Brexit news: UK to request Article 50 extension to delay EU exit until at least June

May finally wins a key showdown but cabinet unity in tatters as top ministers oppose her motion

Moment MPs vote to delay Brexit until 30 June - if MPs approve the Prime Minister's deal

MPs have overwhelmingly voted to delay Brexit after the Commons backed a motion ordering Theresa May to ask the EU to extend article 50 until at least June.

Amid dramatic scenes, Labour provoked fury among pro-EU MPs by abstaining on a bid for a Final Say referendum, which was defeated by 249 votes.

Rebel calls to allow parliament to take control of the Brexit process through "indicative votes" were also defeated, though narrowly.

It comes after the US president Donald Trump also made an explosive intervention into the debate, saying a public vote would be "unfair" and he was "surprised at how badly" the Brexit talks had gone.

But worryingly for Ms May cabinet unity crumbled when it came to a free vote on the government's Brexit delay motion.

Eight of her top ministers voted against it – and a further 180 Conservative MPs did likewise.

Ms May will now eye a third vote on her withdrawal agreement while Britain asks the EU for a delay to the date of its exit from the bloc.

See below how we covered Thursday's events live

Key Points

• MPs reject attempt to hold second referendum after Labour abstains
• Attempt to hold 'indicative votes' on Brexit narrowly defeated in the Commons
• Donald Trump lashes PM's Brexit strategy and says second referendum 'unfair'
• David Lidington promises "indicative votes" if PM's deal voted down again
• John Bercow could stop May staging repeated votes on her deal, says Leadsom

[14 March 2019 09:02 · Shehab.Khan]

If you're just joining us and have managed to keep up with the last few days of political chaos, we have another momentous day ahead of us as MPs will get to vote on whether to delay Brexit. 

At 11.30 the debate is set to begin on whether the UK should apply for an extension of Article 50. 

There will be a series of votes on amendments (much like last night) - before a vote on the government's motion to delay the Brexit date from 29 March to 30 June.

[14 March 2019 09:11 · Shehab.Khan]

Donald Tusk has taken to Twitter to explain his position - says the EU27 are open to a "long extension"

[14 March 2019 09:25 · Shehab.Khan]

Theresa May's motion says if MPs approve her withdrawal agreement by March 20, she will seek a one-off extension until 30 June to allow time for the necessary legislation to be passed. 

So what are the amendments that we could see tonight? 

[14 March 2019 09:26 · Shehab.Khan]

Labour's amendment 

Parliament has "decisively" rejected both Ms May's deal and no deal. It calls for a delay to Brexit "to provide parliamentary time for this House to find a majority for a different approach".

[14 March 2019 09:34 · Shehab.Khan]

No second referendum

A cross-party amendment, tabled by Tory Lee Rowley and backed by 111 Leave-backing MPs, calls for the result of the 2016 referendum to be respected and a second vote on EU membership to be ruled out.

Signatories include former ministers George Eustice and Dominic Raab, European Research Group deputy chairman Steve Baker, Labour MPs Gareth Snell and Caroline Flint, and Democratic Unionist Party Westminster leader Nigel Dodds.

[14 March 2019 09:48 · Shehab.Khan]

Second referendum

Tabled by Independent Group MP Sarah Wollaston and backed by members of the new grouping, Liberal Democrats and a handful from other parties, this amendment seeks an Article 50 extension to stage a second referendum with Remain and Parliament's preferred Brexit option on the ballot paper.

[14 March 2019 09:49 · Shehab.Khan]

Liberal Democrats

Sir Vince Cable's party have tabled an amendment calling for an extension to arrange a second referendum, with Remain on the ballot paper.

[14 March 2019 09:55 · Shehab.Khan]

Scottish independence

Tabled by the Scottish National Party, this amendment says Scotland must not be taken out of the EU against its will and that this can best be avoided by allowing its people to vote for independence.

[14 March 2019 09:59 · Shehab.Khan]

Plaid Cymru

The Welsh nationalist party is calling for an extension to 2021 for more negotiations, with a binding referendum at that point on whether to accept whatever deal has been agreed or remain in the EU.

[14 March 2019 10:01 · Shehab.Khan]

Revoke Article 50

Tabled by SNP MP Angus MacNeil and backed by Europhile MPs from across the House, including Tory grandee Kenneth Clarke and Labour's Keith Vaz, this amendment calls for Brexit to be halted by withdrawing the UK's notice of intention to leave under Article 50 of the EU treaties.