The UK can unilaterally revoke its withdrawal from the EU, the European Court of Justice has ruled.
A spokeswoman for the court said: ‘In today’s judgement, the Full Court has ruled that, when a Member State has notified the European Council of its intention to withdraw from the European Union, as the UK has done, that Member State is free to revoke unilaterally that notification.
‘That possibility exists for as long as a withdrawal agreement concluded between the EU and that Member State has not entered into force or, if no such agreement has been concluded, for as long as the two-year period from the date of the notification of the intention to withdraw from the EU, and any possible extension, has not expired.’
Theresa May’s Brexit deal looks set to be put to the vote on Tuesday, the culmination of a heated five-day debate in Westminster.
Here is how this week is expected to play out for the Prime Minister and Britain’s departure from the EU.
Laying down the law
Brexit looks as if it will make headlines from the get-go, with the European Court of Justice due to rule on Monday morning whether the UK can unilaterally revoke Article 50. Campaigners say that if the ECJ rules the UK can unilaterally revoke Brexit it could give the country the option to “stop the clock” on leaving the EU as it would give an alternative to the options of the Prime Minister’s deal or no-deal.
Clear the lobby
Parliament will sit again on Monday to resume the Brexit debate, with a vote scheduled to take place on Tuesday. Following a weekend of pressure on Mrs May about the details of the deal, Downing Street could make some concessions on certain parts of the blueprint for Britain’s exit. Should the Prime Minister not secure a victory in the vote, then interest will turn to the numbers. Conservatives could send the 48 letters needed to the 1922 Committee to force a leadership contest and Labour could also table a vote of no confidence in Mrs May.
PMQs
The weekly spectacle of Prime Minister’s Questions is scheduled for Wednesday at 12pm. How the vote goes on Tuesday will govern whether the Prime Minister can use the occasion to hail a historic victory, or will be left facing enormous pressure to explain what comes next for Brexit.
Return to Brussels
Mrs May is due to head to the Belgian capital on Thursday for the European Council summit. Brexit is not on the agenda – instead the EU’s long-term budget, single market, migration and external relations are up for discussion – but should the vote not go the way of Mrs May, she could look to secure concessions in Brussels.
Court in the act
The highest court in the UK – the Supreme Court – will rule on Thursday on a challenge brought over Brexit legislation passed by the Scottish devolved administration. The court has been asked to rule on whether the EU exit bill passed by the Scottish Parliament in March is constitutional and “properly within devolved legislative powers”.
from Metro https://metro.co.uk/2018/12/10/britain-free-to-stop-brexit-and-revoke-article-50-european-court-rules-8226245/
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