Date set for MPS’ Brexit bill showdown

The UK government is braced for its biggest Brexit showdown in the House of Commons after announcing the date that MPS will consider amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Changes to the flagship Brexit bill will be debated in a marathon 12-hour session on 12 June, with ministers seeking to reverse 15 defeats suffered in the House of Lords.

The votes will present a challenge to both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, who both face possible rebellions on amendments that would keep the UK in the EU customs union, seek membership of the EEA, and retain access to key European institutions.

Downing Street has insisted the UK will be “fully prepared” for leaving the EU without a deal following reports that plans have been drawn up for a “Doomsday Brexit” that would leave the country short of medicine, fuel and food. Mr May still believes that “no deal is better than a bad deal”, and a “significant amount of work” had been done to make sure the UK could cope without a deal, a spokesman said.

Scottish Government Brexit minister Michael Russell has written to David Davis, calling on him to rule out a no-deal exit following the “alarming” reports.