May: I won't allow Remain supporters to tie my hands in Brexit negotiations

Theresa May has warned her hands will not be 'tied' Credit: PA

Theresa May has warned she will not allow Remain-backing MPs to "tie [her] negotiating hands" in pursuing Brexit.

After High Court judges ruled she must seek the approval of Parliament before triggering Article 50 - which launches the official process of leaving the EU - she said MPs and peers must "accept what the people decided" rather than try to block it.

Speaking ahead of a trade mission to India, she said she was sticking to her timetable of triggering Article 50 by March next year - and insisted she would not give in to calls from Labour and other parties to spell out her negotiating strategy for withdrawal talks.

The Prime Minister was joined by representatives from 33 UK companies for the trip to India, as part of a plan to "reboot an age-old relationship (with India) in this age of opportunity".

Theresa May was joined by 33 UK businesses for the trade mission to India Credit: PA

She said Britain and India were "natural partners" with shared interests in creating jobs, developing new technologies and tackling issues such as terrorism and climate change.

Officials have said the trip could see commercial deals agreed which would create 1,370 new jobs in the UK.

"This is a partnership about our shared security and shared prosperity," she said.

"It is a partnership of potential. And on this visit I intend to harness that potential, rebooting an age-old relationship in this age of opportunity and with that helping to build a better Britain."

Among deals expected to be struck during the visit are:

  • A £1.2 million joint venture between the Pandrol Group UK and Rahee Group in India to set up a manufacturing plant for rail projects

  • A £15m imaging and diagnostic centre in Chennai by Lyca Health UK

  • A £350m investment from British start-up Kloudpad in high-tech electronics manufacturing in Kochi.