Brexit: Theresa May promises White Paper on EU exit plan

London : Theresa May has announced the government will set out its Brexit plans in a formal policy document.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, she said she recognised an “appetite” for a White Paper on her “bold” proposals for negotiations with the EU.

A number of Conservative MPs had joined Labour in asking for such a move.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn demanded to know when the paper would be published – his party says this must be before MPs vote on getting Brexit under way.

Mrs May’s announcement comes a day after the Supreme Court ruled that Parliament – not ministers – must decide whether the government can invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, triggering the two year process of leaving the EU.

A parliamentary bill to this effect could be introduced as early as Thursday. The prime minister wants to get negotiations under way by the end of March, leaving the government with a tight timetable.

Before Mrs May’s announcement, opposition parties and more than half a dozen Conservative MPs including some ex-ministers had called for a White Paper – a government policy document which sets out proposals for future acts of Parliament – on Brexit.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs May said: “I recognise that there is an appetite in this House to see that plan set out in a White Paper. I can confirm to the House that our plan will be set out in a White Paper published in this House.”