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As it happenedended

Brexit news - live: Andrea Leadsom resigns over Theresa May's withdrawal bill as PM clings to power

Premier to meet Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, on Friday

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Jon Sharman
Wednesday 22 May 2019 18:35 BST
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Senior Tories told Theresa May "it is time to go" as 1922 Committee leader Sir Graham Brady revealed he would meet the PM on Friday.

The prime minister set out her proposals in the Commons but Tory and Labour MPs expressed fury at her plans for a second referendum.

Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom resigned from the cabinet with a "heavy heart", saying she no longer believed the government's approach to Brextit would "deliver on the referendum result".

Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 12:45

Interesting question from Labour's Marsha de Cordova about universal credit. The shadow disabilities minister says the DWP is engaged in a PR blitz to 'uncover the truth' about universal credit.

She's referring to this feature in the Metro - which is presented as an investigation.

May says the DWP is working hard to help people into work. 

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 12:47

Brexiteer Mark Francois asks another detailed questions about Northern Ireland on behalf of a Chelsea pensioner, who accuses the PM of "pandering to Sinn Fein IRA while throwing veterans to the wolves”.

May thanks him for his bravery and vows to change the system.

Johnny Mercer, a former soldier, also raises the "strength of feeling" on the issue. It is very stark how many Tories have asked this question.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 12:52

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 12:55

PMQs is over - but Theresa May is still in the chamber to make her statement on the new Brexit plan.  

She announced this in a speech in London yesterday, which we covered here. But May is required to update MPs on it too.

Her plan is to bring the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) to the Commons in early June, in the hope that it can get second reading. If it is defeated, May will have to prorogue parliament so it is a big gamble.

Michael Gove suggested this morning that the government could still pull the vote, so it is all up in the air.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 13:00

May announces that the WAB will be published on Friday - the first day of recess. This is unlikely to go down well.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 13:08

Jeremy Corbyn mocks her for making a speech calling 'Seeking Common Ground in Parliament' - outside of parliament.

He says the government is 'too weak and too divided to get this country out of the mess they have created'.

He says no Labour MP could back a compromise deal as 'no compromise will survive a Tory leadership contest'.

Labour put forward a sensible idea more than a year ago, he says.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 13:10

Tory benches are very empty for PM statement - lots of MPs left chamber after PMQs, including prominent Brexiteers like Steve Baker and Mark Francois, our political editor Andrew Woodcock says.

Statement heard in virtual silence from Tory side.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 13:14

Corbyn presses May on the prospect of a a confirmatory vote and asks if it is a genuine offer? Will she whip against it, he asks.

In unusually pro-Final Say language, Corbyn says she must have nothing to fear from a second referendum if she thinks it is the best deal.

But he then moves to demanding a general election to break the Brexit deadlock.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 13:17

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford tells the prime minister it "is time to go", and says Theresa May has lost the confidence of the House of Commons. 

Ashley Cowburn22 May 2019 13:28

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