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Brexit: Article 50 Bill could be 'very short indeed', says Supreme Court Brexit: Article 50 Bill could be 'very short indeed', says Supreme Court
(35 minutes later)
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for Theresa May to bring forward a piece of legislation for Parliament to trigger Brexit that is only "very short indeed" . The Supreme Court has cleared the way for Theresa May to bring forward a piece of legislation for Parliament to trigger Brexit that is only "very short indeed" .
Ministers favoured a short bill as it could act to limit the breadth of the debate in Parliament that precedes a vote and make it harder for opposition MPs to amend the legislation. The words in the ruling are a boost to ministers who favour a short bill that could limit the breadth of the debate in Parliament that precedes a vote, and make it harder for opposition MPs to amend the legislation.
Critics have indicated they may challenge any move to trigger Article 50 and start the Brexit process on a piece of legislation that is too narrow.  But it also sets the scene for wrangles in the Commons and Lords, with Labour, Liberal Democrats and the SNP all signalling they will try to alter any legislation the Government brings forward.
Broadly the case today was over whether Theresa May could trigger Article 50, starting the official Brexit process, without allowing Parliament a vote on the matter.
While the Supreme Court upheld a High Court decision that MPs are entitled to vote on it, they also delivered some good news for the Prime Minister regarding the kind of Bill MPs should vote on.
The judgement said: "What form such legislation should take is entirely a matter for Parliament.The judgement said: "What form such legislation should take is entirely a matter for Parliament.
"But, in the light of a point made in oral argument, it is right to add that the fact that Parliament may decide to content itself with a very brief statute is nothing to the point."But, in the light of a point made in oral argument, it is right to add that the fact that Parliament may decide to content itself with a very brief statute is nothing to the point.
"There is no equivalence between the constitutional importance of a statute, or any other document, and its length or complexity. A notice under article 50(2) could no doubt be very short indeed, but that would not undermine its momentous significance.""There is no equivalence between the constitutional importance of a statute, or any other document, and its length or complexity. A notice under article 50(2) could no doubt be very short indeed, but that would not undermine its momentous significance."
The Independent reported yesterday that ministers believe they will be ready to publish their Bill as early as this week, in a bid to ensure Ms May keeps to her timetable of triggering Article 50 by the end of March.
A Government source said: "It will take a couple of days to fully digest the judgement and determine what the response will be. Officials can work quickly but they won’t be able to work miracles to bring it out on the morning."
The well-placed source added: “We need to look at the issues that arise and after that we can make a decision pretty swiftly. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect the Bill to be published later in the week.”