Theresa May is scrambling to resuscitate her Brexit deal ahead of a third "meaningful vote" next week after a dramatic night in the Commons when MPs ordered her to seek a delay to the UK's departure from the EU.

Europe's leaders are considering whether to accept calls for Brexit to be delayed beyond March 29, with European Council president Donald Tusk due to meet Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte in The Hague on Friday before talks with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron on Monday.

But Ms May's hopes of persuading Eurosceptics and the DUP were dealt a hammer blow after the so-called star chamber of Brexiteer lawyers rejected attorney general Geoffrey Cox's latest assessment.

Led by veteran Tory Sir Bill Cash, the group said his idea that the UK could use the Vienna Convention - the international agreement that lays down the rules about treaties - to unilaterally pull out of the backstop was "badly misconceived".

Meanwhile, chancellor Philip Hammond led government talks with the DUP in Whitehall, prompting speculation that there could be a financial reward for their support.