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As it happenedended

Brexit legal challenge live: British citizens will lose rights through EU withdrawal, Supreme Court told

A third day of arguments has been made in the Brexit Supreme Court appeal

Siobhan Fenton
London
Wednesday 07 December 2016 10:22 GMT
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Brexit at the supreme court: Day Three

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Gina Miller's legal representative has outlining the case against the Government in day three of the four day Supreme Court appeal on Brexit.

Lord Pannick QC represented Ms Miller and told the court Theresa May does not have sufficient authority to trigger Article 50 and instead the case must go to MPs.

Representing fello claimant Deir Dos Santos, a hairdresser born in Brazil, QC Dominic Chambers told the court only parliament has the power to take away British citizens' rights, which EU withdrawal would inevitably do.

The court was also told both Scotland and Northern Ireland must approve triggering Article 50 before the Government does so. A majority of people in Scotland (62 per cent) and Northern Ireland (56 per cent) voted to Remain.

The day before, while the court was sitting, Ms May announced during a visit to the Gulf that she will reveal her Brexit plans before triggering Article 50, in what appears to be a signifcant U-turn on her previous position.

Catch up on everything that happened in court today:

The Prime Minister has previously said she plans to trigger Article 50 by the end of this Spring.

If MPs are entitled to vote on Article 50, it could delay Brexit considerably or ensure it is a 'soft Brexit' rather than a 'hard Brexit' as politicians could insist protectionist clauses are inserted before EU withdrawal.

The Supreme Court case is expected to last four days.

A judgment is anticipated for early in the new year.

Lord Keen resolute in arguing Scotland has no veto over Brexit

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 13:01

Court is now adjourned for lunch. The judges, and our live coverage, will be back at 2pm

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 13:03

Supreme Court Brexit legal challenge has resumed

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 14:06

John Larkin QC, Attorney General for Northern Ireland, is outlining how the region will be impacted by Brexit

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 14:07

56% of voters in Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 14:08

It is subject to various special circumstances in Brexit. Including- loss of 'peace money' from the EU for post-Troubles community projects

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 14:09

Northern Ireland shares a land border with the EU- in the form of the Republic of Ireland

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 14:09

Additionally, under the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Irish people are entitled to self-identify as Irish and have an Irish passport

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 14:10

Also crucially, the Good Friday Agreement (which was approved by a referendum in NI and Republic and then lodged as treaty with the UN)...

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 14:11

...stipulates various dynamics between the Republic and Northern Ireland, including trade and free movement- which Brexit could undermine

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 14:12

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