PM quells rebels over Brexit date

THERESA May last night looked set to avoid a second Brexit defeat after a compromise with rebels.

Several Conservative MPs were threatening to vote against plans to put the Brexit date and time – 11pm on March 29, 2019 – into law.

But last night backbenchers tabled an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, which will allow ministers to delay the date if needed.

Downing Street is considering the amendment and sources told the BBC it was highly likely to be accepted.

Possible rebels including Dominic Grieve, who led this week’s revolt, indicated they would accept the changes.

It means Mrs May is likely to avoid a second embarrassing defeat in the Commons next Wednesday.

The amendment was tabled last night by four Tory MPs including Bernard Jenkin and former minister Oliver Letwin. Senior Tory backbenchers from both the Leave and Remain factions appeared to be ready to back the compromise.

Mr Grieve told the BBC that the amendment would leave him ‘fairly satisfied’. He said: ‘The Government has this afternoon tabled a further amendment for next Wednesday, which looks like it will resolve the issue.’

Mr Jenkin, a leading Tory Brexiteer, said: ‘The purpose of this amendment is to avoid needless division when we should be supporting the PM.’