A group of Tory MPs has defied Theresa May by opposing her controversial plan to give MPs the chance to vote to extend the Brexit process.

In a series of Commons votes, an amendment tabled by Labour’s Yvette Cooper, which underscored the Prime Minister’s promise, saw 20 members of the anti-EU European Research Group vote against it while only 204 Tories of the party's 313 MPs, eligible to vote, gave it their support.  

Labour’s own plan for a permanent customs union with the EU was again defeated by 323 votes to 240, a majority of 83.

While Labour MPs called for the party leadership to now swing “wholeheartedly” behind a People’s Vote, Jeremy Corbyn said he would continue to push for a version of his Brexit plan despite the significant rejection by MPs.

Meanwhile, David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, stressed the Commons had "endorsed the PM's approach" to have a series of votes next month and he stressed the best way to "avoid a no-deal outcome" was to vote for Mrs May's deal in the next meaningful parliamentary vote.