Conservative rebels win bid to let MPs take control of EU exit plans if Theresa May loses vote

Prime minister suffers humiliating double defeat in Commons

Commons vote forces government to publish Brexit legal advice ahead of vote

Theresa May has suffered two humiliating defeats in parliament as MPs flex their muscles ahead of a Commons showdown over her deal.

In extraordinary scenes, the government was found to be in contempt of parliament over its refusal to publish key Brexit papers after opposition MPs won a narrow victory to force their hand.

Tory rebels then inflicted a further defeat on the prime minister, by backing an amendment that would give MPs control over Brexit if Ms May's deal is voted down next week.

It comes as the prime minister began a five-day Commons debate on her Brexit blueprint, which culminates in crunch votes that could threaten her leadership and her government.

See below for live updates

Key Points

• Government found in contempt of parliament over Brexit legal advice
• Tory rebels win bid for parliament to take control of Brexit if PM's deal rejected
• BBC cancels plan for Brexit debate with Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May
• Disorderly Brexit could force UK shopping bills up by 10%
• UK can cancel Brexit by revoking article 50, European Court advocate says

[4 December 2018 20:34 · Chris Baynes]

[4 December 2018 20:42 · Chris Baynes]

MPs are expected to be sitting until about 2am today, but we're wrapping up our live coverage of Commons for now. 

Here's a recap of the key points of today's dramatic proceedings:

• Government found in contempt of parliament over Brexit legal advice

• Tory rebels win bid for parliament to take control of Brexit if PM's deal rejected

• BBC cancels plan for Brexit debate with Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May

• Disorderly Brexit could force UK shopping bills up by 10%​

• UK can cancel Brexit by revoking article 50, European Court advocate says