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As it happenedended

Brexit legal challenge: 'A six year old child could see flaws in Government's Brexit plans', Supreme Court told

Fourth and final day of the Supreme Court Brexit legal challenge has been heard and the judges have now retired to consider their decision

Siobhan Fenton
London
Thursday 08 December 2016 10:06 GMT
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Lead claimant in the Article 50 case, Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court in London
Lead claimant in the Article 50 case, Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court in London (EPA)

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The Government's Brexit plans are so flawed "even a six year old child could see it", the Supreme Court has been told.

The claims were made by Richard Gordon QC, Law Officer of the Welsh Government, who told the court Welsh politicians should be allowed to approve plans to trigger Article 50.

The Supreme Court was hearing final arguments in the Brexit legal challenge as the case entered its fourth and final day.

Opponents to the Government's Brexit plans outlined their case; with representatives of Wales, Scotland, ex-pats and children's rights putting their case to judges.

The Government's lawyers then had their final opportunity to refute the claims and make their case that Theresa May has sufficient authority to trigger Article 50 without a vote from MPs. The argued the 2015 Referendum Act which outlined the terms of the EU referendum did not specify who could trigger Article 50.

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All 11 of the Supreme Court justices, who are the most senior judges in the UK, heard the case and have now retired to reach their decision.

A judgment is expected to be announced early in the new year.

Triggering Article 50 "would not be done on a whim", but is "the logical conclusion" of the referendum- Attorney General

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:22

"Parliament can show sovereignty when it choses not to act, as much as when it choses to act" Attorney General

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:23

Foreign affairs prerogative is "not an ancient relic but a modern necessity"- Attorney General

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:25

James Eadie QC now addressing court to make Govt's case. Says UK's position on executive power vs legislative power is not unique...

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:35

... as many others have similar processes on ratification and making treaties.

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:36

Some horse racing banter from the govt's lawyer which has fallen rather flat in court twitter.com/AdamWagner1/st…

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:40

Eadie suggests parliament could pass legislation to limit prerogative powers but has not done so

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:42

..."The UK is a dualist system.. treaties are not self-executing, they do not automatically become part of domestic law when made"

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 11:49

In the first hour of the Supreme Court appeal on Brexit:Men have spoken for 59 mins 25 secondsWomen have spoken for 35 seconds

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 12:11

The 35 seconds has been Lady Hale asking questions about page references

Siobhan Fenton5 December 2016 12:14

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