Boris suffers first Brexit defeat since election as Lords vote to give EU citizens proof of their right to remain
BORIS Johnson has suffered his first Brexit defeat since his election win as the Lords voted to give EU citizens physical proof of their right to remain.
The Government suffered a defeat on an amendment over the rights of EU citizens legally living in the UK.
Proposed by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oates, the vote was backed by 270, with 229 voting against.
Losing by 41 votes, the defeat is Mr Johnson’s first loss since his crushing win in the Christmas election.
The amendment would ensure that EU nationals living in the UK get a physical document showing they have the right to be in the country.
It is a result many may have expected, with the Lords frequently blasted for being full of remainers.
Ministers are still likely to overturn the defeat when the bill returns to the Commons on Wednesday.
Peers have the power to ask the Commons to “think again”, but they traditionally back down if the Commons refused to listen.
Given the size of Mr Johnson’s stonking majority, it is unlikely peers will feel able to resist if they are ignored.
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Labour's leader in the Lords Angela Smith said: “I hope the prime minister and his colleagues will not think that they can get every detail of every bill right first time, and recognise that the second chamber is useful.
“A large Commons majority means the government is guaranteed to get its legislation through but it would be supremely arrogant to dismiss all scrutiny.”
It comes just days after EU Brexit spokesman Guy Verhofstadt claimed Britain had ruled out automatic deportation of EU citizens.
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