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Brexit
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UK government preparing Brexit legislation to trigger EU exit

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A Union flag flies in the wind in front of the Big Ben clock face and the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament in central London. Photo: AFP
Reuters
The British government is preparing legislation to trigger the procedure to leave the EU, Sky News reported on Monday, despite Prime Minister Theresa May saying she is confident of overturning a court decision that may delay Brexit.
May’s plans to start the formal divorce procedure from the European Union by the end of March were dealt a blow last week when England’s High Court ruled that her government must seek parliamentary approval for triggering Article 50.
The prime minister is determined to carry out what she calls “the will of the people” and her aides have declined to comment on whether ministers are making contingency plans after the ruling, saying only that they are confident of winning an appeal.
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Sky News quoted sources as saying the government was preparing a bill – legislation that will have to be considered in both houses of parliament in what could be a lengthy process.

A spokeswoman for May did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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May’s focus on ensuring the government has the lead on breaking with the European Union has angered some lawmakers, prompting one of her ruling Conservative party MPs to resign last week and deepening splits laid bare in the June EU referendum.

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