In a defeat for Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government, the Letwin amendment has been passed by the House of Commons, meaning the so-called Surrender Bill has been strengthened.

Laid down by former Conservative Cabinet minister Sir Oliver Letwin, the amendment was designed to close a potential loophole in the Benn Act, the piece of legislation dubbed the Surrender Bill by Brexiteers, which was designed to prevent the UK leaving the European Union without a deal.

Because of the conditions of the Benn Act, Johnson will now have to request a three-month delay to Brexit from the EU by the end of Saturday. 

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Despite the act, Remain MPs had fears that a no-deal Brexit was still a possibility, as passing Johnson’s deal does not guarantee that the UK leaves the EU with a deal on October 31. 

The amendment means that any support Johnson’s deal gets in a vote in parliament will be withheld until legislation to implement the deal has been passed by the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

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On Saturday morning reports suggested that Johnson would pull a vote on his deal if MPs voted in favor of the Letwin amendment.

The government had been expected to bring forward the legislation on Monday.

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Source: RT