London: British prime minister Theresa May has promised to give parliament more details of her Brexit plans.
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Her pledge was a tactical backdown in the face of a growing call from MPs for more transparency on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.
It reversed a position she had held even until Wednesday morning, a day after Britain's highest court gave MPs a deciding say in triggering the Brexit process.
With growing rumours that pro-Remain Tory MPs had planned to oppose the government on key Brexit votes, she made the about-turn that caught many, including, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, by surprise.
During her weekly question time in parliament, Mrs May said she recognised an "appetite" for a white paper – a formal document – on her proposals for negotiating with the EU on Brexit.
Last week she made a speech outlining her aims for Brexit, including leaving the Common Market and seeking a free trade deal with Europe.
At the time MPs were told this was all they would get in terms of details of the government's negotiating position.
But this week the Supreme Court ruled that Brexit could not be triggered without both houses of parliament's ok.
Mrs May told the House of Commons on Wednesday: "I recognise that there is an appetite in this House to see that plan set out in a White Paper. I can confirm to the House that our plan will be set out in a White Paper published in this House."
The move appears to be a response to that shift of power between the government and MPs.
The government on Tuesday announced its intention to introduce a "straightforward" bill for parliament to give the government the power to begin the Brexit process.
However some MPs, including Labour and a few Tory rebels, had threatened to add riders to the bill or affect a delay.
Mrs May heads to the US on Thursday and Friday, to address the Republican party's 'retreat' in Philadelphia.
She will then go to Washington DC to visit president Trump at the White House.
A spokeswoman for Number 10 said security and trade would be at the top of the agenda for the leaders' first meeting, but rather than address a long list of issues she was focusing on establishing a direct, "frank" relationship that would lead to future conversations.
