UK MPs defeat government over plans for no-deal Brexit

UK MPs inflicted an embarrassing parliamentary defeat on Prime Minister Theresa May as they made opposition to a no-deal Brexit known.

With the help of 20 Conservative Party rebels, an amendment to the Finance Bill, which would limit spending on no-deal preparations unless authorised by parliament, was victorious by 303 to 296 votes.

The amendment was tabled by Labour’s Yvette Cooper and could start a series of votes designed to box in the government and force it to come to some sort of arrangement with the EU or even pause or halt the Brexit process.

The Tory rebellion included former Cabinet Ministers Ken Clarke, Michael Fallon, Justine Greening, Dominic Grieve, Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan.

Three Labour MPs rebelled against their own party - the hard Brexiteers Ronnie Campbell, Kate Hoey and Graham Stringer.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the vote was "an important step to prevent a no-deal Brexit".

"It shows that there is no majority in parliament, the cabinet or the country for crashing out of the EU without an agreement. That is why we are taking every opportunity possible in parliament to prevent no deal."

"Theresa May must now rule out no deal once and for all.”