The EU has rejected MPs’ latest demand to scrap the Irish backstop from the Brexit withdrawal agreement, just minutes after the Commons voted on the issue.

MPs backed the so-called Brady amendment on Tuesday night by 317 votes to 301, instructing the government to ditch the controversial clause and find “alternative” ways to prevent a hard border in Northern Ireland.

But less than ten minutes after MPs walked through the division lobbies in Westminster, a spokesperson for the European Council said the backstop was “part of the withdrawal agreement, and the withdrawal agreement is not open for renegotiation”.

“The withdrawal agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union,” the spokesperson for president Donald Tusk said.

“The backstop is part of the withdrawal agreement, and the withdrawal agreement is not open for re-negotiation. The December European Council conclusions are very clear on this point.”

The spokesperson said they welcomed and shared “the UK parliament’s ambition to avoid a no-deal scenario”, a reference to the passing of the separate Spelman amendment to rule out a no-deal in principle.

They called on the UK government to “clarify its intentions with respect to its next steps as soon as possible” and said a “reasoned request” for an extension of Article 50 would be considered.

MPs however rejected the so-called Cooper amendment, which would have taken concrete steps to avoid a no deal by compelling the government to seek an extension of the Brexit negotiating period if the UK looks set to crash out.

Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Show all 11 1 /11 Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray (left) and a pro-Brexit protester argue as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A pro-Brexit protester argues Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround the pro-Brexit protester after he confronted Steve Bray, a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer as he argues with a remain supporter, Steve Bray, outside Parliament PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament MPs in Parliament are to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week after her December vote was called off in the face of a major defeat Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police look on as anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police hold back a leave supporter PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A police officer speaks with anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround a pro-Brexit protester after he confronted a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Conservative MP David Davies, wearing a gopro camera, speaks to anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images

Brussels also reiterated that the UK could choose to change its red lines if it wanted changes made to the political declaration on the future relationship – which sets out how closely the UK and EU will be linked in the future. Theresa May has ruled out keeping freedom of movement, a customs union, single market membership, and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice; the EU says this limits how close the relationship can be.