New photo EU letter promises backstop will be temporary but refuse to change Brexit deal ahead of crunch vote

EU leaders today promised the Irish backstop plan will be temporary as they unveiled their last-ditch plan to help get Theresa May's Brexit deal over the line tomorrow.

But Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker refused to change the text of the Brexit deal - meaning their promise does not have legal force. 

They also offered to extend Article 50 to delay Brexit in order to give both sides more time to negotiate. 

But it was immediately panned by Brexiteers and the DUP who pointed out it is not legally binding, while Remainers also dismissed it as a 'fig leaf'. 

The letter, penned by the Presidents of the EU Council and Commission, was part of a last-ditch scramble to try to peel off Tory rebels ahead of tomorrow's crunch vote.

Number Ten fear the PM could suffer the biggest Commons defeat ever when her Brexit plan is voted on by MPs tomorrow night.

As part of an orchestrated bid to drum up desperately-needed support, No10 published the letter to reassure rebels the hated backstop will not be permanent. 

Donald Tusk (pictured left)  and Jean-Claude Juncker(pictured right)  have published a formal letter designed to give last-ditch assurances which they hope will persuade Tory rebels to back the PM's Brexit deal

The letter states:  'As you know, we are not in a position to agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with the Withdrawal Agreement, but against this background, and in order to facilitate the next steps of the process, we are happy to confirm, on behalf of the two EU Institutions we represent, our understanding of the following points within our respective fields of responsibility.'

They add: 'The European Council also said that, if the backstop were nevertheless to be triggered, it would only apply temporarily, unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement that ensures that a hard border is avoided.'

They also promised to start negotiating a trade deal immediately as they again promised 'the backstop would only be in place for as long as strictly necessary'. 

May warns MPs voting her Brexit deal down would be the height of recklessness

Theresa May launched a desperate last-ditch bid save her Brexit deal today - warning that voting it down would be the 'height of recklessness' and might mean staying in the EU.

The Prime Minister pleaded with Tory Eurosceptics to look at the mounting revolt by Remainers, and realise that Parliament is ready to block the country from crashing out.

In a speech just 36 hours before the titanic Commons showdown, Mrs May said it was clear some politicians would use 'every device' to stop Brexit happening.

Underlining the dangers of the crisis wracking Westminster, she urged MPs to consider the 'consequences' of their actions for people's faith in democracy.

Mrs May also pointed to a letter from EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and council president Donald Tusk published today, which insists the Irish border backstop - the most controversial part of the Brexit deal - will only be 'temporary'. 

'We have secured valuable new clarifications and assurances,' Mrs May said, while admitting that the commitment 'did not go as far' as some MPs wanted.  

The desperate entreaty came as tensions escalate in Westminster ahead of the vote on the Brexit package she has thrashed out with Brussels.

Mrs May rejected the idea that alternatives to her Withdrawal Agreement were available.

'Nobody has yet come up with an alternative Brexit deal that is negotiable and that delivers on the result of the referendum,' she said.

'The only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night.   

And they pledged to look at using the latest technology to try to keep the Irish border soft. 

But the letter sparked scorn from Tory Brexiteers, the DUP and Remainers campaigning for another referendum.   

Nigel Dodds, DUP deputy leader, told the BBC: 'The letter isn't legally binding. The Prime Minister will struggle to justify what the delay was about.' 

Tory MP Steve Baker, shop steward of the Tory Brexiteers, said: 'These new letters do not change the legally binding surrender that is the Withdrawal Agreement. 

'A letter or codicil from the EU Commission and Council cannot replace the commitment in international law that the draft Withdrawal Agreement represents.

'Without changes to the text of the draft agreement, the United Kingdom can still be trapped in the backstop for decades without any means of escape. 

'The letter cannot change the status of the draft Withdrawal Agreement from that of a legally binding international treaty obligation. 

'Without changing the text of the draft agreement, passing the Withdrawal Agreement would still leave the UK trapped under the EU's thumb in the backstop indefinitely with no way to leave.'

He said there are also major concerns  including the £39billion divorce bill. 

Tory MP and leading Remainer said he does not think the letters change anything, and that he still thinks 'this is a third rate future for our country if we leave on these terms'.

Ian Murray, Labour MP and a campaigner with the anti-Brexit group Best for Britain, said: 'This letter is nothing but a fig leaf that fails to cover up the massive shortcomings in the Prime Minister's deal. 'As the EU makes absolutely clear, nothing can be offered which changes or is inconsistent with the Withdrawal Agreement. 

'Nothing has changed. That confirms this deal is the worst of all worlds, transforming the UK into a long-term rule taker.'

In legal advice published today, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said he agreed with the EU letter when it said that the commitment from Brussels that the backstop is an insurance policy which should be temporary holds legal force.

He states that it is his opinion that 'the balace of risks favours the conclusion that it is unlikely that the EU will wish to rely on the implementation of hte backstop proviisons.

'It is therefore my judgement that the current draft Withdrawal Agreement now represents the only politically practicable and available means of securing our exit from the European Union.' 

The letter comes as the PM launched a final bid to win round MPs to her Brexit deal today - warning that voting it down will probably mean staying in the EU.

The Prime Minister is urging Tory Eurosceptics to look at the mounting revolt by Remainers, and realise that Parliament is ready to block the country from crashing out.

In a speech in Stoke on Trent just 36 hours before the titanic Commons showdown, Theresa May (pictured in Stoke on Trent today) pleaded with MPs to consider the 'consequences' of their actions for people's faith in democracy

In a speech in Stoke on Trent just 36 hours before the titanic Commons showdown, Mrs May pleaded with MPs to consider the 'consequences' of their actions for people's faith in democracy.

What is the Irish border backstop and why do Tory MPs hate it?

The so-called Irish border backstop is one of the most controversial parts of the PM's Brexit deal. This is what it means: 

What is the backstop? 

The backstop was invented to meet promises to keep open the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland even if there is no comprehensive UK-EU trade deal.

The divorce deal says it will kick in automatically at the end of the Brexit transition if that deal is not in place.

If effectively keeps the UK in a customs union with the EU and Northern Ireland in both the customs union and single market.

This means many EU laws will keep being imposed on the UK and there can be no new trade deals. It also means regulatory checks on some goods crossing the Irish Sea. 

Why have Ireland and the EU demanded it? 

Because Britain demanded to leave the EU customs union and single market, the EU said it needed guarantees people and goods circulating inside met EU rules.

This is covered by the Brexit transition, which effectively maintains current rules, and can in theory be done in the comprehensive EU-UK trade deal.

But the EU said there had to be a backstop to cover what happens in any gap between transition and final deal.  

Why do critics hate it? 

Because Britain cannot decide when to leave the backstop. 

Getting out - even if there is a trade deal - can only happen if both sides agree people and goods can freely cross the border.

Brexiteers fear the EU will unreasonably demand the backstop continues so EU law continues to apply in Northern Ireland.  

Northern Ireland MPs also hate the regulatory border in the Irish Sea, insisting it unreasonably carves up the United Kingdom. 

What concessions did Britain get in negotiating it? 

During the negotiations, Britain persuaded Brussels the backstop should apply to the whole UK and not just Northern Ireland. Importantly, this prevents a customs border down the Irish Sea - even if some goods still need to be checked.

The Government said this means Britain gets many of the benefits of EU membership after transition without all of the commitments - meaning Brussels will be eager to end the backstop. 

It also got promises the EU will act in 'good faith' during the future trade talks and use its 'best endeavours' to finalise a deal - promises it says can be enforced in court.

What did the legal advice say about it? 

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said even with the EU promises, if a trade deal cannot be reached the backstop could last forever.

This would leave Britain stuck in a Brexit limbo, living under EU rules it had no say in writing and no way to unilaterally end it.  

She said the assurances published by the EU today will provide her backbenchers with the 'further clarifications and further assurances' they need to back her deal.  

The PM's desperate scramble comes as tensions escalate in Westminster ahead of the vote on the Brexit package she has thrashed out with Brussels.

Mrs May looks to be on track for a catastrophic defeat - with frantic maneuvering under way over what happens next.

A dozen Tory former ministers including Boris Johnson have urged wavering colleagues to stand firm against the deal, saying leaving on World Trade Organisation terms would not be a disaster. 

But Remainers from across parties are plotting an extraordinary bid to seize control from the government if it tries to push ahead with a no-deal Brexit. 

Conservative MP Nick Boles today confirmed plans to tear up Commons rules so MPs could propose legislation - something the government currently has power over. 

Ministers fear Speaker John Bercow would help the rebellion. Last week he flouted procedural convention to select an amendment from Tory former minister Dominic Grieve which attempts to speed up the process for the Government to reveal what it will do next if the PM's Brexit deal is rejected. 

Speaking in Stoke-on-Trent, Mrs May warned MPs would be behaving recklessly if they did not back her Withdrawal Deal.

She said: 'The only ways to guarantee we do not leave without a deal are to abandon Brexit, betraying the vote of the British people, or to leave with a deal.

'The only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night.

'You can take no deal off the table by voting for that deal.

'If no deal is as bad as you believe it is, it will be the height of recklessness to do anything else.' 

But as she pleaded for unity, Tory rebels leaders were urging their fellow Conservatives to vote the deal down.

Asked during an LBC radio interview today what would happen tomorrow, Boris Johnson said: 'I think the deal goes down. 

'I think, possibly, some colleagues are being scared by this idea that there might be no Brexit as a result of voting it down. 

'I think that's nonsense. 'Britain will leave in March, absolutely, and that's the bottom line.' 

A dozen leading Brexiteers – including eight former members of the PM's Cabinet – have written to all Conservative MPs urging them to vote against her deal.

Former ministers including Mr Johnson, David Davis and Dominic Raab call upon Mrs May to stage one final attempt to persuade the EU to drop the Irish backstop which threatens to halt Britain's exit from the custom union indefinitely.

But if the EU fails to comply on agreeing such a deal, the Britain must 'have the confidence' to leave on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms on March 29.

The letter is also signed by other former Cabinet members including Iain Duncan Smith, Esther McVey and Priti Patel.

They write: 'It is right to vote down this bad deal and that in doing so we will unlock a better future for our party, our country and its people.'

They add: 'A managed WTO Brexit may give rise to some short-term inconvenience and disruption, but the much greater risks arise from being locked into a very bad deal.'

A dozen Tory former ministers including Boris Johnson (pictured in London today) have urged wavering colleagues to stand firm against the deal

No10 believes Sir Oliver Letwin (pictured left) and Dominic Grieve are the main figures behind the plot to overhaul Commons rules

Boris Johnson repeats the message in his column in the Daily Telegraph today, where he writes: 'This deal is still the worst of both worlds, by which we somehow leave the EU but end up being run by the EU. It is still a complete stinker.'

Warning his fellow MPs about trying to force a second referendum, he adds: 'If they now engage in ludicrous parliamentary jiggery pokery, endlessly tabling amendments designed to frustrate Brexit, they will risk a very serious backlash indeed.

'The answer is not to leave it to Parliament; the answer is for the executive to do its job, as some of us have been advising for months: to accept that the deal is dead, and to move on.' 

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News Pictures EU letter promises backstop will be temporary but refuse to change Brexit deal ahead of crunch vote

You don’t have to pack away your bikini just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!

TEENS
Hayden Panettiere
Size: 8
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kim cattrall

Size: 10-12
Age: 52
Height: 5ft 8in
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SATC star Kim swears by gym sessions with Russian kettle bells (traditional cast-iron weights) and the South Beach Diet to give her the body she wants. To avoid overeating, Kim has a radical diet trick – squirting lemon juice on her leftovers – so she won’t carry on picking.

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