Anti-brexit petition breaks records

The list of names grew so rapidly yesterday the official parliamentary petition website crashed several times.

More than 1.5 million people has last night signed a demand for the UK Government to revoke Article 50 and keep Britain in the EU, making it the biggest online petition of its kind.

It stated: “The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is the will of the people. We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now for remaining in the EU. A People’s Vote may not happen, so vote now.”

The online petition gained traction on Wednesday evening after fears of a no-deal Brexit intensified after Brussels insisted any delay to the UK’S departure from the EU was conditional on Parliament approving Theresa May’s plan.

Widespread dismay at the Prime Minister’s speech the same night saw several celebrities, including Hugh Grant and Jennifer Saunders, call for signatories.

Nicola Sturgeon was among the parliamentarians to share the petition.

“An issue as big and important as Brexit should not come down to petitions – that said, if you are frustrated that the PM is just not listening, you can sign here,” the First Minister said.

Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray also encouraged others to sign.

“Revocation may be the only viable option remaining come next Friday to prevent a no deal,” he said.

Data showed the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency has among the highest number of signatories to the petition anywhere in the UK, with over 5 per cent of voters having signed up.

SNP MP Deidre Brock said: “The fact that more than a million people have now signed this petition speaks volumes. It’s essential that we press pause and go back to the people.”