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BREXIT DELAYS?

Theresa May will be forced to give MPs a vote BEFORE triggering Article 50 as ministers believe the Government will lose Supreme Court case

Supreme court

THERESA May will be forced to give MPs a vote before triggering Article 50 as ministers believe the Government will lose Supreme Court case.

Senior ministers think most of the judges will uphold the demand that the PM holds ANOTHER vote on starting Brexit, which could delay her plans.

Theresa May could be forced to get MPs and Lords to vote on triggering Article 50 before it can be done
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Theresa May could be forced to get MPs and Lords to vote on triggering Article 50 before it can be doneCredit: Getty Images

It is thought that seven of the 11 Supreme Court judges are set to back the original High Court ruling, brought by Remainer Gina Miller.

Cabinet ministers have drawn up at least two versions of a Bill that could be put to both the House of Commons and the Lords so politicians can give their express consent to Brexit starting.

The Supreme Court ruling is expected within the next few weeks. Today it was confirmed that the court will not give anyone advance notice of the verdict - even No 10.

Last month the Supreme Court heard the Government's appeal against the High Court ruling which said MPs must be consulted
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Last month the Supreme Court heard the Government's appeal against the High Court ruling which said MPs must be consultedCredit: PA:Press Association

Brexiteer Dominic Raab told the Guardian he didn't expect delays to triggering Article 50, which the PM has said she will do by the end of March.

"I hope we get some common sense from the Supreme Court, but I don’t expect the ruling to hold up triggering article 50, and the vast majority of people whichever way they voted now want us to get on and deliver Brexit," he said.

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But there are concerns that the Liberal Democrats - who are set to lay down a number of amendments to any Bill - will try to derail the process.

Leader Tim Farron wants a second referendum on the terms of a Brexit deal, and other MPs are likely to press for a close relationship with Europe to be part of the wording.

The Bill could be watered down by pro-Remainers before it gets through both Houses.

Gina Miller took the Government to court over the matter, arguing that only Parliament could start Brexit talks
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Gina Miller took the Government to court over the matter, arguing that only Parliament could start Brexit talksCredit: PA:Press Association
Protesters outside the Supreme Court as judges listened to both sides of the case
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Protesters outside the Supreme Court as judges listened to both sides of the caseCredit: PA:Press Association
Having a vote in Parliament could take time - pushing back the PM's schedule for Brexit 
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Having a vote in Parliament could take time - pushing back the PM's schedule for Brexit Credit: PA:Press Association

Earlier today the Prime Minister also insisted that the political crisis in Northern Ireland would not derail her plans either, after the SNP's Angus Robertson urged her to push back

The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness resigned earlier this week, ending a power-sharing arrangement in Belfast.

She said during PMQs that the Government was "still able to take the views of the people of Northern Ireland" into account as executives remained in place to discuss Brexit.

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