Tories in major split over Europe, as May denies MPs vote on EAW that she (and the PM) promised

Theresa May is under heavy fire this evening from her backbenchers after denying that there will be a vote on the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) this evening. The Speaker has just told the Commons that “The vote is not – repeat not – on the European Arrest Warrant”. MPs have voted by a majority of just 9 (251-242) to agree to debate the government motion tonight. Tory backbenchers are livid – and rightly so – because they feel they’re being lied to.

12 days ago, David Cameron told PMQs there would be a vote on it. Here’s the exchange from PMQs:

Edward Miliband (Doncaster North) (Lab): A vital tool that has helped to bring murderers, rapists and paedophiles to justice is the European arrest warrant. Why is the Prime Minister delaying having a vote on it?

The Prime Minister: I am not delaying having a vote on it. There will be a vote on it. We need, in order to have a vote on it, the small matter of a negotiation to take place within Europe, which up to now the Spanish have been blocking. I think the Spanish will shortly remove their block, and at that moment we will be able to have a vote. 

Edward Miliband: We all know the reason why the Prime Minister is not having a vote: it is the by-election in Rochester and Strood. He is paralysed by fear of another Back-Bench rebellion on Europe. So I want to make an offer to him. We have a Labour Opposition day next week. We will give him the time for a vote on the European arrest warrant, and we will help him to get it through.

The Prime Minister: There is only one problem with the right hon. Gentleman’s second question: we are going to have a vote, we going to have it before the Rochester by-election—his questions have just collapsed.

Now it appears Cameron’s ruse has just collapsed. And here’s Theresa May – just yesterday – responding to Yvette Cooper:

“Thank you for your letter of 7 November. Let me be absolutely clear: Monday’s debate and vote in the House of Commons will be a debate and vote on the whole package of 35 measures – including the Arrest Warrant – which the Government wants the UK to remain part of in the national interest.”

Tory MPs – who were lined up for a big rebellion against the EAW (which would have embarrassed Cameron just days before the Rochester and Strood by-election) are understandably furious – as they feel the Commons has been lied to.

We’ll have more on this total mess from the government as it develops.