Government's flagship Brexit Bill 'faces weeks of delays' over fears Tory rebels could vote against it

Theresa May's flagship Brexit legislation is facing further delays and may not be debated by MPs for weeks because of the threat of a Tory rebellion, according to reports. 

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill had been expected to return to the House of Commons for further debate next week having already been delayed because of fears the Government could face embarrassing defeats on key issues. 

But now reports suggest the Bill may not move forward until after Parliament's week-long recess at the start of November. 

The Government has previously insisted the legislation had not been delayed because no date had been set in stone for it to return to the Commons for further scrutiny by MPs. 

But Labour said the potential delay showed there was "chaos at the heart of Government" as ministers attempt to placate Tory rebels who are angry over some aspects of the Bill, particularly over plans to hand ministers so-called Henry VIII powers to allow them to change laws without full parliamentary scrutiny. 

Andrea Leadsom, the Commons Leader, will confirm next week's Commons business in a routine statement on Thursday. 

If the Withdrawal Bill is not tabled for debate it will be taken as a sign that ministers have so far been unable to win over their Conservative colleagues who are poised to vote against the Government unless certain concessions are granted. 

Delaying the Bill, which will transfer EU laws on British statute books so that the UK does not face a legislative cliff-edge the day after Brexit, is significant because the Government is working to a tight time frame to get the legislation agreed well ahead of the point of Britain's withdrawal from the bloc. 

If Mrs May is able to successfully navigate the Bill through the Commons it will still have to progress through a hostile House of Lords where the Government does not command a majority. 

Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, said the reported delay showed the Government's withdrawal strategy was in a state of paralysis. 

He said: "The negotiations are in deadlock and now a crucial piece of legislation is facing further delay.

"There is chaos at the heart of Government. Theresa May cannot unite her Cabinet or her party behind this deeply flawed Bill.

"There are now serious questions about whether the Prime Minister can deliver Brexit."