WINCHESTER MP Steve Brine backed the Government in its attempts to get Brexit over the line – despite previously admitting he had “nerves” about sections of Boris Johnson’s deal with the European Union.

Mr Brine supported the move to progress the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Bill and a three-day timetable for completing this on Tuesday, which would have seen the United Kingdom leave on October 31.

While Prime Minister Mr Johnson secured a majority on the first of these votes, he failed to gain enough backing for the swift schedule.

As the Chronicle went to print it looked likely that the EU would sanction a three-month extension to the UK’s departure date. It is expected Mr Johnson will now aim to call a General Election.

Appearing on BBC Newsnight on Monday, independent MP Mr Brine refused to confirm how he intended to vote the following day.

“I will absolutely reserve the right to reserve my judgement as to how I am going to vote in the House of Commons,” said Mr Brine. “I am an independent MP. I have absolutely the right to do that. I will read it (the bill) in as much detail as I possibly can.”

Asked if what he had read at that time had given him nerves, he said: “Yes, it does give me nerves and some of the stuff I am hearing gives me nerves but I will sit in the House tomorrow (Tuesday) and listen to what people say and I will make a judgement.”

Despite supporting the Government, former health minister Mr Brine told the Chronicle he had not had the Conservative Party whip reinstated and he had not asked about the matter.

In a hectic few days in the House of Commons, Mr Brine travelled to the capital on Saturday for what was expected to be a crucial day with MPs having a meaningful vote, which never materialised due to an amendment from Oliver Letwin MP.

Speaking in the Commons at the time, Mr Brine said: “I thank the Prime Minister for his statement and the tone in which he has delivered it. He and I have had some robust conversations in the last six weeks and he has done what he promised me he would do: sought a Brexit deal and brought it back to this House.

“I was pleased to hear him mention the 48 per cent [who voted remain]. There are a lot of people for whom we need the losers’ consent to deliver Brexit safely. Does he agree that the way to do that is with the deal he has proposed, which is well worthy of all our support?”

Mr Johnson said: “My honourable friend’s support means a great deal to me.

“He and I did have long conversations about this, and I did my best to convince him that I was in earnest in seeking a deal. I truly was, and I am very pleased with the result that we have secured. I am delighted that he feels able to support it tonight.”