Brexit Bill could be put before MPs in days

A BREXIT BILL could be put before MPs within days as Theresa May looks to keep her timetable for leaving the European Union on track in the aftermath of an historic legal ruling.
Gina Miller outside The Supreme Court after Britain's most senior judges ruled that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the EUGina Miller outside The Supreme Court after Britain's most senior judges ruled that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the EU
Gina Miller outside The Supreme Court after Britain's most senior judges ruled that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the EU

Downing Street moved quickly to insist the Prime Minister’s plan to begin Brexit talks by the end of March would not change despite the Supreme Court deciding only MPs could start the process.

Brexit Secretary David Davis warned MPs they should not try to use the Bill that must now be passed – asking MPs for authorisation to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – as “a vehicle for attempts to thwart the will of the people”.

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The Haltemprice and Howden MP promised a timetable for the Bill would be set out later this week but the legislation itself could be published as soon as tomorrow.

Gina Miller outside The Supreme Court after Britain's most senior judges ruled that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the EUGina Miller outside The Supreme Court after Britain's most senior judges ruled that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the EU
Gina Miller outside The Supreme Court after Britain's most senior judges ruled that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the EU

Mr Davis said it would be “the most straightforward Bill possible” amid suggestions the law 
that will pave the way for the biggest change in Britain for a generation will be just a few pages of text.

Despite the Liberal Democrats, SNP and some Labour MPs threatening to oppose the triggering of Article 50, the overwhelming majority of MPs are expected to back the Bill, fearing to do otherwise would lead to accusations they are trying to undo last year’s referendum result.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said Labour would insist on a white paper on leaving the EU as the Government hurries to rush emergency Brexit legislation through Parliament in the coming days.

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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn stopped short of promising to impose a three-line whip, the strongest possible order, on his MPs to back the Bill but promised no attempt would be made to stop the triggering of Article 50.

Gina Miller outside The Supreme Court after Britain's most senior judges ruled that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the EUGina Miller outside The Supreme Court after Britain's most senior judges ruled that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the EU
Gina Miller outside The Supreme Court after Britain's most senior judges ruled that Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the EU

The party will try to amend the Brexit Bill, however, to force the Government to put the draft settlement before MPs in advance of final agreement with the European Commission.

It will press for Ministers to commit to maintaining the UK’s access to the European Single Market and resolving the question of the future of EU citizens in the UK at the outset.

Labour will also push for Ministers to publish a more detailed plan for the negotiations, an effort which could attract support from several Conservative MPs who were yesterday among those calling for the Government to set out a formal document rather than relying on the speech made by the Prime Minister at Lancaster House last week.

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The SNP, angered that the court ruled the Government does not have to consult the Scottish Parliament, threatened to table 50 “serious and substantive” amendments to the Brexit Bill.

The Supreme Court had been widely expected to uphold previous rulings made in lower courts that the Government could not use the Royal prerogative to trigger Article 50 but the 8-3 split among the justices was more decisive than forecast.

Supreme Court president Lord Neuberger said withdrawal from the EU would mean a “fundamental change” to the UK’s laws and change the legal rights of British citizens.

“The UK’s constitutional arrangements require such changes to be clearly authorised by Parliament,” said Lord Neuberger. “Any change in the law to give effect to the referendum must be made in the only way permitted by the UK constitution, namely by an Act of Parliament.”

The Supreme Court ruling was welcomed by investment broker Gina Miller, the lead claimant in the case against the Government.