British MPs have voted overwhelmingly to allow Prime Minister Theresa May to begin the process of Brexit, the country's departure from the European Union.
MPs voted by 498 votes to 114 to back the governments European Union Bill, which paves the way for the triggering of article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.
The bill will face more scrutiny next week from both Houses of Parliament where lawmakers are likely to try to add amendments to the legislation.
The 114 who voted against it were made up of rebel Labour MPs who voted against their leadership. The Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party also rejected it.
Labour MP Dave Anderson said it was a difficult decision for many of his peers.
IN: "Because of the way…
OUT: …tested by this."
DUR: 15
CLIP: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0201vote-Anderson.mp3