Brexit legal challenge live: MPs don't actually want to vote on Article 50, government lawyer claims
The appeal against MPs voting on Article 50 is now in its second day
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Your support makes all the difference.Here are the latest updates:
- Theresa May performs U-turn and now will reveal Brexit plans before Article 50 vote
- Government rejected an opportunity to make EU referendum legally binding, lawyer claims
- MPs don't actually want to vote on Article 50, government lawyer claims
- Judges accuse the Government's lawyer of contradicting himself "twice in five minutes"
- Amber Rudd reveals EU citizens living in Britain will need identity cards after Brexit
- EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier says Brexit deal could be reached by October 2018
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The Supreme Court is today hearing the second day of arguments in the Brexit legal challenge.
11 of the most senior judges in the UK are hearing the government's appeal to a High Court ruling that Theresa May must let MPs vote on whether to trigger Article 50.
Yesterday, the court heard from government lawyer James Eadie QC and Attorney General Jeremy Wright. The lawyers argued the Prime Minister has authority to trigger the mechanism and begin EU withdrawal processes.
However, the judges questioned why more details haven't been provided about what will be in the Great Repeal Bill, the legislation through which the government intends to legislate for life outside the EU.
The judges also said serious threats have been made to claimants in the case and warned they must be stopped.
The case is expected to last four days in total, ending on Thursday.
Scoffield’s clients — the “Agnew claimants” — argue that not only an act of parliament is required. They say an LCM is needed too.
Scoffield addresses the Govt's assertion that the devolved regions don't enact international/ foreign relations only central Govt does...
... he says that's clearly not the case in relation to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
Says Article 50 requires not only a vote at Westminster but a LCM- legislative consent motion from devolved parliaments (inc. Stormont)
Very articulate and salient points from Scoffield in relation to Northern Ireland
If it persuades judges, then not only Westminster would vote on Article 50 but also the devolved legislatures
Which would not only give Sinn Fein, SDLP, Greens and Alliance (who are all anti-Brexit) the opportunity vote against it at Stormont...
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