MPs backed a controversial plan to force Theresa May to stop a no-deal Brexit tonight in a close Commons vote.
A cross-party manoeuvre hatched by Tory Sir Oliver Letwin and Labour's Yvette Cooper to force a new law through the Commons in a day look set to succeed after a 315-310 decision to allow it to proceed.
If passed by both the Commons and the Lords the law would require the Prime Minister specifically to ask the EU to delay Britain's withdrawal beyond April 12 - currently the day we are due to leave without a deal.
The attempt to wrestle control of Brexit by the cross-party Remainers sparked fury among Brexiteers.
But the second reading vote passed by just five is almost certain to be repeated when MPs vote again at 10pm after the third reading.
But the closeness of the vote suggests that many MPs are uneasy at the backbench attempt to force the Prime minister's hand.
The second reading vote was passed by just five votes tonight, 315 to 310
The single-clause Cooper Bill requires the Prime Minister to table her own motion seeking MPs' approval for an extension to the Article 50 process of Brexit talks to a date of her choosing.
MPs next debate the bill in 'committee stage' this evening before the vote on the third reading stage, which is expected at around 10pm.
If it passes this vote the bill then passes to the House of Lords where an identical process takes place.
Should that go to plan without any further changes requested by peers it would then be ready to be sent to the Queen for Royal Assent.
The group behind the Bill, which also includes former Tory chairwoman Dame Caroline Spelman, Commons Brexit Committee chair Hilary Benn, former attorney general Dominic Grieve and Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb, hopes once it has passed the Commons it could be approved by the House of Lords tomorrow and granted Royal Assent in time for the emergency EU summit on April 10.
Ms Cooper, speaking at second reading, said her Bill was still needed because although the PM has signalled she wants to extend Article 50 'there is no clear process of how those decisions will be taken', adding her Bill 'adds some clarity'.
But Tory Sir Bill Cash, chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, said the Bill would amount to 'supplication to the EU', which he said would be a 'profound humiliation for the British people'.
He added: 'As I and others have made clear over the years, it will be decided by Germany, in the council of ministers, and the European Council.
'I say this is a German Europe, it is run by Germany and that is the bottom line, and that will happen in relation to this decision as well.'
Shadow Brexit minister Paul Blomfield offered Labour's support while Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay outlined the Government's opposition, saying: 'It's constitutionally irregular.'
John Bercow had earlier broke a tie to rule against holding a third round
