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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
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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.

Dominic Chambers QC rests his case now on behalf of Deir Dos Santos

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:31

The Supreme Court is now hearing about the 'Agnew case'- which specifically looks at how Brexit will impact on Northern Ireland

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:32

The case was originally heard in Northern Ireland and was unsuccessful. It has been granted leave to be heard on appeal along with this case

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:32

David Scoffield QC and Ronan Lavery QC are representing Agnew and McCord in this case

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:33

A quick explainer for those unfamiliar with Northern Irish politics...

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:33

It's difficult to overstate the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland for a number of reasons

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:34

1. Shares a land border with EU (via Republic of Ireland) 2. Northern Irish people are entitled to identify as Irish & have Irish passports

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:35

3. Good Friday Agreement specifies NI's relationship with the Republic of Ireland, in terms of trade, meetings, co-operation etc

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:36

Which could be affected by Brexit once NI is out of EU, but Republic of Ireland remains

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:36

4. Northern Ireland, owing to the nature of the Troubles, often has complex legal human rights cases- so access to European courts is vital

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:37

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