MPs approved the first stage of legislation to begin the Brexit process by 498 votes to 114

Tory MPs are threatening to rebel over Brexit unless Theresa May guarantees the right of EU citizens to stay in Britain.

MPs approved the first stage of the legislation to begin the Brexit process last night by 498 votes to 114, a government majority of 384. Forty-seven Labour MPs defied Jeremy Corbyn to vote against the bill, while two more shadow cabinet members resigned. One Conservative, Ken Clarke, voted against the legislation.

Downing Street has been warned that a series of Tory rebellions are building before votes in the Commons next week on individual aspects of Brexit. Efforts were being made yesterday to reassure Conservative MPs that the 3.3 million EU citizens living in Britain would not be sacrificed in negotiations with the bloc.

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