Tory peer calls for firm commitment on Parliamentary vote as Brexit Bill heads to the Lords

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post ahead of the second reading of the Bill on Monday, Baroness McIntosh of Pickering said it could prove “helpful” for the Government to formalise its commitment in writing – hinting that she is willing to back an amendment to force its hand if it does not.

The intervention from the former MP comes as the Brexit Secretary David Davis admitted peers are likely to succeed in making some changes to the Bill, telling reporters he expects some Parliamentary “ping pong” before the law is passed.

It also comes as a fellow Yorkshire peer warns of a “large number” of Lords who see the legislation as an opportunity to press for a second referendum.

Members of the Lords have already tabled more than 20 amendments to the two-clause Bill, including calls for guarantees over the rights of EU citizens to remain in the UK.

Labour peers have put forward motions calling for Britain to retain membership of the European Economic Area, and requiring ministers to provide regular reports to Parliament on the progress of negotiations.

Ministers have issued several veiled warnings to the Lords not to try and obstruct the Bill – with one Government source even threatening to abolish the second chamber if peers are seen to be frustrating the will of the people.

However, the former Thirsk MP Lady McIntosh argues that last month’s Supreme Court ruling shows that both houses of Parliament have “a major role to play” in scrutinising the process.

She explains that the majority of this work is likely to centre around subsequent legislation, such as the upcoming Great Repeal Bill which will transpose all EU legislation into British law.

She is also keen to ascertain what the Government’s plans are for adjudication over future dealings with the EU, pointing to the European Court of Justice as the obvious candidate for the role.

But while she stresses that the current Bill is “purely to trigger negotiations”, she revealed she is considering supporting an amendment tabled by the cross-bench peer Lord Pannick that requires both houses of Parliament to approve the final deal with the EU.

She adds that it “might be helpful to the Government” to write this concession “on the face of the Bill”, following Brexit Minister David Jones’ verbal commitment to the Commons last week.

Speaking at a press conference in Sweden today, Mr Davis acknowledged the Bill is likely to do “some passing backwards and forward” between the Lords and the Commons before it is passed.

This suggests he expects the Government to be defeated on some of the amendments – but he told reporters any disputes will be resolved “in good time” for the Government to meet its March 31st deadline for triggering Article 50.

The independent Yorkshire peer Lord Ahmed told this paper that there are a “large number” of peers – and not just Lib Dems – who would like to use the Brexit Bill to back calls for second referendum. But he said it would take an amendment from a “respected cross-bencher”, rather than a Labour or Lib Dem peer, to get a significant level of support.

If unamended, the EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill could be ratified as early as March 7.