Mr Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator, insisted Labour MPs would now be able to influence a “cross-party” approach to Britain’s EU divorce. Mrs May lost by 329 to 302 votes – a bigger defeat than had been expected and saw three pro-EU ministers quit their roles to oppose the Prime Minister. The plot is an attempt to water down Britain’s EU exit and could even force a second Brexit referendum.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Verhofstadt said: “Parliament takes control.

“An opportunity to build a cross-party cooperation leading to an enhanced political declaration and a closer future relationship!”

Mrs May ahead of the vote yesterday warned MPs that she wouldn’t be bound by their attempt to sabotage Brexit.

A series of so-called indicative votes will now be held tomorrow to build a consensus for Brexit.

Mrs May said: “No Government could give a blank cheque to commit to an outcome without knowing what it is.”

She also decided to once again another meaningful vote on her draft EU withdrawal deal after failing to convince the Democratic Unionist Party to support the agreement.

The Prime Minister told MPs: “I hope we can all agree, we are now at the moment of decision. And in doing so we must confront the reality of the hard choices before us.”

She warned that unless MPs back her deal, they will have to choose between a no-deal divorce, another lengthy Article 50 delay beyond May 22 or even no Brexit at all.

Mrs May said: “A slow Brexit that forces the British people to take part in European Elections and gives up control of any of our borders, laws, money or trade is not a Brexit that will bring the British people together.

“I know that the deal I have put forward is a compromise. It seeks to deliver on the referendum and retain trust in our democracy, while also respecting the concerns of those who voted to remain.

“But if this House can back it, we could be out of the European Union in less than two months – there would be no further extensions, no threat to Brexit and no risk of a no deal. That I believe is the way to deliver the Brexit the British people voted for.”

Despite her plea for unity, 29 Conservatives were listed as backing Sir Oliver Letwin’s amendment to hand power of the Brexit process to MPs.

Business Minister Richard Harrington accused Mrs May of “playing roulette with the lives and livelihoods of the vast majority of people in this country” by failing to rule out no deal in his resignation letter.

Ministers Alistair Burt and Steve Brine also effectively resigned their government roles after defying a three-line whip to defeat Mrs May in the vote.

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