UK MPs back PM's Brexit timetable

British Prime Minister Theresa May secured a symbolic victory on Brexit on Wednesday after MPs agreed not to delay her plans to begin the EU exit talks by the end of March, although she had to promise to give them more details of her negotiating strategy.

The opposition Labour party's original motion demanded the government publish its "plan" before triggering EU Article 50, which begins the two-year exit process.

This motion had been expected to draw support from dozens of May's Conservative MPs but the premier fended off a rebellion with a last-minute amendment, accepting the Labour motion on condition that MPs support her timetable for triggering the Brexit talks.

Lawmakers voted 461 in favour of the amendment, backing May's timeline to trigger the divorce negotiations with Brussels by March 31, 2017.