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Brexit: No vote on talks but MPs may have say on EU deal | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
MPs will not have a say on how Brexit negotiations are handled but there could still be a vote on the "final" deal, a government source has said. | |
Several senior politicians, including former Labour leader Ed Miliband, have demanded that Parliament gives its verdict on the UK's departure from the European Union. | |
The UK's exit from the EU is expected to happen by summer 2019. | |
Theresa May is visiting Denmark and the Netherlands for Brexit-related talks. | |
The Leave campaign won a majority in June's referendum, with the prime minister announcing last week that the government would trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty - beginning formal negotiations between the UK and EU - by the end of March next year. | |
The process will take up to two years, involving complex debates about issues such as immigration and access to the European single market. | |
'Strong relationships' | 'Strong relationships' |
Mrs May's spokesman said: "Parliament is of course going to debate and scrutinise that process as it goes on. That is absolutely necessary and the right thing to do. | Mrs May's spokesman said: "Parliament is of course going to debate and scrutinise that process as it goes on. That is absolutely necessary and the right thing to do. |
"But, having a second vote, or a vote to second-guess the will of the British people, is not an acceptable way forward." | "But, having a second vote, or a vote to second-guess the will of the British people, is not an acceptable way forward." |
However, a Downing Street source offered clarification to BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith, telling him that this did not necessarily rule out a parliamentary vote once "a final" deal is reached. | |
"This leaves open the possibility MPs could get a vote on the package eventually negotiated by Mrs May," our correspondent added. | |
The prime minister is visiting Denmark and the Netherlands for talks on "delivering Brexit". Her discussions with counterparts Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Mark Rutte come a week ahead of her first European Council meeting. | |
At a press conference with Mr Rasmussen in Copenhagen, Mrs May said: "We are not turning our backs on Europe. We want to maintain strong relationships with our European partners." | At a press conference with Mr Rasmussen in Copenhagen, Mrs May said: "We are not turning our backs on Europe. We want to maintain strong relationships with our European partners." |
The UK would continue to "meet our various rights and obligations" until it left the EU, she added. | The UK would continue to "meet our various rights and obligations" until it left the EU, she added. |
Mr Rasmussen said it was "tragic" that UK voters had decided in favour of Brexit, but he hoped for a "friendly divorce". | Mr Rasmussen said it was "tragic" that UK voters had decided in favour of Brexit, but he hoped for a "friendly divorce". |
Brexit Secretary David Davis is to make a statement on the government's plans in the Commons later on Monday - the first day back for MPs after the party conference recess. | Brexit Secretary David Davis is to make a statement on the government's plans in the Commons later on Monday - the first day back for MPs after the party conference recess. |
Conservative MP and Leave supporter Stephen Phillips has applied to Commons Speaker John Bercow for a full-scale emergency debate on the terms of the government's Brexit negotiations. If approved, this will take place on Tuesday. | |
'Smooth negotiations' | 'Smooth negotiations' |
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband said MPs must have a say on the nature of the eventual Brexit deal. | Former Labour leader Ed Miliband said MPs must have a say on the nature of the eventual Brexit deal. |
He told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme he did not want to reverse the result of June's referendum, but that details of negotiations should not be given through "briefings and leaks". | He told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme he did not want to reverse the result of June's referendum, but that details of negotiations should not be given through "briefings and leaks". |
Parliament, as "the sovereign body of the people", should discuss plans, Mr Miliband said, as the referendum had not specified a "particular type of Brexit". | Parliament, as "the sovereign body of the people", should discuss plans, Mr Miliband said, as the referendum had not specified a "particular type of Brexit". |
The SNP said there was confusion over the government's objectives. Its European Affairs spokesman Stephen Gethins said: "The ongoing splits in the cabinet, which are being played out in the media in a series of off-the-record briefings, are leaving more questions than answers, causing yet more alarm and uncertainty." | |
Conservative MP and former Attorney-General Dominic Grieve said the Commons had to be allowed to give its opinion, as this was a "very well-established constitutional convention" involving important treaties. | |
He added: "If a situation arises that the government at the end of the day is about to conclude a deal for the future of the United Kingdom which can't command parliamentary approval - or at least acquiescence - then it's perfectly obvious in those circumstances such a government wouldn't survive. I would have thought there would have to be an election." | |
Mrs May has said she will not give a "running commentary" on the government's thinking. | Mrs May has said she will not give a "running commentary" on the government's thinking. |
She is also due to to visit Madrid on Thursday for talks with Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy. | |