Labour condemned over bid to block repeal bill

David Davis denies claim legislation gives ministers unchecked powers

David Davis has accused Labour of adopting a “cynical and unprincipled” position by seeking to block flagship Brexit legislation.

The Brexit secretary added Britons “will not forgive them” if they attempt to “delay or destroy” the process of leaving the European Union (EU).

Mr Davis also claimed a “smooth and orderly exit is impossible” if the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, dubbed the repeal bill, is not approved.

MPs will be allowed to vote on Labour’s amendment to the bill, which seeks to block it from receiving a second reading, after it was selected by Speaker John Bercow.

The Opposition warns the proposed legislation “fails to protect and reassert” the principle of parliamentary sovereignty as it hands “sweeping powers” to ministers.

Jeremy Corbyn’s party adds this will allow the government to “bypass Parliament” on key decisions.

The Bill will overturn the 1972 Act which took Britain into the European Economic Community and will transpose relevant EU law onto the UK statute book to ensure there are no gaps in legislation at the point of Brexit.

It will be debated over two days, with any votes taking place on September 11.

Mr Davis said the Bill does not provide “unchecked” powers, adding: “Without this legislation, a smooth and orderly exit is impossible.”

He added: “I have in the past witnessed the Labour Party on European business take the most cynical, unprincipled approach to legislation that I’ve ever seen. They’re now attempting to do the same today.

“The British people will not forgive them if the end of their process is to delay or destroy the process by which we leave the European Union.”

For Labour, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: “(Mr Davis) is keen to portray this Bill as a technical exercise converting EU law into our law without raising any serious constitutional issues about the role of Parliament.

“Nothing could be further from the truth.”

SNP Europe spokesman Peter Grant said his party would support Labour’s amendment despite concerns about the Opposition’s Brexit position, including on the single market among other things.