Theresa May warns there is ‘no going back’ on Brexit after judges rule in Gina Miller’s favour and give MPs final say

THE PM will table a Commons bill tomorrow to trigger Brexit talks.

Theresa May vowed there will be no turning back after the Supreme Court ruled she cannot move to quit the EU without Parliament’s approval.

7

Ministers hope a quick vote means Article 50 can be invoked in March, two weeks earlier than planned.

Judges ruled by eight to three that she cannot trigger divorce talks by invoking Article 50 until MPs and peers give their backing.

They agreed with a High Court judgment in a case brought by former model and investment manager Gina Miller.

7

But speaking in the Commons, Mr Davis promised to produce within days a “straightforward” Parliamentary Bill calling on MPs to give the PM power to trigger Brexit.

Sources claimed the legislation will be introduced on Thursday with the hope it could pass through the Commons by mid-February.

Mrs May could then invoke Article 50 as early as mid-March rather than the end of the month.

7

Mr Davis warned MPs and Lords to back the Government or face the wrath of the 17.5million voters who backed Brexit.

He stormed: “There can be no going back.

“The point of no return was passed on June 23 last year.

“People want and expect us to get on with implementing the decision that was made.”

He added: “Parliament will rightly scrutinise and debate this legislation.

“But I trust that no one will seek to make it a vehicle for attempts to thwart the will of the people or to frustrate or delay the process of our exit.”

RELATED STORIES

DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE

Theresa May backs Attorney General after botched Brexit case leaves public with MASSIVE bill

DON'T LEAVE US

Scotland will be at the heart of Brexit talks to stop Nicola Sturgeon calling for second independence vote

'UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES'

David Davis vows NO second referendum on Scottish and will bring Brexit Bill 'within days'

WHITE PAPER PLOTTERS

Labour MPs and Tory rebels 'trying to delay Brexit' by demanding Government white paper

Mrs May grinned as Mr Davis spoke in the Commons.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had earlier tweeted: “Forward we go!”

Tory backbenchers who campaigned to remain in the EU, such as Anna Soubry, said they would vote with the Government.

But the ruling plunged Labour into yet more chaos — as MPs vowed to defy Jeremy Corbyn by voting to block Article 50.

The Lib Dems insisted they would vote with the Government only in return for a second referendum on the terms of the exit deal.

Tory Brexiteers demanded an immediate General Election if opposition parties to try “constrain” the Government’s negotiating hand.

Sir Edward Leigh said: “That might concentrate the minds of the Labour party.”

7

7

7

The court verdict is expected to saddle taxpayers with a bill for at least £3million.

The Government had argued Mrs May could use the “royal prerogative” to trigger Article 50.

But the Supreme Court agreed that EU law was so enshrined in UK law that a new act of Parliament was needed.

Speaking after the verdict, Ms Miller urged critics to stop “vilifying” her for bringing the case.

Three wise men - judges who backed May

A JUDGE who sits on the European Court of Human Rights was one of only three to back Theresa May in the ruling.

Lord Reed joined Lord Carnwath and Lord Hughes in saying the PM should trigger talks without Parliamentary approval. They argued the other judges had given insufficient weight to the tradition of ministers exercising executive powers in foreign affairs when signing treaties.

Lord Reed said more important decisions, such as going to war in 1914 and 1939, were carried through on the basis of prerogative powers.

Has the Brexit appeal been a waste of time?

7

0344 499 1000 BETTER CALL PAUL

Listen on DAB, via or online at
Your brand new 24hr speech station