EU court case: can Brits have Brexit do-over?

The EU’s highest court yesterday began considering whether Britain can change its mind about leaving the EU, as Prime Minister Theresa May battled criticism of her Brexit divorce deal from UK politicians – and from US President Donald Trump.

The European Court of Justice yesterday opened the session, which will assess the issue under an accelerated procedure due to the urgency of Brexit.

Since Article 50 of the EU treaty of Lisbon dealing with the issue is scant on details, a group of Scottish legislators wants to know whether the UK can pull out of the withdrawal procedure on its own. The case comes amid increasing pressure from Brexit opponents for a second referendum.

The court decision is expected to take several weeks, but could be dragged out into the new year.

May is appealing to her electorate and lawmakers to support her divorce deal, arguing that any alternative would be a jump into the unknown.

The prime minister is criss-crossing the UK on a Herculean quest to drum up support for the deal before parliament decides its fate on December 11.

Her sales campaign received a blow from Trump, who said the agreement would make it more difficult for the UK to strike a trade deal with the US – a comment that cannot be ignored. |