STRASBOURG, March 12 -- Jean-Claude Juncker has issued a stark warning to MPs threatening to reject Theresa May’s “improved” Brexit deal, saying there will be “no third chance”. The European Commission President’s remarks came after the Prime Minister said she had secured “legally binding” changes to the agreement ahead of the Commons vote tonight. Changes to Mrs May’s deal, which were revealed on Monday night, have been slammed by MPs and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn who urged Parliament to reject the updated plans. But Mr Juncker warned Britain’s MPs that no further assurances will be given, telling the press conference which followed his and Mrs May’s talks in Strasbourg: "Let us be crystal clear about the choice - it is this deal or Brexit might not happen at all." He said: "There will be no new negotiations. It is this. In politics, sometimes you get a second chance. It is what we do with the second chance that counts. Because there will be no third chance. "There will be no further interpretation of the interpretations and no further assurances on the reassurances.” Mrs May insisted she has secured "legally binding" changes to the Brexit deal which ensure the Irish backstop cannot be permanent. Following last-ditch talks ahead of a crunch Commons vote later today, Mrs May said she has now delivered what Parliament asked her to do. The PM said she "passionately believed" her Brexit deal addressed concerns raised by MPs who feared the backstop would keep the UK in a customs arrangement with the EU indefinitely. At a joint press conference with Mr Juncker, Mrs May said the three new documents agreed provided the legal assurances critics of her stance had called for. She said: "What we have secured is very clearly that the backstop cannot be indefinite. Cannot become permanent. It is only temporary. If it is the case that we were ever to get into the backstop. "The legal instrument that we have agreed is an addition to the Withdrawal Agreement. It has the same legal status as the Withdrawal Agreement. It is legally binding. "That is what Parliament asked us to secure and that is what we have secured." Mrs May added: "MPs were clear that legal changes were needed to the backstop. Today we have secured legal changes. "Now is the time to come together to back this improved Brexit deal and to deliver on the instruction of the British people." The legal view of the changes taken by Attorney General Geoffrey Cox will be an important factor in the lead-up to the Commons vote. Mrs May said: "The Attorney General is independent. He will come to his decision. He will publish his legal opinion."
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