EU’LL GIVE THEM THE UPPER HAND

Theresa May warns peers they could ‘incentivise’ Brussels to offer Britain a bad deal if they amend the Brexit Bill

PM made the claim ahead of House of Lords vote calling for Parliament to be given ‘meaningful’ say on final EU agreement

THERESA May has warned peers they could “incentivise” the EU to offer Britain a bad deal if they make further changes to the Brexit Bill.

The Prime Minister fired the shot across the bows of the upper chamber as it prepares to vote tomorrow on an amendment to the Article 50 legislation calling for Westminster to be given a “meaningful” vote on final agreement from Brussels.

She has already promised Parliament a vote, but only on a “take it or leave it” basis, which would see the UK crash out of the EU without a deal if MPs reject the Brexit agreement she obtains.

And the PM believes she must maintain this position in order to convince the other member states she is ready to walk away from the table if she does not like what is on offer.

But many peers are insisting that they should be given the option of telling ministers to go back to the EU and renegotiate a better deal.

Opposition members have argued Mrs May’s position that “no deal is better than a bad deal” risks a sudden “cliff-edge” move onto WTO tariffs which would harm the UK economy.

Asked for the PM’s message to peers preparing to vote on the European Union (Notification Of Withdrawal) Bill, Mrs May’s official spokesman said: “She believes we should not commit to any process that would incentivise the EU to offer us a bad deal.

“If we are in a position where any deal negotiated by the Prime Minister could be rejected by MPs, that gives strength potentially to other parties in the negotiation.”

It comes as a former Tory chancellor warned that Brexit is “under attack” on several fronts, as he urged peers to “see sense” over their threats to change laws starting exit talks.

Lord Lamont said his Remain-supporting colleagues in the House of Lords must not use their role scrutinising legislation as cover for opposing the clear verdict delivered by voters in the referendum.

In a speech in central London, he also raised fears about lawyers “concocting some mysterious challenges” to Britain’s withdrawal from the bloc.

He said: “The result was clear, the question was simple and unambiguous and yet Brexit is under attack on several fronts.

“Some say maybe in the future the British people will change their minds. By that they mean they would like to change their minds for them.”

The peer added: “Amendments should not be used as a cover by those who are seeking to oppose the results of the referendum,” he said.

“I hope that my colleagues in the House of Lords will see sense and I look forward to Article 50 being triggered as soon as possible.”

March 6th, 2017: The Sun