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As it happenedended

Brexit news - live: MPs pass emergency law forcing prime minister to avert no deal by one vote

Follow our live coverage of the day’s political events

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Adam Forrest
Wednesday 03 April 2019 23:35 BST
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Brexit: MPs pass emergency law forcing Theresa May to seek further delay to avert no deal by one vote

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A cross-party bid to block a no-deal Brexit has cleared the Commons after Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn met for last-ditch talks to break the deadlock.

In a series of late-night votes, MPs backed the bill, tabled by Labour's Yvette Cooper, which was rushed through in a single day to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal next Friday.

It comes after Ms May was hit by two ministerial resignations over her decision to hold talks with Mr Corbyn, which also sparked fury among Tory MPs.

Mr Corbyn said the meeting in the prime minister's Commons office was "useful but inconclusive", adding: "There has not been as much change as I expected".

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Sir Christopher Chope, a Tory backbencher, says he agrees with cabinet members who want to leave without a deal. He asks her to set out the benefits of a no-deal Brexit.

May says don't believe what you read in the papers, as the cabinet came to a collective decision. She says she has always believed the UK has a bright future outside the EU with or without a deal.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:43

Naz Shah, the Labour MP, also presses the PM on Islamophobia in the Tory party.

She urges her to adopt a definition of Islamophobia, to establish an independent inquiry and to apologise to Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, for the homophobic campaign against him.

May repeats her answer to Afzal Khan, saying the Tories take all allegations very seriously.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:46

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:46

Labour's Karin Smyth attacks May over plans to cut cash to schools, which she says 'belong in the workhouse'.

May says schools are getting more funding.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:47

Tory deputy chairman James Cleverly draws a link between middle class drug use and knife crime on the streets of London.

He says people who check the air miles on their food and never wear clothes produced in sweat shops need to check their behaviour.

May says it is an important point. It is for all of us across society to take action.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:49

Kirsty Blackman of the SNP extols the virtues of freedom of movement, and asks the PM to be honest about its positives.

May says its important to have a fair immigration system. But the public voted to end freedom of movement in the 2016 referendum.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:50

Nigel Evans, the Tory MP, asks May to say 'No, no, no' to Brussels if it says the UK has to fight the European elections in May.

May says she has to find consensus in the House to make sure the UK can leave before the elections. But that can only happen if MPs vote for a deal.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:51

Labour MP John Grogan asks about Yorkshire devolution, and points to Geoffrey Boycott, the cricketer, who May is a big fan of.

May says the government is looking at it. She says Boycott stayed at the crease, waiting it out until he got his century.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:53

Ex-Tory MP Nick Boles is up. He says he remains a progressive Conservative despite his new found independence. He quit on Monday.

He praises May's new cooperation but he remains sceptical of her commitment to cross-party working. Can she reassure him that she will drop the red lines that have 'bedevilled' the Brexit talks?

May says she is holding these talks to break the Brexit deadlock.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:56

And that's it for PMQs. That was an especially long session - at around 56 minutes!

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:57

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