UK: May and Corybn clash at PMQs following passage of Brady amendment

UK Prime Minister Theresa May faced heavy criticism from Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the House of Commons on Wednesday, as he sought details as to the consequences of the Brady amendment's passage.

Corbyn asked May for assurances that "if she is unable to secure any legal changes to the backstop then she would work to find a solution based on a comprehensive customs union, a strong single market deal," rather than accepting a no deal scenario but May declined to do so.

The prime minister instead claimed that the real risk of a no deal scenario was Corbyn, stating that "he has opposed every move by this government, he's the one risking no deal."

She also accused Corbyn of having "no plan for Brexit, no good plan for our economy and no plan for our country."

May claimed that with the passage of the Brady amendment on Tuesday, which commits the government to returning to the EU to seek 'alternative arrangements' to the Irish backstop, the Commons had done what the "European Union has consistently asked this House to do since it rejected the withdrawal agreement which was to say what it was that the UK wanted to see change."

However within ten minutes of the Brady amendment being passed, a European Council spokesperson reiterated that the backstop was a part of the withdrawal agreement and not up for renegotiation. This sentiment was repeated on Wednesday by senior EU figures.