A rebellion in the U.K. parliament won't stop Brexit, Boris Johnson told the press after meeting with senior members of the Japanese government | Neil Hall/EPA Boris Johnson: ‘Brexit is unstoppable’ British foreign secretary downplays significance of government’s defeat in parliament.

A rebellion in the U.K. parliament won't stop Brexit, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference in London after a meeting with senior members of the Japanese government, Johnson said Wednesday night's first defeat for the government on key Brexit legislation wouldn't do much damage to Theresa May's plans, according to Sky News.

“My view is it won’t for one second stop Brexit or stop the Brexit process,” Johnson told reporters.

"Brexit is unstoppable ... I cannot believe for the life of me that when it comes to it, parliament will vote to stop or reverse the Brexit process or frustrate the will of the British people, that's just not going to happen."

Twelve Conservative MPs rebelled against the government to back an amendment to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, voting with opposition parties to defeat the government by 309 votes to 305.

The vote means government assurances to MPs that they will get a vote on the final Brexit withdrawal agreement — likely to be concluded in autumn next year — are now written into legislation.