Brexit White Paper: Government publishes Theresa May's plan - as it happened
The Government sets out its plans for Brexit in a document before Parliament
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Your support makes all the difference.The Government has set out Theresa May's plans for Brexit before Parliament, in a document known as a White Paper. Here are the latest updates.
- Government publishes White Paper as David Davis gives statement to the Commons
- Davis says White Paper means UK is 'definitely leaving' the EU customs union
- EU nationals in UK will only have rights protected if similar promise is made for Britons on continent
- Government wants 'practical solution' to land border between NI and Ireland
- UK to seek to continue science and research programmes with EU countries
- White Paper is based on 12 principles set out in PM's speech on Brexit last month
- Labour says it is "totally unacceptable" White Paper was only published as Davis got up to speak
- SNP says Government's actions prevent parliamentary scrutiny and show "astonishing disrespect" to MPs
- MPs ask questions on White Paper before going away to scrutinise it in detail
- Last night, Commons voted overwhelmingly to grant May power to trigger Brexit
- But a rebel Tory MP tells The Independent they will not give PM a 'blank cheque'
- Minister says May has given up on 'cherry-picking' an EU customs union deal
- Major rebellion over Brexit vote stings Labour
- Two shadow Cabinet members are forced to quit
MPs will spend Thursday poring over a Government White Paper setting out its Brexit strategy as the next battlegrounds in the debate over quitting the EU begin to emerge.
They will also be studying a vast list of amendments from MPs of all sides to legislation which paves the way for Theresa May to trigger Article 50 of the EU treaties to begin Brexit.
Brexit Secretary David Davis presented the White Paper to MPs in an oral statement after 12.30pm on Thursday.
The European Union (Notification Of Withdrawal) Bill was overwhelmingly backed by a majority of 384 MPs at its second reading on Wednesday.
However the major Commons skirmishes are expected during next week's committee stage.
Hundreds of amendments have already been tabled for debate and votes between Monday and Wednesday and the objectives set out in the White Paper are sure to inspire more.
Downing Street said the White Paper would "reflect the Government's plan for Brexit as the PM set out in her speech on our negotiating objectives".
Welcome to The Independent's live blog on the day's politics news, as the Government sets out its plans for Brexit in a White Paper to the Commons.
Last night, the European Union (Notification Of Withdrawal) Bill was overwhelmingly backed by a majority of 384 MPs at its second reading.
It grants Theresa May the power to trigger Article 50, beginning the Brexit process, when she so chooses.
In about 20 minutes, Brexit Secretary David Davis will set out the Government's plans for leaving the EU in a White Paper.
Mr Davis will give an oral statement in the Commons.
MPs will spend the day poring over the document setting out may's Brexit strategy, as the next battlegrounds in the debate over quitting the EU begin to emerge.
They will also be studying a vast list of amendments from MPs on all sides to legislation that paves the way for Theresa May to trigger Article 50 of the EU treaties to begin Brexit.
And overnight, Neil Carmichael became the first Conservative MP to say he is likely to rebel in a key vote to stop Theresa May carrying out her threat to take Britain out of the EU with no fresh trade deal.
The pro-EU select committee chairman told The Independent he is ready to vote with Labour next week, warning the Prime Minister: “I’m not going to sign a blank cheque.”
This morning, Labour's shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told the Today programme he "respected" those Labour MPs who rebelled against the strictest three-line whip and voted against giving Theresa May the power to trigger Article 50.
He said that Labour would unite behind Jeremy Corbyn once the Brexit process had got under way, and it would be the Conservative Party that would "split apart" over the issue.
Theresa May's official spokeswoman has just said that Wednesday's Article 50 vote was "an important moment in terms of moving one step closer to delivering the decision of the British people, and we welcome that".
Asked whether the overwhelming Commons vote should deter the House of Lords from attempting to block the Bill, she replied: "As we have said throughout, what both MPs and peers should be thinking about is the fact that they decided to put this decision in the hands of the British people.
"The British people made a decision and we should all be respecting it."
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