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Brexit is 'irrevocable' once Government triggers Article 50, Lord Chancellor Liz Truss says | Brexit is 'irrevocable' once Government triggers Article 50, Lord Chancellor Liz Truss says |
(35 minutes later) | |
Liz Truss has said Article 50 is “irrevocable”, meaning there would be no prospect of Britain staying in the European Union after triggering negotiations on Brexit. | Liz Truss has said Article 50 is “irrevocable”, meaning there would be no prospect of Britain staying in the European Union after triggering negotiations on Brexit. |
The Justice Secretary, who also serves as Lord Chancellor, also denied Article 50 was a “legal issue” - despite it being a legal mechanism enshrined in British law. | The Justice Secretary, who also serves as Lord Chancellor, also denied Article 50 was a “legal issue” - despite it being a legal mechanism enshrined in British law. |
Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Ms Truss said: “People can take cases to courts [but] my understanding is it’s irrevocable and that when we press the button that will go forward. | Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Ms Truss said: “People can take cases to courts [but] my understanding is it’s irrevocable and that when we press the button that will go forward. |
"But regardless of that situation, this is the settled will of the British people and I think people who are trying to fight yesterday’s battle need to join us in making a success of global Britain.” | "But regardless of that situation, this is the settled will of the British people and I think people who are trying to fight yesterday’s battle need to join us in making a success of global Britain.” |
Her claims are a direct contradiction of the views of Lord Kerr, the former UK diplomat who, in his role as Secretary General of the European Convention, wrote the laws that include Article 50. | Her claims are a direct contradiction of the views of Lord Kerr, the former UK diplomat who, in his role as Secretary General of the European Convention, wrote the laws that include Article 50. |
Mr Kerr said last year: "It is not irrevocable - you can change your mind while the process is going on. | Mr Kerr said last year: "It is not irrevocable - you can change your mind while the process is going on. |
"During that period, if a country were to decide actually we don't want to leave after all, everybody would be very cross about it being a waste of time. | "During that period, if a country were to decide actually we don't want to leave after all, everybody would be very cross about it being a waste of time. |
"They might try to extract a political price but legally they couldn't insist that you leave." | "They might try to extract a political price but legally they couldn't insist that you leave." |
Ms Truss also appeared confused over the fact that Article 50 is a legal issue. | Ms Truss also appeared confused over the fact that Article 50 is a legal issue. |
Asked about the Government’s legal advice on whether triggering Article 50 could be reversed, Ms Truss said: “This is not a legal question, this is a political question. | Asked about the Government’s legal advice on whether triggering Article 50 could be reversed, Ms Truss said: “This is not a legal question, this is a political question. |
“The British people have voted to leave the European Union. All of those arguments were aired in the referendum last year. | “The British people have voted to leave the European Union. All of those arguments were aired in the referendum last year. |
Presenter Marr pointed out to the Lord Chancellor that Article 50 was, in fact, a legal matter. | Presenter Marr pointed out to the Lord Chancellor that Article 50 was, in fact, a legal matter. |
Ms Truss then replied: “As Lord Chancellor, I do not make legal decisions. Those are made in the courts. The judges make the decisions. That’s why we have an independent judiciary. “ | Ms Truss then replied: “As Lord Chancellor, I do not make legal decisions. Those are made in the courts. The judges make the decisions. That’s why we have an independent judiciary. “ |
The Justice Secretary also attacked some senior Labour figures, including former prime minister Tony Blair and former Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, for trying to hold up Brexit. | |
"People who are trying to fight yesterday's battle need to join us in making a success of global Britain", she said. "The Prime Minister's set out a very clear vision and that's what we need to get on with." | |
Ms Truss said in the case of a second EU referendum she would vote for Brexit, despite previously having backed the Remain campaign. | |
"I would vote for 'out' - absolutely", she said. | |
"It's the settled will of the British people, we now are on an irrevocable path to leaving the European Union, we have a clear vision of what we want to achieve and times have changed." |