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
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Your support makes all the difference.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
Earlier, Westminster SNP leader Ian Blackford accused Labour of being "a fraud" for failing to back another referendum.
He said: "I say to him, our friend and colleague, we have that opportunity with the amendment today to express the views of people in the House of Commons that we must have a People's Vote.
"I implore him not to stand against the amendment today or I'm afraid that Labour will be found out for what they are - a fraud and they are participating in Brexit happening if they fail to back the People's Vote this afternoon."
Sir Keir Starmer dismissed Mr Blackford with "great rhetoric, no substance" before explaining Labour's position "has been clear".
Pro-EU Labour MP Ben Bradshaw appealed to Starmer for Labour to have "no more mixed messages" on Brexit.
He said: "Not all of the shadow cabinet, and sometimes official spokespeople for the leader of the opposition, do not speak with the clarity with which he speaks and people are very unsettled by that.
"We accept there may be more and better opportunities to vote for an amendment on a second referendum.
"Nevertheless we have to ensure the Labour Party speaks with one, clear voice - no more mixed messages."
Theresa May could be breaking Commons rules if she keeps bringing her Brexit deal back to the Commons after multiple defeats, a cabinet minister has admitted.
MPs should not be asked “the same question” in the same session, Andrea Leadsom acknowledged – potentially allowing the Speaker to rule a third “meaningful vote” out of order.
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Conservative MP Mark Francois, vice-chairman of the Leave-backing European Research Group, said: "Sarah Wollaston's amendment, which will be voted on at 5pm, is an in-principle decision by the House of Commons on whether or not to have a second referendum.
"It has long been the Conservative Party's policy to oppose such a poll and I hope that every Conservative will vote against it.
"However, after the chaos of last night, if any Government minister fails to oppose a second referendum they must surely follow the honourable example of Sarah Newton and resign on principle. Our members in the country would expect no less."
The other big pro-EU campaign, Best for Britain, has also distanced itself from tonight's vote.
A spokesperson said: “Best for Britain, like a majority of the country, believe that giving the people the final say is the only credible solution to the Brexit mess we’ve been left in after three years of government failure and parliamentary gridlock.
"We believe bringing this issue before Parliament today will not truly test the will of the House for a public vote. The debate today must focus on the pressing need for an extension to Article 50 to confirm Parliament’s rejection of a no deal cliff-edge on March 29 and protect the country from a damaging disorderly exit.
"We will continue to build on the strong support throughout the country for Parliament to give the people the final say."
Every knife sold in the UK should have a GPS tracking device fitted in its handle, according to Conservative MP Scott Mann, who has received a fair bit of ribbing on Twitter for the plan.
Tory MP Johnny Mercer has joined in with the mockery of his colleague Scott Mann with this clip. Fair play to Mann, who takes the ribbing with reasonable grace.
Back in the Commons, Conservative former minister Sir Christopher Chope said he would "seriously consider" the issue if Labour brought forward a motion of no confidence in the government.
Not ideal for the PM - especially after growing murmurs about whether she should step down from senior Tories.
Earlier, her former policy chief called on her to pledge she will step down to win support from MPs for her withdrawal agreement.
George Freeman, who chaired the prime minister’s policy unit in 2016/17, has said it is time for a “new leader to reunite the country”.
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