British Prime Minister Theresa May has agreed to demands for parliament to debate her government's plans to leave the European Union, but ruled out letting it vote on triggering the formal Brexit procedure.
Late on Tuesday, May moved to appease MPs in her ruling Conservative Party by allowing a motion proposed by the opposition Labour Party for a "full and transparent debate" on how the government will enact the public vote to leave the EU.
The move spurred sterling, which has fallen 18 per cent against the dollar since the June referendum, with investors concerned Britain is heading for a so-called "hard Brexit", or a clean break from the bloc's lucrative single market of 500 million consumers in order to control immigration.
But May, under pressure from the Labour opposition, other lawmakers and global financial markets to offer them more than her catchphrase of "Brexit means Brexit", stopped short of promising a formal vote on her strategy before triggering Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty.
"We've always said that parliament has an important role to play," May's spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
"But we also believe this should be done in a way that respects the decision of the people of the UK when they voted to leave the EU on 23 June and does not undermine the negotiating position of the government."
"There will not be a vote on triggering Article 50."
Brexit minister David Davis told parliament Britain's government has the right to trigger Article 50, the formal legal process for leaving the European Union, before beginning exit negotiations with the bloc.
When asked by a fellow MP whether it was the government's right to trigger Article 50 and then begin negotiations on an exit deal, David said: "My honourable friend is exactly right."
"The premise on which we are advancing is that we will have proper scrutiny," he added.
"But it is not one where we will allow anyone to veto the decision of the British people."
May is increasingly conscious that markets are moving on her words, and was clear in parliament that she would be "ambitious" in negotiations with the other 27 EU members to get the best deal.
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