Britain has moved a step closer to its 31 January exit from the EU, when the legislation required to ratify its deal with Brussels
The bill will officially become law when it receives royal assent from the Queen, something that could happen as soon as Thursday.
Earlier on Wednesday, the lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, overturned changes the upper house, the House of Lords, had made to the legislation, including a clause to ensure protections for child refugees after Brexit.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had refused to accept any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which will enact Britain's departure from the EU, facing down opposition MPs who say he has hardened its terms.
Pro Brexit demonstrators hold banners outside Parliament. The divorce deal is all but done now. Source: AAP
The Lords could have sought to reinstate the changes but opted not to, allowing the legislation to clear its final hurdle.
in a general election last month, enabling the government to bring an end to more than three years of wrangling in parliament over Britain's EU exit.
The European Parliament still has to back the deal in a vote next week but its approval in London is a historic moment, as Britain edges closer to becoming the first country to leave the 28-member EU.
It is a huge personal achievement for Mr Johnson, who took office last year promising to end several years of political wrangling that had divided the country and paralysed successive governments.
His predecessor, Theresa May, negotiated a Brexit deal with Brussels in 2018 but the Commons rejected it three times, forcing her to resign.
The bill will officially become law when it receives royal assent from the Queen. Source: Press Association
Mr Johnson agreed changes to the text with Brussels, only to be defeated again by MPs unable to agree on the timetable for turning the deal into law.
The prime minister accused MPs of trying to frustrate the result of the landmark 2016 referendum vote for Brexit and forced a snap election last month.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson secured a thumping win at the polls last year. Source: Press Association
The result, with Mr Johnson, returned to office on a thumping majority, fundamentally upended the dynamic and MPs swiftly backed the deal.
With wires...
