Brexit Bill: Theresa May to begin talks as British Parliament gives final nod

The United Kingdom Parliament has passed a bill, allowing Prime Minister Theresa May to begin the crucial talks on Britain's exit from the European Union.

The House of Lords voted not to insist on its original amendments giving protections to EU citizens in a post-Brexit Britain and calling for a "meaningful vote" on any divorce deal, instead, passed the House of Commons' original proposals and the Queen will now sign the bill into law, reports CNN.

The development now paves the way for May to trigger Article 50 and commence the process by which Britain will give up its membership of the European Union.

Members of the House of Commons had already voted overwhelmingly in favour of the bill to kick off Britain's divorce from the European Union in its initial readings, and a seven-hour debate on amendments preceded the final vote, which was 494 MPs in favor and 122 against.

Earlier, the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, said she would lay the groundwork for a split from the United Kingdom

Asserting that it was clear the United Kingdom was heading for a "bad deal" on Brexit, Sturgeon said she plans to seek the legal authority next week to hold a new independence referendum before Britain leaves the European Union.

Sturgeon said May had failed to engage with her call for Scotland to remain in the European single market after Brexit, and that Scotland risked being taken out of the European Union against its will.