Theresa May admits she has failed to secure legally-binding time limit on backstop from EU, just a day before pivotal vote in parliament
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Theresa May made a last-ditch attempt to convince MPs to back her Brexit deal, as she warned that parliament could block Britain's withdrawal from the EU.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's "meaningful vote" on her proposed agreement, the prime minister admitted she had failed to secure a legally-binding time limit on the controversial Northern Ireland backstop.
But she insisted her plan was the only way to avoid a no-deal Brexit and guarantee that Britain exits the EU as planned.
Delivering a speech at a factory in Stoke, Ms May claimed some in Westminster would use “every device available to them” to “delay or even stop Brexit”.
She hailed letters of clarification on the backstop that were published by EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk on the eve of the vote, but admitted she "did not achieve" a time limit on the controversial backstop.
“What if we found ourselves in a situation where parliament tried to take the UK out of the EU in opposition to a Remain vote?” she said.
“People’s faith in the democratic process and their politicians would suffer catastrophic harm.”
As it happened...
Rumours continue to swirl around that ministers will be offering their resignations if Theresa May’s deal is voted down and the government pushes for a no-deal Brexit.
Greg Clark, the business secretary, refused to rule out resigning last week and David Gauke, the justice secretary, also hinted at quitting the cabinet.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said that a no confidence motion against Theresa May was "not a matter of if, it's a matter of when."
Let's listen to the debate, let's watch the balance of forces within Parliament itself. Those are the sort of judgments we will have to make. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. It's just a matter of timing so watch this space over the next 24 hours.
Speaking on LBC this morning, Boris Johnson refused to rule out he would run for leader of the Tory party in the future.
He also indicated he has had second thoughts about pulling out of the race for the Tory leadership in the wake of the Brexit referendum in 2016.
Mr Johnson said: "In retrospect if I had my time again I might have done things differently."
He also dismissed claims made by Theresa May that voting down her deal may lead to no Brexit.
I think, possibly, some colleagues are being scared by this idea that there might be no Brexit as a result of voting it down. I think that's nonsense.
Britain will leave in March, absolutely, and that's the bottom line.
Mr Johnson also added:
I notice all this stuff about complicated jiggery-pokery for Parliament to frustrate the deal.
I don't think that really can be done. I think that we are really playing with fire.
I think that people will feel betrayed.
And I think they will feel that there has been a great conspiracy by the deep state of the UK, the people who really run the country.
Conservative MP Andrew Murrison is tabling an amendment to create a "sunset clause" preventing the backstop extending beyond the end of 2022.
The amendment backs Theresa May's deal which states that the backstop must end by 31 December 2022.
The South-West Wiltshire MP, who announced over the weekend that he would be backing Mrs May's deal, denied claims the amendment was being tabled on behalf of the Government.
What happens if Parliament rejects Theresa May's Brexit deal
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