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PM Theresa May speaks outside 10 Downing Street after winning the confidence vote.
A further week of Brexit turmoil sees pound fall sharply against the euro

A further week of Brexit turmoil sees pound fall sharply against the euro

Theresa May survived a vote of no confidence in the same week that she won a case brought to the Royal Courts of Justice by remain campaigners

Jennie Rhodes

Friday, 14 December 2018, 14:22

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Another week of Brexit turmoil began on Monday with disappointing news for anti-Brexit campaigners in Spain and across Europe. The UK's High Court announced its decision to reject the 'UK in EU' challenge against the illegal funding limits of pro-Brexit groups, following a full day hearing last Friday. Deferring his decision until Monday, Mr Justice Ouseley ruled against the case of Susan Wilson and others versus the prime minister, saying that the claim was "out of time".

Speaking after the decision, Wilson said, "While I'm obviously disappointed with this ruling, this challenge is far from over. We're working through the judgment and considering an appeal."

Article 50

The decision came on the same day that the European Court of Justice ruled that Article 50 could be unilaterally revoked to stop Brexit, should the UK decide to do so. Wilson added to her statement, "We are still in good spirits over the ECJ ruling this morning that Article 50 is revocable. We believe this makes a further referendum more likely. At the very least, our case has ensured that any future referendum will be under stricter scrutiny against illegal activity."

Vote delayed

Also on Monday, the prime minister, Theresa May, announced that the UK parliament vote on the Withdrawal Agreement would be delayed until "before 21 January", causing the pound to drop sharply against the euro. The effects were felt strongly among pensioners on the Costa del Sol and those transferring money, who saw less money going into their euro bank accounts.

The delay led to SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon tweeting that she would be prepared to merge with the Labour Party in order to topple Theresa May in a vote of no confidence. However, the call was unanswered by Jeremy Corbyn, allowing Conservative MPs to get in first with their own confidence vote on Wednesday.

Vote of no confidence

May survived the ballot by 200 to 117 votes, which led to mixed reactions from politicians and campaigners in the UK and abroad. Many were appalled by the decision to allow two MPs currently suspended from their roles over sex allegations to vote. Andrew Griffiths, the PM's former chief of staff, and Charlie Elphicke were registered in Wednesday's ballot despite serving suspensions. Labour called the decision, "a betrayal of women".

Prior to the vote the PM gave a press conference, announcing that whatever happened she would be stepping down before the next general election, expected to be called in 2022.

Liberal Democrat leader, Vince Cable said that the prime minister "must change course" over her Withdrawal Agreement. Meanwhile DUP leader, Arlene Foster, had already made it clear that her party, which reached a deal with the Conservatives to keep May in power after the last election, would not support the current agreement and the so-called 'backstop' arrangement which attempts to protect the Irish border.

May travelled back to Brussels on Thursday morning for the latest round of talks with the EU.

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