MEPs back votes on Brexit alternatives by 329 votes to 302

MPs voted to take control of House of Commons affairs in an unprecedented move to try to find a majority for any Brexit option.

The government was defeated by 329 votes to 302, on a multi-party amendment, a majority of 27.

Thirty Conservative MPs voted against the government, including three ministers – Richard Harrington, Alistair Burt and Steve Brine.

The three have now left their junior ministerial positions.

• LIVE: MEPs take control of the Brexit process

Theresa May had tried to avoid a defeat by offering MPs a series of votes on Brexit alternatives, organized by the government.

According to her, allowing MPs to take over the House of Commons agenda would have created an "unwelcome precedent".

But supporters of the amendment, tabled by Conservative MP Sir Oliver Letwin, said they did not believe the government would give MPs a say on all Brexit options.

The so-called indicative votes are due on Wednesday.

MEPs will be able to vote on a series of options – likely to include a "softer Brexit" and another referendum – to test Parliament's willingness to see what, if any, mandates a majority.

The Prime Minister stated that she was "skeptical" about the process and that she would not urge the government to abide by the decisions of the deputies.

Lady Margaret Beckett of the Labor Party has just defeated the government to give MPs the right to seek a further extension of Brexit if an agreement was not approved by April 5. The amendment of Dame Margaret was rejected by 314 votes to 311, a majority of three.