Labour push to end Brexit delay

He said he wanted to stop her “cynical” and “reckless” plan to run down the clock before March 29 then present MPs with a stark last-minute choice between her deal and no-deal.

There is a suspicion Mrs May wants to wait until after a summit of EU leaders on March 21.

Labour’s move prompted Number 10 to offer MPs another vote on Brexit options by the end of the month, but only a non-binding one.

Business leaders attacked the uncertainty and said it was making no-deal more likely. CBI boss Carolyn Fairbairn said the UK was now in the Brexit “emergency zone”.

Labour MPs Pete Kyle and Phil Wilson proposed a new way out of the impasse: support for Mrs May’s deal in return for a referendum on it. If the deal was rejected, the UK would stay in the EU on current terms.

The idea, which avoids a no deal, is backed by Tory Remainers Sarah Wollaston, Dominic Grieve and Anna Soubry. It is intended to unite Remainers and Leavers, although the latter remain intensely suspicious of another referendum.

The police officer leading on Brexit also warned no-deal would make the UK less safe.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin said the inability to check the names of suspected criminals on EU databases as fast meant a “real risk” of people absconding.

“Every fall-back we have is more bureaucratic, it is slower,” he saidMrs May is due to update MPs on Wednesday on the progress of talks with Brussels about making changes to the Irish backstop part of her Withdrawal Agreement.

With EU leaders refusing to reopen the deal, she is expected to say more time is needed for negotiations, and table a “neutral motion” the following day, which Labour wants to amend to force a meaningful vote on February 26.

Accusing the PM of “pretending to make progress” in order to bounce MPs into backing her deal over no-deal, Sir Keir told the Sunday Times: “We have got to put a hard stop into this running down the clock.”

He said: “There needs to be a day when Parliament says that’s it, enough is enough.”

He also called Mrs May’s approach reckless and blinkered, and blamed her “tunnel vision” for her losing the first meaningful vote on her deal last month by a record 230 votes

“It’s this blinkered approach that’s got us to where we are, with her never wanting to see where the real majority is in Parliament,” he said.

In response, the government promised another opportunity to table amendments on February 27, but failed to commit to a binding vote on the deal itself by the end of the month.

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said: “That gives that sense of timetable, clarity and purpose on what we are doing with the EU - taking work forward and our determination to get a deal - but equally knowing that role that Parliament very firmly has.”

LibDem leader Sir Vince Cable said delaying the final vote on the Brexit deal was “worse than irresponsible” and said Mrs May “faces a massive rebellion by Conservative MPs”.

Tory MP Heidi Allen said it was “completely irresponsible to keep delaying” and urged ministers to “step up this week” and end the risk of a No Deal Brexit.

Mrs May also played for more time in her reply to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s proposal for a soft Brexit compromise.

She said she was “not clear” about his call for a customs union, but wanted more talks; she rejected his plan for the UK automatically following EU rules on workers’ rights and environmental protection, and said Parliament should decide what to follow instead.

It came as Tory activists warned Mrs May she would suffer heavy Tory losses in May’s local elections south of the border if she committed the “unforgivable betrayal” of a customs union.

Labour’s internal problems were highlighted by deputy leader Tom Watson, who admitted he was worried about a breakaway party.

He also confirmed Labour was investigating the Liverpool Wavertree branch over the “bullying” of Jewish MP Luciana Berger, a frequent victim of anti-Semitic abuse.

Local pro-Corbyn activists, including one who called Ms Berger a “disruptive Zionist”, had tabled no confidence motions in the MP, before withdrawing them last Friday. Mr Watson had called for the branch to be suspended, but Labour general secretary Jennie Formby refused, saying there was no constitutional basis for doing so. Former PM Tony Blair said Labour had not been “robust” enough” in tackling anti-Semitism, and said what has happening to Ms Berger was “shameful for the Labour Party”.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford urged Scots Labour MPs to oppose any Brexit deal, calling Mr Corbyn’s compromise a “devastating blow” to communities.

He said: “It is alarming that, despite the overwhelming damage that the Prime Minister’s deal will cause to Scotland, the Labour Leader would seek to support the deal. Scotland did not vote for Brexit and our nation must not be dragged out of the EU against our will.

“I call on Scottish Labour MPs to reject the Prime Minister’s deal, support the SNP’s calls for an extension to Article 50 and back a second referendum on EU membership.”

In her reply, Shadow Scottish Secretary Lesley Laird accused Mr Blackford of “outright fabrication and political opportunism”.

She said: “Our proposals provide a constructive way out of this mess. It beggars belief that you would prefer to indulge in brazen political posturing, aiming your fire at Labour as a constructive opposition, rather than the shambolic Tories.

“It is hypocritical of you to express concerns about the economic challenges from Brexit while at the same time agitating for independence for Scotland. I believe that it is incumbent on all of us to ensure that we do not fan the flames of division but instead genuinely attempt to unite the country.”