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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.

We'll also be hearing from representatives of Welsh government, a representative of British expats and a representative of children's rights

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:01

Then in the afternoon, the Government's lawyer James Eadie QC will return to offer his final rebuttals on behalf of Theresa May

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:02

Crowded funded Peoples' Challenge includes representation of Gibraltar. Due to hear from them tomorrow twitter.com/Kor1748/status…

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:06

During 14 hrs 15 mins of Brexit Supreme Court case so farMen have spoken for: 14 hrs 11 mins 17 secsWomen have spoken for: 3 mins 43 secs

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:12

If anyone would like more indepth analysis of the Brexit Supreme Court case and Northern Ireland, let me know and I can do a column on it

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:19

I was a Westminster parliamentary assistant for a Belfast constituency under the first year of the Lib-Con coalition back in the day

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:23

So I know more on trivia on Northern Irish parity legislation/ devolution than most sensible people ought to

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:23

You can catch up on all my coverage of the Supreme Court Brexit case for The Independent here: independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:33

A quick recap of some significant Brexit news which has happened while we've been in court today...

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:37

A man has been arrested on suspicion of 'sending online threats' to Gina Miller- a claimant in the Brexit case independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…

Siobhan Fenton7 December 2016 16:37

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