New Brexit vote on table if MPs reject deal, Rudd says

Amber Rudd has admitted “anything could happen” if Theresa May’s Brexit deal is defeated and suggested MPs will then prefer a Final Say referendum to crashing out of the EU.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme yesterday, the new work and pensions secretary undermined the prime minister’s threat of “my deal or no deal”, saying: “There isn’t a majority in the House of Commons to allow that to take place.

Asked if the choice would be a fresh Brexit referendum or leaving with no deal, she replied: “It’s my view that the Commons will stop no deal”.

And she said of next month’s crucial vote: “If it doesn’t get through, anything could happen. The Brexiteers may lose their Brexit.”

Ms Rudd also cast doubt on Ms May’s plans to seal the Brexit deal at a summit with EU leaders on Sunday, acknowledging there are still obstacles in the way.

“Hopefully it will get through this week,” she said, adding: “There is still a negotiation going on in terms of actually getting this agreement through.”

The comments make Ms Rudd the first cabinet minister to rule out a no-deal Brexit – and the first to suggest an agreement at European level could yet be derailed.

They came as the prime minister prepared to head to Brussels for talks with Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commission, under huge pressure for further wins in the final text.

However, Ms Rudd, denied the deal was doomed when it reaches the Commons, arguing MPs would “take a careful look over the abyss” and back it.

“I think likelihood is that, despite what people say, the withdrawal agreement will get through,” she said.

Ms Rudd has previously argued that a Norway-style EEA deal – effectively keeping the UK in the EU single market – is an option if parliament rejects Ms May’s strategy.

She hinted at that approach in the interview, saying: “There will be different amendments that will be followed up on.”