THE North-East’s three Members of European Parliament have spoken of their hopes for the future following Theresa May’s Brexit deal defeat.

Paul Brannen, Labour MEP for the region, called Theresa May’s Brexit deal a “botched” attempt and added that the Brexit process had been dragged along by an incompetent and split government.

He said: “We need to be realistic about the incredibly damaging effect that Theresa May’s Brexit would have on the country and more so on the North-East which, as we have seen from the government’s own analysis, would be hardest hit by any Brexit outcome.”

He joined Jude Kirton-Darling, also a Labour MEP for the region, in backing a vote of no confidence. She said: “The government is clearly incapable of governing and must step aside.

“The next immediate and crucial step is for MPs to accept that delaying Article 50 is vital, as there is simply not enough time to process all the legislation in Westminster needed in any scenario.”

She said that she believed MPs did the right thing in defending what she called “the public’s legitimate concerns about the deal.”

And while some MPs have joined campaign groups in calling for a second referendum on whether Britain should leave the EU, independent MEP for the North-East Jonathan Arnott, denounced this approach.

He said: “Anti-democracy forces are absolutely determined to subvert the will of the people, as expressed in one European election, one referendum and two General Elections.

“The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether or not the British people succeed in regaining the freedom that they voted for.

“Those weeks will determine whether we can still, in any meaningful sense, call our system of government democratic.”