Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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
Comments
Top UK judges grill govt lawyer on Brexit plans

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Here are the latest updates:

Please wait a moment for the live blog to load:

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.

We'll also be hearing from representatives of Welsh government, a representative of British expats and a representative of children's rights

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:01

Then in the afternoon, the Government's lawyer James Eadie QC will return to offer his final rebuttals on behalf of Theresa May

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:02

Crowded funded Peoples' Challenge includes representation of Gibraltar. Due to hear from them tomorrow twitter.com/Kor1748/status…

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:06

During 14 hrs 15 mins of Brexit Supreme Court case so farMen have spoken for: 14 hrs 11 mins 17 secsWomen have spoken for: 3 mins 43 secs

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:12

If anyone would like more indepth analysis of the Brexit Supreme Court case and Northern Ireland, let me know and I can do a column on it

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:19

I was a Westminster parliamentary assistant for a Belfast constituency under the first year of the Lib-Con coalition back in the day

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:23

So I know more on trivia on Northern Irish parity legislation/ devolution than most sensible people ought to

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:23

You can catch up on all my coverage of the Supreme Court Brexit case for The Independent here: independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:33

A quick recap of some significant Brexit news which has happened while we've been in court today...

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:37

A man has been arrested on suspicion of 'sending online threats' to Gina Miller- a claimant in the Brexit case independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:37

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in