PM will publish Brexit plan before triggering Article 50

Theresa May has committed to publishing a Brexit plan before beginning the process of leaving the EU as part of a compromise in which MPs will back her timetable for pulling out.

Faced with a revolt, the Prime Minister allowed up to 40 rebellious Tory backbenchers to back Labour demands for her to set out Britain’s strategy before triggering Brexit.

In return, most are expected to vote for a compromise Government amendment in the Commons on Wednesday, which states Mrs May should invoke Article 50 by April to start the process of leaving the EU.

Downing Street stressed it would not affect the Government’s Supreme Court battle to overturn a ruling that it should obtain Parliament’s approval before triggering Article 50.

Labour hailed the move as a “significant 11th-hour concession”, committed to backing Mrs May’s amendment, and called on her to reveal her negotiating hand before the end of January to allow at least two months of scrutiny by MPs.

Despite her concession, Mrs May could continue to play her cards close to her chest on crucial issues like single market access, as Labour’s motion acknowledges “there should be no disclosure of material that could be reasonably judged to damage the UK in any negotiations”.

A Number 10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has been clear that we will set out our plans in due course. That remains the position.

“We won’t be showing our negotiating hand until we have to, but we have not suggested we will not set out the position.

“That’s what the amendment goes to.”

Both sides have enough to leave the parliamentary battle with some satisfaction, but pressure is now likely to ramp up on the PM – who has declared she wants a “red, white and blue Brexit” – to set out a detailed plan.

Picture: PA. Protesters outside the Supreme Court in London on the second day of the Government’s appeal against the High Court’s ruling that MPs must have a say on triggering Brexit.