Brexit latest news: Theresa May to introduce Bill 'within days' after Supreme Court ruling
Supreme Court says Government must seek parliamentary approval to trigger Article 50
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Your support makes all the difference.The Supreme Court has ruled Theresa May cannot withdraw Britain from the EU alone and must get approval from MPs and peers first.
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Their decision will affect whether Ms May has enough authority to trigger Article 50 on her own, the process through which a country can begin to leave the EU.he case has been brought by banker Gina Miller, along with other appellants including a crowd-funded cohort titled The Peoples' Challenge. They argued that despite the 23 June referendum, which saw Britain vote to leave the EU, MPs are still entitled to vote on whether or not it actually happens.
In November, the High Court heard the case and ruled against the government. The Prime Minister's lawyers appealed the case meaning it was transferred to the Supreme Court.
It is widely expected the government will also lose this case.
Ms May has spoken of her desire to trigger Article 50 by the end of March.
She has also outlined a so-called Hard Brexit, which would feature withdrawal from the single market.
Lord Neuberger said the three dissenting justices considered that the Government could trigger Article 50 without an authorising Act of Parliament.
In their view "Parliament has not imposed any limitation on the Government's prerogative power to withdraw from the Treaties".
Giving a short summary of the court's findings, Lord Neuberger stressed: "The issues in these proceedings have nothing to do with whether the UK should exit from the EU, or the terms or timetable for that exit.
"The main issue is whether the Government can trigger Article 50 without the prior authority of an Act of Parliament.
"The other issues concern the obligations of the UK Government under the devolution legislation before triggering Article 50, and in particular, whether the legislatures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland must be consulted."
No10 spokesperson said:
“The British people voted to leave the EU, and the Government will deliver on their verdict – triggering Article 50, as planned, by the end of March. Today’s ruling does nothing to change that.
“It’s important to remember that Parliament backed the referendum by a margin of six to one and has already indicated its support for getting on with the process of exit to the timetable we have set out.
“We respect the Supreme Court’s decision, and will set out our next steps to Parliament shortly.”
Martha Spurrier, Director of Liberty, said:
“Our democracy hinges on two principles: no one is above the law and Parliament is supreme. Today's ruling upholds those principles. Thanks to our independent judges, Mrs May's Government will be exposed to the antiseptic of parliamentary scrutiny. This is not a political decision – it is our democracy in action.”
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