Brexit Constitutional headaches await May as she returns from G20 summit

A “historic constitutional row” over Brexit awaits Theresa May as she returns from the G20 summit. Labour and opposition parties are threatening to launch proceedings for contempt of parliament unless legal advice given by the attorney general to the prime minister on her Brexit plan is published in full.

Sky News reports that the  DUP, which props up her minority Tory government, is reportedly ready to sign a joint letter with them to the speaker of the House of Commons unless ministers back down.

The Guardian states “Theresa May has been warned she is on course for a “historic constitutional row” unless the government releases its full legal advice on the Brexit deal. Labour has said it is ready to combine with other opposition parties to start proceedings for contempt of parliament unless the legal opinion of the attorney general, Geoffrey Cox, is published in full.”

More than 100 of her own MPs have indicated to reporters they will vote against it, as a brutally timed ministerial resignation means the certainty of the deal passing is not strong. Mrs May faces further headaches from Scotland’s parliament, Holyrood. MSPs look set to declare in a debate that it would be “damaging for Scotland and the nations and regions of the UK” if her Brexit deal is waved through.

Meanwhile Sir Keir Starmer has said it is “inevitable” Labour will table a motion of no confidence in the government if Theresa May’s Brexit deal is voted down in the Commons. Appearing on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge, the shadow Brexit secretary said: “It looks like a considerable number of Tory MPs will vote against it – if she loses that vote, legislation has already passed saying she must come back to the House to make a statement.

The Independent reports that “It seems to me if the prime minister has a lost a vote of that significance then there has to be a motion of confidence in the government. “I think it’s inevitable we will seek to move that, obviously it depends on what actually happens in nine days.”