British MPs narrowly vote against no-deal Brexit

British MPs have voted against the UK leaving the European Union without a deal by a narrow margin of just four votes. 

The motion was rejected with 312 votes in favour and 308 against, however the decision is not legally binding and does not mean that the UK can’t leave the Union without a deal.

With Britain expected to leave the EU on 29 March, today’s vote is expected to result in an extension being sought.

Addressing parliament, Prime Minister Theresa May insisted that voting against leaving without a deal and for an extension would do nothing to solve the country’s problems.

“The EU will want to know what use we mean to make of such an extension,” she said, adding that parliament will need to answer that question.

She questioned whether this would mean the revocation of Article 50, holding a second referendum or hold out for a different deal.

The government has tabled its own motion on rejecting a no-deal Brexit on 29 March - but MPs have now voted to reject no-deal under any circumstances.

MPs voted by 374 to 164 to reject a plan to delay the UK's departure from the EU until 22 May, 2019 so that there can be a "managed no-deal" Brexit.

The amendment was proposed by May's former second-in-command, Damian Green, and was backed by both prominent Brexiteers and Remainers.