Theresa May refuses to guarantee MPs vote on Brexit deal before Britain leaves EU

The Prime Minister would not go further than saying she was 'confident' a vote is possible before Brexit

Theresa May has failed to guarantee that MPs will vote on the UK's Brexit deal before the country leaves the European Union.

The Prime Minister refused to commit to holding the vote before Brexit day in March 2019, instead only saying that she is "confident" a deal will be agreed with Europe with enough time left for Parliament to vote.

Asked to clarify the position of the Prime Minister later, her spokesman also refused to guarantee that there would be a vote on the final deal in Parliament before the country leaves the EU.

It comes after Brexit Secretary David Davis admitted on Wednesday that the vote in which MPs would approve any final deal could be held after the UK has dropped out of the bloc.

The ambiguity of the Government's position caused an immediate backlash, with MPs beginning a push to guarantee their vote to approve any deal is held before Brexit.

Following Mr Davis's admission at a select committee hearing, Ms May was asked by Labour MP Stephen Kinnock how "it is possible to have a meaningful vote on something that has already taken place".

She responded: "The timetable under the Lisbon Treaty does give time until March 2019 for the negotiations to take place.

"But I am confident because it is in the interests of both sides - and it is not just this parliament that wants to have a vote on that deal, but actually there will be ratification by other parliaments - that we will be able to achieve that agreement and that negotiation in time for this parliament to have the vote that we committed to."

But her words fell far short of a solid commitment to hold the vote before Brexit, with even some Tory MPs fearing that there is not enough time to pass all of the legislation required for leaving before the March 2019 departure date.

Immediately after PMQs had finished, Labour MP Chuka Umunna stood in the Chamber and quoted a government commitment to give the House of Commons a vote on the final Brexit deal, before Brexit takes place.

Mr Umunna said the commitment given in a debate in February was at worst a "false impression", in the light of Mr Davis's admission.

Ms May's spokesman was asked afterwards whether MPs would have a vote on the deal before Britain leaves the EU, but said only that the deal would be agreed before the country leaves, and that MPs would be given a vote.

Asked specifically if the vote would take place before Britain drops out of the bloc, the spokesman would not commit, saying only: "The deal will be agreed before we leave, and MPs will get a vote on it."

Hours earlier Mr Davis predicted Brexit negotiations will drag on until the last minute on the last day in 2019 and be "very exciting".

Asked if that meant the promised Parliamentary vote on the agreement could be delayed until after Brexit Day, in March 2019, he replied: "Yes, it could be".

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: "David Davis and Theresa May's comments only add to the confusion and chaos over the Government's approach to the Brexit negotiations.

"Labour has been clear from the outset that Parliament must have the final say on the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union before March 2019.

"Ministers must urgently clarify their comments and accept Parliament will not be sidelined."