Protesters chant 'stop the coup' outside Parliament as MPs meet for crunch Brexit vote

George Martin
Updated
Anti Brexit demonstrators attend a protest at Parliament Square in London, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. Lawmakers returned from their summer recess Tuesday for a pivotal day in British politics as they challenged Prime Minister Boris Johnson's insistence that the U.K. leave the European Union on Oct. 31, even without a withdrawal agreement to cushion the economic blow. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti)
Anti Brexit demonstrators attend a protest at Parliament Square on Tuesday. (AP)

Crowds outside Parliament chanted “stop the coup” on Tuesday evening as a group of rebel MPs attempted to block a no-deal Brexit.

Protests took place throughout the day with both Brexiteers and pro-EU factions descending on Westminster.

Crowds could be heard loudly chanting outside the House of Commons as politicians met for a key vote inside the building.

Journalist Ian Dunt reported hearing crowds hurling explicit insults at the Prime Minister, including shouting: “F*** the government, f*** Boris”

Brexit protesters in Westminster, London.
Brexit supporters march next to the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. (PA)

It comes as a cross-party group of MPs brought forward a motion to hijack the Wednesday’s debate in an attempt to force a vote on blocking no-deal.

If passed by a majority of MPs, the votes would almost certainly force Mr Johnson to ask Brussels for an extension to the October 31 deadline.

The move would also lead to a possible general election, which could take place next month, according to government sources.

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Brexit supporters could be seen brandishing UKIP flags as they protested against the potential further delay.

While Remain supporters bore EU standards and shouted “Boris out” and “this is what democracy looks like” as the Prime Minister faced questions in the Commons.

Inside the chamber, Mr Johnson faced shouts of “resign” and was challenged by Philip Hammond to publish Britain’s new Brexit proposals during a stormy Commons return.

Brexit protesters in Westminster, London.
A group of rebel MPs will attempt to hijack Wednesday's Commons debate on Tuesday evening. (PA)

The Prime Minister’s claims over attempts to secure an improved deal with the EU were labelled a “sham” by opposition MPs, who heckled him repeatedly in the chamber.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn questioned if the UK has put forward any new proposals in relation to the controversial Northern Ireland backstop before warning the “reckless Government only has one plan – to crash out of the EU without a deal”.

He also said the Government is hiding from scrutiny and the people by failing to publish its no-deal preparations, while Tory former chancellor Mr Hammond urged the PM to commit to publishing the UK’s new Brexit proposals on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Hammond said this would help those MPs make their decision on whether to allow backbenchers to take control of the order paper in a bid to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

Mr Johnson urged MPs to give him “the leeway” to secure a new deal and claimed he does not want a general election.

But his task became even more difficult after former minister Phillip Lee dramatically defected to the Liberal Democrats, crossing the floor of the Commons as Mr Johnson delivered a statement to MPs.

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