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As it happenedended

Brexit legal challenge: 'A six year old child could see flaws in Government's Brexit plans', Supreme Court told

Fourth and final day of the Supreme Court Brexit legal challenge has been heard and the judges have now retired to consider their decision

Siobhan Fenton
London
Thursday 08 December 2016 05:06 EST
Comments
Lead claimant in the Article 50 case, Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court in London
Lead claimant in the Article 50 case, Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court in London (EPA)

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The Government's Brexit plans are so flawed "even a six year old child could see it", the Supreme Court has been told.

The claims were made by Richard Gordon QC, Law Officer of the Welsh Government, who told the court Welsh politicians should be allowed to approve plans to trigger Article 50.

The Supreme Court was hearing final arguments in the Brexit legal challenge as the case entered its fourth and final day.

Opponents to the Government's Brexit plans outlined their case; with representatives of Wales, Scotland, ex-pats and children's rights putting their case to judges.

The Government's lawyers then had their final opportunity to refute the claims and make their case that Theresa May has sufficient authority to trigger Article 50 without a vote from MPs. The argued the 2015 Referendum Act which outlined the terms of the EU referendum did not specify who could trigger Article 50.

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All 11 of the Supreme Court justices, who are the most senior judges in the UK, heard the case and have now retired to reach their decision.

A judgment is expected to be announced early in the new year.

Large part of the Supreme Court case is being dedicated to looking at how badly worded the 2015 Referendum Act was

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 11:47

Both the government and the claimants agree it was terribly drafted and vague. But both say it goes in their favour

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 11:48

Claimants say the Act didn't clearly say it was legally binding and so it wasn't

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 11:48

Government says the Act didn't say who got enact Brexit, so there's nothing to stop Theresa May doing what she wants

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 11:49

One does have to question what David Cameron was thinking when he drew up the Referendum Act in 2015

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 11:49

There has been speculation that Govt thought Brexit was so unlikely, 2015 Referendum Act was written on the basis it wouldn't happen

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 11:50

"The so called Great Repeal Bill does not assist the govt. No such bill exists at present" Lord Pannick

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 11:54

Lord Pannick QC has concluded his case against the government on behalf of Gina Miller

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 12:00

Next up is Dominic Chambers QC who is representing Deir Dos Santos, also arguing against the Government

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 12:01

While most of the attention has focused on Gina Miller as a claimant in the case, Deir Dos Santos is also a claimant

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 12:07

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