channel when we have news channel when we have brought you all of the latest developments on another turbulent day in this brexit process at westminster. having taken more time than in recent days went to the commons to admi having taken more time than int that there was widespread disquiet with parts of her plan, especially on the question of the backstop guarantee for the irish border. if we went ahead and held the vote tomorrow, the deal would be rejected by a significant margin. we will, therefore, defer the vote schedule for tomorrow and not proceed to divide the house at this time. the government is in disarray. uncertainty is building, for business. people are in despair at the state of these failed negotiations, and concerned about what it means about theirjobs, livelihood and communities. the fault for that lies solely at the door of this

shambolic government. watching closely are the other 27 eu member states — who warn that the current deal can't be renegotiated. it took over year to negotiate it. that is the work of 28 government and is not possible to attend any aspect that agreement without opening all aspects. also today: the european court ofjustice confirmed that britain could abandon the brexit process without consulting other eu states. today at 5pm — we're live at westminster, on a day of chaos and confusion for theresa may's government and its plans for leaving the european union. the prime minister came

to the house of commons to announce that the big parliamentary vote on brexit, set to take place tomorrow, has been delayed. it's been a day of remarkable twists and turns. these are the main developments. it had been apparent, for some time, that there was no majority among mps for the withdrawal agreement, and the prime minister acknowledged that openly in her statement today. mrs may said she would now consult with fellow eu leaders in the coming days to seek further assurances on the so—called backstop, the insurance policy which guarantees no checks on the border between northern ireland and the republic in the event of no trade agreement between the uk and the eu. the labour leader, jeremy corbyn, said it was time for mrs may to make way for the opposition, if she couldn't make the fu nadamental changes required to get her deal through parliament. in a further blow to the government,

the speaker of the commons said that delaying the vote, after days of debate, would be considered "deeply discourteous." and he suggested there should be a commons vote on whether the debate should be curtailed. and earlier today, in luxembourg, the european court ofjustice ruled that the uk could unilaterally revoke article 50, in effect, cancelling brexit, without the permission of the other 27 eu members. the prime minister said she would continue talks with eu leaders, after delaying the vote on her brexit deal, but insisted her deal did honour the result of referendum. i spoke to a number of eu leaders over the weekend.

in advance of the european council, i will go to see my counterparts in other member states, and the leadership of the council and the commission. i will discuss the clear concerns that this house has expressed. we are also looking closely at new ways of empowering the house of commons, to ensure that any provision for a backstop has a democratic legitimacy. and, to enable the house to place its own obligations on the government. to ensure that the backstop cannot be in place indefinitely. mr speaker, having spent the best part of two years poring over the detail of brexit, listening to the public‘s ambitions and their fears too. and, testing the limits of what the other side is prepared to accept. i am in absolutely no doubt that this deal is the right one. it honours the result of the referendum. it protects jobs, security, and our union. but, it also represents the very best deal that is actually negotiable with the eu.

in response, the labour leader jeremy corbyn said ministers had proved themselves to be "shambolic" and must now make way for another government. the government has lost control of events and is in complete disarray. it's been evident for weeks that the prime minister's deal did not have the confidence of this house. yet, she ploughed on regardless, reiterating — this is the only deal available. can she be clear with the house? is she seeking changes to the deal, or mere reassurances? does she accept the statement from the european commission saying that it was the only deal possible? they will not renegotiate, their position has not changed. ireland's taoiseach, leo varadkar, has said, it is not possible to renegotiate

the irish border backstop, stating that it was the prime minister's own red lines that made the backstop necessary. can the prime minister be clear? is she now ready to drop further red lines in order to make progress? the prime minister is trying to buy herself won the last the prime minister is trying to buy herself one last chance to save this deal. if she doesn't take on board the fundamental changes required, then, she must make way for those who can. the prime minister still taking questions, we will be back very shortly to catch up on what's going on there. on that comment front range, but of cabinet. one of them,

has kindly come toddlers. one of them, has kindly come toddlers. let's get reaction now from the international trade secretary, liam fox. what are people to make of the fact that the prime minister has been forced into this about time today? it's been clear for some time there is no majority in hulls ofjohns for any other solution other than the one the comet has been putting forward. while the agreement contains the irish protocol, a number of mps are unhappy. it seems clear that if we're to get an agreement to restore in an orderly way, the only way is to stick with the future agreement that the finest hats. it's the talk of a reassurances and changes, i don't need to tell you, my toddler collies don't want any mention of this backstop. they want it taken out altogether. they are not after reassurances. of all the guesswork or not? both sides are

agreed on one thing, that is we should not return to the hard border of insult between the republic of ireland and moral island, given the history of the problems there. both sides agree with that. it's a question of how we can guarantee that will happen. that's what the prime minister has taken away. she has said that she has integrity of the house of commons as having a clear view. if we don't get a little argument, it doesn't matter which model we look at. we would not be able to get any of them without the use, unless we get that withdrawal agreement. that agreement has to have some reassurance on the question of the irish border. it's not something we can get away from.

i'm wondering, can you cover is an example of the kind of extra reassurance that you think will bring lots of your colleagues on board? what my colleagues are worried about is the fact that they fear britain could be vaguely walk into a backstop against the country's will. they knew the arguments, the fact you can extend the ever mentation period. even the fa ct the ever mentation period. even the fact that a lot of european countries have said that they don't wa nt countries have said that they don't want it to the backstop because it doesn't fit with what they see as a proper exit from the eu. the question is, are there other ways? that is what the prime minister will be taking to the eu 27 and a very loving and transparent way. that was new to the question in a different way. do you think that there is a form of words, or indeed, changes to

what has already been agreed that is possible and enough to bring people on board? until now, there are dozens on board? until now, there are d oze ns of on board? until now, there are dozens of your colleagues who are simply not prepared to back this even simply not prepared to back this even with the reassurances that the prime minister has offered them? both sides will have to face up to the to find such an agreement. the first would be in the uk, we didn't leave the eu at all. i knew there's a majority of women is in the house of commons but with like that. we've —— majority of remainders. we didn't ask for a consultation, we asked for an instruction. i think that's an partially an acceptable democratic consequence. the other would—be to leave the eu was no argument at all. that would cause disruption, both in the uk and with our trading partners

in continental europe. but is not to everyone's advantage. i think it's very clear that we both love to see the same thing, in terms of no hard border. can we find another way which allows my colleagues and people like myself who have had doubts about the backstop to reassured? the taoiseach was very clear today. saying the withdrawal agreement has been settled, it can be reopened. it was to be reopened, everything would be reopened and the 27 other states would have a view on it. everything agreed would also be for consideration. it's about giving reassu ra nces of for consideration. it's about giving reassurances of the backstop in another way. are there other ways in which we can give the irish government and the eu that assurance that we couldn't return to a hard border. that is also what the people

in northern ireland want to see. there are collies of your saying that the authority of the prime minister is shot to pieces, what would you say to them?|j minister is shot to pieces, what would you say to them? i think it would you say to them? i think it would have been more damaged if the premise that had knowingly went event —— went to a report known. there is no majority in the house of commons for any of the other options. not another referendum, but for the efta. we've two understand the reality of where we're. politicians have to face up to the realities of the situation and understand we've to take decisions. if we do not get an agreement with withdrawal agreement, we would either betray the daughters of it have brexit with nadine. this is not something that happens every day at

westminster. if you were sitting on the opposition benches, you would be breaking hay and accusing the comment of being a complete shambles. what would you say to those critics? i would say that we here in the house of commons during the economic debate about labour's plan, which has some great customs union with a bit of the single market through an end. that would mean ditching the store have to accept the moment, would still be making contributions to the eu. we would not have the ability to make the trade agreements. labour does not understand that it's not workable but also not illegal under the european treaties. it is quite clear that the arrogant of comment, they are comical this will consider alternatives. you are still convinced that this deal is the one that offers the best right? that is still your conviction? the

withdrawal agreement, as we're able to do with the issue of the backstop, is that the only one that looks like it could command a majority in the house of commons. the thought that majority, we've two options. we either betray the voters over brexit, which is unthinkable democratically. or we leave the eu without a deal. people have too accept that is the reality in front of us. thanks like on the day that too is making to the house of commons to announce that the big brexit vote due tomorrow is being delayed. as she opened and knowledge, there is no majority as it currently stands that she has particular with the eu. let's cross live to the central lobby at westminster and to our chief political correspondent vicki young. just nothing there to reinforce,...

0h, just nothing there to reinforce,... oh, wait, this is a remarkable about time for any government at the end of it or process on such a critical error of policy? on the unpredictable has become something that we're getting used to. if you ta ke that we're getting used to. if you take a step back, the ideal that a prime minister has to come to the house of commons and admit that she could not get her main legislation, the thing that she's been working on for 18 months, online issue which is one of the most important to face this country in many decades is a pretty stunning admission. notjust admit that she would be defeated but so badly that she couldn't risk bringing it to the house. partly, that's about her own personal survival. i don't think downing street wa nted survival. i don't think downing street wanted her to risk coming here and losing by possibly hundreds. some would argue they are

still not in control of what is going to happen. she is promising to seek clarifications, reassurances. i'm just not sure that will be enough for parties like the dup, for example. it is clear from the westminster leader that they want more than that. something more vocally watertight and the end of the backstop completely. talking to mps today, they don't feeljust some clarification will be in. there are lots of mutterings about those letters, this triggering of a confidence vote in theresa may. they've dipped to a8, we've heard of before. some real anger here at how this is handled. talk of more mps called for her to go. were not there yet and there is one man that knows how many letters have been put in. about the issue of timing, the prime

minister has words with fellow leaders. maybe the but the form of words. at what point does the premise that come back to the house of commons? that is a question that we've been asking all afternoon. that is my answer to that. we expect the premise that will result in pretty soon, going to visit other european leaders. possibly ahead of that european council at the end of the week. it depends on what they say to her. last week, a whitehall source suggested not of this needed to be done before christmas. it could go into january. that isn't illegal date any more, the house of commons has confirmed that. we're really in a bit of a limbo. all downing street said this afternoon said was that the time she brings this meaningful but that does depend

on the reassurances that the house of commons wants. there was an interesting episode in the events well the speaker intervened? to make clear, i suppose, well the speaker intervened? to make clear, isuppose, it well the speaker intervened? to make clear, i suppose, it his disquiet if not displeasure with the way but things have gone to date. the fact that the government has made this an osmond about getting rid of this vote. he wanted to specify a possible course of action. tell us about that? this is procedure about how government can believe the state. given that little plan was for five days of debate, we've had three of those days. the plan was to have bad meaningful vote tomorrow evening. the comment does not want to go through the bite it is not a lwa ys to go through the bite it is not always that simple. the speaker today, getting optimistic we'll clear that he is not happy about the decision by becoming to do that. although the government '5 vision to

debate this vote has been right to the media in advance. ifelt debate this vote has been right to the media in advance. i felt it appropriate to hear what is proposed before advising the house. halting the debate after no fewer than 164 colleagues have ta ken the debate after no fewer than 164 colleagues have taken the trouble to contribute will be thought by many members of this house to be deeply discourteous. indeed, in the ahwaz since news of this intention image, many colleagues from across the house have registered that you to me in the most forceful terms. so, there are two ways in which this vote can be delayed. one is to have a vote in the house of commons. the other is for the government teat unilaterally debate. that is what is

going to happen. there is no prospect of a bid to delay the vote, partly because the common couldn't be entirely sure it would win that either. in a few minutes, i will be joined byjill rutter. this project back to the house of commons to see what is going on. two reviews a new deep and special relationship on defence, security and intelligence matters mentioned in the draft withdrawal agreement effect our special dealings with our five nations, especially the us. i'm very happy to give that absolute assurance. surely, the premise that

realises that this house must be given a reasonable period of time in which to reflect on the vote and ta ke which to reflect on the vote and take its decision? the new year is too late, 7th of january is just 1a days before the all—important deadline. surely, the vote must come before this house before the end of next week? as i said earlier, we will be working hard in relation to negotiations. i'm sure honourable members of this house will want to make sure that we're putting our case in the most forceful way. on friday, in my constituency, the owner of a haulage operator we whole—body queue was about the possibility of no deal and how it will affect his business. that's my bike honourable friend agree that we must honour the referendum result,

but also, the importance of peoples and livelihoods? i think it is very important, that we deliver on the result of the referendum but also to do that in a way that enables 's to be ina do that in a way that enables 's to be in a smooth and orderly way. and to protect the jobs that depend on the trading relationship with the eu. i've been reflecting on the fact that the referendum that i took part in atan18 that the referendum that i took part in at an 18 year in 1970 men about 1979, if the eu had been subject to the same routes, we would not be leaving now. the difficulty of resolving the irish border is not the fault of europe, it's the fault of the red lines that she set out from the start. if the premise that

will not accept that is either the red lines ago, shortly— the prime minister to go? what this comment has been negotiating is a good relationship in trading terms in relationship in trading terms in relation to the border and english and to not being a member of the customs union, and the single market. i believe that's what we should be doing for the people of this country. i agree with my right honourable friend, the premise that, when she sees new deal would be bad for the uk. it would also be bad for the eu. with that in mind, with my right honourable friend agree with me about the eu, as they and their diplomats watch this debate, need to really decide whether they want a deal or not? because, without changes to the backstop, a deal will not pass this house. i believe from

my discussions with the european leaders that they do indeed want a deal. he is absolutely right, it is about recognising the concerns that remain in relation to the backstop but this house will accept. can i remind the prime minister that assurances will not deliver the people of modern ireland but that northern ireland. russia it might watch in order to get the deal... that northern ireland was majorly sacrificial lamb to placate the eu? what has happened throughout these negotiations is that this government has been very aware of their responsibilities we've to the people of northern ireland. it is that responsibility that we want to make sure that in the circumstances in

the little agreement, we will ensure that they will be no hot water between northern ireland and the republic of ireland. —— no hot water. my looters are sick to the back teeth by being towed by people who was the referendum. we're told that the research, a bit stupid, now we're being told that we didn't know what we were looking for. what is going on in this place is a stitch up going on in this place is a stitch up by going on in this place is a stitch up by people have said they accept the results of the referendum who are using every single chick in a book to divide people what they voted for. —— every single trick in the book. our coverage of the house of commons

will continue on bbc parliament. the prime minister is still taking questions. we live in westminster for this coverage today. welcome back to westminster where we're joined by viewers from around the world, as the prime minister theresa may tells mps she's cancelling the vote scheduled for tomorrow on the brexit deal she negotiated with the eu. mrs may told the commons, that while there was broad support for key aspects of the agreement. she recognised the deal would be rejected, at present, by a "significant margin." it's been a day of chaos and confusion at westminster. i'd like to bring in one of my special guest today. tell us the significance of today's?

the commons scheduled this five—day debate, towed as it is critical to their timetable. for actually getting ready to pass legislation so that we can be prepared to leave the eu on the 29th of march next year. the vertical, in the middle of debate, and say— i done the counting, i can't get is true, i'm bitter corporate. —— i'm going to call this off. where does it leave this process? people looking for the next potential steps, it's been very complex with several layers to it. what are the next steps? the brussels will begin off to brussels. she will talk to you eu leaders to

say, what can you give me that i can bring back? the results of the potential political fallout. we've seen the speaker criticising the comment for being discourteous. the premise to may see some action in the house. it could further destabilise the leadership. her focus will be, can she get anything more out of the people in brussels? any reassurances? watch the people and our party proved they don't like is some sort of unilateral exit mechanism. that the uk born to be cut in the backstop. the eu has made it clear all along, this is an insurer ‘s policy. an insurance policy in which one side can exit is not a very good one. on that point, all this talk of seeking extra reassu ra nces all this talk of seeking extra reassurances and qualifying what has already been read, what of the mps

get up today and saying it's not about reassurances. it's about ditching parts of the agreement, especially the modern ireland backstop. can this be reopened? one of the things that welfare board of the last two years are about the uk's red light. the eu has been clear all along that protecting the status of ireland, the premise that was very clear about this, but protecting and avoiding that hot water is their red line. she may face them down and they may be even more body but the prospect of what they do means. so far, they've been absolutely behind the irish and been very clear that if you don't agree to the backstop, that is no deal on the table. if the eu come on that,

it would ruin her credibility in another direction. she has been telling everybody that there is no deal available on that backstop. when would you expect the prime minister to want to come back to the commons with some kind of different form of words of reassurance? would be before or after christmas? i think she got something game changing out of the eu, she may try to write that momentum. she may be calculating, her real interest in playing it longer, we will see more business. were expecting more from the comment on that. the other figures, cabinet will be looking at the no deal preparations. we've seen still in taking a bit of a head today. it may be thinking that the premise that may lead people to do a bit over christmas and men say, do you really want to leave the eu

without a deal? do think there are other options? tubular want to try other options? tubular want to try other options? tubular want to try other options? or to go back to the table and that i deal? may be twea ked table and that i deal? may be tweaked with a few side letters about even better endeavours. she may be calculating that play long as our best option. you're the expert on hold, it works. let's have your unvarnished account of what you think the workings of the lead going through right now. would this be one of those cases of a shambles or not? i think people will be studying less. i think it will be the subject of key studies in government decision—making. one files in political science dissertations will be written about this. i was very clever people were running about like hitler's chickens. one moment, the basic secretary syphilis 100% no

chance of delay. then you start hearing the rumours,. i don't think it's a good today. the ultimate question is, can they get to the point at the end where people make thejudgment? point at the end where people make the judgment? what i'd like to do now is talk to one of the important stakeholders in this parliamentary process , stakeholders in this parliamentary process, the dup, the party for northern ireland, and talk to sammy wilson, their brexit spokesperson. what do you make of today? last week we thought you couldn't get more of a shambles than we had over the legal advice not being given and then having to be given but then today we stripped to a new low —— stooped! the vote is not going to

happen and the odd thing is it's not going to happen because the private says she wants to go back to the eu to negotiate a deal which she then co nsta ntly to negotiate a deal which she then constantly repeated in the house today was the best deal so she herself is hardly going to make a very convincing case to the eu and i don't think they're going to listen to either when she comes and says i think this is the best deal but i wa nt think this is the best deal but i want changes to it. one of the reasons is not going to happen is because people like you have persistently said he would not support it. we want and have other party won't support it and all of the opposition want supported —— half of our party would support it. because it is a bad dealfor the united kingdom —— half of our party will not support it. it would keep united kingdom tied in a customs arrangement with the eu and tighter eu regulations when we were supposedly leaving the eu to have freedom —— tied to eu regulations. we would be making deals across the

world and making our own laws. this hand over 13 billion and gets nothing in return except vague promises in a political statement. this is a deal which potentially could leave northern ireland separate from the rest of the united kingdom, part of a customs union, pa rt kingdom, part of a customs union, part of the single market for the irish sea cutting us off from main market. the rest of the house of commons will not supported. you're basically saying the private is wasting her time to get some reassu ra nces wasting her time to get some reassurances about what she's got because you want something far more fundamental to happen —— the private is wasting her time. promises mean nothing when set against a legally binding assurance. you're getting them from people who may not even be about the eu after may of next year when the european elections take place. secondly you're getting those reassu ra nces place. secondly you're getting those reassurances which would apply to a

government of the united kingdom in the future, we do not know who that government will be, who will be heading that government on what the priorities of that government will be either. what value are those reassu ra nces be either. what value are those reassurances against something which is legally binding regardless of which government is in power? would you expect a prime minister to come back before the new year with something to consider?” back before the new year with something to consider? i haven't a clue and she doesn't seem to have a clue and she doesn't seem to have a clue either. she taught today about the 21st of january —— she topped, whether they would be no deal or not, so that seems to be her timescale but if the statements of the eu negotiators and the irish government and anything to go by today, she's going to come back empty—handed. if there was have a lot of confidence in the government, how would you vote? our main focus is to get this deal

defeated. if the government persists and it was to go through the house of commons and implemented, then we would not be supporting this government any more because we will not connive with the destruction of the union and the damage to our own economy. if this deal is voted down, then of course, and the government is not implementing and damaging deal, arrangements will stay in place. are you still happy to be considered as the government's parliamentary partners? we have shown all along that we have been the government's parliamentary partners. i don't know if the government is now going to dispense with us as their partners because they have now broken one of the biggest commitments that they made in this deal to the people of northern ireland, that they would not put the union in jeopardy and would not damage our economy, both of which they have done. thanks for

joining us, sammy wilson. brexit spokesperson for northern ireland speaking to us there. let's get reaction from brussels now and cross to our correspondent there, gavin lee. we started earlier today with the european court of justice we started earlier today with the european court ofjustice delivering an opinion which many people thought was overtly political in itself. tell us about that. the european court ofjustice ruled in luxembourg today that for those who were seeking that if britain decides unilaterally to change its mind on brexit and stop the brexit deal, thenit brexit and stop the brexit deal, then it doesn't have to seek permission from the rest of europe and this was fought by the scottish parliament, mps, meps. they say this means to the public that anybody listening, we can go back, the uk can go back to how it was, getting the rebate, still not part of the schengen agreement, not part of the

euro, but i spoke tojeremy hunt early who is here with other foreign ministers in brussels and he said it doesn't matter at all, this vote, and he voted domain, he said if this went against those who had voted for brexit, the 17.a million people, it goes against the whole thing so this should be seen completely separate but of course it adds to that general debate but if it comes to further complicate matters and theresa may mentioned today another warning about the prospect of a second referendum, clearly that hasn't gone away and briefly to update you elsewhere in brussels, we have leaders right now, some have been told the leaves of the greencastle, donald tusk and his tea m greencastle, donald tusk and his team watching the bbc right now —— leader of the european council donald tusk. we will get a statement from eu leaders within the next hour after theresa may has finished with this prospect of what she calls

clarification, the assurances from the european union on the backstop. my the european union on the backstop. my understanding so far is the european leaders might discuss the idea of reassurances but as for renegotiation, so far they're saying thatis renegotiation, so far they're saying that is out of the question. thank you, gavin. the latest arts in brussels, as gavin was saying, right at the heart of the matter, will there be some reassurances around this northern ireland backstop which will go far enough to satisfy laws of the conservative mps and indeed the ulster unionist party too? the signs are so far, talking to sammy wilson and others, they want something much more than that but thatis something much more than that but that is really the core of the debates today. the debate has been going on for over two hours. the prime mac has been on herfeet going on for over two hours. the prime mac has been on her feet for two hours, taking questions, cancelling the vote tomorrow, a big turnaround for this government. let's bring you a flavour now of some of the exchanges in the commons this afternoon from right across the

political spectrum. frankly, what the prime minister says today simply isn't credible. this is an impossible position for the government to find itself in. the prime minister says she is listening but she talks about reassu ra nces listening but she talks about reassurances and assurances. does she not get it by now that the withdrawal agreement legally binding text is unacceptable to this house? she cannot pretend going on defending the deal when she knows that if the vote had been taken tomorrow it would have been overwhelmingly defeated so please, prime minister, start listening and come back with changes to the withdrawal agreement or it will be voted down. i say to the gentleman that the purpose of the announcement today that we will do further vote on return to this matter is precisely to be able to go and

discuss with other european leaders, with the council and the commission, the further reassurances required by this house in relation to the issue that members of this house are concerned about, notably, whether the backstop should ever be used, brought to an end, and that is exactly what we will be doing. catch each other house whether a single of the eu leaders that she spoke to over the weekend indicated that they we re over the weekend indicated that they were prepared to renegotiate article 20 of the backstop protocol? because in the absence of any such commitment, isn't cancelling tomorrow's vote merely postponing the inevitable? i say to the honourable gentleman that the issue that we were very clear on with the european union in relation to the northern ireland border was that there could not be a customs bordered on the idc. in february, their proposals whether that should happen —— border on the irish sea.

we enabled our uk wide customs protocol to be in the agreement. that was a key issue in relation to the border that we have set a something that was unacceptable to the united kingdom. we negotiated that out of the proposal. the issue of the backstop, which is critical to whatever my honourable friend conducts with the european union, does she not agree with me that now that she has essentially suspended the remaining part of this debate, it is incumbent on hard on the government to go forward boldly to the eu and remind them that no matter what arrangements would be in place, they would be no hard border on the border of ireland and so have the irish? so given that, which she now committed to going back to them to say, they need to reopen the withdrawal agreement and insert into the withdrawal agreement commitment to open borders and take out those

restrictions that would take away the power and control from this parliament to decide its future?” say to my honourable friend, two things, he is right that the european union have been clear about ensuring there is no hard border between ireland and northern ireland. the european union have also been clear as they are in the withdrawal agreement about the temporary nature of the backstop so i think he is right, we need to go boldly back to the european union on these issues. we have been vigorously and robust they —— vigorously and robust they —— vigorously and robust they —— vigorously and robustly agreeing on changes debt —— but it is now firmly and the government to go back to europe and make the point that those assurances have not been sufficient for members of this house. scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in

the eu but yet again our views are being ignored as they have been throughout this disastrous and incompetent brexit process. in 201a scotla nd incompetent brexit process. in 201a scotland was promised to strengthen security of the uk but the reality has been westminster collapsing in chaos. the responsibility of this government is to deliver on the result of the referendum and do so ina way result of the referendum and do so in a way that is good for the whole of the united kingdom and that is what this deal does. just a flavour of some of the exchanges in the house this afternoon. they are still going on. the prime minister is still taking questions. there have been dozens of mps waiting for the opportunity and a speaker did say at the start of the session that he would take every single question that was being presented so that is a long process. coming to the end of it now, but it has taken 2.25 hours. let's cross live to the central lobby at westminster and to our chief political correspondent vicki young.

the dup are very clear that honoured theissuance the dup are very clear that honoured the issuance —— that no reassurance would be good for them, they want the whole thing reopened. downing street saying everything is on the table but it doesn't sound from what the prime minister is saying and what people are saying behind the scenes that that is really an option because they keep talking about the downsizing of opening the withdrawal agreement and it's not clear that the eu would budge on this anyway so i think it is a major problem for the prime minister, i think she has bought herself more time today, but i'm not sure she's going to get enough to please those people and the dup or indeed some of her own backbenchers. some of the brexiteers on her own side and about to go off to their weekly meeting and some of them have been saying to me that they think the most likely thing is that this vote of confidence in her

leadership could be triggered if those a8 letters go in. i think the problem for them is that we have heard it all before and it didn't materialise. the question is whether people think, let's give her a couple more weeks whether they think this is the end and it's time to act and to move on and try to get a new person in who can maybe do something differently. talking to tory mps today, even those planning to back in this withdrawal agreement that thought really feel, one of them said to me, it's the end of days, so of course the prime minister's authority is very badly damaged by having to come to the house today and to admit not that she was going to lose the vote on the most important legislation she has brought forward but that she would have lasted pretty badly so this is obviously an extremely difficult day for her and the government and what eve ryo ne for her and the government and what everyone is wondering now is when that meaningful vote could possibly happen and lots of people are now pointing to beyond christmas two

it's not happening this side of christmas, maybe going into january, and of course leaving less and less time to get the legislation that is needed get through before the uk leads at the end of march. as you said, the option is therefore for conservative mps if they wanted to put those letters in and to challenge the prime minister and call for a vote of no—confidence in her leadership, to what extent do you think that desire is tempered by the fact that we are right at this crisis moment really in this process ? crisis moment really in this process? even if they don't like to plan the prime minister has, to challenge her at this point would seem to be an incredibly destructive move. and i think today the prime minister is saying to the house of commons effectively, look at the alternatives and as ever, that is what has helped her, that both those groups of people who were arguing with her deal are themselves divided so you've got the the main side of

the parliament —— remain, they won't normally type arrangement, staying in the european economic area. on the other side of the brexiteers who are saying no deal is perfectly fine, let's move towards that. something her deal works —— something to her deal works, so it is nowhere near enough people behind her deal to get into the house of commons so itjust feels as if we had in this limbo —— are in this limbo. she is going to see these other european leaders, try to get something from them and bring it back here, possibly after christmas and will put persuade enough people with the clock running out, try to persuade them to fall in beside her option because it's the only deal on the table. thank you, vicky. i think it's a good moment for us to take another look inside the house of

commons. it's not as busy as it was but the session is still certainly going on and there are still mps waiting to put their points to the prime minister. let's listen to what's going on. northern ireland will not be in a single market and the backstop is only intended to be temporary. the act of coming out of the customs union and all the other aspects of european union membership that people voted against and wanted to see us come out of is delivered ina to see us come out of is delivered in a future relationship we have with the eu. mr speaker, there are two small points from today's debate, i wonder if the prime ministercan debate, i wonder if the prime minister can clarify. the first is that in anticipation of speaking this afternoon, i gauged the opinion of my constituents in edinburgh west and as in the prime minister's statement that she has listen to

what the house said and is going back to review the backstop is an acknowledgement that people can change their minds so that being the case, why is the prime minister not prepared to lead the country say whether or not they have changed their mind and could she please clarify the point raised by my honourable friend from wellingborough about the mechanism she's going to use over this afternoon's debate ? studio: with me is the labour mp david lanni. thanks forjoining us. your take on what has going on? this is unprecedented, we've had three days of debate! to call a debate like this is unbelievable. to say that you're doing it so that you can go back and effectively get a piece of paper is not going to cut its because i still think she hasn't got the numbers to get this deal through parliament so the fear is that we're

laughing stock, that are negotiating hand is even weaker and this is very, very worrying. can you see a form of assurances that were significantly strengthen what is on offer —— would significantly strengthen what is on offer to bring people on board or is that not possible? i don't think it is possible? i don't think it is possible to bring the 80, 90 on board, which i think she needs. you will remember david cameron went back to europe to negotiate. eating back to europe to negotiate. eating back with a piece of paper that wasn't good enough and this will be very similar because it will not be legally binding —— he came back with a paper. other countries can reopen the negotiations that is the problem she is now in, she should her brother ‘s vote in parliament and we should have moved from there. what do you say to the people who say, you saw what happened in parliament today and for those wanting a clear, focused alternative from the opposition front bench, they didn't

get it. we have a 2.5 years with theresa may in the driving seat, let's see now if parliamentarians get the vote to say whether she can pull it and the speaker was pretty clear in the house that he wasn't happy and then of course there is still the possibility of a vote of no confidence so i don't think the story is completely rundown. should labour be pressing for a vote of no—confidence? labour be pressing for a vote of no-confidence? i think that's a fine judgment to make. at some point, that vote will come. my own view is that vote will come. my own view is that the wind is out of parliament and back with theresa may in europe. assuming parliament doesn't vote to say she can't do this and in that event we've probably got to wait untiljanuary and come back. but lots of people watching might think that actually did is a great force behind calls for this government to behind calls for this government to be challenged right now, right now before january. it is a sense of urgency behind that because of this political chaos today. what is your

answer? we can for support of no confidence but will it bring down the government? to bring down the government? to bring down the government you're asking conservative and dup mps to vote against their own government. maybe they will on the basis to dup can seem very happy. that may be a reason to vote, it's a judgment that jeremy corbyn along with labour and lib dems will have to make in the next few hours. what would you say to people who say, how can we be confident thatjeremy corbyn could negotiate a deal which is significantly different or better to the one that the prime minister has engineered herself? what is the prospect of that? my view is that there is no deal that can get through this parliament and that is because every combination of the deal has problems, problems on free movement, problems on frictionless

trade, problems on northern ireland on the border and for all of those reasons, everything in the last referendum hasn't panned out and theresa may's red lights haven't worked and because of that, my view is give it back to the people —— red lines. give it back to the people, whether they want her deal, no deal or to remain within europe. what is the path towards that? how do you get to that point? is that a majority in parliament for that? not today surely. i think things are moving, i think the odds of people's votes have gone up considerably over the last few days because of the chaos. i suspect now also because we are now going to be into next year, january, before parliament gets any say on this deal that the timetable of march 29 will also be extended further forward. i

of march 29 will also be extended furtherforward. i think of march 29 will also be extended further forward. i think people's vote has risen because it is looking like the politics in westminster and indeed between britain and europe are stuck and the only way out of thatis are stuck and the only way out of that is to ask the people to make a decisive decision that politicians fall into line behind. when we hear today the prime minister is saying about people's trust or lack of trust in politics and political protest, when really back of this episode in british politics, how damaging or otherwise will be seen as? very damaging, 61 years ago eden came back to parliament after suez and we read a very low end because of that. i think we had absolutely there once again —— we are there once again. he looked shambolic, not the britain people think they know,

i very weak position. david, thank you. you have been watching this programme from bbc news at westminster on the continuing brexit chaos and crisis. our coverage continues. and continuing coverage from westminster indeed on the bbc news channel. bbc news at six coming up news channel. bbc news at six coming up with sophie butler ‘s catch up with the weather. chilly today but we have had some sunshine. it has been a bright start to the week. we will have a battle between atlantic and european air and where they meet we get weather fronts. most of the weather activity is sitting out in the atlantic which means for ourselves, any rain is late and patchy and as high pressure builds in, it pushes towards scandinavia and will keep pushing weather fronts towards the west by far the meantime it is the chilly northerly breeze that has made it feel a little bit colder today. the

cloud is rolling in and you can see the difference in temperature profile through the night where we got the frost in northeast scotland and eastern extremities of england where we have clear skies but further west it is slightly milder, temperatures above freezing because we are pulling in more cloud and a southerly breeze and we moistening up southerly breeze and we moistening up the atmosphere. there could be followed in eastern areas where it will be chillierfirst followed in eastern areas where it will be chillier first thing tomorrow but where we will see the brightest weather once the fog clears. further west, that's thicker cloud, the weather front approaches later in the day. still chilly despite less winds than today. this evening and overnight, thickening cloud. further east, a little bit of rain and drizzle, probably no more than that for most of us and because of that, temperatures tomorrow and a

little higher. there will still be frost around, the course more moisture in the atmosphere so we could wake up on wednesday weather have been holes. it looks like it will be cloudy, the exceptions being sunnierfor northern will be cloudy, the exceptions being sunnier for northern ireland will be cloudy, the exceptions being sunnierfor northern ireland and east anglia where we start to see colder air once again. the atlantic areas to the west of us for most of the week but instead we proven this easterly wind which will keep things a little bit below temperature averages. it is lighter in the week potentially into the weekend that we see these weather fronts finally making inroads and then there could bea making inroads and then there could be a potential snow episode, particularly over the hills, but until then the high pressure keeps those weather fronts at bay and it keeps it largely cloudy, rather chilly with just drizzly rain. fairly quiet, benign weather as it stands at the moment. this is bbc world news — i'm christian fraser. our top story comes from here in westminster.

where theresa may has cancelled tomorrow's crucial vote on her brexit deal. this is why. a little redhead and held video tomorrow, the deal would be rejected bya tomorrow, the deal would be rejected by a significant margin. the uk opposition is not significant margin. impressed. we re were end in an extremely serious and unprecedented situation. the government has lost control as it is and is in complete disarray. the prime minister says she'll now take politicians' concerns to eu leaders ahead of a summit later this week. but this is the message from brussels.