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Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti makes Brexit U-turn to support Prime Minister's deal

Another Kent MP has announced a Brexit U-turn and says he is now prepared to back the Prime Minister's deal.

Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti has announced he is prepared to back the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal having previously voted against it.

The MP, who resigned as party vice-chairman so he could vote against the deal, is the latest to decide to back it because he fears that Parliament is trying to halt Brexit.

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Rehman Chishti says he now intends to back the Prime Minister's Brexit deal
Rehman Chishti says he now intends to back the Prime Minister's Brexit deal

In another key day in the Brexit debate, MPs are set to vote on amendments to discuss alternative Brexit options.

The debate comes amid speculation the Prime Minister is under pressure to state when she will stand aside.

Mr Chishti said he had changed his mind even though he had concerns about some aspects of the deal.

"The reality day by day is [we have] a remain Parliament that either wants to frustrate delivering Brexit or have a soft Brexit or deliver no Brexit at all," he said.

"Having spoken to my constituents they just want us to get on and deliver Brexit in line with what they voted for nearly three years ago.

"So it is the Prime Minister’s deal and of course I have concerns but there are concerns that the way Parliament is behaving we may not get Brexit at all.

"So, it is with a heavy heart, if the Prime Minister gets to put her deal forward, I will be voting for it.”

His decision comes after another Kent MP announced he had changed his mind.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson, who had opposed the deal, said he would now be backing the plan.

He said: “I have come to the conclusion that despite having severe reservations about the Withdrawal Agreement, if it is a choice between voting for that agreement or losing Brexit - and I fear they are the only two options we have left - then I will vote for it.

MPs are to debate a series of indicative Brexit votes today
MPs are to debate a series of indicative Brexit votes today

And another Kent MP could be preparing to switch and back the PM.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke, tweeted he was reserving judgement until the Prime Minister had addressed MPs this evening: "I will listen carefully to what the PM has to say at the 1922 today before making a final decision."

Meanwhile, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk told MEPs they "cannot betray the six million people who signed the petition to revoke Article 50, the one million people who marched for a people's vote, or the increasing majority of people who want to remain in the EU".

He said the people "may feel that they are not sufficiently represented by the UK Parliament, but they must feel that they are represented by you... because they are Europeans".

Where Kent MPs stand on the Brexit deal:

Backing the deal:

Damian Green (Ashford)

Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)

Kelly Tolhurst (Rochester and Strood)

Greg Clarke (Tunbridge Wells)

Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge and Malling)

Helen Grant (Maidstone)

Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet)

Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford)

Helen Whately (Faversham and Mid Kent)

Against the deal:

Charlie Elphicke (Dover)

Craig Mackinlay (South Thanet)

Adam Holloway (Gravesham)

Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe)

Rosie Duffield (Canterbury)

Yet to say:

Gareth Johnson (Dartford)

Sir Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks)

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