Campaigners launch bid to force second EU referendum

A legal challenge to force Theresa May to concede a second EU referendum has been launched by anti-Brexit campaigners.

They claim a loophole in the Prime Minister’s Brexit tactics means that she will be legally obliged to offer a second vote.

Anti-Brexit group Best For Britain, which is leading the challenge, says it is using the same legal arguments successfully deployed by campaigner Gina Miller.

Last year, she forced Ministers to give Parliament a say before the Brexit process was triggered.

The new challenge centres on claims that existing legislation guarantees a new referendum if Mrs May pushes ahead with plans for the UK to remain part of some EU bodies such as the European Medicines Agency. 

Best For Britain says that effectively amounts to a transfer of powers to Brussels which – under the 2011 European Union Act – would trigger a referendum.

Spokeswoman Eloise Todd said: ‘This is not about Leave or Remain. It’s about making a democratic choice according to our constitution, given that many are worried about Brexit.’

Government sources dismissed the legal challenge as ‘bogus’ and ‘nonsensical’ as the current EU Withdrawal Bill going through Parliament revoked the 2011 legislation.

A legal challenge to force Theresa May to concede a second EU referendum has been launched by anti-Brexit campaigners