Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage poses with Leave supporters outside Westminster

Both Remain and Leave supporters rejoiced outside Parliament last night after MPs rejected Theresa May's Brexit deal by a majority of 230 - the biggest government defeat in history.

Protestors from both sides of the debate had been waiting on College Green and Parliament Square for the outcome of the vote since yesterday morning - although many had dispersed by the time the result was announced. 

The majority of those present wanted to see Mrs May's deal voted down. A group of 'gilet jaune' protesters chanted 'Bye bye EU, bye bye' to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, as pro EU demonstrators sang 'You can stick your Brexit up your a***'. 

The exchange was peaceful although police and security staff were present. 

However, there were dramatic scenes earlier as a far right protester and bodyguard of Tommy Robinson was arrested. 

Daniel Thomas was among protesters at a 'Yellow Vest' demonstration this weekend attended by James Goddard, who was arrested over 'Nazi' slurs aimed at Tory MP Anna Soubry last week. 

An anti-Brexit supporter celebrates in Parliament Square after news came through that MPs had rejected Theresa May's Brexit deal had been rejected by a majority of 230 

An anti-Brexit supporter reacts in Parliament Square after news came through that MPs had rejected Theresa May's Brexit deal by a majority of 230 

Before the outcome of the vote was announced, far-right activist Daniel Thomas was led away by police. He was among protesters at a 'Yellow Vest' demonstration this weekend attended by James Goddard, who was arrested over 'Nazi' slurs aimed at Tory MP Anna Soubry last week

Before the outcome of the vote was announced, far-right activist Daniel Thomas was led away by police. He was among protesters at a 'Yellow Vest' demonstration this weekend attended by James Goddard, who was arrested over 'Nazi' slurs aimed at Tory MP Anna Soubry last week

Protestors from both sides of the debate have been waiting on College Green and Parliament Square for the outcome of the vote since this morning - although many had dispersed by the time the vote took place. Pictured: Protesters waving Union Jack and EU flags react to the news Mrs May's deal had failed this evening 

Protesters waving Union Jack and EU flags react to the news Mrs May's deal had failed. Both sides of the debate gathered outside Parliament appeared to welcome the news 

How did your MP vote? 202 voted For and 432 Against in a historic - and devastating - Commons defeat for the Prime Minister

How did your MP vote? 202 voted For and 432 Against in a historic - and devastating - Commons defeat for the Prime Minister

An anti-Brexit protester waving a European Union flag cheers after news of the Prime Minister's huge loss filtered through 

An anti-Brexit protester waving a European Union flag cheers after news of the Prime Minister's huge loss filtered through 

Pro-EU protesters smile as they watch a giant television screen relay the news of Mrs May's loss on Parliament Square yesterday evening

Pro-EU protesters smile as they watch a giant television screen relay the news of Mrs May's loss on Parliament Square yesterday evening

Demonstrators wearing yellow vests and holding signs saying 'leave means leave' celebrate the outcome of last night's vote 

Demonstrators wearing yellow vests and holding signs saying 'leave means leave' celebrate the outcome of last night's vote 

The majority of those present wanted to see Mrs May's deal voted down, including these protesters waving EU flags 

The majority of those present wanted to see Mrs May's deal voted down, including these protesters waving EU flags 

Campaigners outside Parliament welcoming the news Mrs May's Brexit plan had failed when put to a vote by MPs 

Campaigners outside Parliament welcoming the news Mrs May's Brexit plan had failed when put to a vote by MPs 

Most of the protesters had actually gone home by the time the outcome of the vote was announced, although a substantial minority - like the ones pictured - stuck around 

Most of the protesters had actually gone home by the time the outcome of the vote was announced, although a substantial minority - like the ones pictured - stuck around 

Mrs May (pictured in the Commons last night) will now have to face a vote of no confidence brought by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn 

Mrs May (pictured in the Commons last night) will now have to face a vote of no confidence brought by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn 

Daniel Thomas (seen being led away by police yesterday evening) was a bodyguard for former EDL leader Tommy Robinson 

Daniel Thomas (seen being led away by police yesterday evening) was a bodyguard for former EDL leader Tommy Robinson 

Campaigners wearing yellow vests confront each other in Westminster last night amid the vote on Mrs May's Brexit deal in Parliament 

Campaigners wearing yellow vests confront each other in Westminster last night amid the vote on Mrs May's Brexit deal in Parliament 

A protester wearing the stars of the EU flag among a crowd of demonstrators gathered in Parliament Square yesterday evening prior to the outcome being announced  

A protester wearing the stars of the EU flag among a crowd of demonstrators gathered in Parliament Square yesterday evening prior to the outcome being announced  

Both pro-EU protestors (pictured) and their Brexit-supporting counterparts pictured bedding in for a long night ahead outside the House of Commons 

Both pro-EU protestors (pictured) and their Brexit-supporting counterparts pictured bedding in for a long night ahead outside the House of Commons 

 An EU flag flutters next to the statue of Winston Churchill outside the Houses of Parliament, where hundreds of protestors gathered before last night's vote 

 An EU flag flutters next to the statue of Winston Churchill outside the Houses of Parliament, where hundreds of protestors gathered before last night's vote 

Despite the tension in the air, yesterdays' protests passed without serious incident. The Metropolitan Police (whose officers are seen in this image taken yesterday evening) said its response would be 'appropriate and proportionate'

Despite the tension in the air, yesterdays' protests passed without serious incident. The Metropolitan Police (whose officers are seen in this image taken yesterday evening) said its response would be 'appropriate and proportionate'

Mrs May's Brexit deal finally reaches the House of Commons yesterday evening and MPs begin voting on it at 7pm. Pictured: Pro-Remain supporters outside Parliament 

Mrs May's Brexit deal finally reaches the House of Commons yesterday evening and MPs begin voting on it at 7pm. Pictured: Pro-Remain supporters outside Parliament 

Eva, aged 7, from Exeter, waves a Union Jack while leaning on an EU flag among the crowds of protestors outside Parliament 

Eva, aged 7, from Exeter, waves a Union Jack while leaning on an EU flag among the crowds of protestors outside Parliament 

Grotesques of Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and David Davis outside the Palace of Westminster last night

Grotesques of Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and David Davis outside the Palace of Westminster last night

Hundreds of flags were on display outside Parliament last night as a large contingent of police officers watched on 

Hundreds of flags were on display outside Parliament last night as a large contingent of police officers watched on 

Firms fear more uncertainty  

The pound swung sharply last night as business leaders warned that Theresa May’s Brexit defeat has sparked a national emergency that could cripple the economy.

Sterling fell to under $1.27 in the moments after the vote, before rallying to $1.286. Against the euro, sterling fell towards €1.11 before bouncing back towards €1.13.

The bounceback came as traders bet Brexit could now be delayed and weakened – or even overturned.

Meanwhile, business leaders voiced concerns over the continuing uncertainty. Most senior City figures backed Mrs May’s deal because it ruled out the risk of no deal, which they fear could create chaos at Britain’s borders and risk a recession.

Stephen Martin, of the Institute of Directors lobby group, said: ‘As things stand, we will leave on March 29, with or without a withdrawal agreement, and yet MPs are behaving as though they have all the time in the world – how are businesses meant to prepare in this fog of confusion?’

One group of Remain protesters kept up a steady racket with a bell and a bass drum they dubbed The Liberty Bell with the words Save Our Sovereignty above it.

Brexiteer David Hurlibut, 62, from Ipswich, said: 'It's not being true to the referendum. We may as well stay in the EU.'

Remainer John Wilkins, 64, from Crediton in Devon, also wanted to see the deal blocked.

'The Government hasn't managed to find a solution to the Irish border and no one is happy with the agreement,' he said.

Remainer Tony Singh, 53, said: 'No one will support a trade deal that's detrimental to the interest of the UK.'

In nearby Parliament Square a platform and two screens were set up by those campaigning for a people's vote.

A float with a sculpture of Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and David Davis with the words 'Brexit is a monstrosity' circled the area.

The demonstrations ahead of the vote were calm, although a small number of 'gilets jaunes' protesters verbally abused police, calling them 'EU Police' and 'EU fascists'.

Earlier yesterday, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage posed with pro-Brexit campaigners on Parliament Square as the number of protestors from both sides continued to swell. 

He claimed Mrs May had never really wanted to leave the EU. 

'This should be a day of celebration for Brexiteers but unfortunately the Prime Minister never wanted us to become an independent country, her deal costs us a fortune, ties us into EU rules indefinitely and is a total shocker,' he told the Daily Star Online prior to the outcome of the

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