British lawmakers have further delayed the country’s withdrawal from the European Union by requiring the government to address concerns regarding the rights of EU citizens living in the country.
The House of Lords voted 358 to 256 on Wednesday for a change to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan, stating she can only trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and begin EU talks by promising to protect the rights of over 3 million EU citizens that reside in the country.
Introduced by the opposition Labour Party and Liberal Democrats, the amendment postpones the passing of May’s plan and pushes back the earliest date she can set Brexit in motion to around March 13.
Government sources told British media that May would fight the new mandate once it reaches the lower house of Parliament, where the ruling Conservatives are in majority.
“We are disappointed the Lords (upper chamber) have chosen to amend a bill that the Commons (lower chamber) passed…