Iain Duncan Smith clashes with Stella Creasy and calls Brexit bill amendments ‘irrelevant’

The former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions clashed with Labour Co-operative’s Stella Creasy over proposed changes to the bill, which allows Brexit talks with the EU to get underway.

Labour’s nine amendments include moves to ensure MPs have the first vote on any proposed exit deal.

Speaking on Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky News, Mr Duncan Smith responded to Ms Creasy’s accusations the Government was trying to push through the bill with limited debate and she took a shot once again over Vote Leave’s battle bus that implied £350 million a week sent to the EU could be put into the NHS.

Fighting back on funds for the NHS, the former Tory party leader, said: “This is up to the Government at the end of the day. The money’s there. It wouldn’t be there if we were still in the European Union which you guys voted to remain in. You wouldn’t even be able to get that money back.

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Iain Duncan Smith and Stella Creasy clash over the Brexit bill

These amendments are not relevant really, for one good reason

Iain Duncan Smith

Responding to Ms Creasy’s call for the Government to back Labour’s amendments to the bill, the MP for Chingford and Woodford Green said there would be plenty of opportunities further down the line to discuss how the UK leaves the bloc.

He said: “These amendments are not relevant really, for one good reason. This bill is solely about one limited purpose. Gives the power to the Government to invoke Article 50. After that, you’ll have plenty of time, you have the whole of the European Community’s Repeal Act, which you can amend to hell.

“The public will get sick and tired of the debates. Let me tell you something about the House of Commons, people will get fed up with these programmes in about another six months, if they aren’t already fed up with them at the moment.

But Ms Creasy jumped in and said the brief Brexit bill needed to be questioned immediately.

The MP for Walthamstow said: “This is our only opportunity to start the negotiations right to get the best deal for Britain. So absolutely it matters how we amend this legislation, absolutely it matters that the Government is trying in 167 words to take away so many fundamental rights for the British people without proper scrutiny.”

Britain is set to draft a raft of new laws to show it is prepared to become the new Singapore in a bid to win a good Brexit deal.

The move aims to force European Union leaders to think twice over stalling over Brexit negotiations as plans are drawn up to slash corporation tax and scrap regulations.

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Continued cooperation with the EU to tackle terrorism and international crime.

It will act as a sign Britain is determined to become “the new Singapore” unless trade barriers are kept low by the EU.

Meanwhile, there are plans by up to 27 MPs to support “wrecking amendments” to the bill which could block Britain leaving the EU.

The hardcore Remain supporting MPs led by Anna Soubry and Ken Clarke are planning on voting with Labour, the Lib Dems and SNP to open the door to overturning the historic referendum result.

The rebellion will come this week at the committee stage of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, which starts today and runs until Wednesday.

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