Downing Street has refused to say which Brexit amendments it could support in a series of votes, as it increasingly appears Theresa May believes it is up to the EU to deliver a departure agreement by giving ground on the Irish backstop.

The House of Commons will consider amendments to a motion on the prime minister’s Brexit plan on Tuesday evening – some seeking to avert a no-deal departure and others trying to water down the backstop, the Irish border insurance policy that prompted the Democratic Unionist party and many Tory MPs to vote against her proposal earlier this month.

However, only some amendments will be picked for a vote by the Speaker, John Bercow. Asked which ones the government might back, May’s spokesman said it was impossible to say before they were selected.

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