Brexit vote: 47 Labour MPs defy Jeremy Corbyn's orders and vote against triggering Article 50

More than 40 Labour MPs defied Jeremy Corbyn's orders and voted against the Government’s Brexit Bill.

Two Shadow Cabinet members had already announced their resignation from his frontbench over the vote.

And a total of 47 MPs voted to block The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, which paves the way for the formal Brexit process to begin under Article 50.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke was the only Conservative to vote against the legislation.

Mr Corbyn seemingly struggled to contain his party’s revolt after Dawn Butler quit as shadow equalities minister and Rachael Maskell resigned as shadow environment secretary just hours before the crucial vote.

And 10 Labour junior shadow ministers and three whips, who are supposed to enforce party discipline, voted against triggering Article 50.

The frontbenchers were shadow sport minister Rosena Allin-Khan, shadow culture minister Kevin Brennan, shadow police minister Lyn Brown, shadow housing minister Karen Buck, shadow crime minister Rupa Huq, shadow Northern Ireland minister Stephen Pound, shadow housing minister Andy Slaughter, shadow foreign office minister Catherine West, shadow energy minister Alan Whitehead and shadow transport minister Daniel Zeichner.

The whips were Thangam Debbonaire, Vicky Foxcroft and Jeff Smith.

But Theresa May’s Bill was still passed with an overwhelming majority of 384.

It will be scrutinised during its committee stage next week – during which the Labour party is set to demand changes to existing legislation.