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
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Latest updates:
- Theresa May admits EU leaders will try to 'punish' UK in Brexit negotiations
- Welsh Government's lawyer tells court Brexit 'has split the UK into four parts' and is 'one of the most divisive political events in decades'
- Labour hit by backbench revolt over Article 50 Tory 'trap' fears
- EU judges to decide on UK cases for years after Brexit
- Scotland and Northern Ireland must approve Article 50, Supreme Court told
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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
"Parliament can show sovereignty when it choses not to act, as much as when it choses to act" Attorney General
Foreign affairs prerogative is "not an ancient relic but a modern necessity"- Attorney General
James Eadie QC now addressing court to make Govt's case. Says UK's position on executive power vs legislative power is not unique...
... as many others have similar processes on ratification and making treaties.
Some horse racing banter from the govt's lawyer which has fallen rather flat in court twitter.com/AdamWagner1/st…
Eadie suggests parliament could pass legislation to limit prerogative powers but has not done so
..."The UK is a dualist system.. treaties are not self-executing, they do not automatically become part of domestic law when made"
In the first hour of the Supreme Court appeal on Brexit:Men have spoken for 59 mins 25 secondsWomen have spoken for 35 seconds
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