Brexit ‘meaningful vote’ will go ahead, UK leader Theresa May says
- PM heading to Strasbourg in an attempt to get a deal from the EU on the eve of lawmakers voting again on Britain’s divorce from the bloc, Irish official says
The prime minister’s official spokesman said May was still committed to allowing parliament to vote on her Brexit deal, followed by votes on ruling out no deal and extending article 50, the mechanism used to exit the European Union.
Downing Street is due to publish papers showing any EU concessions it has managed to achieve later on Monday but these are likely to fall short of what is demanded by Eurosceptics, who want a legally binding guarantee that the Irish backstop will end.
Talks with Brussels are currently deadlocked, suggesting Attorney General Geoffrey Cox will struggle to change his legal advice that says the backstop could keep the UK in an indefinite customs union.
Ireland’s deputy prime minister said on Monday that May was set to hold last-minute talks with EU leaders in Strasbourg to try to save her deal, but 10 Downing St would not confirm the trip.