Roundup: Parliament "likely" to have vote on final Brexit deal

The British pound climbed against the U.S. dollar in exchange markets Tuesday after a government lawyer told the High Court here that parliament was "very likely" to be asked to ratify any future Brexit deal with the European Union (EU).

Until now, politicians in both the House of Commons and House of Lords have been told Prime Minister Theresa May would trigger the Brexit mechanism by the end of next March, without seeking the approval of parliament.

But lawyers acting for the government confirmed to three High Court judges in London that it was likely any future agreement with Brussels would eventually be subject to approval by parliament.

A legal case was launched by a group of individuals who want parliament to be involved in the process of triggering Article 50, the legal route that will lead to an irrevocable divorce between Britain and the EU.

They have argued in court that May has no legal power to trigger Article 50 to leave the European Union without the prior authorization of the British Parliament.

After hearing submissions from both sides in the legal case, the judges have reserved their judgement and will announce a decision in several weeks.

The Guardian newspaper reported late Tuesday that details of parliament's potential role emerged during the third day of the legal challenge over whether ministers or Members of Parliament (MPs) have the power to give formal notification to Brussels that Britain is withdrawing under Article 50 of the EU treaty.

Barrister James Eadie QC, representing the British government, told the judges: "Scrutiny was likely to include parliament having to ratify any new treaty reached with the EU during the Article 50 process. The government view at the moment is that it is very likely that any such agreement would be subject to ratification."

The Guardian reported that the legal opinion was seized on by city traders as a sign that MPs might be able to prevent a hard Brexit, pushing the pound's value up at one stage to 1.23 U.S. dollars, a rise of almost 1.0 percent.

Further media reports Tuesday evening quoted 10 Downing Street as saying it was "very likely" MPs would be able to vote on the final Brexit agreement reached between Britain and the European Union.

With Britain leaving the EU in 2019, if Article 50 is triggered by next March, any deal reached with Brussels is expected to deal with migration controls and whether Britain remains in the single market.

Some commentators say a number of politicians will not be satisfied with debating the final Brexit deal, but will instead insist on earlier involvement around the Article 50 process.

But it raises another question: What happens if both or either houses of parliament vote against the Brexit deal negotiated by May and her team of ministers? Endit