Brief Article 50 bill will be '˜bomb-proof'

The government will draft 'bomb-proof' legislation authorising the triggering of Article 50 so that MPs cannot make significant amendments, it has been suggested.

Theresa May dismissed the Brexit memo. Picture: AFP/Getty Images

A bill giving the government the green light to start the formal exit process from the EU could be just three lines long, government sources were reported to have said.

It came as a leaked memo suggested civil servants are overwhelmed by the preparatory work needed ahead of Brexit talks with the EU, and ministers are unable to agree on a single negotiation strategy.

Downing Street dismissed the 7 November document, which was prepared by consultancy firm Deloitte without being commissioned by government.

The Prime Minister’s spokeswoman said the memo was a case of a company “touting for business”.