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Theresa May to urge 'smooth Brexit' at EU summit Theresa May to urge 'smooth Brexit' at EU summit
(35 minutes later)
Theresa May is heading to Brussels for her first EU summit as UK prime minister as debate continues over the government's Brexit strategy.Theresa May is heading to Brussels for her first EU summit as UK prime minister as debate continues over the government's Brexit strategy.
The PM, who will trigger Brexit talks by the end of March, is expected to tell counterparts she wants a "smooth, constructive, orderly" process.The PM, who will trigger Brexit talks by the end of March, is expected to tell counterparts she wants a "smooth, constructive, orderly" process.
But she faces more calls to consult MPs before invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to launch those talks.But she faces more calls to consult MPs before invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to launch those talks.
A Lords committee warned Parliament could be reduced to a "rubber stamp".A Lords committee warned Parliament could be reduced to a "rubber stamp".
Once Article 50 is triggered, two years of formal negotiations will begin, with the UK set to leave the EU by the summer of 2019.Once Article 50 is triggered, two years of formal negotiations will begin, with the UK set to leave the EU by the summer of 2019.
The Brussels summit, which brings together the leaders of EU member states, is not focused on the UK's withdrawal, with the official agenda instead dominated by migration, trade and Russia.The Brussels summit, which brings together the leaders of EU member states, is not focused on the UK's withdrawal, with the official agenda instead dominated by migration, trade and Russia.
But Brexit is still likely to loom large, particularly at a working dinner on Thursday night, where Mrs May is expected to be invited to talk about it over coffee.But Brexit is still likely to loom large, particularly at a working dinner on Thursday night, where Mrs May is expected to be invited to talk about it over coffee.
She will tell other leaders that "hard work and goodwill" was needed on both sides during negotiations to secure a smooth UK departure from the EU, a Downing Street source said.She will tell other leaders that "hard work and goodwill" was needed on both sides during negotiations to secure a smooth UK departure from the EU, a Downing Street source said.
She will stress that Brexit should work for the UK as well as the EU, and reiterate that the UK is not "turning its back on Europe".She will stress that Brexit should work for the UK as well as the EU, and reiterate that the UK is not "turning its back on Europe".
And she will promise that until it does leave the EU, the UK will be a "responsible, active, engaged member", citing a need for united approaches towards Russia and Syria.And she will promise that until it does leave the EU, the UK will be a "responsible, active, engaged member", citing a need for united approaches towards Russia and Syria.
European leaders have said no talks can happen until Article 50 is triggered, with European Council president Donald Tusk recently saying the EU would not compromise on its insistence that freedom of movement will be a condition for Britain's access to the single market.European leaders have said no talks can happen until Article 50 is triggered, with European Council president Donald Tusk recently saying the EU would not compromise on its insistence that freedom of movement will be a condition for Britain's access to the single market.
At home, the government is facing fierce criticism from opposition parties - and a landmark legal challenge - over its refusal to offer MPs a vote on its Brexit strategy before triggering Article 50.At home, the government is facing fierce criticism from opposition parties - and a landmark legal challenge - over its refusal to offer MPs a vote on its Brexit strategy before triggering Article 50.
Ministers say they welcome scrutiny but do not want MPs and peers to micro-manage the process or compromise the government's negotiating hand.Ministers say they welcome scrutiny but do not want MPs and peers to micro-manage the process or compromise the government's negotiating hand.
Speaking in the Commons, Brexit Secretary David Davis said that he wanted Parliament to be "involved throughout" the process, but added: "There will be a balance to be struck between transparency and good negotiating practice, and I am confident we can strike that balance."
He added that "much information" would be put out in the next few months, "and the House will be in no doubt what our aims and strategic objectives are".
'Find middle ground''Find middle ground'
A vote is expected in 2019 on the final deal reached after the talks. But critics say they are being offered a choice between the government's deal or no deal at all as, by this stage, the UK would be on the verge of leaving the EU.A vote is expected in 2019 on the final deal reached after the talks. But critics say they are being offered a choice between the government's deal or no deal at all as, by this stage, the UK would be on the verge of leaving the EU.
Labour MP Hilary Benn, who has been elected chairman of the Commons committee overseeing scrutiny of Brexit, said it was "inconceivable" Parliament would not have a say at that stage.Labour MP Hilary Benn, who has been elected chairman of the Commons committee overseeing scrutiny of Brexit, said it was "inconceivable" Parliament would not have a say at that stage.
He told the BBC: "I'm very clear that Parliament will want to have a say both in scrutinising what the negotiating plan is when it is published, but also Parliament will want to take a decision on the final deal."He told the BBC: "I'm very clear that Parliament will want to have a say both in scrutinising what the negotiating plan is when it is published, but also Parliament will want to take a decision on the final deal."
In a report published on Thursday, the House of Lords EU committee said Parliament should vote on the government's negotiation strategy before Article 50, predicting the talks would be "unprecedented in their complexity and their impact upon domestic policy".In a report published on Thursday, the House of Lords EU committee said Parliament should vote on the government's negotiation strategy before Article 50, predicting the talks would be "unprecedented in their complexity and their impact upon domestic policy".
"While the government has an obligation, following the referendum, to deliver Brexit, it seems to us inconceivable that it should take the many far-reaching policy decisions that will arise in the course of Brexit without active parliamentary scrutiny," it said."While the government has an obligation, following the referendum, to deliver Brexit, it seems to us inconceivable that it should take the many far-reaching policy decisions that will arise in the course of Brexit without active parliamentary scrutiny," it said.
The committee called on the government to "recognise a middle ground between the extremes of micromanagement and mere accountability after the fact".The committee called on the government to "recognise a middle ground between the extremes of micromanagement and mere accountability after the fact".
Referring to the government's refusal to offer a "running commentary" on talks, committee chairman Lord Boswell said: "What they offer instead, namely parliamentary scrutiny after the fact, is in reality not scrutiny at all - it could be no more than a rubber stamp. That is not good enough."Referring to the government's refusal to offer a "running commentary" on talks, committee chairman Lord Boswell said: "What they offer instead, namely parliamentary scrutiny after the fact, is in reality not scrutiny at all - it could be no more than a rubber stamp. That is not good enough."
Leading Brexit campaigner and former cabinet minister Owen Paterson said Article 50 was simply the "mechanism" to implement the EU referendum result.Leading Brexit campaigner and former cabinet minister Owen Paterson said Article 50 was simply the "mechanism" to implement the EU referendum result.
"Peers or MPs calling for a vote so they can draw out proceedings in the hope that they can somehow overturn the outcome is an attempt to subvert the verdict the people gave [in the referendum] on 23 June," he said."Peers or MPs calling for a vote so they can draw out proceedings in the hope that they can somehow overturn the outcome is an attempt to subvert the verdict the people gave [in the referendum] on 23 June," he said.
He said both Houses would be voting "repeatedly" on the government's Great Repeal Bill to deal with EU legislation, adding: "Suggesting the government is trying to avoid scrutiny is nonsense."He said both Houses would be voting "repeatedly" on the government's Great Repeal Bill to deal with EU legislation, adding: "Suggesting the government is trying to avoid scrutiny is nonsense."