Brexit: May demands explanation for Bercow's decision to allow vote to give MPs more power

Intervention comes as Japanese prime minister makes plea to avoid no-deal Brexit, warning: 'The world is watching the UK'

Theresa May has called for John Bercow to fully “explain” why he broke with Commons rules to allow a vote that will give MPs a greater say over her Brexit strategy.

The prime minister stepped into the bitter row surrounding the actions of the Commons speaker, saying: “I was surprised at that decision; it’s for the speaker to explain that decision.”

The intervention came as the Japanese prime minister, speaking alongside Ms May warned: “The world is watching the UK as it exits the European Union.”

Shinzo Abe said a no-deal Brexit must be avoided if Japan is to “invest more into your country and to enjoy further economic growth with the UK”.

The comment was seized on by the anti-Brexit Best for Britain group. Labour MP Martin Whitfield said: “It is humiliating for the prime minister to be told to her face that the whole world wants to avoid a no-deal scenario, yet she still refuses to rule it out.

“Countries across the globe are looking at Britain in despair. Japan, like our other allies, understands the folly of a no-deal Brexit. Why doesn’t Theresa May?”

Mr Bercow provoked fury among pro-Brexit MPs over a vote to force Ms May to present her “plan B” within three working days of an expected heavy defeat of her deal next Tuesday.

It triggered chaotic scenes in the Commons, as the speaker was accused of blatant pro-Remain bias in allowing the vote, against the advice of his own legal experts.

Asked about the controversy, the prime minister said: “Members of parliament need to know that there is a set of rules in the House of Commons.

“They need to know there will be consistent interpretation of those rules, so that they know how they can operate within the House.”

On Mr Bercow allowing the amendment, put forward by Tory rebel Dominic Grieve, she added: “I was surprised at that decision. It’s for the speaker to explain that decision.

“The leader of the House of Commons asked if he would publish the advice that he has received on that.”

Ms May reiterated her plea to MPs to back her agreement, saying: “The only way to avoid no deal is to have a deal, and to agree a deal, and the deal that is on the table, the deal that is the deal that the EU has made clear is the only deal.”

Mr Abe said: “The world is watching the UK as it exits the European Union.”

And he added: “It is the strong will of Japan to further develop this strong partnership with the UK, to invest more into your country and to enjoy further economic growth with the UK.

“That is why we truly hope that a no-deal Brexit will be avoided, and in fact that is the whole wish of the whole world.”