BREXIT: Lords defeat Theresa May for the second in a week

British Prime Minister Theresa May suffers another defeat, as peers on Tuesday supported an amendment to the Brexit bill with a total vote of 366 against 268. As a result, peers have been accused for attempting to frustrate Brexit.

The amendment suggests that Theresa May should bring to the floor of the parliament any deal reached with the EU for approval by both houses of parliament before implementing it.

The amendment also states that, Mrs May would require the prior approval of MPs and Lords if she decides to conclude talks "without an agreement as to the applicable terms".

Remarkably, Tuesday’s defeat is the second time in a week the Lords have defeated the Brexit bill - on Wednesday a Labour amendment demanding protection for EU citizens in the UK was passed by a majority of 102.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said the outcome of the amendment vote was "disappointing".

He said: "(The bill) has a straightforward purpose - to enact the referendum result and allow the Government to get on with negotiating a new partnership with the EU.

"It is clear that some in the Lords would seek to frustrate that process and it is the Government's intention to ensure that does not happen.

"We will now aim to overturn these amendments in the House of Commons."

This second amendment has been seen by one time Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown, as an opportunity for the Commons to give their decision a second thought.

Lord Ashdown speaking to Sky News said: "This is about the sovereignty of Parliament, the Prime Minister was trying to get away without Parliament having a say - we've insisted it should.

"What else is democracy about?"

He added: "The Government have abused the people's vote, they have hijacked the Brexit referendum result for the hardest possible Brexit, the one that leaves us the most distant from the European Union."

With the Prime Minister vowing to trigger Article 50 before the end of March, senior peers now expect "ping pong" on Monday, with the Lords amendments being debated - and thrown out - by MPs in the Commons in the afternoon.

The bill would then return to the Lords that evening, when peers are expected to end their demands for changes and allow the legislation to reach the statute book.