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As it happenedended

Brexit legal challenge live: MPs don't actually want to vote on Article 50, government lawyer claims

The appeal against MPs voting on Article 50 is now in its second day

Siobhan Fenton
London
Tuesday 06 December 2016 11:19 GMT
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Top UK judges grill govt lawyer on Brexit plans

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Here are the latest updates:

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The Supreme Court is today hearing the second day of arguments in the Brexit legal challenge.

11 of the most senior judges in the UK are hearing the government's appeal to a High Court ruling that Theresa May must let MPs vote on whether to trigger Article 50.

Yesterday, the court heard from government lawyer James Eadie QC and Attorney General Jeremy Wright. The lawyers argued the Prime Minister has authority to trigger the mechanism and begin EU withdrawal processes.

However, the judges questioned why more details haven't been provided about what will be in the Great Repeal Bill, the legislation through which the government intends to legislate for life outside the EU.

The judges also said serious threats have been made to claimants in the case and warned they must be stopped.

The case is expected to last four days in total, ending on Thursday.

"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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