EAST Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton backed Boris Johnson as the Prime Minister suffered a humiliating defeat yesterday. 

Leading Conservatives and opposition parties joined forces to seize control of the parliamentary timetable, which could pave the way for a delay to Brexit or a General Election on October 14. 

Former cabinet ministers including Philip Hammond and David Gauke were among 21 Conservative rebels who banded together for the crucial vote on a dramatic day in Westminster. 

Mr Johnson lost the vote by 328 to 301, a convincing majority of 27 for the rebels.

MPs will today likely vote on legislation which will force Mr Johnson to secure a Brexit delay as politicians from all parties combine to stop a no-deal exit. 

East Renfrewshire voted 74.3 per cent to remain in the EU in the historic 2016 vote. 

Mr Masterton faced losing the party whip had he sided with the rebels, meaning he would not have been allowed to stand as a Tory candidate in a future election. 

He had previously expressed concerns over a no-deal exit from the European Union and says he remains committed to avoiding that fate. 

However, he revealed an 11th hour personal plea from Mr Johnson convinced him to side with the Government in last night's vote.

Mr Masterton said: "As I have said before, I have always tried to be consistent and clear in my stance on Brexit. 

"I have, and will, continue to uphold the commitment I gave to the people of East Renfrewshire during the election campaign to seek to honour the result of the U.K. wide referendum, and the manifesto on which I was elected, to leave the EU with a negotiated deal that minimises economic impact and sets us up for a very close future economic, trading and security relationship.

"The question for me in approaching the vote was whether or not this move would make it more or less likely that a deal could be done.

"Having sought and obtained a personal assurance from the Prime Minister on each of the three points above, I agreed to honour the commitment I gave him at the start of the summer – that as long as he continued to seek a deal, I would give him the space and support.

"My view is that backing the Government (in last night's vote) offered the best way to maximise whatever chance we have of landing a deal with the EU.

"But I believe that far from providing certainty and control, the moves being taken in Parliament this week potentially set off a chain of consequences which could spiral out of hand very quickly and take the country into a very bad place. That includes the possibility of Jeremy Corbyn in No.10 propped up by Nicola Sturgeon. No Scottish Conservative and Unionist MP should facilitate that."

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