Lib Dem deputy leader accidentally votes for Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit plan

Jeremy Corbyn addresses crowds stood in front of a 'road to Brexit' backdrop. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire. - Credit: Archant

The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats said she made a ‘genuine mistake’ by accidentally voting for Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit plan.

Jo Swinson was recorded as having supported a Labour amendment to the government’s Brexit motion, according to the division list.

Her apparent defiance of her party’s policy raised eyebrows in Westminster – but a party source said it was a ‘genuine mistake’.

She was the only Lib Dem MP to support the policy.

Labour’s amendment called for a permanent and comprehensive customs union with the EU; dynamic alignment on rights and protections; commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programmes; ‘unambiguous’ agreements on the detail of future security arrangements; and close alignment with the single market.

Corbyn’s proposals were defeated by a margin of 240 votes to 323.

Swinson was joined by Ken Clarke, 235 Labour MPs, and three Independent MPs – Ivan Lewis, Jared O’Mara, John Woodcock.