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Supreme Court delivers Brexit ruling

The Supreme Court has ruled that the UK Government cannot trigger Article 50, without an act of parliament.

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Owen Smith will vote against starting Brexit

Owen Smith says he'll vote against triggering Article 50 Credit: ITV News Wales

Pontypridd MP Owen Smith says he will vote against triggering Article 50 when MPs debate starting the formal process of leaving the European Union.

Writing in the Guardian newspaper, the former Shadow Welsh Secretary says he can't give the go-ahead to a course of action that he believes will make people poorer.

I have reached the decision that whatever the impact on my career, however difficult it may be to swim against the Brexit tide, I cannot, in all conscience, stand by and wave through a course of action that I believe will make our people poorer and our politics meaner. I cannot vote to trigger article 50 on the wing and a prayer that Brexit will do as the prime minister says, and make Britain a fairer, more prosperous and equal society. Because I do not believe that is true.

– Owen Smith MP

It's likely that Mr Smith's decision will put him at odds with Labour's leadership which has said that its MPs will be expected to vote to trigger Article 50 although the party will try to amend the legislation which does that.

Former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has also said that he will defy the Labour whip when the legislation reaches the Lords. It's thought a large number of Labour MPs could also follow suit.

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Supreme Court delivers Brexit ruling

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