NORTH Essex’s MPs have hit back at an “attempt to reverse Brexit” after the Government were defeated in a House of Commons vote.

Parliament took back control of the Brexit process on Wednesday night after MPs narrowly voted through an amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) to ensure they have a “meaningful vote” on the withdrawal deal.

MPs from opposition parties sided with Tory rebel Dominic Grieve and his allies to defeat the Government by 309 to 305.

It means MPs and peers will be given more control over the Government’s implementation of the withdrawal agreement, as ministers will have to pass a statute, which can be amended, before it takes effect.

Anti-EU campaigner, Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin said: “To dress this attempt to reverse Brexit as an argument in favour of parliamentary sovereignty is nothing but cant.”

But Mr Jenkin’s comments were branded “Stalinism” by Labour former minister Yvette Cooper, and Tory former minister Anna Soubry described them as “shocking”.

Ms Cooper said: “Oh my, what Stalinism is this? That somehow any attempt to disagree with the way in which this Bill is drawn up is somehow a betrayal of Brexit, what rubbish.”

Clacton MP Giles Watling and Colchester MP Will Quince supported the Government by voting against the amendment.

Mr Watling said: “I think it’s a real shame. We have got to do this Brexit thing and we need it to be neat and tidy.

“The Government and ministers will be going in to negotiate with people and know that whatever deals they make won’t be binding.

“The people of the Clacton constituency overwhelmingly voted for Brexit and we must get on with it.”

The Government said it was “disappointed” at the defeat but suggested it may seek to amend the Bill during later stages of its passage through Parliament.

A spokeswoman said: “We are as clear as ever that this Bill, and the powers within it, are essential. We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the Bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose.”