Nick Clegg accuses Government of '˜clipping Parliament's wings' with new Brexit Bill

Responding to reports that the Government’s forthcoming Great Repeal Bill will draw on so-called Henry VIII rules to avoid a vote on some reforms, the Sheffield Hallam MP expressed disbelief that someone like Davis “who has always been a great champion of Parliamentary rights” is now involved in efforts “to take [them] away”.

He also spoke of his determination to hold Theresa May and her Cabinet to account over their Brexit plans, stating that Wednesday’s triggering of Article 50 will be the moment when ministers will no long be able to avoid “tough questions” and “reality will start to bite”.

And he suggested there could still be a chance of avoiding an exit from the EU, warning Mrs May not to “underestimate” the strength of opposition among young voters.

Mr Clegg’s comments follow confirmation from Government sources that the Great Repeal Bill will include powers to change some laws through statutory instruments, removing the need for a vote.

It is understood these powers will be time-limited, but the announcement has already drawn fierce criticism from Labour and Lib Dem MPs.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, the former deputy prime minister suggested Tory MPs should feel “embarrassed” by this attempt to “[clip] the wings of the very Parliament they claim is the repository of democratic virtue”.

“It’s an astonishing irony that someone like David Davis, who has always been a great champion of Parliamentary rights and Parliamentary prerogatives, should now be part of a Government that is claiming we’re taking back control only to take away control from our own parliament,” he said.

“We’ll oppose the government’s attempts to arrogate these very sweeping Henry VIII powers to itself.”

Mrs May is expected to confirm the triggering of Article 50 – firing the starting gun for the formal negotiations – on Wednesday.

Mr Clegg said this will be a “watershed” moment for the Brexiteers following months of “utopian claims”.

“This is the week when reality will start to bite,” he said. “And it will no longer be enough for Brexiteers and the Government to respond to people’s questions with platitudes.”

Asked whether anything could now stand in the way of this process, he pointed to younger voters who “desperately” want to avoid Brexit.

“I don’t think we should underestimate [that] we are a country where those people who have to inhabit the Brexit future, mainly young voters... don’t want this,” he said.

“I don’t think its nearly as straightforward as the Brexiteers would like to say. Young people’s voices will be heard.”