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Crabb rounds on Tory MPs after May's Brexit vote defeat

Speaker announces government defeat in Commons vote

Former Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb has criticised Conservative colleagues after Theresa May suffered another Brexit defeat in the House of Commons.

The prime minister lost Thursday's vote on her Brexit strategy by 303 to 258.

Mr Crabb said she was "trying to move heaven and earth to keep them on board but it's clear now that they are not going to support any realistic deal."

Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said the defeat showed Westminster was "fundamentally broken".

Conservative Brexiteer rebels abstained in the vote, saying the government's motion implied a no-deal Brexit would be ruled out.

Ministers said that was not the case but defeat would make life more difficult for Mrs May in EU talks.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Mr Crabb told BBC Wales: "The prime minister just had a reminder who her friends aren't."

Calling for a further EU referendum, Ms Saville Roberts said: "Both the Conservative and Labour parties are imploding, Parliament is not fit for purpose.

"This chaos is unquestionably already damaging our economy and deepening the issues in our society.

"Westminster cannot afford to kick this can any longer."

Cardiff South and Penarth Labour MP Stephen Doughty said Brexit was now "not only a political mess but a national humiliation."

"Time is running out for Parliament to hold a meaningful vote on her Brexit deal and if there is no majority for it in the House of Commons then the only responsible way forward is to give the final say back to the public with a People's Vote," he said.

MPs rejected the government motion supporting its current Brexit strategy by 259 to 303

However Conservative Monmouth MP David Davies said there were "a lot of political games going on here but ultimately the PM's deal will get through".

Chris Davies, Tory MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, accused "many groups" in the Commons of playing "a lot of political games".

"The vote has no legal force but yet it sends the wrong message to the EU," he said.

"This is a sad reflection on the House, especially when trying to deliver on the country's vote to leave the EU," Mr Davies added.