3. How does the Speaker pick amendments?published at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

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  4. MPs interviewed on Brexit votespublished at 13:58 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

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    MPs
    Image caption,

    Grant Shapps, Wera Hobhouse and Owen Smith

    Labour's Owen Smith says that he thinks MPs will "fold" and cave in to Mrs May, claiming she is holding their "feet to the flames". He says he does not believe the Labour leadership's backing of a second referendum is "heartfelt".

    Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse says it is "highly irresponsible" of the prime minister to refuse to rule out no deal. "She is playing Russian roulette with the country," she adds.

    Conservative Grant Shapps says "the longer this whole process carries on" the more MPs will try to "wriggle out" of leaving the EU.

  5. Brexit debate: What are the amendments?published at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Flags outside WestminsterImage source, EPA

    MPs have tabled 12 amendments to the Brexit motion, but the Speaker will choose how many of these are selected when the debate begins.

    Some of those to watch out for include:

    • The Labour frontbench amendment (a): Pushes the Labour Party’s proposals for Brexit which include creating a permanent customs union with the EU and a close relationship with its single market.

    • Spelman/Dromey amendment (c): This cross-party amendment gives Theresa May until the 18 March to meet one of the 3 outcomes set out yesterday - pass a deal, ask MPs to vote on whether to leave without a deal or ask MPs to vote on whether to extend Article 50. It allows MPs to legislate for this process by taking control of parliamentary business this Thursday.

    • Alberto Costa amendment (b): Conservative MP Alberto Costa’s amendment requires the government to seek a joint UK-EU commitment to adopt the citizens’ rights part of the withdrawal agreement, regardless of the outcome of Brexit negotiations.

    • The Cooper/Letwin amendment (f): This cross-party amendment reiterates the statement made by the PM yesterday and gives MPs the chance to vote on it specifically. It states that if MPs vote to delay Brexit, the government should seek an extension from the EU and bring forward legislation to change, in law, the date of the UK's departure.

  6. Javid signals support for EU citizens movepublished at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    The home secretary appears surprised when told the prime minister is not supporting a Brexit amendment from a Tory backbencher.

    Read More
  7. Costa 'resigned over amendment convention'published at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

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  8. Costa resigns government postpublished at 13:25 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Alberto CostaImage source, UK Parliament

    Some news ahead of the debate on Brexit later this afternoon - Conservative MP Alberto Costa has resigned his job as aide to Scottish Secretary David Mundell.

    Earlier, Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the government will back an amendment tabled by Mr Costa on citizens' rights after Brexit.

    The amendment - which has gained significant cross-party backing - seeks to protect the rights of UK citizens in the EU, and vice versa, regardless of the outcome of negotiations.

    Mr Javid told the Home Affairs Select Committee: "When was the government not supporting it? I'm perfectly happy with that amendment."

    He said the amendment tries to find more ways for Parliament to give reassurance on the issue, but he did say it is outside of the government's control what the EU does.

  9. 'Only peaceful dialogue can break the cycle'published at 13:12 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Urgent question on Kashmir

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Emily ThornberryImage source, HoC

    Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry asks the Foreign Office to join her in urging Indian authorities to protect those innocent civilians of Kashmiri origin who have faced reprisals over the attack.

    Ms Thornberry asks both India and Pakistan to think first and foremost about the innocent people of Kashmir "whose human rights have been serially abused", and calls for peace between the two nations.

    "Only peaceful dialogue can break the cycle, and all parties must commit to engage in this," she concludes.

    Foreign Office Minister Mark Field says Ms Thornberry is "right" to call for peace, and the government are continuing to raise the issue of Kashmir with the governments of both India and Pakistan.

  10. 'The UK needs to step up' - Labour MPpublished at 13:06 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Urgent question on Kashmir

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, who tabled the urgent question today, says the government must report back once more meetings have been had with the two nations.

    Pakistan claims to have shot down two Indian jets when they entered Pakistani air space, Ms Abrahams says, and asks for the minister to expand on the information he has given.

    There is a large Kashmiri diaspora in the UK and there is a "large concern" for the safety of their families, she says, asking what more can be done to ensure that a sustainable peace in the region can be worked towards.

    "The UK needs to step up and help facilitate this alongside our international partners," she concludes.

  11. 'Not for the UK to intervene' - Ministerpublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Urgent question on Kashmir

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Mark FieldImage source, HoC

    Foreign Office Minister Mark Field says it is not appropriate for him to comment in detail at this time, but that yesterday Indian jets crossed the line of control between India and Pakistan in Kashmir.

    Mr Field says the Foreign Office is in regular contact with the Indian and Pakistani High Commissioners, and the government urges both sides to engage in dialogue and to find a diplomatic resolution to create stability.

    The UK has sizeable and longstanding links to both nations, Mr Field says, noting that it must be for India and Pakistan to find "a lasting political resolution" over Kashmir in accordance with the people there.

    "It is not for the UK to intervene," he says.

  12. MPs debate India-Pakistan air strikespublished at 13:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Pakistani soldiers by what Pakistan says is wreckage from a downed Indian jetImage source, AFP

    PMQs comes to an end - MPs are now debating the situation in the disputed region of Kashmir.

    Pakistan announced it has shot down two Indian Air Force jets and captured their pilots in a major escalation of the Kashmir conflict.

    India has confirmed the loss of one MiG21 fighter and said its pilot was missing in action.

    Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan called for a "responsible" approach.

  13. Conservative MP suggests televising cabinet meetingspublished at 12:59 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Prime Minister's Questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative Peter Bone asks about leaks to the media from yesterday's cabinet meeting.

    Given the leaks, he asks whether it would just be easier to televise cabinet meetings.

    Theresa May notes that the MP has suggested this before, and that he has also sent in his CV to apply for a cabinet post.

    She wonders if Mr Bone wants to both be a cabinet member and to be on TV all the time.

  14. DUP: PM's negotiating position 'has been weakened'published at 12:57 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Prime Minister's Questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Nigel DoddsImage source, HoC

    DUP Westminster Leader Nigel Dodds says MPs know the conditions under which Theresa May's deal will have a majority, and that the prospect of the prime minister being able to achieve the necessary changes have been "undermined and her negotiating position has been weakened".

    Mr Dodds asks if MPs can be assured that the prime minister will continue to focus on getting legally binding changes to the Irish border backstop plan.

    "Hopefully in future negotiations, she won't be undermined as she has been so far," he concludes.

    Theresa May says discussions are being had with the European Commission and that the government does not want to extend Article 50.

  15. PM: Celebrities should 'think carefully' about endorsementspublished at 12:54 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Prime Minister's Questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative Rebecca Pow raises the issue of young girls purchasing quick fix diet and detox products which, she says, are often endorsed by celebrities on social media.

    She says their "irresponsible endorsements" should be addressed.

    Theresa May says all MPs will have seen the "devastating" impact of eating disorders in their constituency.

    She calls on social media celebrities to "think very carefully" about the impact their endorsements could have.

  16. People 'do not feel safe' due to police cutspublished at 12:53 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Prime Minister's Questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Bambos CharalambousImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Bambos Charalambous says his constituents in Enfield "do not feel safe" and asks the prime minister if she recognises the damage that cuts to the police, and in particular community officers has done.

    Mr Charalambous asks if the police will receive more funding.

    Theresa May says the police will receive £2.5bn in 2019-20, an increase of £72m from 2018-19.

    Theresa May calls for Mr Charalambous to speak to the Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

  17. Tory MP asks May to consider another Brexit optionpublished at 12:50 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Prime Minister's Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative George Freeman welcomes the prime minister's decision to give MPs a vote on a no-deal Brexit.

    In the event that MPs reject no deal, he urges the PM to look at joining the European Free Trade Association - meaning the UK would be allowed to trade within the single market without being in the EU.

    Theresa May says her deal has "significant benefits", including allowing the UK to operate an independent trade policy and bringing an end to freedom of movement.

  18. PM: Stockpiling medicines 'not necessary'published at 12:48 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    PMQs

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Caroline LucasImage source, HoC

    Green MP Caroline Lucas says in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the organisation of medical supplies is going to be handed to a company who were responsible for KFC running out of chicken supplies.

    Ms Lucas says Theresa May is "putting people's lives at risk through bargain bucket supply deals".

    She asks what guarantee the prime minister can give to people that they will be able to get the advice they need.

    Theresa May says patients should not be stockpiling medicines as "it is not necessary".

    If Ms Lucas is so concerned about no-deal she should support the deal, Theresa May concludes.

  19. Watch: Tory MP calls for action over claddingpublished at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

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  20. May attacks Labour over anti-Semitismpublished at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2019

    Prime Minister's Questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Theresa MayImage source, HoC

    Conservative James Cleverly asks if the PM agrees that "the party opposite can never be too apologetic about anti-Semitism".

    It follows the emergence last night of a recording of Labour Derby North MP Chris Williamson saying Labour has been "too apologetic" in the face of criticism and was being wrongly "demonised as a racist, bigoted party".

    He was criticised by fellow Labour MPs and has since posted an apology on Twitter, external.

    Theresa May says Labour lost Jewish MP Luciana Berger from the party but kept Chris Williamson.

    Mrs May says: "That tells you all you need to know about the Labour leadership - present but not involved".

    "Perhaps if the Labour leader actually wants to take action against racism, he would suspend the honourable member for Derby North", she adds.