Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Brexit deal: Theresa May defends EU agreement in press conference after flurry of cabinet resignations

MPs react to May's statement and ministerial resignations

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
,Lizzy Buchan,Benjamin Kentish
Thursday 15 November 2018 22:36 GMT
Comments
Brexit deal: Theresa May's draft withdrawal agreement explained

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Theresa May has been forced to defend her Brexit plan to MPs just moments after cabinet ministers Dominic Raab and Esther McVey dealt her authority a major blow by resigning from the government.

The prime minister secured the uneasy support of her cabinet for the draft deal with Brussels after a stormy five-hour meeting on Wednesday night.

Ms May also faces the growing prospect of a vote of no confidence in her leadership of the Conservative Party, as MPs, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, began publishing their letters sent to the party's 1922 committee - calling for the PM to step down.

See below for updates as they happened

Former Brexit secretary and prominent Brexiteer David Davis has predicted Theresa May's agreement will be rejected when it reaches parliament.

"The Labour Party appear to be very aggressively against this deal," he told Sky.

"So are a large number of the Conservatives, including me.

"It'll come to the House of Commons, it'll get rejected, and the government will have to go back to the European Union with another alternative."

Mr Davis praised his successor as Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab for doing "absolutely the right thing" in resigning from the role earlier today.

Mr Davis was asked twice whether he would be tempted to put himself forward to be Tory leader if Ms May steps down or is forced out, but he refused to answer.

Harriet Agerholm15 November 2018 20:54

That's all for The Independent's Brexit coverage for today, but tomorrow looks to be another eventful day. Hope to see you then.

Harriet Agerholm15 November 2018 20:57

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in