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Jeremy Corbyn has slammed Theresa May for being "held hostage" by Tory extremists a furious response to her big Brexit speech.

In an address on Friday, the Prime Minister finally admitted Britain can't have everything it wants and access to EU markets will be less.

So when she came to the House of Commons to be grilled about it today, not all MPs were impressed.

They pointed out she promised "the same benefits" as we enjoy now back in March 2017.

Her Brexit Secretary, David Davis, even pledged the "exact same benefits" in January 2017.

And her Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, said in July 2017 that a trade deal with the EU would be "one of the easiest in human history".

(Image: ParliamentLive) (Image: ParliamentLive)

Mrs May told MPs she and Brussels can now "resolve our remaining differences in the days ahead".

But Labour leader Mr Corbyn replied: "Twenty months have passed since the referendum.

"Twenty wasted months in which the arrogance of some of the cabinet - who said it would be the easiest deal in human history - has turned into debilitating infighting."

He slammed the speech for not bringing "clarity", saying: "The Prime Minister's speech promised to unite the nation.

"Yet it barely papered over the cracks in her own party."

Mr Corbyn slammed the Tory leader for saying Britain could make a “binding commitment” to “remain in step” with EU rules on competition and state aid.

He said: "This government’s reckless strategy is putting our jobs and manufacturing industries at risk.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

"The Prime Minister's only clear priority seemed to be to tie the UK permanently to EU rules which have been used to enforce privatisation and block support for industry."

Mrs May shook her head and looked bemused.

But Mr Corbyn continued: "We have a Prime Minister being held hostage by the extremes in [her] Cabinet who are willing to sacrifice parts of British business and industry, willing to risk a hard border in Northern Ireland.

"[All] in order to carry on with their ideological crusade to shrink the state, slash investment and bring about an economic race to the bottom."

Mr Corbyn said Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had made "ridiculous remarks" and said EU employment law was "back-breaking".

(Image: ParliamentLive)

He added: “There clearly is a political constituency that supports a race to the bottom on workplace rights. It’s called the Cabinet."

And he said: "The Conservative government’s reckless austerity is damaging our country. And the increasing sense of drift over Brexit risks increasing that damage.

"Now the Prime Minister admits her Brexit plan will reduce our access to European markets and leave people worse off."

Mrs May hit back that it was Labour that was guilty of "ideological crusades".

She added: "Labour has nothing to offer. They voted against moving the negotiations on in the European Parliament. They twice voted against the Bill which delivers Brexit in this Parliament. Now they've gone back on what they promised over the customs union.

"And over a week ago the shadow chancellor (John McDonnell) said Labour would keep all options open on whether or not to have a second referendum.

"This Government and this party is clear: There will be no second referendum."

The debate saw MPs demand a softer stance from the Prime Minister.

(Image: PA) (Image: Eleanor Riley)

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford thundered: "We will settle for nothing less than continued membership of the single market and customs union.

"We in Scotland must determine our own destiny. We are a European nation and we intend to stay one."

Labour MP Pat McFadden said: "The Prime Minister has admitted to the country that there is an economic cost to Brexit."

Lib Dem leader Vince Cable accused Mrs May of wanting to trade with an "economic nationalist and warmonger in the White House."

He said: "After 20 months of tough negotiation she appears now to have delivered at least a trade deal... with her own Cabinet.”

Labour colleague Chris Leslie added: "She wants to be straight with the public?

"This time last year she promised that we would have the same benefits - the same benefits - in terms of access to free trade. Does she regret that?"

But Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said the EU was to blame for its "aggressive" and "high-handed" negotiating tactics.

And Tory Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith dismissed criticism of Mrs May for cherry-picking or wanting to have her cake and eat it.

He said: "Cake exists to be eaten and cherries exist to be picked!"

Meanwhile Mrs May indicated she is looking at the customs arrangements between the US and Canada as a way of solving the Irish border issue created by Brexit.

(Image: Getty)

She told MPs: "There are many examples of different arrangements for customs around the rest of the world.

"Indeed we are looking at those, including for example the border between the United States and Canada."

But the Prime Minister was mocked over the comparison - with one MP telling her the US-Canada frontier has armed guards.

Giving evidence to the Commons European Scrutiny Committee, Chancellor Philip Hammond said £700million Whitehall had spent preparing for Brexit.

He told MPs: “It’s being spent on ensuring that we are prepared for a full range of outcomes. Some of it is being spent on preparations for a ‘no deal’ exit in March 2019.”

Once agreement is struck on a transition deal, it will be possible to “stand down” preparations for “no deal” on the date of Brexit, he said.

But it may be necessary to prepare for the risk of withdrawal without a deal even at the end of the transition period, he added.