‘PM doesn’t need approval of MPs’
“THE WILL of the people” must trump demands by MPs to set conditions which could cripple Brexit, the High Court heard yesterday. The note of defiance came from Attorney General Jeremy Wright as he defended Theresa May’s decision to use the royal prerogative and not seek MPs’ permission to trigger Article 50 to formally start the Brexit process. Mr Wright was giving evidence in a case at the High Court where Remain supporter, Gina Miller, a City fund manager, had brought a case to insist Article 50 can only be triggered with the backing of Parliament. Her case has come as so-called “Remoaner” MPs, who have refused to accept the Leave vote of June 23, have revealed that they want to delay Article 50 and in effect scupper Brexit by forcing the Government to accept Britain needs to stay in the single market. Their demand was made despite European Council president Donald Tusk stating if Britain stays in the single market then it will have to remain in the EU. The Government has said MPs will have many chances to scrutinise the negotiations and get a vote on the “Great Repeal Act” that will end the authority of EU law in Britain. Former deputy PM Nick Clegg, a leading Lib Dem plotter, has admitted the strategy was to delay Article 50 and postpone Brexit. International Development Secretary Priti Patel, a member of Vote Leave, warned that it was an attempt to “subvert” democracy.
In court, Mr Wright told three senior judges that triggering Article 50 involved the “proper and well-established use of the royal prerogative by the executive”.
It was made available after the vote in favour of Brexit, “to give effect to the will of the people wholly within the expectation of Parliament”.
He added that “notification, once given, will not be withdrawn”. He said: “It is our case that Parliament’s consent is not required.” The hearing continues.