GETTY Legislation will be introduced to curtail the powers of the European Court of Justice

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Legislation will be introduced to curtail the powers of the European Court of Justice, which ministers say will make it easier to kick out foreign criminals and terrorists. A senior Vote Leave insider said: “If a Leave supporter wins the race to become the next prime minister then legislation will be brought forward before the end of the year that will start to free Britain from the control of Brussels.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel held out an olive branch to Britain yesterday by suggesting the Government should be given time to negotiate informally before invoking Article 50, the legal mechanism for leaving the EU. She also played down suggestions that the remaining EU states would want to punish the UK for its decision, saying there was “no need to be particularly nasty”.

It had been thought that the process of Britain freeing itself from the control of Brussels would take years but Leave campaigner Michael Gove has said previously that it should begin immediately with a series of interim emergency laws. The immediate powers being demanded include freeing intelligence agencies from European law, allowing foreign criminals and terrorists to be deported without hindrance and freeing the Armed Forces from Brussels’ diktats. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, who led the Leave campaign in the East Midlands, said: “The public have spoken and now deserve action. They took the bold decision to leave the EU and I salute them for that. “Leave campaigners are keen to reward the public for showing such faith in them by introducing some immediate changes that will start to put Britain back in control.”

Brexit: What happens next Fri, June 24, 2016 After yesterday's referendum, here is a look at what will happen immediately following the historic vote for Britain to leave the EU. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 14 Brexit: What to expect next

The public have spoken and now deserve action Tory MP Andrew Bridgen

Justice Secretary Mr Gove set out his blueprint for independence last month. He said the Government would have to instantly enact new laws to stop the influence of “rogue” European courts and allow the immediate deportation of terrorists. “We’ve stressed throughout that the day after we vote to leave, nothing fundamental changes and we still have the same trading arrangements and we start a process of informal talks and negotiations with our European partners,” Mr Gove said. “But there are some things that we can change relatively quickly. And one of the things we can do is that we can deal with the European Court of Justice, which has become a rogue court.” Within the EU, freedom of movement rules take precedence over British deportation rulings.

GETTY German Chancellor Angela Merkel held out an olive branch to Britain yesterday

Officials will begin talks with ministers this week about the next steps in the process following Thursday’s momentous vote. After David Cameron’s shock resignation on Friday, it is not known who will lead the Brexit negotiations on behalf of the Government, although Mr Gove is seen as one of the most likely candidates for the job. Last night Tory grandee John Redwood said one of the senior pro-Brexit Cabinet Ministers should be invited to lead the negotiations. “The Government needs to get on with setting up a senior negotiating team,” he said. “It could be led by Michael Gove or Chris Grayling, so there is a Cabinet person linking it to the Government.

GETTY Justice Secretary Mr Gove set out his blueprint for independence last month

GETTY After David Cameron’s shock resignation, it is not known who will lead the Brexit negotiations

“I also think the main body on the negotiating team should be experts on the law, academic life and so forth who are sympathetic to the Leave idea but are also knowledgeable. “It would be a heavyweight team but would have the blessing of the Government by virtue of being led by a senior Cabinet Minster.” Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox said a new unit needed to be set up to oversee the negotiations. But he said it must be independent of the Treasury and Foreign Office. “It is very important that a negotiating unit is set up to disentangle us from Europe and in my view it needs to be set up outside the Treasury or the Foreign Office because both the Chancellor and the Foreign Secretary are committed Remainers so we have to have a unit that can act independently,” Mr Fox said.

GETTY Ukip leader Nigel Farage is not expected to be given a place at the negotiating table

Ukip leader Nigel Farage is not expected to be given a place at the negotiating table. On Friday sources close to the Leave camp said Mr Farage’s involvement had come to an end as he threatened to use his position as head the Ukip group in the European Parliament – the biggest group of British MEPs – to ensure he had a say over the terms of Britain’s exit. Vote Leave is expected to meet tomorrow afternoon when they will draw up detailed plans. The meeting will consider whether and when they intend to invoke Article 50, or whether to simply repeal the 1972 Act which makes EU law supreme in this country. The latter option could see the introduction of a short Brexit or Restoration of Sovereignty Act, which supporters think would amount to a “unilateral divorce” and would undermine efforts by Brussels to railroad Britain into potentially punitive negotiations and a deal with remaining EU nations on their terms. Mr Cameron is expected to give a statement to Parliament tomorrow.

Daily Express crusade for EU referendum Fri, June 24, 2016 The Daily Express became the first mainstream national newspaper to demand that Britain should leave the EU in November 2010 and in 2011 launched a crusade to get Britain out. Play slideshow Express 1 of 20 Daily Express covers