Peer hits out at “agenda” behind Brexit amendment

A Green Party peer has hit out at the “agenda” of members of the House of Lords pushing for an amendment that will allow parliament to have a say in the final Brexit deal.

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb criticised peers that supported the amendment having originally said that she planned to vote for it.

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“The speeches in favour of them have turned me against the amendment. There is clearly more of an agenda than just allowing more of the people’s will, more of the people’s say, and allowing more parliamentary control of the process so I personally will not vote for this amendment now,” she said.

Crossbench peer Lord Blimoria had said that the amendment would give parliament “the ability to stop the train crash that is Brexit”.

Former Conservative Party leader Michael Howard told the Lords that the amendment showed the “appalling lengths” remain supporters would go to overturn the referendum vote.

The government was defeated in the vote on the amendment which will allow parliament to alter the final Brexit settlement if the deal is rejected by parliament.

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Originally ministers had said that if parliament rejects the Brexit deal agreed by the UK and EU negotiating teams it would cause the UK to fall out of Europe with no deal.

The amendment, which was passed by a majority of 91, was supported by 19 rebel Conservative peers.

It follows Conservative MP Dominic Grieve’s successful amendment to the EU withdrawal bill which gives MPs a vote on the final Brexit deal.