Government remains on course to trigger Article 50, insists May

Theresa May has insisted that the Government remains on course to start Brexit by the end of March and has “strong legal arguments” to win its court battle over Article 50.

Her comments came as Brexit Secretary David Davis insisted the Government remains on track to trigger Article 50, the formal mechanism for leaving the EU, on its current timetable despite the prospect of a fresh round of legal wrangling.

Mr Davis told MPs the Supreme Court is expected to hear in early December the Government’s appeal against a High Court ruling that it must get parliamentary approval before triggering Article 50 of the European treaties.

Mrs May urged the Supreme Court judges to spell out the details of what the Government has to do if it loses the appeal against the ruling.

If judges order that an Act of Parliament is required, MPs and peers will have a series of opportunities to amend the legislation – potentially causing difficulties to the Government’s timetable.

Speaking to the BBC in India, the Prime Minster insisted: “I’m clear that I expect to be able to trigger Article 50 by the end of March next year.

“We believe the Government has got strong legal arguments. We’ll be putting those arguments to the Supreme court and the Supreme Court will make its judgment.”

Asked whether any proposals put before Parliament would be in the form of a Bill, the PM said: “Of course, if it were the case that the Supreme Court was to uphold the view of the High Court then of course the judgment would set out what the details were.

“At the moment they haven’t specified, in terms of the High Court decision, and as I say we’ve got strong legal arguments we will be putting before the Supreme Court.”

Brexit Secretary David Davis told MPs the Supreme Court is expected to hear the Government’s appeal early next month.