Theresa May will have an opportunity to invoke Article 50 at a European Council summit in Malta

The government wants to pass the legislation allowing Article 50 to be triggered by the first week of March, giving Theresa May the option to initiate the Brexit process at a summit of European leaders.

The prime minister has so far been determined not to reveal the precise date when she plans to invoke the formal two-year mechanism for leaving the EU, saying only that she will begin Brexit by the end of March.

However, the government told the House of Lords yesterday that it wants the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill approved on March 7.

All 28 heads of government from EU member states will meet on March 9 at the two-day European Council summit in Malta, giving Mrs May an opportunity to