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John Bercow has called the Prime Minister "deeply discourteous" for trying to delay the Brexit vote.

Theresa May pulled the vote to avoid a heavy defeat in the Commons.

Mrs May told MPs she will travel to Europe to seek concessions on her deal - particularly regarding the Irish backstop.

Mr Bercow urged the Prime Minister to let parliament decide to defer the vote before "unilaterally" deciding to postpone MPs having their say.

He said it would be the "courteous, respectful and mature" thing to do.

The Speaker interrupted the debate following Mrs May's statement to criticise Number 10 for leaking their plans in advance of telling the House, saying the vote was being delayed at "an inordinately late stage".

(Image: REUTERS)

He added: "Halting the debate after no fewer than 164 colleagues have taken the trouble to contribute will be thought by many members of this House to be deeply discourteous."

Mr Bercow said many MPs had complained to him already about the Government's plans "in the most forceful terms".

He said of the proposal: "Having taken the best procedural advice I am informed that there are two ways of doing this: "The first, and in democratic terms the infinitely preferable way, is for a minister to move at the outset of the debate that the debate be adjourned.

(Image: PA)

"This will give the House the opportunity to express its opinion in a vote whether or not it wishes the debate to be brought to a premature and inconclusive end.

"I can reassure ministers that I would be happy to accept such a motion so that the House can decide."

The Prime Minister's spokesman confirmed that the decision to delay the meaningful vote will not be put to a Commons vote.