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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
Comments
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.

So it's worth keeping an eye on this aspect. This wasn't considered by High Court in initial ruling against govt- so still a real prospect

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 15:06

A real shame there was not more time.The devolution issues are very fundamental & possibly determinative of this ap… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

WomaninHavana7 December 2016 15:07

Ronan Lavery QC now on his feet representing Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 15:10

McCord is a well respected advocate for victims of the Troubles and their families in Northern Ireland

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 15:11

Lavery QC says triggering Article 50 without approval from Northern Ireland would be unconstitutional

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 15:12

"My client is a Protestant from North Belfast. He is a victim of the Troubles. He is here in court with his friend who is Catholic"

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 15:13

"It is a complex situation in Northern Ireland, my lords and my lady"

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 15:13

Brexit changes the "principle of consent" in Northern Ireland's constitutional status

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 15:16

"It would be unthinkable" that parts of the Northern Ireland Act could be repealed- Lavery QC

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 15:16

"The triggering of Article 50 would impede self determination and the principle of consent" in Northern Ireland Lavery QC

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 15:17

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