UK lawmakers back plan to hinder a no-deal Brexit push

LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) – British lawmakers approved the first of several measures that could make it more difficult for the next prime minister to force through a no-deal Brexit by suspending parliament, although the moves stopped short of an outright block.

Lawmakers voted 294 to 293 on Tuesday in favour of a change to legislation passing through parliament which would require the government to make fortnightly reports on progress towards re-establishing Northern Ireland’s collapsed executive.

This could complicate any attempt to suspend parliament later in the year as a way to prevent lawmakers from trying to block a no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31. Further votes on supplementary measures were expected later on Tuesday, although none will explicitly prevent the suspension of parliament. (Reporting by William James Editing by William Schomberg)