Attorney-General
Jeremy Wright QC said the case filed by multiple parties against the invocation
of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is an attempt to reverse the results of the
British referendum last June.
The
Brexit's results showed majority favouring the exit of Britain from the
European Union.
Mr Wright
said the making and unmaking of international treaties was a "recognised
use of the royal prerogative".
Article 50
states that any member state may leave “in accordance with its own
constitutional requirements”, an undefined term that has allowed both sides to
pursue rival interpretations.
Lord Chief
Justice Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Lord Justice Sales and another senior judge
are hearing the challenges against the Brexit vote.
Mr Wright
said:
“Making and
unmaking treaties are an established use of royal prerogative powers. The use
of prerogative powers [to trigger Brexit] was wholly within the expectation of
parliament.
“The
question is, has parliament acted to limit the availability of the royal
prerogative powers? The answer, we say, is no.
“There’s
nothing expressed in legislation that [shows] parliament has attempted to
circumscribe the powers to make treaties. Parliament has conspicuously refused
to legislate on withdrawing from the EU despite many opportunities if it had so
wanted.”
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