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Govt lawyer: UK won’t trigger EU exit talks before year end

LONDON – A lawyer for the British government has confirmed that the country will not begin exit talks with the European Union this year.

Several British citizens are asking the High Court to rule that the government can’t start the negotiations without approval from Parliament. A majority of lawmakers support remaining in the EU.

Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to uphold the decision of voters, who backed leaving the 28-nation bloc in a June 23 referendum.

Government lawyer Jason Coppel says May does not intend to trigger the EU treaty’s Article 50 — starting a two-year countdown to exit — before the end of 2016.

He says that will allow time for the courts to consider the legal challenges.

Judges on Tuesday set an October date for the High Court case.

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