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PM urged to calm the backlash against Brexit ruling Calm Brexit ruling backlash, government urged
(about 2 hours later)
Theresa May has been urged to calm the backlash against the High Court ruling on the process of leaving the EU. Labour has urged the government to come out and defend the three judges behind the controversial High Court ruling on the process of leaving the EU.
The prime minister has been asked by some senior MPs to "make clear" that the independence of the judiciary is a part of British democracy. The Daily Mail branded them "Enemies of the people", while the Daily Express said the ruling had marked "the day democracy died".
Conservative MP Dominic Grieve said the criticisms over the High Court judges' decision were "horrifying" and reminded him of "Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe". Labour called the silence of Justice Secretary Liz Truss "embarrassing" and said she had "let down" the judiciary.
On Thursday, the court ruled Parliament should vote on triggering Article 50.On Thursday, the court ruled Parliament should vote on triggering Article 50.
Three judges found that the government could not start the formal process - the triggering of Article 50 - of leaving the EU by using the royal prerogative alone, and would need the backing of Parliament. The judges found that the government could not start the formal process of leaving the EU - the triggering of Article 50 - by using the royal prerogative alone, and would need the backing of Parliament.
That would require publishing legislation to be debated by the Commons and the Lords.That would require publishing legislation to be debated by the Commons and the Lords.
Labour said the decision underlined the need for Mrs May to spell out her plans for Brexit to Parliament "without delay". Conservative MP Dominic Grieve said the criticism in parts of the media over the judges' decision was "horrifying" and reminiscent of "Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe".
Leader Jeremy Corbyn will say in a speech to trade unionists and activists later that there needs to be more "transparency" around the UK's withdrawal from the EU. The former attorney general told BBC's Newsnight on Friday: "The judges did exactly what was asked of them.
The High Court judges behind the decision have been heavily criticised by parts of the media.
The Daily Mail claimed they were "Enemies of the people" and the Daily Express said the ruling had marked "the day democracy died".
Mr Grieve, the former attorney general, said he was "horrified" at the newspaper coverage, which was reminiscent of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe.
"The judges did exactly what was asked of them," he told BBC's Newsnight on Friday.
"They highlighted that our constitution does not allow you to overturn statute law by decree, which is so well established in this country.""They highlighted that our constitution does not allow you to overturn statute law by decree, which is so well established in this country."
Daily Mail columnist Stephen Glover defended the newspaper's stance, saying he did not believe the judges would "feel frightened or worried" about the criticism. Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon called on the government to intervene to curb the level of criticism.
"They've made a really decisive intervention in the political process, and they must expect some comeback - and that's what they got," he said. "The first duty of the Lord Chancellor, Liz Truss, is to protect the independence of the judiciary, and to be frank her silence on this is embarrassing, and she's letting down the British judiciary and the British legal system.
'Utterly disgraceful'
But Bob Neill, Conservative chairman of the justice select committee, said criticism of the High Court ruling by some politicians was "utterly disgraceful".
He told the Times newspaper: "All ministers from the prime minister down must now make clear that the independence of the judiciary is fundamental to our democracy.
"You have to respect that, even if you think they have got a decision wrong.
"Some members of Parliament do not appear to understand that this judgement had nothing do with subverting the will of the people."
Chantal Doerries, who chairs the Bar Council, said attacks on the integrity of the judges could lead to the "undermining of the respect of judgements".
She added: "The reason we're able to live in a civilised manner together, despite individual differences, personal differences, business disputes, is because of the justice system that we have and our respect for it."
Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said the government must intervene to curb the level of criticism.
He added: "The first duty of the Lord Chancellor, Liz Truss, is to protect the independence of the judiciary, and to be frank her silence on this is embarrassing, and she's letting down the British judiciary and the British legal system.
"Giving judges a roasting isn't part and parcel of any healthy democracy.""Giving judges a roasting isn't part and parcel of any healthy democracy."
'Belong in a kitchen' Ms Truss has made no comment yet.
Daily Mail columnist Stephen Glover defended his newspaper's stance, saying he did not believe the judges would "feel frightened or worried" by the criticism.
He said they had made a "decisive intervention" in the political process, and "must expect some comeback - and that's what they got."
Some MPs have also attacked the judges, including UKIP MP Douglas Carswell who called them "politicians without accountability".
Bob Neill, Conservative chairman of the justice select committee, said the criticism by some politicians was "utterly disgraceful" and the ruling should be respected, even if it was considered wrong.
He told the Times newspaper: "Some members of Parliament do not appear to understand that this judgement had nothing do with subverting the will of the people."
Chantal Doerries, who chairs the Bar Council, said attacks on the integrity of the judges could lead to the "undermining of the respect of judgements".
Labour said the ruling underlined the need for Mrs May to spell out her Brexit plans to Parliament "without delay".
In a speech in London, leader Jeremy Corbyn will say that there needs to be more "transparency" around the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
Meanwhile, Gina Miller, the investment manager and philanthropist who led the legal campaign, has said she plans to report online trolls to police after receiving rape and death threats.Meanwhile, Gina Miller, the investment manager and philanthropist who led the legal campaign, has said she plans to report online trolls to police after receiving rape and death threats.
She told BBC Radio 5 live that other abuse included people telling her "I'm not even human, I'm a primate, I belong in a kitchen - that's the nicest of some of them. It is unbelievable.She told BBC Radio 5 live that other abuse included people telling her "I'm not even human, I'm a primate, I belong in a kitchen - that's the nicest of some of them. It is unbelievable.
"I am really cross at the politicians and the media who are whipping this up because they are the ones inciting racism and violence and acrimony.""I am really cross at the politicians and the media who are whipping this up because they are the ones inciting racism and violence and acrimony."
On Friday, Conservative MP Stephen Phillips quit his post over "irreconcilable policy differences" with the government. On Friday, Conservative MP Stephen Phillips resigned over "irreconcilable policy differences" with the government, saying he was "unable properly to represent the people who elected me".
The pro-Brexit campaigner, who has held the Lincolnshire seat of Sleaford and North Hykeham since 2010, accused ministers of ignoring Parliament since the Brexit vote.The pro-Brexit campaigner, who has held the Lincolnshire seat of Sleaford and North Hykeham since 2010, accused ministers of ignoring Parliament since the Brexit vote.
He said he was "unable properly to represent the people who elected me". The government is to appeal against Thursday's ruling to the Supreme Court next month.
The government is appealing against Thursday's ruling on triggering Brexit talks to the Supreme Court, with a hearing expected in early-December. Prime Minister Theresa May has said she is "confident" the government will win and is committed to triggering Article 50 by March 2017.
Theresa May has said she is "confident" that the government will win its appeal and she remained committed to triggering Article 50 by March 2017.