Reaction as MPs vote to seek Brexit delay

Summary

MPs vote for government motion to seek delay to Brexit by 413 to 202
It comes after MPs reject the UK leaving the EU without a deal by 321 to 278 votes on Wednesday
Theresa May is to make a third attempt to get her deal through Parliament in the next week
Speaker John Bercow blocks amendment on rejecting a second referendum - prompting anger from Brexiteers
Labour abstains on an amendment calling for another referendum

Live Reporting

Kate Whannel, Richard Morris, Sophie Morris, Alex Kleiderman and Paul Seddon

A hamster rather than a rabbit?published at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Paul Waugh, the executive political editor of the Huffington Post, quotes Conservative MP Grant Shapps reporting what one of his colleagues said to the PM.
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
MPs urged to 'look at this politically as well as legally'published at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Political editor for BBC Newsnight tweets:
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
'Not all ERG believe legal advice finishes off Brexit deal'published at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
The BBC's assistant political editor tweets...
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
MPs react after Brexit legal advice publishedpublished at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Conservative MP George Freeman, who previously voted in favour of the PM's Brexit deal in January, urges his colleagues to vote for the deal today.
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
But Conservative MP Hugo Swire, who voted against the Brexit deal in January, has said he'll be looking at the legal advice before deciding whether to vote for or against. He followed up by saying paragraphs 17 and 19 of the advice were the "relevant ones".
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 2
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 2
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats' Brexit spokesman, Tom Brake, says his party's MPs will reject it again.
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 3
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 3
And Labour MP Angela Eagle echoes her party's shadow Brexit secretary, saying "nothing has changed".
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 4
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 4
'The ability to ask is not the ability to leave' - Tory MPpublished at 12:27 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Select Committee
Parliament
Image source, HoC
Another leading Tory Eurosceptic, ERG chairman Jacob Rees-Rogg, says the "unilateral declaration" included in last night deal is actually "not unilateral".
Stephen Barclay replies that "there is scope" to disapply the backstop through the dispute resolution provisions in the existing withdrawal agreement.
Jacob Rees-Rogg says that the UK simply has the right to "ask to leave the backstop", but the "ability to ask is not the ability to leave".
The Brexit secretary replies that the UK would be "entitled to take measures" to disapply the backstop.
It is "not correct" to say that the "only way out is with the approval of the EU", he adds.
Francois 'wholly unconvinced' by dealpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Mark Francois - the vice chairman of the European Research Group of Brexiteer Tory MPs - said he was "wholly unconvinced" by Mrs May's improved deal following the meeting.
He said: "Question after question, after question, was directed at her on the legal advice and particularly on paragraph 19 of the attorney general's statement where he makes the critical observation: 'however the legal risk remains unchanged'.
"Colleague after colleague asked about that.
"It's for individual colleagues to judge and obviously they will listen to what the attorney general says in his statement at 12:30.
"Speaking purely and entirely for myself I regret to say I found the prime minister's answers ultimately unconvincing."
Eurosceptic ERG group 'to give view in 10 minutes'published at 12:14 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Deputy political editor for Sky News tweets:
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
Attorney General 'needs Oscar-worthy performance'published at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
The BBC's political editor tweets...
Geoffrey Cox, the government's attorney general, has published legal advice on the new Brexit deal. He is due to make a statement on his legal opinion at about 12:30 GMT.
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
'Today is the day,' May tells cabinetpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Political editor of LBC tweets:
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
Foreign accounts 'targeted Brexit tweets'published at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Research shows that fake accounts tried, for example, to amplify far-right narratives about Brexit.
Read More
Olly Robbins 'not at Downing Street'published at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
The BBC's political editor tweets...
Laura Kuenssberg earlier said that Olly Robbins, the government's top Brexit official, had left the cabinet meeting - but it was not him apparently.
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
Brexit secretary 'having hard time defending advice'published at 12:08 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
The BBC's political editor tweets...
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
Tory MP: Legal advice 'reads as if nothing has changed'published at 12:07 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Select Committee
Parliament
Tory Brexiteer John Whittingdale says the legal advice from the attorney general "reads very much as if nothing, actually, has changed".
The final paragraph of the advice, he suggests, is "pretty terminal".
Stephen Barclay replies: "I don't accept that because one has got to look at this as a package, not in isolation."
"I accept the point that if both sides are negotiating in good faith, that is what the final paragraph is referring to, and therefore there will need to be an arrangement."
There "has been a strengthening" in protections against the EU acting in bad faith to "trap" the UK "and the Attorney's advice recognises it", he adds.
But Commons Leader says mood is 'very positive'published at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Whitehall correspondent for the Financial Times tweets:
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
PM meets Conservative MPspublished at 12:03 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
ITV political correspondent tweets comments from pro-Brexit MP Andrew Bridgen
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 2
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 2
Hancock: May has 'strong cabinet backing' for dealpublished at 11:56 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
The health secretary tweets:
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
PM heads to Parliamentpublished at 11:55 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Image source, Reuters
The prime minister has left Downing Street for the Houses of Parliament.
The Press Association news agency reports that she swept past waiting journalists with a tight smile but made no comment.
Barclay: 'Legal and political' decision for MPspublished at 11:51 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Select Committee
Parliament
Image source, HoC
MPs on the committee now move on to examine the legal advice on the Brexit deal that has just been published by Attorney General Geoffrey Cox.
Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay is asked whether the agreements announced last night mean the risk of being trapped in the backstop is eliminated, rather than merely reduced.
"One has to prove bad faith - so to say it eliminates it, ignores the fact that one also has to prove bad faith," he replies.
"This is both a legal and a political assessment that the House is making," he adds, adding MPs will have to make a "political assessment" of the balance of risks.
Paterson: Cox letter 'brutally clear'published at 11:43 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
Leading member of pro-Brexit ERG tweets:
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
Value of pound drops following Cox legal advicepublished at 11:41 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2019
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post