UK government found in contempt of parliament for first time
  • 5 years ago
British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plans are off to a bad start in the House of Commons, with her government being found in contempt of parliament for the first time ever.
This came after the government refused to publish the full legal advice underpinning its Brexit plan.
MPs voted on a motion demanding full disclosure and London has now committed to publishing the legal advice on Wednesday.
MPs also backed calls for the Commons to have a direct say in Brexit proceedings if May's proposal is rejected after a week of debates.
Meanwhile, in a boost to campaigners who want the UK to remain in the EU, a top European law officer says the British government should be able to unilaterally cancel its withdrawal from the bloc.
In an opinion prepared for the European Court of Justice, Advocate General Campos Sanchez-Bordona notes that a country wishing to leave the EU also has the power to change its mind during the two-year exit process specified in Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty.
He added that the country should be able to do so without the consent of the other 27 EU member states.
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