Theresa May in secret talks with Labour MPs to save Brexit from pro-EU rebels
A source said that the Labour MPs involved in the hush talks were 'staying true to the manifesto they were elected on'
THERESA May is engaged in secret talks with Labour MPs ahead of crunch Brexit votes, we can reveal.
The Prime Minister hosted an extraordinary meeting with the Leave supporters as she faced a showdown with her own pro-EU rebels.
The behind-closed-doors meeting took place in Parliament as she attempted to thwart a defeat in the Commons.
At least three senior Labour MPs are understood to have met her on Monday.
A meeting was called ahead of MPs voting on whether to give Parliament a meaningful vote on the deal she strikes with the European Union.
A Whitehall source said: “The Labour MPs are simply staying true to their principles and staying true to the Labour manifesto they were elected on.
“Seventy per cent of Labour constituencies voted Leave and they want to see the result of the referendum honoured.”
The PM was forced to offer a compromise of more talks with pro-EU rebels to avoid a defeat on a Lords amendment on the final deal on Tuesday.
But Tory MP Stephen Hammond indicated the process was “hijacked” by Brexiteers in government after the PM refused to give in to the group’s demands to send the PM back to Brussels or delay Brexit in the case of no deal.
The PM did allow a vote in February next year but it will be unamendable leaving pro-EU Tories unable to postpone or cancel our EU departure.
Lords will vote on the Brexit legislation on Monday before it returns to the Commons on Wednesday.
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