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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.

Latest updates:

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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.

"Only parliament can set aside or nullify legislation. This goes back to the flaw in the appellant [government's] argument" Chambers

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 12:58

Court been dismissed for lunch. The judges, and our live coverage, will be back from 2pm

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 13:03

Significant: David Davis tells Commons he's waiting for the result of Supreme Court to identify exactly what sort of legislation required

Faisal Islam7 December 2016 13:53

Judges are due to return to the Supreme Court in the next few minutes to begin the afternoon's proceedings

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 13:55

I'm at Supreme Court where judges are hearing day three of the Brexit legal challenge. Updates throughout the day: independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:00

Dominic Chambers QC is back on his feet, addressing the court to argue against the Government, on behalf of Deir Dos Santos

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:04

"Referendums are not legally binding. That was the position in 1975 when the referendum was held on what was then ECC membership" Chambers

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:05

MPs might feel "morally bound" to act in line with referendum result but they are "not legally bound" Chambers tells court

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:08

Strong line of attack from Dominic Chambers, in my opinion. Citing cases from referendum which saw UK enter EU

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:09

One of the biggest issues of this case, and indeed of all elements of EU withdrawal, is the sense that Brexit vote is unprecedented

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 14:10

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