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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

NEW: Tory MPs have been told PM will meet Graham Brady again on Friday - e.g. She will not resign tonight.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 18:25

Leaving the 1922 Committee meeting, Tory MP Steve Baker said of the timetable ahead: "The PM will be campaigning for the European elections and on Friday she will meet Sir Graham.

"Obviously they will discuss matters of interest.

"It's very much going to depend on the result of the elections and I'm sure (the media) will be able to give us a flavour.

"People are rather impatient, but equally most colleagues do appreciate this is a very difficult time for everyone."

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 18:40

One Tory MP described the outcome of the 1922 Committee meeting as "the can kicked down until Friday" when Sir Graham Brady will meet Theresa May.

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 18:45

Tory MP Michael Fabricant has tweeted: "Executive of 1922 has made no decision. Paralysis.

"I wonder if there should be a vote of No Confidence in the 1922 Executive? Colleagues are growing impatient."

Jon Sharman22 May 2019 18:52

Jon Sharman22 May 2019 18:59

Theresa May's Conservatives are on course for their worst electoral defeat in a national vote as a fresh poll for The Independent puts the party in fourth position on the eve of the European elections.

The survey - cementing the Brexit Party in first place - also shows Labour and the Liberal Democrats vying for second place, with Jeremy Corbyn's party slightly ahead as the UK public prepares to elect its next crop of MEPs on Thursday.

More here:

Lizzy Buchan22 May 2019 19:00

Graham Brady said the 1922 Committee executive discussed "all sorts of things" at their meeting tonight...

Jon Sharman22 May 2019 19:09

Jean-Claude Juncker has lashed out at nationalists and populists ahead of tomorrow's European parliament elections.

"These populist, nationalists, stupid nationalists, they are in love with their own countries," the EU Commission president told CNN.

"They don't like those coming from far away, I like those coming from far away ... we have to act in solidarity with those who are in a worse situation than we are in," he added.

Jon Sharman22 May 2019 19:34

Andrea Leadsom has resigned from the government.

Jon Sharman22 May 2019 19:47

Tory leadership hopeful Ms Leadsom says she no longer believes the government's approach would 'deliver on the referendum result'. Here's her statement - posted to Twitter, as is the fashion.

It came during Theresa May's weekly meeting with the Queen.

Jon Sharman22 May 2019 20:00

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