A group of peers have told Theresa May she must seek Parliament's approval before triggering Brexit

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In a new report, the House of Lords’ Constitution Committee have demanded the Government should not invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty - the formal process by which Britain will quit the bloc - without explicit parliamentary approval.

They claim it would be “constitutionally inappropriate” for the Prime Minister to proceed without the consent of MPs and peers.

The report’s conclusion runs against Mrs May’s belief she does not need to hold a House of Commons vote before kickstarting Brexit.

Although they acknowledge the Government has a manifesto commitment to implement the will of the British public shown through the historic June 23 vote, the peers highlight how the EU referendum was not legally-binding on the Government.

The 18-page report states: “It would be constitutionally inappropriate, not to mention setting a disturbing precedent, for the Executive to act on an advisory referendum without explicit parliamentary approval—particularly one with such significant long-term consequences.

“The Government should not trigger Article 50 without consulting Parliament.”

The peers insist Parliament should also be given the right to approve the final Brexit deal between the UK and Brussels following the conclusion of Article 50 negotiations.

The report adds: "Parliament should play a central role in the decision to trigger the Article 50 process, in the subsequent negotiation process, and in approving or otherwise the final terms under which the UK leaves the EU."

Despite mounting pressure from Brexit campaigners to speed up the UK's exit, the peers claim Article 50 should be enacted "only when it is in the UK's interests to begin the formal two-year negotiation process".