UK Government loses Supreme Court case over Article 50

The Supreme Court has decided by a vote of 8 to 3 that MPs must be given a vote on triggering Article 50, the formal mechanism for leaving the European Union.

The Prime Minister has said she intends to do this by the end of March, and the Government is now expected to quickly publish a bill in an effort to stick to that timetable.

Although the ruling is a blow to Mrs May, the justices unanimously ruled that there was no need to consult with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Although it is thought to be unlikely that the Government will lose a vote in Parliament, the Supreme Court’s decision, by an 8-3 majority, could hold up the Brexit process.

Labour has said it will table a number of amendments and seek more details on the Government’s negotiation strategy, the SNP has vowed to vote against the plans and the Liberal Democrats will oppose the move unless the PM promises a second referendum.

Attorney General Jeremy Wright said the Government was “disappointed” with the ruling but would comply with it.

The case was won by a wide-ranging group of anti-Article 50 campaigners, led by investment manager Gina Miller, 51, and hairdresser Deir Dos Santos.

In one of the most important constitutional cases in British legal history, three High Court judges ruled in November that ministers did not have the authority to trigger Article 50 without parliamentary approval.

Last month, Brexit Secretary David Davis led the Government’s effort to overturn the ruling in a four-day hearing before the 11 Supreme Court justices.

Source: skynews.com