PM gets three

● MPs vote for tight deadline if May’s deal does not pass

Adramatic first day of debate on Theresa May’s Brexit plans saw her go down to her second defeat in 24 hours amid furious comments over the impartiality of Speaker John Bercow.

The prime minister offered MPs fresh assurances that parliament will be able to exercise control over the controversial “backstop” if they back her Brexit deal.

And Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer suggested continued uncertainty meant an extension of the Article 50 process “may now be inevitable”.

Amid chaotic scenes in the chamber, MPs backed by 308 votes to 297 an amendment requiring Mrs May to come back to the Commons within three days to set out her Plan B if her Withdrawal Agreement is rejected in next week’s vote.

Brexit-backing Tories accused Mr Bercow of flouting Commons procedures by allowing a vote on the proposal, tabled by former attorney general Dominic Grieve. And Downing Street said it was “very surprised” by the Speaker’s decision.

Previously, the government had three weeks to bring forward new proposals if it is defeated in the “meaningful vote” on Tuesday, with a further vote a week later.

The No 10 source said the prime minister had always intended to “respond quickly” if she fails to secure the support of the Commons.

The government later accepted proposals which would give the House the power to reject both an extension to the Brexit transition period and the introduction of a backstop if no wider trade deal is secured by the end of 2020. The package, tabled by former minister Sir Hugo Swire, also places a legally binding commitment on the government to end the backstop arrangement within 12 months, and to seek assurances from the EU that it will seek to do the same.

It is likely to prompt an angry response in Brussels, which has repeatedly rejected efforts to put a time limit on the backstop, intended to avoid a hard border in Ireland if no wider trade deal has been agreed.

The government would remain under an international obligation to keep the border open, and it is understood ministers would be expected to seek alternative

“An extension of the Article 50 process may be inevitable”

arrangements deadline.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay accepted that it would not by itself win over the Tory rebels and DUP allies who are threatening to send the deal to defeat.

But he said that, coupled with a new pledge of a “strong role” for the Stormont Assembly in the operation of the backstop, it marked a “welcome step forward” in building support for Mrs May’s deal.

The developments came after Tuesday night’s Commons defeat for the government on a motion intended to limit its powers to change taxes in the event of a no-deal Brexit. within the 12-month