Brexit on track despite Lords interference, says South Staffordshire MP Gavin
The Government is still on course to trigger Article 50 before the end of the month despite the House of Lords 'attempts to weaken Britain's negotiation position', according to Theresa May's parliamentary enforcer.
Chief Whip Gavin Williamson has criticised peers for showing 'scant regard' for the result of the EU referendum.
It comes after the second chamber voted to amend the Brexit bill in a bid to force the Government to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK.
Seven Tory peers - including former South Staffordshire MP Lord Cormack - backed the amendment.
Mr Williamson, who represents South Staffordshire, said the Government would be doing all it can to resist the amendment when it comes back before the Commons.
"It does undermine the Government's position," he said. "It is frankly very disappointing that an unelected house seems to be wanting to interfere and overturn the wishes of the democratically elected house, and more importantly, trying to weaken Britain's negotiation position.
"They seem to have scant regard for the referendum and the wishes of the British people. I sincerely hope they don't continue to go down this line and continue to take this short-sighted view."
The proposal to amend the bill was passed by 358 votes to 256, prompting speculation that Mrs May could face a Tory rebellion when it returns to the Commons.
However, Mr Williamson insisted the Prime Minister's Brexit timetable was still 'on course' and added: "This is a really simple bill that is about doing one thing, which is delivering on what British people voted for on June 23.
"It is a shame the peers are playing politics and grandstanding in the way they are. I just hope common sense will prevail."
The amendment calls for ministers to bring forward plans ensuring the rights of EU citizens living in Britain to continue post-Brexit, within three months of triggering Article 50.
"The Prime Minister has made it absolutely clear that is what she wants to do," added Mr Williamson. "But she also wants assurances for British nationals living abroad that their rights will be guaranteed.
"I think that the Prime Minister has been extremely pragmatic on this. She wants to get an agreement on behalf of British nationals and EU nationals.
"She has already made a very open and generous offer to EU leaders to sort this out once and for all last year. Unfortunately at the time they didn't want to do it."
The Lords will vote next week on a further amendment to give MPs a 'meaningful vote' on the outcome of Mrs May’s negotiations with the EU.
