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Theresa May spotted leaving Parliament looking 'smug' after Boris Johnson loses crucial Brexit vote

Theresa May left Parliament with a smile on her face following Boris Johnson's defeat (Reuters)
Theresa May left Parliament with a smile on her face following Boris Johnson's defeat (Reuters)

Boris Johnson suffered his first humiliating defeat last night – and there is one person who knows exactly what that feels like.

Theresa May, who saw her withdrawal deal voted down three times, supported the Government in its attempt to keep control of Parliamentary business.

But the former PM was spotted sporting a huge grin as she left the Commons following Mr Johnson’s defeat.

Kenneth Clarke and former prime minister Theresa May look on as Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a statement to MPs in the House of Commons, London, on the G7 Summit in Biarritz. (Photo by House of Commons/PA Images via Getty Images)
Mrs May made her first appearance as a backbencher since quitting as PM (Getty)

Brexit-supporting group Leave.EU described Mrs May as looking “smug” as she made her way home after the vote.

Mrs May has every reason to smile – Mr Johnson was an outspoken critic of her stance on Brexit and quit the Government over the terns of her Brexit agreement.

Now the shoe is on the other foot and Mrs May can look on and be thankful that it is not her who is now in the firing line of opposition MPs.

Mr Johnson will today attempt to reassert some control by holding a vote on calling an early general election.

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However, Labour and other opposition MPs are set to oppose an early election until a no-deal Brexit has been taken off the table.

Tory rebels defied the whip to join opposition parties in a move which will see them take control of business in the House today.

Mr Johnson said Parliament was "on the brink of wrecking any deal" with Brussels after voting to give the cross-party alliance control of the Commons.

Britain's former prime minister Theresa May is driven away from the Houses of Parliament after attending an emergency debate on a no-deal Brexit in London on September 3, 2019. - Prime Minister Boris Johnson suffered a major parliamentary defeat over his Brexit strategy on Tuesday, which could delay Britain's exit from the European Union next month and force an early election. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)        (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
The former Prime Minister voted with the Government on Tuesday (Getty)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking in the House of Commons, London after MPs voted in favour of allowing a cross-party alliance to take control of the Commons agenda on Wednesday in a bid to block a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Photo by House of Commons/PA Images via Getty Images)
Mr Johnson suffered his first loss since become PM in July (PA)

He told MPs: "I don't want an election but if MPs vote tomorrow to stop the negotiations and to compel another pointless delay of Brexit, potentially for years, then that will be the only way to resolve this.”

Downing Street confirmed that the 21 Tory rebels – including former chancellors Ken Clarke and Philip Hammond – would lose the Conservative whip as a result of their actions.

Wednesday is set to be a dramatic day in the Commons, with Mr Johnson due to take his first Prime Minister's Questions at noon before the chancellor, Sajid Javid, sets out public spending plans.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking in the House of Commons, London after MPs voted in favour of allowing a cross-party alliance to take control of the Commons agenda on Wednesday in a bid to block a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Photo by House of Commons/PA Images via Getty Images)
MPs took control of Parliamentary agenda in an attempt to stop a no-deal Brexit (PA)

MPs will then debate the draft legislation put forward by a cross-party group which would require a delay to Brexit unless there was a deal or Parliament explicitly backed leaving the EU without one by October 19.

A vote on a general election could be held later in the day.

Meanwhile, a decision is expected at the Court of Session in Edinburgh after a cross-party group of MPs and peers brought legal action aimed at halting the suspension of Parliament.