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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
Comments
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.

Latest updates:

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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.

Interesting study from YouGov twitter.com/YouGov/status/…

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 17:11

Excellent column from my colleague @hannahfearn on how women spoke for 0.3% of the Brexit case and why it matters independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-…

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 17:19

Excellent column from my colleague @hannahfearn on how women spoke for 0.7% of the Brexit case and why it matters independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-…

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 17:22

If you're catching up on the Brexit Supreme Court case, you can read my live coverage from throughout the day here: independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 17:37

Supreme Court will also publish their transcript of everything said in court today, in an hour or so. Will share link as soon as I get it

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 17:39

Labour claiming victory over Govt amendment; never intended to frustrate #Article50 . But now govt have to publish a… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

Beth Rigby6 December 2016 17:47

The Supreme Court has just published a transcript of everything said in the Brexit case today, here supremecourt.uk/docs/draft-tra…

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 19:13

'Enemies of the Scottish People' How the govt's Brexit Supreme Court strategy dismissing Scotland as irrelevant is being received locally http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CzBti3dXAAArRJ-.jpg

Siobhan Fenton6 December 2016 22:33

WEDNESDAY'S Independent digital front page:May caves in and agrees to reveal Brexit plan#tomorrowspaperstodaytwitter.com/i/web/status/8…

suttonnick6 December 2016 22:36

I'm at the Supreme Court today for the third day of the Brexit legal challenge http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CzERsEoXEAAwt7y.jpg

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 10:28

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