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Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has successfully introduced a bill which would force a second referendum on the terms of Brexit .

If it were passed, it would give voters in the UK and Gibraltar a say on the final deal reached by Theresa May and Brexit secretary David Davis with their European counterparts.

Farron said earlier that he expected “jeering and jingoism” from the House of Commons when he introduced the draft legislation, using the chamber’s 10 Minute Rule process.

But he gave his speech to a mostly empty House, with a handful of MPs present, none of whom objected to the bill.

(Image: PA)

The bill will now go forward to its second reading on Friday, May 12th, when it is likely to be defeated.

But Farron said it was a "chink of light" for pro-European campaigners.

Last month a similar measure, introduced as an amendment to the Article 50 bill, was voted down by a majority of 307.

Farron denied his plan was about “blocking” Brexit , rather that it was about “holding Theresa May to account - such as for wanting to take Britain out of the world's largest market and customs union, even if there is no new trading arrangement in place.

"To question that is not disloyal.

"The disloyalty to the British people would be if I were bullied into silence, as Labour have been, and fail to warn how a hard Brexit will hit living standards and future generations."

After the bill was taken forward, Farron said: "I am pleased this Bill will go forward. At the end of the day, someone will have the final say on whether Theresa May’s Brexit deal is good enough for Britain. Liberal Democrats are clear that that should be the people, not politicians."