Boris Johnson has partially climbed down on his controversial new Brexit bill in the face of a Tory rebellion.
Downing Street has offered a compromise to try and win over the dozens of Conservatives who either abstained or voted against the draft legislation that would override the withdrawal agreement – breaking international law.
The prime minister has promised to give MPs another vote before any of the powers are used, as long as they pass the Internal Market Bill when it is due to complete its Commons journey early next week.
A statement was released “following talks” between Number 10 and disgruntled backbenchers, agreeing that the amendment will provide a “clearer, more explicit democratic mandate for the use of these powers”.
But it came too late to stop the resignation of a justice minister, Lord Keen, who is the third government figure to quit over the issue – after the head of the government legal department and a special envoy.