English Democrats raise £58,000 for Brexit court battle

English Democrats leader Robin Tilbrook (pictured) says he is 'very confident' of victory in his Brexit court battle

English Democrats leader Robin Tilbrook (pictured) says he is 'very confident' of victory in his Brexit court battle 

The leader of the English Democrats has said he is 'very confident' of proving that Britain has already left the EU - despite government claims that his case is 'hopeless'. 

Robin Tilbrook said his movement had raised £58,000 for the High Court battle and enjoyed an 'upsurge of people joining our party'.  

The pro-Brexit campaigner vowed to press ahead with the legal challenge despite government lawyers calling his case 'totally without merit' and trying to have it thrown out. 

He said officials were just as dismissive of the Gina Miller case in 2016 - a case which she went on to win. 

The case turns on whether Theresa May had the legal power to delay Brexit past the initial March 29 deadline.

Mr Tilbrook says she had the power to start the two-year withdrawal process, but not to amend it. 

As a result, he says the extension was invalid and that Britain left the EU on March 29 as originally planned.  

Government lawyers counter that Mrs May had implied powers to change the Brexit date and that Parliament approved the delay.  

A court date is yet to be set but Mr Tilbrook has asked for the case to be expedited. 

Speaking to MailOnline last night, he said the government was taking the case 'really seriously'.  

He said: 'I'm very confident. As much as you can be confident of anything in life, I think this is a pretty strong one.'

The English Democrats argue that Theresa May (pictured in Downing Street today) did not have the power to delay Brexit beyond March 29 this year

The English Democrats argue that Theresa May (pictured in Downing Street today) did not have the power to delay Brexit beyond March 29 this year 

Robin Tilbrook said the case of Gina Miller (pictured centre) - who took the government to court over Article 50 and won - was a helpful precedent for his party's own legal bid

Robin Tilbrook said the case of Gina Miller (pictured centre) - who took the government to court over Article 50 and won - was a helpful precedent for his party's own legal bid 

Explaining his party's case, he said: 'It's quite simple. If your notice expires, then you're out. 

'They served their notice under that Act of Parliament. If you look at the Act in question, it's 137 words. 

'It just says that she's got power to serve notice to withdraw the UK from the EU. It doesn't say she's got any other powers.

'That's the crux of the case: that she's properly served the notice, and at the end of that period of notice of two years, you're out.' 

He said the Gina Miller case - when Ms Miller forced the PM to win

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