Rishi Sunak wins key Brexit vote - but suffers humilating Tory rebellion
Rishi Sunak has won a key vote on his Brexit deal - but suffered an embarrassing Tory mutiny as ex-PM's Boris Johnson and Liz Truss rebelled.
The vote passed the Commons by 515 to 29 - a majority of 486 - in favour of the Stormont brake of the Windsor Framework.
In total 22 Tory MPs voted against the deal, including the ex-PMs, former party chairman Sir Jake Berry, and former Cabinet ministers Priti Patel and Simon Clarke.
No votes were recorded for over 40 Conservatives - suggesting a significant number of abstensions.
Hardline Brexiteer MPs had spearheaded a revolt against the Prime Minister's deal to ease trade between Britain and Northern Ireland.
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Just hours before the crucial vote on the agreement, the ex-Prime Ministers announced they would vote against the Stormont brake mechanism.
Mr Johnson said the plan was "unacceptable" and argued that his own law-flouting Northern Ireland Protocol Bill was the best way to proceed.
He claimed the proposals in the Windsor Framework could mean Northern Ireland remaining "captured by the EU legal order".
Ex-Home Secretary Priti Patel also said she would vote against, telling the Telegraph: "I will not be buying shares on the Government's smoke and mirrors on Windsor."
Boris Johnson voted against the PM's deal (PA)A group of hardline Brexiteer MPs - the European Research Group (ERG) - earlier said it was "strongly reccomending" its members oppose the deal.
The brake mechanism would allow a minority of MLAs in the Stormont Assembly to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland - a move that could see the UK Government veto their introduction.
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Earlier this week the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said it opposed the deal in a major blow to the PM plans.
There were also reports that Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker - a former chairman of the ERG - had been booted out of the Eurosceptic's WhatsApp group in a day of drama.
It came after the Tory minister said ex-PM Mr Johnson risked becoming a "pound shop Nigel Farage" by voting against an attempt to fix the Northern Ireland Protocol.
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Liberal Democrat Foriegn Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: "Another day and another Conservative party rebellion. We've all had enough of this chaos.
"Conservative MPs are like mutinous pirates who no longer care what their captain says. After today's latest debacle, it is time they abandoned ship and made way for serious politicians.
Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of internationalist campaign group Best for Britain said: “Thankfully, MPs have ignored the opportunistic braying of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss and advanced the Windsor Framework. This vote will be welcomed by businesses across the entire UK, who crave certainty and stability to navigate the post-Brexit trade landscape.
“It is essential that the Government continues to work prudently and flexibly alongside the EU to secure the best possible outcomes for the UK.”
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