Brexit warning to Nationalists at Westminster not to delay EU exit bill

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The SNP has been warned not to delay the Brexit Bill

After the Supreme Court ruled that MPs must be given final approval before Article 50 can be triggered, ministers said the necessary legislation would be brought forward within days.

The SNP responded with a plan to table 50 amendments to the Bill, dragging the entire process into a form of parliamentary trench warfare.

Alex Salmond, now the SNP's international affairs spokesman at Westminster, said the amendments were designed to force Theresa May to "constructively engage" with the Scottish Government.

They will include demands to publish a White Paper on Brexit, to seek the "unanimous agreement" of the devolved administrations and to promise that the UK will stay in the EU if no agreement can be reached with Brussels.

He said: "Our amendments will address the very serious concerns facing the UK and the very real issues that the UK government has, thus far, avoided.."

Despite plans for such extensive interference, however, the Nationalists are expected to vote against the Brexit Bill come what may.

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Alex Salmond has stated he wants Theresa May to engage with the Scottish Government

BREXIT: Supreme Court Ruling
Tue, January 24, 2017

Britain's most senior judges ruled that Prime Minister Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process Article 50 for the UK's exit from the European Union without Parliament having a say.

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Issued by the Supreme Court of (top row, from the left) Lord Neuberger, Lord Mance, Lord Kerr, Lord Sumption, (bottom row, from the left) Lady Hale, Lord Clarke, Lord Wilson and Lord Hodge, who agreed with the majority decision that the Government could not trigger Article 50 without Parliamentary approval.

Our amendments will address the very serious concerns facing the UK

Alex Salmond

Addressing the Commons yesterday, Brexit Secretary David Davis said he will introduce the "most straightforward Bill" possible within days.

With Labour and the Liberal Democrats also planning to table amendments, Mr Davis warned opposition parties to respect the "decision of the people".

He said: "The purpose of this Bill is simply to give the Government the power to invoke Article 50 and begin the process of leaving the European Union.

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Brexit Secretary David Davis said he will introduce the new bill within days

"That's what the British people voted for and it's what they would expect.

"Parliament will rightly scrutinise and debate this legislation.

"But I trust no-one will seek to make it a vehicle for attempts to thwart the will of the people or frustrate or delay the process of exiting the European Union."

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