Brexit: Government-backed customs amendments scrape through as minister resigns - as it happened

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Theresa May reveals Donald Trump suggested she sue the EU

Theresa May survived a backbench rebellion and a ministerial resignation to push through a bill on Britain's post-Brexit customs arrangements.

The prime minister had been warned her Chequers deal was "dead in the water" after seemingly caving and accepting amendments by influential pro-Brexit Conservative faction the European Research Group (ERG) on tariffs and VAT policy.

Two ERG amendments were passed with a majority of just three, narrowly avoiding an embarrassing defeat for Ms May after as many as 14 Tory MPs rebelled in divisions on Monday evening.

Among them was defence minister Guto Bebb, who resigned from government after defying the whip to vote against the ERG's new clause 36, requiring HMRC not to collect tariffs for other nations without a reciprocal dealing being in place.

The third reading of the bill was approved by 318 votes to 285, meaning it will now progress to the House of Lords.

Read the recap of how our live coverage unfolded throughout the day

Key Points

• Theresa May survives scare as third reading of Customs Bill scrapes through Commons
• Government-backed amendment on tariffs passes with a majority of just three
• Second amendment committing to a separate VAT policy to EU passes minutes later - also with majority of three
• Minister resigns after voting against government on Brexiteer amendment

[16 July 2018 11:02 · Ashley Cowburn]

In unexpected news, here is Gary Lineker signalling his support for a "people's vote" (referendum) on the final Brexit deal. 

[16 July 2018 11:17 · Ashley Cowburn]

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[16 July 2018 11:35 · Ashley Cowburn]

At a regular Westminster briefing, the prime minister's spokesperson was asked about Justine Greening's call for a fresh Brexit referendum. 

The spokesperson replied: “I’m not going to be calling a snap election. I’ve been very clear that I think we need that period of time, that stability, to be able to deal with the issues that the country is facing and have that election in 2020.”

[16 July 2018 11:44 · Ashley Cowburn]

[16 July 2018 11:56 · Ashley Cowburn]

[16 July 2018 11:58 · Ashley Cowburn]

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[16 July 2018 12:16 · Ashley Cowburn]

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Commenting on the prime minister's spokesman remarks, suggesting there will not be a second referendum in "any circumstances", the Labour MP David Lammy said: “The government has failed in the Brexit negotiations."

The Best for Britain supporter added: “This is about as believable as the Prime Minister ruling out a snap General Election. She was dead set against that too.

“The reality of leaving the EU is now as clear as day. There is no deal that would leave this country better off, or with more control, than retaining our membership in the EU. Now it is clear the public was lied to, it's time to hold a Peoples' Vote.”

[16 July 2018 12:41 · Ashley Cowburn]

Net migration from the EU to the UK has fallen to its lowest level in nearly five years, official figures show.

An estimated 101,000 more people from the bloc arrived than left in 2017, according to the first data for a full calendar year since the Brexit vote.

The latest figure is the lowest for any 12-month period since the year to March 2013, when it stood at 95,000.

[16 July 2018 12:51 · Ashley Cowburn]

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[16 July 2018 13:01 · Ashley Cowburn]