Summary

  • MPs vote by 286 to 344 to reject the government’s withdrawal agreement - on the day the UK was due to leave the EU

  • The Commons has been debating a motion on the terms of the UK's exit

  • The political declaration, which sets out the future relationship, was not considered

  • The vote - the third time the government had been defeated over its deal - throws the UK’s plans into more confusion

  • Theresa May says the result will have "grave" implications and the "legal default" was that the UK would leave the EU on 12 April

  • Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urges the PM to call an election

  • Thousands of Leave supporters gather outside Parliament to protest against Brexit delay

  1. Dutch PM says no deal 'very real'published at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Mark RutteImage source, AFP

    Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says the risk of a no-deal Brexit "is very real" after Theresa May's deal was rejected by Parliament.

    He says: "One of the two routes to an orderly Brexit seems now to be closed.

    "This leaves only the other route, which is for the British to make clear what they want before 12 April.

    "We can't stay in the same small circle forever. In the next 10 days we will have to hear from Britain what they want."

  2. Remain better than risking the union - DUP deputy leaderpublished at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    BBC Newsnight'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
  3. Tommy Robinson speaks to protesterspublished at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Tommy Robinson speaking at the Make Brexit Happen rallyImage source, Getty Images

    Tommy Robinson, the founder of far-right group the English Defence League, has spoken twice to the crowds gathered at Westminster.

    He referred to the Brexit deal, telling demonstrators: "Theresa May are you listening, John Bercow are you listening?"

    He addressed some of the confusion about what the latest defeat of Mrs May's deal means, saying: "So Theresa May has lost her vote.

    "Many people will be asking what does that even mean. It means we were betrayed. Today is supposed to be our Independence Day."

    He added: "As of now we do not know when we are going to leave the European Union.

    "Theresa May has had, for the third time, her not-really-leaving deal rejected by Parliament.

    "What we do know is that if we do not leave the EU it will mark the end of democracy in the UK."

    However, he later touched on many different topics as he addressed crowds on Whitehall.

    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
  4. Will May call general election?published at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    BBC presenter 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
  5. 'Long extension' now needed - Cablepublished at 16:50 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Lib Dem leader 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
    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
  6. Strange atmosphere in Parliament Squarepublished at 16:48 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Dominic Casciani
    Home Affairs Correspondent

    The mood and atmosphere in Parliament Square is very strange for a demonstration. There is a really significant police presence - yet a lot of quiet but angry, angry people who believe that Parliament has "betrayed" Brexit. When the news came through that MPs had, yet again, refused to back the PM's draft deal, the reaction was rather muted. George, from St Albans, told me he was satisfied - because he hoped the UK could now crash out without a deal - as the public demanded. One man has a coffin as a prop, declaring the death of democracy.

  7. EU would 'prefer longer extension to no-deal'published at 16:44 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Chris Morris
    BBC Reality Check

    BBC Reality Check correspondent Chris Morris says he still believes most of the EU countries would prefer not to have a no-deal scenario.

    "My sense from being in Brussels at the summit last week, the EU would still prefer - if they can get more clarity from the UK - a longer extension, however difficult that may be," he says.

    "And long doesn’t mean a month, and then another month, and then another month.

    "It probably means something more like nine months to a year.

    "It’s a season of change coming in the European Union and they don’t want to be having to deal with emergency summits on Brexit every month throughout the summer."

  8. Government will continue talks with DUP - No 10published at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    The prime minister's official spokesman says ministers will continue to talk to the DUP about further reassurances over the Northern Ireland backstop.

    "What the prime minister wants is to secure a deal that allows us to leave as soon as possible. She is going to continue to press for that," the spokesman says.

    "We will continue to talk to MPs across the House of Commons. You can expect us to seek to continue discussions with the DUP about what more we can do in providing reassurance that Northern Ireland wouldn't be left behind in any backstop."

    A No 10 source adds: "It is overwhelmingly in the national interest that we arrive at a successful conclusion to phase one of the negotiations and that is her entire focus."

  9. Aerial views of Parliament rallypublished at 16:26 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Media caption,

    Brexit: Aerial views of Parliament rally

    Footage shows thousands of Leave supporters gathered outside Parliament to protest against the delay to Brexit, on the day the UK had been due to leave the EU.

    Traffic was brought to a standstill, amid chants of "Brexit now".

  10. Varadkar: No-deal is 'growing possibility'published at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Leo VaradkarImage source, PA

    Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says it is up to the UK to indicate how it "plans to proceed" to avoid leaving the EU without a deal, and that no-deal is a "growing possibility".

    After the vote, he released a statement saying: "The European Council has agreed unanimously that the Withdrawal Agreement will not be re-opened.

    "Ireland has been preparing intensively for a no-deal scenario. But no-one should under-estimate the difficulties that a no-deal will present, for all of us, including the UK.

    "It is not clear that the UK has fully understood that no-deal is not off the agenda. Rather, it's a growing possibility.

    "We welcome the decision of President Donald Tusk to call a European Council meeting.

    "I will have the opportunity to meet one-to-one with President Macron and Chancellor Merkel before that.

    "I will also speak to other heads of government by phone.

    "It is now incumbent on the UK to chart a realistic way forward for consideration at that Council meeting."

    He adds: "I believe we must be open to a long extension should the United Kingdom decide to fundamentally reconsider its approach to Brexit and put back on the table options previously ruled out.

    "I believe that will result in a generous and understanding response from the 27."

  11. EU 'prepared to change' political declarationpublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    The European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator 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
  12. Watch: DUP says 'union will always be first'published at 16:14 Greenwich Mean Time 29 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
  13. Business 'devastated' by votepublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    FlagsImage source, Getty Images

    Business groups say they are "devastated" after Parliament's latest rejection of the prime minister's EU withdrawal plan.

    "The UK's reputation, people's jobs and livelihoods are at stake," says CBI deputy director-general Josh Hardie.

    The Institute of Directors' Edwin Morgan says businesses are "sick" of being stuck in "spirit-sapping limbo".

    And Stephen Phipson, chief executive of manufacturers' group Make UK, says: "Business is devastated that after two years of negotiations, months of increasing uncertainty and weeks of building frustration, after three attempts the withdrawal deal has not been agreed by the House of Commons.

    "This now makes the nightmare of a no-deal scenario more likely than ever." More on that here.

  14. Thousands of Brexit supporters outside Parliamentpublished at 16:11 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Brexit supporters outside Parliament

    Crowds of Leave supporters are in central London protesting against the delay to Brexit, on the day the UK had been originally due to leave the EU.

    The March to Leave - which started in Sunderland a fortnight ago - has arrived in Parliament Square.

    And a separate Make Brexit Happen rally, organised by UKIP and backed by English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, is also taking place.

    A counter-protest by the group Stand Up to Racism is also planned.

    Read the full story here.

  15. Wales' first minister talks of 'national tragedy'published at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Mark Drakeford

    Wales' first minister has warned of a potential "national tragedy" after MPs voted against Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal agreement once again.

    Mark Drakeford said it was a "farce" of the prime minister's making and urged the government to find a compromise that could attract a majority.

    Read more here

  16. Deal 'must be consigned to history books'published at 16:08 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    BBC News Channel

    Ian Blackford

    Ian Blackford, leader of the Scottish National Party group in Westminster, tells the BBC that no-deal is so "disastrous" that Parliament must prevent it.

    "Parliament has the obligation to take no-deal off the table. If we have to, we have the option of revocation," he says.

    He says MPs must work to build a consensus in the next round of indicative votes on Monday and then secure a longer extension to the Brexit deadline than 12 April.

    "We need to get time and space so we can resolve this problem. This is a problem of the government’s making," he says.

    "Theresa May never sought to gain consensus across the house, she hasn’t worked with the other parties.

    "She’s now paying a price with the defeat not just on once, twice but three occasions. Her deal must not now come back, it must be gone forever, it must be consigned to the history books."

    He says that although the SNP wants to stop Brexit, it could support remaining in the customs union and single market as a compromise.

    But any solution now must be on the basis that it goes back to another referendum, Mr Blackford says.

  17. Anna Soubry gets name of her new party wrongpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    The video editor of the i paper 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
  18. "Death of Democracy"published at 15:52 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Dominic Casciani
    Home Affairs Correspondent

    Many of the Brexit protesters in Parliament Square are really angry with Theresa May. One man told me that he was furious with how she had handled the process of leaving the EU - saying that all this chaos at the end of the road could have been avoided by getting people to agree a national plan before triggering Article 50. Another - here with his coffin - believed that the impasse in Parliament was the death of democracy itself.

    Media caption,

    Protesters demanding Brexit has flooded Parliament Square - and one carried this coffin.

  19. 'We are at least going in the right direction' - No 10 sourcepublished at 15:49 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Downing Street says that despite the government losing the vote, it is not an "inevitability" that the UK will have to take part in the European Parliament elections in May.

    A No 10 source tells the Press Association the prime minister will continue to seek support in the Commons for her deal.

    "Clearly it was not the result we wanted. But, that said, we have had a number of senior Conservative colleagues who have felt able to vote with the Government today. They have done so in higher numbers than previously," the source says.

    "Clearly there is more work to do. We are at least going in the right direction."

  20. UK 'almost out of options and time' - Danish PMpublished at 15:44 Greenwich Mean Time 29 March 2019

    Lars Lokke Rasmussen 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