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As it happenedended

Brexit legal challenge live: British citizens will lose rights through EU withdrawal, Supreme Court told

A third day of arguments has been made in the Brexit Supreme Court appeal

Siobhan Fenton
London
Wednesday 07 December 2016 05:22 EST
Comments
Brexit at the supreme court: Day Three

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Gina Miller's legal representative has outlining the case against the Government in day three of the four day Supreme Court appeal on Brexit.

Lord Pannick QC represented Ms Miller and told the court Theresa May does not have sufficient authority to trigger Article 50 and instead the case must go to MPs.

Representing fello claimant Deir Dos Santos, a hairdresser born in Brazil, QC Dominic Chambers told the court only parliament has the power to take away British citizens' rights, which EU withdrawal would inevitably do.

The court was also told both Scotland and Northern Ireland must approve triggering Article 50 before the Government does so. A majority of people in Scotland (62 per cent) and Northern Ireland (56 per cent) voted to Remain.

The day before, while the court was sitting, Ms May announced during a visit to the Gulf that she will reveal her Brexit plans before triggering Article 50, in what appears to be a signifcant U-turn on her previous position.

Catch up on everything that happened in court today:

The Prime Minister has previously said she plans to trigger Article 50 by the end of this Spring.

If MPs are entitled to vote on Article 50, it could delay Brexit considerably or ensure it is a 'soft Brexit' rather than a 'hard Brexit' as politicians could insist protectionist clauses are inserted before EU withdrawal.

The Supreme Court case is expected to last four days.

A judgment is anticipated for early in the new year.

The case will begin today at 11am, with Government lawyers outlining their arguments that Theresa May can trigger Article 50 without MPs

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 10:48

We're expecting the case will last four full days, ending late on Thursday afternoon

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 10:50

I'll be here every day for The Independent, with live updates from inside Supreme Court- on Twitter & our live blog independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 10:52

I'll also be tracking the amount of time men spend talking during the Supreme Court appeal, compared to women, to see where the balance lies

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 10:59

Of the Supreme Court judges hearing the Brexit legal challenge today:91% are male82% are privately educated82% are Oxbridge graduates

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:06

Proceedings have begun. Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, begins by warning that people in the case have been threatened...

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:08

"Various individuals have received threats of serious violence and unpleasant abuse in emails and other electronic communications"

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:09

"Threatening and abusing people because they are exercising their fundamental right to go to court undermines the rule of law"

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:10

Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC now addressing the court. Says he "respectfully" feels High Court judges were "wrong" to rule against govt

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:11

"Parliament is sovereign. It can limit the powers of the executive, but has always done so sparingly" Jeremy Wright QC

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:17

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