THE decision by parliamentarians to vote for a delay to Brexit has been described as ‘deeply frustrating’ by the Barrow and Furness MP.

John Woodcock was speaking after an extraordinary Saturday sitting of Parliament that saw MPs take part in crucial votes on leaving the European Union.

MPs voted by a majority of 16 to back an amendment put forward by former Cabinet minister Sir Oliver Letwin to withhold approval of the deal agreed between Boris Johnson and Brussels ‘unless and until implementing legislation is passed’.

Sir Oliver, who lost the Tory whip for voting against the Government on Brexit previously, said the amendment was ‘insurance’ against the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal by mistake on the scheduled deadline of October 31.

That meant a so-called meaningful vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal was pulled.

Reacting, independent MP Mr Woodcock said: “This has turned out to be yet another day of anti-climax and delay that will be deeply frustrating for the public, whether they support Brexit or want to cancel it.

“The prime minister managed to defy expectations and agree a proposal with EU partners and no matter what it thinks of its flaws, parliament needs to get on with debating and deciding on it.

“I voted against the Letwin amendment because it is all starting to seem too clever by half and getting in the way of the proper work we need to do.”

Conservative Copeland MP Trudy Harrison, who voted against delaying Brexit, said she was left in ‘absolute despair’ following ‘another day of non-delivery in the farcical world of politics’.

“I am embarrassed to be a part of it,” she said.

“The people voted by majority and it’s our job to deliver. Against the odds Boris re-opened the Withdrawal Agreement, ditched the backstop and altered the Political Declaration yet the majority in Parliament found a way to scupper a meaningful vote to become meaningless.”

South Lakes Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said: “The government wanted to bounce the country and parliament into accepting a deal that has had hardly any scrutiny.

“You wouldn’t choose a Christmas present for your kids with so little thought. Yet Mr Johnson wants us to choose our kids’ whole future on the basis of a rushed debate on a deal stitched up by half a dozen bureaucrats.”

Boris Johnson has sent a letter to EU leaders requesting an extension to negotiate to the Brexit deadline - but refused to sign it.

A second letter sent and signed by the PM to the EU said a delay would be a mistake.