MPs celebrate 'taking back control' of Brexit after Theresa May was humiliated in crunch Commons vote

MPs were today celebrating 'taking back control of Brexit' after Theresa May was dealt a humiliating House of Commons defeat in a key vote on the withdrawal process.

The Prime Minister is to travel to a critical European Union summit later today with her authority diminished after 11 Tory rebels defeated the Government to ensure a "meaningful vote" on the final terms of Britain's withdrawal deal.

MPs today proclaimed Parliament had "taken back control" of the Brexit process in a significant blow to Mrs May.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan hailed the result: "Victory for democracy in Parliament tonight. Londoners & Brits across the country voted against an extreme Tory hard Brexit - the government must now listen," he wrote online.

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MP Nicky Morgan wrote: "Tonight Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process."

The Prime Minister is now facing the prospect that the vote may have damaged the confidence of EU leaders in her authority to conduct Brexit negotiations as they prepare to rubber-stamp a move forward to trade talks.

During the Commons vote, rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve told the Government it was "too late" as ministers made last-minute concessions in an attempt to head off the revolt.

The government was defeated by a margin of four votes, losing 309 to 305 in tense scenes.

It means MPs and peers will be given more control over the Government's implementation of the withdrawal agreement, as ministers will have to pass a statute, which can be amended, before it takes effect.

Mrs May attempted to reassert authority by sacking Tory vice chair and Brexit rebel Stephen Hammond.

She could now face questions about the vote's implications at a dinner with the other 27 EU leaders on Thursday, who she will urge to begin trade talks as quickly as possible.

The European Commission's assessment that "sufficient progress" has been made on divorce issues to move Brexit negotiations on to their second phase gave the PM a huge boost just last week.

And the EU27 are expected to green-light phase two when they meet in Mrs May's absence on the second day of their two-day summit in Brussels on Friday.

But the political capital she has built up was dealt a damaging blow by Thursday's vote, which led to bitter recriminations in the Conservative Party, with 11 MPs joining opposition parties in backing the amendment, and a handful of others abstaining.

The European Parliament's chief Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt tweeted: "British Parliament takes back control. European and British Parliament together will decide on the final agreement. Interests of the citizens will prevail over narrow party politics. A good day for democracy."

Backers of a "soft" Brexit, including Tory rebels Nicky Morgan and Anna Soubry, also hailed the result.

Ms Morgan tweeted: "Tonight Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who will be cheered by the fact that only two of his own Brexiteer MPs rebelled to back the Government, said: "This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the Government on the eve of the European Council meeting.

"Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept Parliament taking back control."

Mr Grieve said he had no option but to push his amendment to a vote because the Bill gave "intransigent" ministers "the biggest Henry VIII power ever conferred on Government" with no justification.

The former attorney general evoked Winston Churchill during the debate, telling the Commons: "There's a time for everybody to stand up and be counted" and stressing he put "the country before the party".

He said his amendment would not stop Brexit but the vote provoked a furious backlash from Leavers.

Tory Nadine Dorries called for the deselection of rebel Tories for "undermining the PM", while accusing Mr Grieve of "treachery".

But rebel Tory Sarah Wollaston hit back on Twitter, saying: "Get over yourself Nadine."

In dramatic scenes in the Commons, Tory rebels shouted "too late" as justice minister Dominic Raab outlined his concession and Government whips buzzed around the chamber in an attempt to win over rebel MPs.

As the division was called, would-be rebel Vicky Ford appeared to be wavering between division lobbies before being ushered towards the Government side by Chancellor Philip Hammond and Brexiteer MP James Cleverly.

Earlier, Ms Soubry revealed she had found a woman MP "upset and shaken" on Tuesday evening after a whip tried to persuade her not to revolt.

Downing Street said it would "respect the will of MPs" but a Government spokeswoman suggested it may seek to amend the Bill during later stages of its passage through Parliament.

In a further setback, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned progress at the Brussels summit may not mean an immediate start to the trade talks which Mrs May is seeking.

Mr Barnier told MEPs the European Council would initially concentrate on the terms of a transition to the post-Brexit relationship, while he would focus on turning last Friday's deal into a legally-binding Withdrawal Agreement.

A leaked draft of a text to be considered by the EU27 leaders on Friday suggests that trade talks may not start until after a subsequent summit in March, when a further set of guidelines will be produced.