UK could trigger Brexit in next 72 hours

British Prime Minister Theresa May could formally trigger Brexit in as early as 72 hours, with European leaders stating that they are already making preparations for an announcement.

May's Article 50 bill could clear both the Commons and the Lords on Monday, clearing the way for her to trigger Brexit negotiations in the Commons on Tuesday.

Downing Street has refused to commit to a specific date so far, only saying that Article 50 will be triggered by the end of the month.

Donald Tusk, the head of the European Council, said that EU leaders are prepared to respond within 48 hours of the UK triggering Brexit. Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, confirmed that if May invokes Article 50 next week an "extraordinary meeting" of the remaining 27 members of the EU will be held on April 6. It comes after the Government was defeated in the House of Lords on two amendments to the Article 50 bill.

The Article 50 bill could pass on Monday night, which would allow May to formally trigger Brexit as early as Tuesday.

"When the UK notifies, it is our goal to react with the draft negotiation guidelines for the 27 Member States to consider. For this I think we need more or less 48 hours," Tusk said. “Leaders will then meet, probably in April, to finalise these. But as for now we are still waiting for the UK to trigger."