'No mandate for hard Brexit', Opposition argues

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer has told Parliament that there is "no mandate for a hard Brexit".

His words came during a debate in the House of Commons over the planning of the UK's departure from the European Union.

The Government hopes it has seen off a Tory revolt and potential defeat by accepting a Labour motion calling on ministers to disclose their Brexit plan before starting the EU divorce process.

In exchange, Labour and Tory rebels will agree to the Prime Minister's timetable of triggering Article 50 in March next year.

Mr Starmer said: "There is no mandate for a hard Brexit, there is no consensus for a hard Brexit.

"In the last few months I've travelled across the UK to hold meetings with a wide range of interested partied...on the question of the terms under which the UK should exit the EU.

"The overwhelming evidence is that they do not want a hard Brexit, there is not a consensus out there for a hard Brexit."

In reply, the Brexit Secretary David Davis said: "To be honest, I don't really know what hard Brexit means but the simple fact is the mandate was to leave the EU, fullstop."

Mr Starmer also called for the Government to publish its Brexit plan well ahead of any vote, to allow amendments to be considered.

He insisted Labour was not trying to "frustrate the purpose or delay the timetable" but was instead aimed at "accountability and scrutiny" of the Brexit process.

The debate came as the Government entered day three of its Brexit battle in the Supreme Court.

More follows...