Brexit: EU Withdrawal Bill clears House of Commons to pass to peers

Flagship Brexit legislation has cleared the House of Commons after MPs approved the EU Withdrawal Bill.

The key bill, which aims to end the supremacy of EU law in Britain in time for Brexit, will now pass to the House of Lords, where it will be closely scrutinised by peers.

MPs voted in favour of the bill by 324 to 295, with Labour opposing its third reading.

However, the legislation is likely to return to the House of Commons after peers signalled their intent to add amendments in the upper chamber.

Commenting on Wednesday night's vote, Brexit Secretary David Davis said: "We are pleased that the bill has successfully completed this stage of its passage through Parliament.

"From the beginning our approach has been to work constructively with MPs from across the House wherever possible to improve the bill.

"This is a critical piece of legislation that aims to maximise certainty for individuals and businesses after our exit.

"We are looking forward to working with peers as the bill enters its next stage of scrutiny in the House of Lords at the end of this month."

Announcing Labour's opposition to the bill at third reading, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer branded it "not fit for purpose" as he repeated demands for MPs to have a meaningful vote on any divorce deal with the EU.

The vote on the bill's third reading followed two hours of voting on MPs' proposed amendments to the legislation, which the Government defeated.

As well as repealing the 1972 European Communities Act, which brought Britain into the EU, the EU Withdrawal Bill is also designed to transfer all existing Brussels laws into UK legislation.

During Wednesday's debate, Theresa May was handed a warning over Brexit by former Cabinet minister Justine Greening, who quit the Government in this month's reshuffle.

The ex-education secretary claimed Brexit will "not be sustainable" if it does not work for young people.

Her remarks signalled Ms Greening could now join a group of Tory Brexit rebel MPs, who will be watched closely by the Government ahead of the EU Withdrawal Bill's probable return to the House of Commons.

In the unlikely event the bill passes the House of Lords without peers adding amendments, it would receive Royal assent and become law.