Deal ‘dead’ if MPs reject again, ministers admit

Theresa May’s Brexit deal will be “dead” if MPs reject if for a fourth time, ministers have admitted.

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay acknowledged it would be the end of the road for the deal thrashed out with the European Union if the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) is defeated when it is brought to the Commons in June.

Defeat would also deal a heavy blow to the PM’s already fragile authority and, although the WAB vote would not be a formal confidence motion, Number 10 sources acknowledged its significance “won’t be underestimated”.

The legislation writes the Brexit agreement into law and represents a fresh attempt to secure Parliament’s support for a deal which has already been rejected three times by MPs.

Mr Barclay said the WAB would be published as soon as possible and would have its second reading in the Commons, the first legislative hurdle it would have to clear, in the week beginning June 3. He told the Lords EU Committee: “I think if the House of Commons does not approve the WAB then the (Michel) Barnier deal is dead in that form.”

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay.