World Bulletin / News Desk

The House of Lords looks set Wednesday to defy Prime Minister Theresa May by demanding guarantees for EU nationals living in Britain, delaying a bill she needs to start Brexit negotiations.

May hoped the bill would pass through parliament by next week and has promised EU leaders to formally start the withdrawal process by the end of the month.

But if peers in the upper house of parliament vote to amend the bill later Wednesday, it must return to MPs in the House of Commons for further deliberation.

The potential setback for May comes after former prime minister John Major accused her of "cheap rhetoric" and an "over-optimistic" view of Brexit.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also this week warned she may be forced to call for a new independence referendum to defend Scotland's rights.