Brexit news - live: Three ministers resign as MPs vote to seize control over EU exit from May

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn welcomed the vote in favour of the Letwin amendment.

He said: "I would like to congratulate the House for taking control. The Government's approach has been an abject failure and this House must now find a solution.

"We do not know what the House will decide on Wednesday. But I know there are many members of this House who have been working for alternative solutions, and we must debate those to find a consensus.

"And this House must also consider whether any deal should be put to the people for a confirmatory vote. Where this Government has failed, this House must, and I believe will, succeed."

Eight Labour MPs rebelled by voting against the amendment, while 30 Conservative rebels voted for it (including Ed Vaizey, who voted both for and against.)

PA has written this helpful profile of Richard Harrington, one of the ministers who resigned tonight.

In the roll-call of recent Conservative Party defectors, Richard Harrington's name was not quite as well known as the likes of Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen.

But his support for the Prime Minister, at least outwardly, on the social media channels he used to connect with members of his Watford constituency, was strong, even if he made threats to defy Government orders over exiting the EU.

That loyalty held out until Monday evening, when he resigned as business minister over concerns that the Government's approach to Brexit was like "playing roulette with the lives and livelihoods of the vast majority of people in this country".

Like Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston, Mr Harrington was elected to Parliament in 2010.

Born in 1957, Mr Harrington grew up working with his parents on the market stalls they ran in Leeds.

He attended Leeds Grammar school and was awarded a scholarship to Oxford University, studying law at Keble College.

His 31-year marriage to Jessie came to an end in 2013, according to his personal website.

The father of two boys was relatively late to politics, having enjoyed a career working for Waitrose and Trewins.

Since becoming an MP, Mr Harrington has spoken of his desire to champion apprenticeships and entrepreneurial spirit.

He campaigned against unlawful subletting of social housing, and was appointed minister for Syrian refugees, minister for pensions, and parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Tory backbencher Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, told Sky News he believed there would be a general election in the summer.

He said: "I think we were expecting the Government to be defeated on the Letwin amendment. But I think the size of the defeat and the fact that three Government ministers resigned will have been a great disappointment to the Government this evening.

"I think we are going to end up with a general election before the end of this year, probably in the summer.

"What I want to see now is the Prime Minister to stand down, let us have a new leader of the Conservative Party, and then I think we need to go to the country and get a majority so we can actually deliver Brexit."

Speculation that there may be further resignations in the pipeline if Theresa May does not allow MPs free votes when it comes to choosing the next steps for Brexit.

Others suggest that any final decision MPs make will have to be backed by the public in another referendum.

While the Letwin amendment vote was the most significant development in the Commons, it was Speaker John Bercow who sparked the angriest reaction from MPs.

As Conservative David Davies (Monmouth) raised a point of order to seek clarity about the consequences of the result, former minister Greg Hands attempted to interrupt Mr Bercow.

Mr Bercow replied: "I don't require any help from the right honourable gentleman the member for Chelsea and Fulham. I wouldn't have the foggiest idea where to start.

"He was once a whip, he wasn't a very good whip. It'd be better if he kept quiet."

This prompted shouting in the chamber. Mr Bercow denied his comment was "outrageous" but was later forced to apologise.

That's all for Brexit tonight. The saga continues...