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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

Uh oh... 

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 16:58

"Some Tory Remainers would rather have the buffoon they know than, say, Dominic Raab, who served too briefly as Brexit secretary to make his mark," writes Independent political commentator John Rentoul.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 17:09

The 1922 Committee executive is meeting with chief whip at 5.30pm and the full committee is meeting again at 6pm.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 17:13

Tory backbenchers have been told that the second reading of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill is scheduled to take place on June 7.

But Leave-backing Mark Francois said: "I bet £50 for Help For Heroes that the second reading of WAB will never ever happen. I invite any other colleague whoever it may be to take my bet."

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 17:24

No statement is expected from Ms May this evening.

But it is understood she may meet with foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt on Thursday.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 17:30

Labour MP Rosie Duffield said she has seen members of the Conservative Party "actually running along corridors" in parliament, adding there is "big news expected" tonight.

She tweeted: "Members of parliament from a certain Tory faction actually running along corridors.

"Lots of rumours flying around. Big news expected tonight... £EndOfDays?"

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 17:39

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 17:44

Interesting - the chief whip left the meeting after TWO minutes.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 17:50

Labour MP Mary Creagh is stirring the pot right now - but makes an excellent point about the votes. 

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 18:03

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 18:19

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