22/05/2019 15:28
Brexit: PM under fire over new Brexit plan
Theresa May will make the case for her new Brexit plan in Parliament later, amid signs that Conservative opposition to her leadership is hardening.
The prime minister will outline changes to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill - including a promise to give MPs a vote on holding another referendum.
But shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the offer was "too weak".
Some senior Tories will today ask party bosses for a rule change to allow a no-confidence vote in her leadership.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove defended the PM's plan, urging MPs to "take a little bit of time and step back" to "reflect" on the detail of the bill - due to be published later today.
Fellow cabinet minister and prominent Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom said she was "looking very carefully at the legislation" and "making sure that it delivers Brexit".
MPs have rejected the withdrawal agreement negotiated with the EU three times, and attempts to find a formal compromise with Labour have failed.
On Tuesday, the prime minister asked MPs to take "one last chance" to deliver a negotiated exit - or risk Brexit not happening at all.
But several Tory MPs have criticised her plan. Among them, Nigel Evans will today urge party bosses on the 1922 committee to change party rules to allow for an immediate vote of no-confidence in Mrs May.
Because the PM survived such a vote in December, the current rules say she cannot face another for 12 months.