Theresa May set to trigger Article 50 within days as Brexit Bill passes final hurdle

Last night’s showdown between the Lords and the Commons saw MPs vote down amendments on the right’s of EU citizens and a “meaningful vote” on the final deal with an increased majority – prompting previously combative peers to beat a hasty retreat

The legislation is now free to receive Royal Assent, meaning the Prime Minister could have the power to notify European leaders of her intention to leave the union by the end of today.

However, Downing Street has given its strongest hint yet that Article 50 will not be triggered until the end of the month, with reports now pointing to March 27 as the most likely date for the historic announcement.

Initial reports had suggested Mrs May could have a rebellion on her hands when the Bill returned to the Commons this week, after several Tory MPs expressed support for Lords amendments.

The two motions in question sought to offer unilateral guarantees over the rights of EU citizens currently living in the UK, and to secure a Parliamentary vote on any new deal with the 27-strong trading bloc .

But the combination of fresh assurances from Brexit Secretary David Davis about Britain’s “moral responsibility” to EU nationals, and a reluctance to cause the Government further embarrassment amid the ongoing National Insurance fiasco, served to quell their rebellious spirit.

In the end, just two Tory MPs voted to uphold amendments and both motions were defeated, with the Government enjoying an increased majority compared to similar votes at the third reading of the Bill.

The legislation was then sent back to the Lords, where opposition peers had previously suggested they would seek to reinstate amendments if they were reversed.

However, speaking just after the Commons vote, Labour peer Baroness Smith confirmed her party was not planning to push for any more changes because it was “unlikely” to change MPs’ minds.

This put the Bill on a path to clear Parliament in time to receive Royal assent this morning, paving the way for Mrs May to begin the formal Brexit process later this afternoon.

But Downing Street has moved to play down reports of an announcement today, with the Prime Minister’s spokesman emphasising plans to trigger Article 50 by the “end” of March.

This has given rise to fresh rumours that Mrs May is aiming to make her big move on March 27. Such a a delay would avoid any clash with EU celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome on March 25.

Yesterday’s victory for the Government was overshadowed by the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as she fired the starting gun on a second independence referendum. Ms Sturgeon said she will ask the Scottish Parliament to request permission from Westminster next Tuesday.