GETTY The EU is preparing itself for the triggering of Article 50 as early as next week

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The Brexit minister warned party members who may want to scupper the Prime minister’s plans that sabotaging the bill could make EU nationals a higher priority for the British Government than UK ex-pats on the continent. It comes as the European bloc prepares itself for the triggering of Article 50, which they expect to happen as early as Tuesday. Mr Davis said: “There will be many opportunities for Parliament to debate our negotiation of a new partnership with the EU and to influence the outcome. “But attaching conditions to a Bill that simply allows the Prime Minister to start the process is emphatically not the way to do it.

GETTY Mr Davis is particularly worried that amendments could leave Brit ex-pats in the lurch

“Further, the more conditions that are attached, the greater the risk of legal action down the line.” Mr Davis is particularly worried that amendments put forward by the rebellious Lords would see Britain forced to defend the rights of EU nationals while the bloc do nothing to protect Brits abroad. Writing in The Telegraph, he added: “If this amendment stands, there will be little incentive for the EU to quickly secure the status of UK citizens. “This risks exposing UK citizens in the EU to a long period of uncertainty, and undermines what the Government is trying to achieve in terms of an early reciprocal deal for all.” Last week unelected peers also called on Theresa May to ensure parliament gets a “meaningful vote” on the final Brexit deal.

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GETTY Last week unelected peers also called on Theresa May to ensure parliament gets a “meaningful vote”

But Mr Davis claims this amendment is yet another ploy to subvert the will of the people, who voted to leave the European project on June 23. Mr Davis said: “What would actually happen if Parliament voted against EU exit in such circumstances? “It is all too clear that where some say “meaningful vote”, what they really mean is a veto.

GETTY Mr Davis claims the amendment is yet another ploy to subvert the will of the people