Queen Elizabeth gives royal approval to UK’s Brexit Bill

The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill had been passed by MPs and Lords in Parliament earlier this week and the monarch’s signature means May will be able to keep to her declared March-end timetable of informing the EU that Britain has invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which relates to leaving the 28-member economic bloc. May is believed to be planning a tour of the UK – covering Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – in an attempt to forge a united front around Britain’s exit from the EU. 

The move follows Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that she would be seeking parliamentary approval for a second independence referendum in Scotland, to be held next year. In contrast to England, Scotland had voted to remain within the EU in the June 2016 referendum. Meanwhile, Brexit minister David Davis admitted that the government has not carried out a full assessment of the potential economic impact of Britain leaving the EU without a trade deal.