UK ministers at risk of 2nd Brexit defeat

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ministers are at risk of a second defeat in the House of Lords over the bill paving the way for Brexit talks, BBC News reports.

Peers may back calls for a "meaningful vote" on the final terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU and its future relations during a debate on Tuesday, March 7.

No 10 has assured Parliament it will get a say on the outcome, but opponents want the option of a veto, even if no Brexit deal is agreed.

Ministers have appealed to peers not to limit Theresa May's room for manoeuvre.

Peers have already voted in favour of guaranteeing the rights of EU residents to remain, putting them on a collision course with MPs who rejected the idea.

The prime minister wants to notify the EU by the end of March that the UK is leaving the bloc - triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty - but needs the approval of Parliament to do so.

The House of Commons has approved legislation which would kick-start the two-year process, but the Lords has already amended the bill and Labour, Lib Dem and crossbench peers are seeking further changes when debate resumes on Tuesday.