THERESA MAY was hit by a thumping Tory Eurosceptic rebellion last night as a staggering 177 Tory MPs failed to support a June 30 extension.
Some 97 Tories voted against the motion to seek a delay in a move forced on the Government by Labour’s Yvette Cooper.
AP:Associated Press
And a further 80 abstained including Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom, Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox – despite being ‘whipped’ by party chiefs to support it.
Sources claimed party chiefs had “turned a blind eye” to those sitting out the vote. And dozens are thought to be away from Westminster on holiday despite Easter recess being cancelled.
But it meant just 131 Tories actually backed the PM’s formal request.
The vote was effectively symbolic given the PM had already asked Brussels for the request – but it consolidates it in law to try and prevent a No Deal.
‘MICROWAVE MEALS’
A ‘loyalist’ Minister claimed the rebellion showed how the party was “fracturing”.
Brexit-backing Tory Michael Fabricant stormed: “So the Government win their EU extension to June 30, but only with the help of Labour votes. It’s getting desperate.”
Earlier arch Eurosceptic Andrew Bridgen compared the party’s decline under Theresa May to a Michelin-starred restaurants that had resorted to serving microwave meals.
“We’re a chicken ding Parliament with a chicken ding Prime Minister.”
And fellow Brexiteer Mark Francois vowed the Eurosceptic wing would cause havoc for the EU if it held Britain in the bloc “against our will”.
Speaking in London he said: “If you now try to hold on to us against our will you will be facing Perfidious Albion on speed.”
Getty Images – Getty
