Brexit: Theresa May warned of 'rocky road' and potential defeat in Lords for her EU Withdrawal Bill

Exclusive: The key piece of Brexit legislation still faces delay in the Lords despite there being just a year to go to the UK's departure from the EU

Labour’s leader in the House of Lords has warned the Government its main piece of Brexit legislation faces a “rocky road” unless ministers make key concessions.

Writing exclusively for The Independent, Angela Smith said ministers should use the Easter break to reflect on changes that Lords have asked for so far.

If they do not bring forward acceptable amendments she said the Government could face defeat in the upper chamber on the EU Withdrawal Bill at the hands of a coalition of Labour, Tory and other peers.

Baroness Smith of Basildon said: “The pause over the Easter recess provides the Government with an opportunity: to reflect on the useful advice and suggestions made during Committee stage, and bring forward sensible changes.

“I hope it does. A failure to do so however, will effectively kick the can down what at present looks like a very rocky road.

“And the House of Lords won’t be shy about sending a raft of amendments back to the Commons to give MPs – including those on the Government’s own benches – a further chance to scrutinise the detail of the Bill.”

The Government has already suffered defeats in the Commons in trying to push through its EU Withdrawal Bill, and has previously been defeated in the House of Lords on other elements of its Brexit legislation.

Baroness Smith said ministers had shown movement on their approach to the Brexit transition period, the powers of the devolved administrations and some aspects of how delegated legislation will be applied.

But she argued that there now had to be more willingness to provide answers to legitimate concerns about the impact of the Government’s approach to Brexit.

She argued: “We are dead set against any attempt to weaken hard won protections for our citizens. It would be wrong for Ministers to jettison hard fought protections that successive UK governments campaigned for within the EU, and renege on commitments made.

“It would also be galling, post-Brexit, to see citizens across the rest of Europe continuing to enjoy the fruits of our labour – while we fall behind.”