Theresa May heads to EU summit after Commons defeat - as MPs claim to have 'taken back control' of Brexit

Theresa May is heading to Brussels for an EU Summit just hours after suffering a humiliating House of Commons defeat in a key Brexit vote.

MPs proclaimed Parliament had “taken back control” of Brexit on Wednesday night after securing a “meaningful vote” on the terms of the UK’s final EU withdrawal agreement.

In a night of high drama, 11 Conservative MPs voted against the Government’s wishes to let ministers retain control - resulting in a 309-304 victory for amendment 7.

One of the rebels, Stephen Hammond, was sacked by Mrs May as Conservative vice chairman in the aftermath of the vote as she attempted to wrestle back control.

Jeremy Corbyn said it was a “humiliating loss of authority” for the Prime Minister on the eve of the European Council meeting.

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

Unless it is overturned, MPs will get to vote on the final Brexit deal reached with the EU before it is ratified.

The Prime Minister will hope it does not damage the confidence of EU leaders in her authority to conduct Brexit negotiations as they prepare to rubber-stamp a move forward to trade talks.

She could 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 Mrs May a huge boost just last week.

But the EU's chief Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt said it was a “good day for democracy” following the Commons vote.

He 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."

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".

Dominic Grieve, who tabled the amendment, said he had no option but to push it 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.

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.