A Tory MP was warned he risks becoming a modern-day grand old Duke of York after backing down over a vote which risked defeating the Government.

Dominic Grieve ultimately voted against his amendment to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill which aimed to give Parliament a "meaningful vote in the Brexit process" following further Government assurances.

His decision to step back when the Government appeared on the brink of defeat left opposition MPs frustrated, with comparisons to the nursery rhyme in which the Duke of York marched his men up the hill before retreating.

The Government had outlined it would offer a symbolic vote on a "neutral motion" which was unamendable if there was no agreement with Brussels before later making clear it would be for Speaker John Bercow to decide if amendments could be tabled.

Just six Tory MPs rebelled to support the amendment, which the Government defeated by 319 votes to 303 - majority 16.

Labour chairman of the Brexit select committee Hilary Benn said the Government's intention had been to seek to "neuter" the Commons when it comes to the end of the Brexit process.

He also said if he was Mr Grieve he would be "very, very cautious about accepting further assurances" after events last week, but said he respected the decision he had made.

Labour former minister George Howarth spoke of his respect for Mr Grieve, adding: "I do say very gently that he is in danger of turning into a modern-day grand old Duke of York.

"There are only so many times you can march the troops up the hill and down again without completely losing integrity."

Mr Grieve earlier appealed for calm over Brexit "hysteria" after backing down.

He there was enough madness around to make him question if the "collective sanity in this country has disappeared", adding sensible and reasoned arguments presented to the Commons resulted in vilification, abuse and death threats for MPs.

Mr Grieve also criticised the "atmosphere of bullying" which prevents people from want to compromise.

The former attorney general said: "Having finally obtained, I have to say with a little bit more difficulty than I would have wished, the obvious acknowledgement of the sovereignty of this place over the executive in black and white language I am prepared to accept the Government's difficulty and support it.

"I am prepared to accept the Government's difficulty and in the circumstances to accept the form of amendment it wants."

He told MPs that if unsatisfied with the deal, Parliament could issue a vote of no confidence or use other methods "to bring its very clear view to bear on the Government".

Mr Grieve went on to outline difficulties faced by MPs, noting: "It's rightly said that those the gods want to destroy, they first render mad.

"I have to say there's enough madness around at the moment to make one start to question whether collective sanity in this country has disappeared.

"Every time sensible, reasoned argument tries to be presented in this House, vilification and abuse follows, death threats for right honourable and honourable friends, there is a hysteria which completely loses sight of the issues we have to really consider.

"And I have to say there's an atmosphere of bullying which has the directly opposite consequence that it puts people into a position where they feel are enable to compromise because by doing so they will immediately described as having lost, as if these were arguments to be lost or won.

"The issue must be that we get it right."