MPs are drawing the battle lines for a potential extension to the Article 50 process and “indicative votes” on a fresh EU referendum, as they table rival Brexit plans ahead of a Commons clash next week.
It comes after Theresa May was warned that up to 40 government ministers could resign if she refuses to allow them to vote for a plan that would prevent a no-deal scenario on 29 March.
Speaking on Monday, Ms May vowed again to seek changes to the Irish border backstop – leading to Jeremy Corbyn to compare her statement to “Groundhog Day”, adding it was like last week’s crushing defeat on her Brexit deal “never happened”.
For events as they happened, see our live coverage below
MPs and business leaders protest May's identical ‘plan B’ for Brexit
Theresa May faced protests from MPs of all parties and from business leaders after unveiling a “plan B” Brexit plan virtually identical to the one that crashed to a record defeat last week.
The prime minister was accused of refusing to accept the reality of the crushing rejection of her plan, after vowing to again seek changes to the Irish borderbackstop – despite the EU repeatedly insisting it will not budge.
Business leaders also warned the statement was “another bleak day”, as it took the UK one step closer to the disaster of crashing out of the EU with no agreement on 29 March.
In the Commons, Jeremy Corbyn attacked “groundhog day”, while senior Tories warned it was “like last week’s vote never happened” and that the UK was being turned “into a laughing stock”.
40 government ministers could resign unless they can vote against no-deal Brexit, Theresa May warned
Amber Rudd leads calls for Tory MPs to be given free vote on key backbench motion to extend Article 50 if no agreement in place next month
EU president Donald Tusk says he told David Cameron to 'get real' over his 'stupid' Brexit referendum
The president of the European Council has revealed that he told David Cameron to “get real” over plans for the referendum that would see Britain vote to leave the EU and plunge the UK into political chaos.
In an interview for a new BBC documentary Donald Tusk said he told the then prime minister that there was “no appetite” among other countries for changes to the EU just because the UK was going to hold a “stupid referendum”.
He also revealed that Mr Cameron thought he could ultimately get away with not actually holding the plebiscite on EU membership because it would be blocked by his then coalition partners the Liberal Democrats.
Recounting events, Mr Tusk said: “I told him bluntly come on David, get real. I know that all prime ministers are promising to help you, but believe me the truth is that no-one has an appetite for revolution in Europe only because of your stupid referendum.
"I think that (support for an extension) is an over-simplification because there are many in the European Parliament and elsewhere that are concerned about an extension in terms of the impact."
He added: "There are many in Brussels that are concerned about the prospect of an extension in terms of the interplay with the European parliamentary elections, because you couldn't pass the legislation in the UK for a referendum ... in the time before the end of May."
"But also from the EU point of view, they have been very clear that they don't want an extension with no purpose and so we come back to the issue as to what it is MPs are for and just what they are against."
Opinion: Theresa May is moving through the five stages of Brexit grief – they are all denial
The prime minister told the House of Commons her approach ‘had to change’, which means, of course that nothing has writes The Independent's political sketch writer Tom Peck
Freight trade across the Channel could fall up to 87 per cent under no-deal Brexit, leaked document reveals.
In the event that Britain is unable to secure a deal with the European Union, the decline of freight trade could last up to six months, estimates in contingency plans drawn up for the government say.
Labour moves closer to backing second Brexit referendum
Labour has moved a step closer to backing another Brexit referendum after it demanded MPs be allowed to vote on whether to give the public the final say.
The party has tabled a Commons motion that would give parliament the chance to debate and vote on alternatives to Theresa May's deal.
It said these should include a softer Brexit and a public vote on whatever option parliament decides to pursue.
What is Yvette Cooper’s amendment to extend Article 50 and prevent a no-deal Brexit?
Analysis: MPs are now seeking to assert control after Theresa May’s historic defeat.The appointment of one of Theresa May's former close aides to a prestigious Commonwealth Games role has drawn controversy.
Nick Timothy, the Prime Minister's ex-joint chief of staff, has been made a non-executive director to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games by Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Jeremy Wright.
Mr Timothy left his post with the PM after the Tories lost their majority at the 2017 general election, and is now mostly known as a newspaper columnist.
Labour MP Martin Whitfield, who supports the pro-Europe Best for Britain campaign, said: "This is a blatant example of 'jobs for the boys'.
"Handing Nick Timothy a plum job like this is clearly a reward for his attacks on Tory Remainers.
"I'm sure he will deliver the same success to the games that he did for Brexit and the Tories."
Mr Timothy, who grew up in Birmingham, will not be remunerated for the Commonwealth Games role.
The amendment states that on February 12 and 26, and March 5, 12, 19 and 26, the first item of business in the Commons would be "a Motion in the name of the Chairman of Ways and Means 'That this House has considered the United Kingdom's departure from, and future relationship with, the European Union"'.
It also allows for debate of up to six-and-a-half hours and the motion, like that due to be laid on Tuesday, would be amendable.
"There will be a motion in neutral terms to start the day which is about looking at Brexit and what is going on, then members of parliament can table amendments for consideration which can be turned into resolutions of the House."
He added: "A resolution of the House is a pretty solemn thing.
"If the House says that it thinks something ought to be done which the government isn't doing, the government can decide to ignore it but historically it would be very unusual in our constitution for that to happen."
Foreign Office advises British people living in EU to give up their UK driving licences to prepare for Brexit
The Foreign Office is advising British people living in EU countries to give up their UK driving licences in order to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
British embassies in a number of member states have said that “holders of UK driving licences who are resident in an EU country should exchange their UK licences for a driving licence from the EU country you are living in before 29 March 2019”.
The advice is being issued because in the event of a no-deal Brexit it will become impossible to exchange your UK driving licence for a local one without re-taking your driving test – a potentially expensive and difficult experience.
Frustrated EU spokesperson channels Spice Girls in Brexit plea to UK: ‘Tell us what you want, what you really, really want’
A European Commission spokesperson has encapsulated EU frustration at UK indecision on Brexit by channelling 1990s British girl band the Spice Girls.
Margaritis Schinas, the chief spokesperson of the Commission presidency, told reporters that that Britain would have to “tell us what they want, what they really, really want” in an exhausted piece to camera.
Apart from recalling the band’s 1996 hit “Wannabe”, Mr Schinas repeated the EU’s mantra that the withdrawal agreement is not open for negotiation – effectively shooting down Theresa May’s “Plan B”, which she spelled out in parliament yesterday.
Supporters of second Brexit referendum call for delay to Commons vote until it has 'greatest chance of success'
Leading supporters of a fresh Brexit referendum are calling for a delay to a Commons vote until it has the “greatest chance of success”.
MPs of all parties fear an expected push for a showdown next Tuesday would backfire because there is currently no majority in favour, while the Labour leadership refuses to commit.
Dr Sarah Wollaston, the Conservative Final Say supporter, and other “doctors in the House” are considering an amendment to trigger a vote next week, alongside moves for the Commons to “take control”.
But, at a People’s Vote event, Labour MPs, a Liberal Democrat and Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, all urged patience and suggested the clash would come too soon.
Union boss Len McCluskey will go to a face-to-face Brexit meeting with Theresa May later this week, writes political editor Joe Watts.
The Corbyn-backing leader of Unite accepted an invitation to discuss the prime minister’s Brexit plans despite the Labour leader refusing one.
Downing Street said the discussion is part of an on-going “process of engagement” as Ms May attempts to find a way to win backing for her deal.
The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal.
Sign our petition here
