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As it happenedended

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

Siobhan Fenton
London
Tuesday 06 December 2016 06:19 EST
Comments
Top UK judges grill govt lawyer on Brexit plans

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Here are the latest updates:

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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.

The majority of Northern Irish people voted to remain and there is considerable anxiety locally about Brexit and impact on border with RoI

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 13:36

However, as Sin Fein are abstentionist MPs who don't take Westminster seats and so can't vote against Article 50...

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 13:37

... SDLP have a real opportunity here to show leadership, distinguish themselves from Sinn Fein and ride anti-Brexit sentiment in N. Ireland

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 13:39

View from inside Supreme Court. So much for Farage's 100k protesters- police & journalists must outnumber them 2 to 1 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy6r2CiXEAA1-6s.jpg

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 13:46

Court is due back in 5 minutes, when the legal arguments and our live coverage will resume

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 13:54

Arguments are expected to last from 2pm- 4:30pm this afternoon

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 13:55

We're expecting to hear from James Eadie QC on behalf of the government again, as well as Lord Keen QC- who is Advocate General for Scotland

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 13:56

I'm at the Supreme Court, where judges have just resumed hearing the case on Article 50. Live updates here independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 14:03

Supreme Court has just published a draft transcript of everything said in court during this morning's session, here supremecourt.uk/docs/draft-tra…

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 14:14

We're now discussing the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy6xPueXEAAg9Pq.jpg

JolyonMaugham5 December 2016 14:16

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