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Brexit Supreme Court ruling: Judges defy Theresa May and hand power to Parliament Brexit Supreme Court ruling: Judges defy Theresa May and give power to Parliament
(35 minutes later)
The Supreme Court has ruled against Theresa May's Brexit plans and decreed that MPs are entitled to vote on whether to trigger Article 50.The Supreme Court has ruled against Theresa May's Brexit plans and decreed that MPs are entitled to vote on whether to trigger Article 50.
The verdict will come as a considerable blow to Ms May, amid growing criticism her plans for EU withdrawal are chaotic. The verdict is a blow for the Prime Minister, albeit one she had expected and had prepared for, after she initially wanted to launch the Brexit process unilaterally.
The Prime Minister will now have to give parliament the chance to vote on whether to trigger Article 50, the mechanism by which EU withdrawal can formally begin. There is now no doubt that Ms May must seek the permission of MPs, a vote due by the end of March, before invoking Article 50 and starting a two-year countdown to Brexit
Delivering the judgement, Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger said: "By a majority of eight to three, the Supreme Court today rules that the Government cannot trigger Article 50 without an Act of Parliament authorising it to do so."
Lord Neuberger said the judgment was not about the referendum result or a comment on the merits of leaving or staying in the EU.
"The referendum is of great political significance, but the Act of Parliament authorising it did not say what would happen afterwards," Lord Neuberger said, meaning any action taken now must be in keeping with the UK’s constitution.
The Independent reported today that ministers are likely to be ready to publish the Bill that MPs will vote on by the end of the week.
After the judgement, Attorney General Jeremy Wright said the Government was "disappointed" by the final decision in its historic battle over who has the right to authorise the start of Brexit.
He added: "The Government will comply with the judgement of the court and do all that is necessary to implement it."
It is unclear what would happen legally if MPs vote against such a bill, as much of the constitutional law related to Brexit remains as yet untested, although Jeremy Corbyn has "asked" his MPs to vote not to obstruct it.It is unclear what would happen legally if MPs vote against such a bill, as much of the constitutional law related to Brexit remains as yet untested, although Jeremy Corbyn has "asked" his MPs to vote not to obstruct it.
The judges' ruling is a victory for Gina Miller, a philanthropist and banker, who brought the case against the government. She was also backed by a crowd-funded group called The Peoples' Challenge, who described themselves as a group of "concerned EU citizens". The judges' ruling is a victory for Gina Miller, a philanthropist and banker, who brought the case against the Government. She was also backed by a crowd-funded group called The Peoples' Challenge, who described themselves as a group of "concerned EU citizens".
More follows Although the Government lost the challenge, the justices unanimously ruled that there was need to consult with the devolved powers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In a statement released immediately after the ruling, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would not "frustrate the process for invoking Article 50" but would seek to amend the Government.