An insidious plot to thwart democracy

IN an act of betrayal and dishonesty, the House of Cronies, Dodgy Donors and Has-Beens voted last night by 358 to 256 to amend the Brexit Bill, insisting talks cannot begin without guarantees to EU citizens now living in Britain.

If made law, the Lords amendment will seriously undermine the Government’s bargaining hand and betray the 1.2million Britons on the continent who have yet to be offered any such guarantees.

As their Lordships are well aware, Theresa May is pushing hard for a deal that upholds the rights of all expats – British and continental.

Indeed, if she had her way, we would have an agreement already. It’s the bloody-minded Brussels bureaucracy, not her, which is bargaining with family lives and happiness.

So if this insidious amendment is allowed to stand, it risks leaving our own people high and dry.

But last night’s vote was also dishonest, since its chief purpose was clearly not to put EU expats’ minds at rest, as the ermined Remoaners claimed.

No, this was a naked bid to sabotage Brexit by creating difficulties for Mrs May in triggering formal negotiations. MPs must reject the amendment and send it back to the Lords. If the unelected Upper House persists in seeking to frustrate the people’s will, it will surely be signing its own death warrant.