Theresa May offers MPs second referendum vote if they back her Brexit bill

Reuters

• Theresa May offers Members of Parliament a binding vote on holding a second referendum
• The prime minister made the offer ahead of the vote on her Withdrawal Agreement Bill.
• MPs would need to back her bill before holding any vote on a second referendum.
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LONDON - Theresa May has offered members of parliament a legally binding vote on whether to hold a second referendum in a last ditch bid to pass her Brexit deal.

In a speech in central London, the prime minister said the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) - which MPs will vote on in June - will include a provision which would force MPs to hold a vote on whether to hold a second Brexit referendum.

"The government will include in the withdrawal agreement bill at introduction the requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum," she said.

"This must take place before the withdrawal agreement can be ratified."

The offer means that parliament would need to approve the WAB before holding a vote on whether to hold a second referendum.

The prime minister said the bill was parliament's "last chance" to leave the EU with a deal.

"If MPs vote against this deal, they are voting to stop Brexit," she said.

This is a developing story. More follows.

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