Johnson’s new Brexit Bill clears first Commons hurdle

Boris Johnson has said legislation is needed to prevent an ‘extreme and unreasonable’ interpretation of the Withdrawal Agreement (House of Commons/PA)

Boris Johnson’s controversial plan to override key elements of the Brexit deal he signed with Brussels has cleared its first Commons hurdle despite deep misgivings by some senior Tories.

MPs voted to give the UK Internal Market Bill a second reading by 340 to 263 – a government majority of 77.