Brexit latest: Theresa May faces further grilling from MPs as opponents step up pressure

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Jacob Jarvis29 November 2018
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Theresa May faces a further grilling on her Brexit deal today as opponents continue to pile the pressure on her controversial Brexit plan.

The Prime Minister was quizzed at PMQs on Wednesday and now must defend herself once again in front of the Commons Liaison Committee.

This panel is made up of a number of key MPs, who are the chairs of the 32 select committees.

Mrs May faces continuous hurdles in getting the House of Commons to pass her deal, which the European Union endorsed last weekend.

Theresa May faced PMQs on Wednesday and will be quizzed once again on Thursday
AFP/Getty Images

It has been confirmed by the Government that MPs will debate the proposals eight hours a day for five days ahead of the crucial December 11 vote, while Labour has also made its strongest stance yet against the documents.

The main opposition party is tabling an amendment opposing the deal ahead of the Commons showdown, ​as its leader Jeremy Corbyn said his group could not back Mrs May's plan.

He claimed it failed to ensure participation in a "strong" single market and customs union, as Labour signalled a new referendum would be inevitable if Mrs May's plans are voted down.

Jeremy Corbyn and Labour have been highly critical of the deal
Getty Images

MPs will be permitted to vote on six amendments to the Government motion backing the deal during the Commons showdown.

This all comes as major warning signs have been touted over the risks of a no-deal Brexit, which the EU and Mrs May have indicated is likely if the UK does not back the documents that have been endorsed.

There are also to be further predictions on Thursday when the Commons Treasury Committee publishes the Financial Conduct Authority's analysis of the withdrawal plans.

The House of Commons will vote on the Brexit proposals on December 11 
PA

Security Minister Ben Wallace is set to lay out ominous predictions for security risks if Britain did crash out with no provisions.

He will say on Thursday that leaving without an agreement would have a "real impact" on authorities' ability to protect the public.

The Bank of England also warned on Wednesday of a major drop in value for the pound and a shrinking economy if there were no deal.

Bank of England governor Mark Carney speaking at the press conference on Wednesday
Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images

However, prominent Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg hit out at this as being part of a "project hysteria".

But arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees Mogg was dismissive of all the claims, telling the Daily Telegraph: "This is Project Hysteria.

"Before the referendum we were threatened with a plague of frogs.

"Now they warn of the death of the first born.

"The Bank of England has gone from being discredited to being hysterical."

Jacob Rees-Mogg blasted the Bank of England's predictions
Bloomberg via Getty Images

Pro-European Tories have also been criticising the deal and plans, with Jo Johnson urging party colleagues to vote down Mrs May's deal.

The ex-minister, brother of leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson, is using a speech on Thursday to say that if the Conservatives do not change course they face a bigger electoral defeat than 1997.

He is set to say: "This is the worst of all worlds.

"There is a natural opportunity, now that the deal is agreed, for us to check that the country wants us to proceed on this basis."

As Mrs May continues to try and rally some public support in the face of ever increasing backlash from inside the Commons, there has been a welcome boost with Andrea Leadsom publicly backing her plans.

Cabinet minister Mrs Leadsom stepped out in support of the Prime Minister’s plans and said it had been a “challenging journey” but Mrs May’s plan was the only deal on the table, the Daily Mail reported.

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