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MPs vote down House of Lords Brexit changes in MAJOR blow to Remainers

MPs have voted by 322 to 306, and 317 votes to 306, to disagree with two Lords amendments linked to ..

MPs have voted by 322 to 306, and 317 votes to 306, to disagree with two Lords amendments linked to so-called "Henry VIII powers" allowing the government to change an act of parliament or even repeal it.

Members of Parliament decided by 324 votes to 298 — a majority of 26 — to reject a House of Lords amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

The move would have given Parliament the power to prevent a "no-deal" Brexit.

Overall MPs voted against the House of Lords' amendments in three separate votes.

EU and UK flags outside ParliamentGETTY

BREXIT: MPs have rejected three amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill

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“We had a personal assurance that we would find a way to address the concerns in the House of Lords when the Bill goes back there”

Dominic Grieve

In an earlier vote, MPs voted by 328 votes to 297 to disagree with another Lords amendment which was linked to changes to the day Britain leaves the EU.

And in a final vote, MPs voted by 326 votes to 301 to disagree with Lords amendment 52 linked to what EU laws the UK will keep after Brexit.

It's been revealed ex-Tory ministers Ken Clarke and Anna Soubry rebelled against the government by voting against the motion to disagree with Lords amendment, designed to give Parliament a vote to prevent a "no deal" Brexit.

Five Labour MPs also rebelled by voting in favour of disagreeing with the Lords amendment: Ronnie Campbell, Frank Field, Kate Hoey, John Mann and Graham Stringer.

Conservative Party's leadership contenders

Theresa May's Tory government is currently looking anything but "strong and stable". An unconvincing election victory and lingering Brexit anxieties have been exacerbated by Michael Fallon's recent Cabinet resignation; while Priti Patel and Boris Johnson have also made serious mistakes. Here's some of the bookies' favourites to replace her as leader of the Conservative Party.

Gaff-prone Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is favourite to succeed Theresa May at 4/1Getty Images

Gaff-prone Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is favourite to succeed Theresa May at 4/1

PM Theresa May avoided a potential defeat over the Bill to leave the EU which makes Brexit much more likely.

Earlier today pro-Remain Tory MP Philip Lee resigned from the Cabinet in order to back the Lords' amendment.

A last-minute deal with Tory Remainers to strengthen Parliament's role in the event of a "no deal Brexit".

But its been warned the concessions given to Tory revels will lead to a so-called "soft Brexit".

Tory MP Phillip LeeGETTY

RESIGNED: Tory MP Phillip Lee stepped down today to vote with the Lords Brexit amendment

In a climbdown, ministers agreed to key aspects of the controversial amendment put forward by Tory MP Dominic Grieve.

The Beaconsfield MP ended up voting against his own amendment and with the government, saying he believes MPs will be offered a meaningful vote anyway.

He told Sky News: "We had a personal assurance that we would find a way to address the concerns in the House of Lords when the Bill goes back there.

"I'm fairly confident we will be able to do that. There is goodwill to secure the protection we are seeking in the event of no deal."

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