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MPs voted to reinstate controversial parts of a bill that could overturn the Brexit divorce deal and violate international law.
They rejected an earlier decision by the House of Lords to remove key sections that would take precedence over the EU Withdrawal Agreement.
Prime Minister Boris johnsonThe vast conservative majority passed the measures that have caused consternation at home and abroad comfortably, by 357 votes to 268.
The bill will now be sent back to the House of Lords, starting what is known as “ping pong” when the two houses fail to back down with the other’s amendments.
The ministers maintain that the provisions are necessary to protect the integrity of the UK and the Good Friday Agreement in the event that a trade deal with Brussels is not reached by the end of the transition period on December 31.
But former Conservative prime ministers have been deeply critical of the bill, Theresa May warning that it will cause “incalculable damage” to Britain’s international reputation and John Major said he found the move “incredulous” and “unprecedented”.
The legal action was also launched by the EU in October.
The UK government said on Monday it would be “prepared to remove” the offending parties if a future relationship deal can be salvaged.
The first Minister head to Brussels “in the next few days” meet with the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to try to achieve a breakthrough.
