U.K. justice minister resigns over Brexit

A junior member of Prime Minister Theresa May’s government resigned Tuesday over Brexit, emboldening pro-EU lawmakers ahead of key votes in Parliament on Britain’s departure from the European Union.

Conservative lawmaker Phillip Lee, who voted in Britain’s 2016 referendum to remain in the European Union, resigned as a justice minister so he could vote against the government on a measure that would give Parliament more power over the terms of the break.

“The people, economy and culture of my constituency will be affected negatively” by Britain’s EU departure and it is “irresponsible to proceed as we British Prime Minister Theresa May looks on during a news conference earlier this year.

are,” Lee said.

He called for Brexit, now set for March 2019, to be delayed and for the public to get a second referendum on the terms of any exit deal.

Lee’s resignation came as May’s fragile minority government scrambled to shore up support among lawmakers for two days of high-stakes debate and votes on its flagship Brexit bill in the House of Commons.

The European Union Withdrawal Bill, a complex piece of legislation intended to disentangle Britain from four decades of EU rules and regulations, has had a rocky ride through Parliament.

The upper chamber, the House of Lords, inserted amendments in 15 areas to soften the terms of Britain’s departure.

The government says the changes would weaken Britain’s negotiating position, and is seeking to alter or reverse them in the Commons.

But May is facing a potential rebellion from some lawmakers from her Conservative Party who want to retain close ties with the bloc after the U.K.’s exit takes effect.

They are rallying around an amendment giving the House of Commons power to send the government back to the negotiating table with Brussels if lawmakers don’t like the terms of the Brexit deal struck with the EU.

Currently, the government is offering lawmakers a “take it or leave it” vote on the final deal.

“We must under all circumstances respect the result of the referendum,” Brexit Secretary David Davis told lawmakers as he opened the debate.