And Sky News reported that some people were won over, with five Conservative Brexiteer MPs saying they would support May over fears that defeat might mean not leaving the bloc. Before the vote, three Labour backbenchers also said they would swing behind May, as did independent MP Frank Field.

But Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay conceded May was unlikely to win.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition Labour Party, said: "Theresa May has attempted to blackmail Labour MPs to vote for her botched deal by threatening the country with the chaos of no deal."

Following rejection of her deal, May can return to Parliament with a new plan within three working days, assuming she hangs on to her job.