UK Attorney General defends May triggering Article 50 without Parliamentary vote

The British Attorney General has defended the right of the British Prime Minister to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty without a Parliamentary vote.

Jeremy Wright made his comments during a hearing at London's High Court where campaigners have challenged the right of Theresa May to begin withdrawing the UK from the EU without first consulting the House of Commons.

Mr Wright said the Prime Ministers use of the "Royal prerogative" in her Brexit strategy means that a parliamentary vote does not need to be called.

The court heard the Prime Minister was giving effect to the will of the people, following the June referendum in which 52% of the electorate voted in favour of leaving the EU.

Three senior judges are hearing the landmark case which began last Thursday, and has been described as one of the most important constitutional cases in generations.

Ms May announced at the Conservative Party conference earlier this month that she intends giving an Article 50 notification by the end of March 2017 using the Royal prerogative.

Her opponents are arguing she would be pre-empting Parliament and unlawfully removing statutory rights granted to UK citizens under the European Communities Act 1972, which made EU law part of UK law.
[ rte.ie]
17/10/16