May sees off challenge to her Brexit plans

THERESA MAY has seen off a significant challenge to her Brexit plans, thwarting a rebel Tory move which could have forced her to try to keep Britain in a customs union with the EU.

The Prime Minister was saved from a humiliating reverse by the votes of four Labour Brexiteers – and one currently sitting as an independent – who backed the Government in the crucial division.

But 12 Conservatives broke ranks to back the customs union measure, even though it is understood that Tory whips told wouldbe rebels that there would be a confidence vote that evening if it passed.

Mrs May went down to defeat on a separate amendment to her flagship Trade Bill, which will require her to seek continued UK participation in the EU’s system for regulation of medicines after Brexit.

In dramatic scenes in the House of Commons, Ministers made a last-ditch effort to stave off defeat by offering to introduce amendments in the House of Lords which would deal with “the essence” of rebel Tories’ concerns over future customs arrangements.

But despite the rebels’ rejection of this overture, Mrs May emerged triumphant by a margin of just six votes, as the Commons rejected the key amendment by 307-301.

Meanwhile, the Government has performed a U-turn on bringing forward MPs’ summer holidays in the middle of the latest Brexit political crisis. Plans to vote today on bringing forward the July 24 recess have been dropped.