DESPERATE Theresa May escaped a crippling defeat on Brexit yesterday in a Commons farce.

The PM came through a crucial vote only after pro-EU Tories forced her to agree to boost Remainer MPs’ power over negotiations with Brussels.

11 Theresa May has caused a row between Leavers and Remainers over Brexit deal Credit: Press Association

But amid chaos last night, Leavers flatly denied Remainers’ claims that Mrs May had allowed them to veto any “no-deal” walk away.

Senior Brexiteers insisted that the PM had told them the exact opposite just minutes later — and had promised the rebels nothing but a discussion.

No10 faced massive pressure to clear up the confusion.

A senior Brexiteer in the Government told The Sun: “If Theresa has sold us out here she is in real trouble. There is no way she can recover if she has f***ed us over.”

11 The Government won a majority over Lords bid for Parliament to seize control of negotiations

The drama came as MPs began two days of showdown votes on the landmark EU Withdrawal Bill.

In a shock move, justice minister Philip Lee resigned with no notice yesterday to vote with the rebels.

That spurred on other wavering Tory backbenchers to join the pro-EU rebels, leaving at least 20 ready to shoot down the Government’s single-digit majority.

With just minutes to go before a crunch vote on Parliament’s powers and its right for a “meaningful vote” on the final deal, the PM summoned around 14 rebel Tories to her room behind the Speaker’s chair to hammer out a deal.

David Davis​ says the Lords amendments would undermine Brexit ahead of the vote on the EU Withdrawal Bill

11 Brexit Secretary David Davis said the amendment would 'undermine negotiations' Credit: AFP

Chief Whip Julian Smith had told Mrs May she faced certain defeat over the Lords bid for MPs and peers to dictate a new soft Brexit if they vote down her eventual deal with Brussels in the autumn.

After two hours of silence, Downing Street released a statement last night to say the PM has “agreed to look for a compromise” on Parliament’s meaningful vote.

A Brexit ministry spokesman insisted: “We have not, and will not, agree to the House of Commons binding the Government’s hands in the negotiations”.

OM-MAY-SHAMBLES

11 Rebel MP Ken Clarke voted against the Government Credit: Pixel8000

LEADING Leavers last night said they have “serious worries” that Theresa May’s deal with Conservative rebels could sink a clean Brexit.

In a dramatic afternoon, the Government with a majority of 26 MPs shot down a Lords bid for Parliament to seize control of negotiations.

But a huge row erupted between Tory Remainers and Leavers over how the PM had won round more than 20 of her rebel backbenchers during desperate 11th-hour talks.

No10 said negotiations with both wings will begin today to try to hammer out a “compromise” ahead of the Lords voting again on the EU Withdrawal Bill on Monday.

Mrs May yesterday summoned the group to her House of Commons study just minutes before voting began at 4pm.

One rebel, senior Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, told The Sun that the PM had promised to introduce a new amendment to the landmark Brexit bill next week in the Lords.

Mrs May pledged it “will reflect” former Attorney General Dominic Grieve’s demand for the Government to seek MPs’ permission for how to progress if there is still no deal with the EU by November 30.

Ms Wollaston said: “I feel an assurance has been given to us by the PM that Parliament will have the power to prevent a cliff-edge, walk-away, no-deal Brexit.

What happens next for Brexit and will Theresa May be able to hold off the rebels? TODAY: Theresa May faces more key votes in the House of Commons on her flagship EU Withdrawal Bill, expected at around 5pm. But they are likely to pass smoothly as a deal was struck between Leavers and Remainers already. Labour could be split on whether to back a Lords amendment on keeping Britain in the European Economic Area or not - which would keep us in the Single Market and ensure continued uncontrolled immigration. Discussions will start today between rebels and the Government on making changes to the Bill so that MPs may have more power on Brexit talks later this year. MONDAY: The Bill returns to the House of Lords, where they have to sign off changes the MPs make this week. Most of the 15 changes the Lords put onto the Bill previously have been voted down or changed. If No10 agrees to put a change to the Bill to keep the rebels at bay, this must be published today. Remainers will decide whether this is enough to continue to support the Government. If they don't put a change down, an amendment on the "meaningful vote" could be brought back in by Remainer Lords. THIS MONTH: The EU want to see more progress on talks before June's EU council meeting - especially on the thorny issue of the Northern Ireland border. There we will also find out what the impact has been on the mayhem in Parliament, and whether it has caused Mrs May to look weaker in Brussels. OCTOBER: The EU wants to finalise a withdrawal agreement for Britain's exit, so it can then be ratified by all the EU members and Parliaments. Mrs May has also promised MPs a vote on the deal. MARCH 2019: Britain formally leaves the EU, but will enter into a transition period. JANUARY 2021: Transition period set to end and Britain will finally be free of Brussels.

11 324 MPs voted with the Government and 298 voted against Credit: Press Association

11 The plan hatched by Dominic Grieve (pictured) would make a no-deal more likely, warned Jacob Rees-Mogg Credit: Pixel8000

11 Tory Brexiteer Sir Edward Leigh said Parliament must 'implement the will of the people'

“It has to be a meaningful vote, not a meaningless vote. The PM has given us her personal assurance this will happen, and I trust her.”

Mr Grieve said that the PM “undertook to work with us to put together amendments to present in the Lords which would address concerns” about a no-deal scenario.

But leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg warned Mr Grieve’s plan will make “a no-deal more likely” if a stand-off erupted between the Government and Parliament with their new blocking veto.

The boss of the powerful European Research Group warned Mrs May that he had “serious worries” about it.

He added: “Time will be short by the end of November. I don’t think they realise the rod they are making for their backs.”

Former Tory leader and prominent Leaver Iain Duncan Smith added: “A veto over the Government’s negotiations is unacceptable. It’s not going to happen.”

Another Brexiteer Tory MP, Nigel Evans, called yesterday’s drama a “clear case of the tail wagging the dog, and it is time for the dog to bite back”.

Mr Evans said he believed Mrs May folded too quickly to a small group of pro-EU Tories and should have stared them down.

11 Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the House of Parliament Credit: Getty Images

11 Theresa May’s deal with Conservative rebels could sink a clean Brexit, worried Leavers say Credit: Alamy Live News

11 The PM has 'agreed to look for a compromise' on Parliament’s meaningful vote Credit: Sky News

He told The Sun: “It is important that the PM speaks to these people, but you can’t have 650 MPs taking control of the negotiations. We need to know what the compromise really is.”

As the size of the rebellion dawned on ministers during the debate, they began to offer compromises to rebel leader Mr Grieve.

Solicitor General Robert Buckland said there is “much merit” in his plan, adding: “I am indicating the Government is willing to engage positively with a structured discussion”.

Rebels were bolstered by justice minister Philip Lee’s surprise resignation yesterday morning to join their ranks.

Speaking in the Commons a few hours after his walk-out, Dr Lee compared leaving the EU without a deal to the death penalty.

The practising GP told MPs: “Sometimes, when a majority of our people want something that is against the good of society, the Government and Parliament have a responsibility to protect us.

11 Dr Lee compared leaving the EU without a deal to the death penalty Credit: AFP

Dr Philip Lee explains why he resigned to oppose Theresa May's Brexit policy

“That was the case on the death penalty, when for decades politicians went against the majority view and refused to reinstate it.”

He added: “I believe it now needs to be the case on the Brexit process.”

Veteran Tory Brexiteer Sir Edward Leigh said it would be a catastrophic blow if the Government lost, urging: “Parliament, don’t stand against the people, implement their will.”

In highly charged scenes, pro-EU rebel Anna Soubry told the Commons “one of our number” had to take six armed undercover cops with them to a public event to protect them from a death threat.

She also claimed Government ministers, including some in the Cabinet, were egging her on to rebel. Earlier, Brexit Secretary David Davis launched a furious blast against Mr Grieve’s amendment, hours before the climbdown.

MOST READ IN POLITICS Breaking furlough 2.0 Rishi unveils furlough replacement scheme to top up wages through winter EAT IN OR TAKE OUT? Chaos & confusion over whether cafes will HAVE to offer table service Exclusive RISHI DISHES HELP Chancellor to extend furlough for staff worst hit as Covid threat returns 1-NIGHT STAND BAN Matt Hancock tells people not to have casual sex to stop covid spreading WINTER COMING England may have to ban home visits too as SAGE adviser warns lockdown coming Latest DOWN TO BUSINESS Chancellor to launch 'furlough replacement' tomorrow as Budget CANCELLED

He said: “What it amounts to is an unconstitutional shift which risks undermining our negotiations with the European Union.”

Remain campaigner and Labour MP Chris Leslie dubbed the result “a win for Parliament”.

All but two Tory MPs — Ms Soubry and Ken Clarke — voted with the Government on the Meaningful Vote amendment.

Mrs May was also backed by Labour’s Frank Field, Kate Hoey, John Mann, Graham Stringer and Ronnie Campbell, who defied a three-line whip from Jeremy Corbyn.

Ex-Labour minister Caroline Flint, who is a vocal critic of her party’s Brexit stance, abstained.