Brexit: Changes to EU deal agreed

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Theresa May says she has secured “legally binding” changes to her Brexit deal, a day ahead of MPs voting on it.

But European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned if the deal was voted down there was “no third chance”.

They spoke at a joint press conference in Strasbourg after a late meeting.

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington announced the changes to the Commons shortly before, saying they would mean the EU “cannot try to trap the UK in the [Irish] backstop indefinitely”.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the prime minister’s negotiations had “failed” and the announcements did not contain “anything approaching the changes” she had promised Parliament.

Mrs May confirmed she would be opening the debate on Tuesday ahead of a so-called “meaningful vote” on her deal, which must be agreed by Parliament to come into force.

Last time her deal was put to Parliament in January, she suffered an historic loss as it was voted down by a margin of 230.

The PM also said her attorney general, Geoffrey Cox, would publish his legal advice on the changes to the deal before the vote.

Theresa May says she has secured “legally binding” changes to her Brexit deal, a day ahead of MPs voting on it.

But European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned if the deal was voted down there was “no third chance”.

They spoke at a joint press conference in Strasbourg after a late meeting.

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington announced the changes to the Commons shortly before, saying they would mean the EU “cannot try to trap the UK in the [Irish] backstop indefinitely”.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the prime minister’s negotiations had “failed” and the announcements did not contain “anything approaching the changes” she had promised Parliament.

Mrs May confirmed she would be opening the debate on Tuesday ahead of a so-called “meaningful vote” on her deal, which must be agreed by Parliament to come into force.

Last time her deal was put to Parliament in January, she suffered an historic loss as it was voted down by a margin of 230.

The PM also said her attorney general, Geoffrey Cox, would publish his legal advice on the changes to the deal before the vote.

The second is a “joint statement” adding to the political declaration – the statement in the deal about the UK and EU’s future relationship – to commit to replacing the backstop with alternative arrangements by December 2020.

Another document will also be put forward by the government, known as a “unilateral declaration”.

The PM said this would outline the UK’s position that there was nothing to prevent it from leaving the backstop arrangement if discussions on a future relationship with the EU break down and there is no prospect on an agreement.

Mrs May said: “MPs were clear that legal changes were needed to the backstop. Today we have secured legal changes.

“Now is the time to come together to back this improved Brexit deal and deliver on the instruction of the British people.”

But Labour leader Mr Corbyn urged MPs to vote against the deal when it returns to the Commons on Tuesday.

“Since her Brexit deal was so overwhelmingly rejected, the prime minister has recklessly run down the clock, failed to effectively negotiate with the EU and refused to find common ground for a deal Parliament could support,” he added.

“That’s why MPs must reject this deal tomorrow.”

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