While MPs debated the withdrawal agreement in the Commons, supporters of both sides gathered in Parliament Square FRANK AUGSTEIN/APPhilip Hammond has attempted to reassure business leaders that parliament has the ability to avoid a no-deal Brexit after Theresa May’s plan suffered an unprecedented defeat in the Commons. The chancellor took part in a conference call with business leaders last night alongside Greg Clark, the business secretary, and Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary. John Allan, president of the CBI, was on the call and told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme this morning that he understood there would be a move in parliament next week “to amend a bill to give parliament a veto, the ability to revoke Article 50 if it became clear we were heading for that [no deal]”. Mr Allan indicated that Mr Hammond seemed relaxed about that outcome. According to…

Source: The Times January 15, 2019 23:59 UTC