Brexit latest: Theresa May faces threat of fresh rebellion as key Commons vote looms

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Theresa May is facing the prospect of a Valentine’s Day revolt from hardline Tory MPs in a key Brexit vote.

Eurosceptic Conservatives are threatening to oppose a Government motion, which critics say effectively means the Prime Minister is abandoning a no-deal exit option.

The prime minister has put forward a new motion which asks the House to reiterate its support for the approach agreed on January 29, when the Commons backed an amendment authorising Mrs May to go back to Brussels to negotiate the controversial Irish backstop.

Here's the official wording of the motion: "That this House welcomes the prime minister’s statement of 12 February 2019; reiterates its support for the approach to leaving the EU expressed by this House on 29 January 2019 and notes that discussions between the UK and the EU on the Northern Ireland backstop are ongoing."

The House backed an amendment to prevent a no-deal Brexit on January 29 and this has angered Tories from the European Research Group because they believe that the wording of today's motion effectively rules out a no-deal.

The latest showdown comes as European Council president Donald Tusk expressed frustration at a lack of progress in London.

He tweeted: "No news is not always good news. EU27 still waiting for concrete, realistic proposals from London on how to break £Brexit impasse."

Donald Tusk: we're still waiting 
AFP/Getty Images

And Dutch PM Mark Rutte told the Financial Times the Netherlands is already benefiting from businesses relocating from a "diminished" Britain.

In a bid to keep lines open with EU leaders, Mrs May spoke with French president Emmanuel Macron and Romanian president Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday evening.

Under pressure: Theresa May
AFP/Getty Images

But she faces an immediate threat in the Commons as Tory Brexiteers expressed concern over the Government motion.

Many back the fact it reiterates support for the direction agreed on January 29, when MPs supported an amendment authorising Mrs May to return to Brussels to renegotiate the controversial Irish backstop.

But members of the backbench European Research Group (ERG) say that it effectively endorses another amendment approved by MPs that day, which rules out no-deal but is not binding on the Government.

Though Mrs May is expected to be able to weather a defeat on the Government motion, such an outcome would be embarrassing as she seeks to get the EU to agree to changes regarding withdrawal proposals.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn is facing up to 10 resignations from Labour's top team if he fails to push the case for a new Brexit referendum, according to the Guardian.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell insisted that the option of a new Brexit poll remains on the table as he admitted that Labour's preferred scenario of a snap general election is looking unlikely.

Labour has tabled an amendment to the Government motion requiring Mrs May to either put her deal to a Commons vote by February 27 or allow Parliament to take control of the process.

The Labour leadership is also set to back a proposal from backbencher Yvette Cooper, expected to be debated on February 27, which would require a vote by the middle of March on delaying Brexit.

Commons Speaker John Bercow will choose which amendments will be selected for a vote on Thursday.

Leading pro-Europe Tory Kenneth Clarke has tabled an amendment calling for MPs to be able to rank Brexit options in order of preference on a ballot paper under the alternative vote system.

An amendment from Labour MP Roger Godsiff calls for an extension of the Brexit negotiation period to allow for a second referendum.

A cross-party initiative supported by Tory Anna Soubry and Labour's Chuka Umunna tells the Government to publish its most recent official briefing on the implications of a no-deal Brexit for business and trade.

And the SNP has tabled a motion requiring the UK Government to begin immediate negotiations with the European Council to extend Article 50 by no less than three months.

The Government suffered a heavy defeat in the Lords on Wednesday night as peers demanded a "meaningful vote" on the PM's Brexit deal before the end of the month.

The opposition motion, backed by 155 votes to 69, majority 86, also called on Mrs May to rule out a no-deal split with Brussels.

Additional reporting by PA

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