The EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, also known as the Brexit Bill, has received Royal Assent this week, paving the way for the government to trigger Art 50 at the end of March.
Despite two House of Lords amendments guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and a meaningful vote on the final deal, Peers backed down after these were overturned with a comfortable margin by MPs, and the Bill passed without amendment.
Adding further constitutional confusion, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her wish to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence between autumn 2018 and spring 2019—ahead of the two-year deadline for the UK’s exit from the EU.
Meanwhile, Gina Miller, who brought the Supreme Court challenge against the government over its right to trigger Art 50 without a Parliamentary vote, and won, has said she may return to court for a ruling on whether Parliament should be given a vote on the final Brexit deal.