Theresa May is behaving like Henry VIII over her refusal to commit to giving Parliament a say on Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn has said.

The Labour leader accused the Prime Minister of trying to replicate “the power of kings” by insisting she can take Britain out of the European Union (EU) without parliamentary approval.

The Tudor monarch is known for his autocratic style and using his regal powers to make sweeping changes, such as separating the Church of England from the Vatican.

Government ministers have argued that Mrs May has the power to take Britain out of Europe unilaterally because of the royal prerogative – the system by which, under Britain’s constitution, the traditional powers of the British monarch are vested in in the prime minister.

Mr Corbyn said such a claim was “extraordinary”.

Speaking to The Guardian about Brexit and Mrs May’s current stance, the Labour leader said: “It would have to come to Parliament. She cannot hide behind Henry VIII and the divine rights of the power of kings on this one.

“The idea that on something as major as this the prime minister would use the royal prerogative to bypass parliament is extraordinary – I don’t know where she’s coming from."

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Show all 13 1 /13 Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Supreme Court Brexit Challenge People wait to enter the public gallery outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Gina Miller, co-founder of investment fund SCM Private arrives at the Supreme court in London on the first day of a four-day hearing Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waves the EU flag in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with two of his paintings in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin. The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Businesswoman Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Attorney General Jeremy Wright arrives at the Supreme Court in London EPA Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Protesters outside the Supreme Court in London, where the Government is appealing against a ruling that the Prime Minister must seek MPs' approval to trigger the process of taking Britain out of the European Union PA wire Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protesters wearing a judge's wigs and robes stands outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protester holds up a placard outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waiting to enter the public gallery waves a European Union flag outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters

Mrs May has repeatedly refused to commit to giving MPs a vote on a future Brexit Bill, despite the High Court having ruled that Parliament must be consulted before Britain begins the process of leaving the EU.

The Government is challenging that ruling in the Supreme Court, with a verdict set to be delivered in January.

If the Supreme Court judges uphold the original ruling, ministers could be forced to introduce a parliamentary Brexit Bill, which MPs and lords would be able to amend and vote on.

Mr Corbyn has said Labour will not vote against the Government’s bill, but a number of the party’s MPs are expelled to rebel.

Quizzed by MPs during a select committee hearing earlier this month, the Prime Minister repeatedly refused to guarantee MPs would be given a vote on Brexit.