EU withdrawal bill to be delayed by a month - report
2 min read
The EU Withdrawal Bill is set to be delayed until at least mid-November amid fears of a major Tory rebellion, according to a report.
The key piece of legislation was originally set to be debated in the Commons this week but it now looks set to be put off until parliament reconvenes after the autumn recess.
The Government is anticipating significant opposition among Conservative MPs on a large number of amendments, threatening Theresa May’s fragile Commons majority.
One source told the BBC the delay is because there is “not enough political agreement yet".
MPs have previously raised concerns over so-called "Henry VIII powers" contained in the Bill, which will allow ministers to make legislative changes without full parliamentary scrutiny.
Labour attacked the Government for the delay, claiming it was proof the withdrawal process is in “deadlock”.
“This is further proof that the Government's Brexit strategy is in paralysis,” Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said.
“The negotiations are in deadlock and now a crucial piece of legislation is facing further delay.”
However, the Government claimed there was no delay as a date had never been set.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: "We never had a date for committee stage. In the usual way, the Leader of the House will set out business tomorrow."
Andrea Leadsom, the Leader of the House, said last week that 300 amendments had been proposed and it was “taking a bit of time to have proper, thoughtful, well-considered responses".
Brexit Minister Robin Walker told Daily Politics the bill will be debated “within weeks” and will offer “continuity and certainty” as Britain leaves the EU.
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