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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

Political Correspondent

Tuesday 24 January 2017 08:31 GMT

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Supreme Court rules parliament must vote on Brexit

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.

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

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Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

People wait to enter the public gallery outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London

Reuters

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

Gina Miller, co-founder of investment fund SCM Private arrives at the Supreme court in London on the first day of a four-day hearing

Getty

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

A man waves the EU flag in front of the Supreme Court

Getty

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with two of his paintings in front of the Supreme Court

Getty

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin. The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50

Getty

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50

Getty

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

Businesswoman Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin

Getty

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

Attorney General Jeremy Wright arrives at the Supreme Court in London

EPA

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

Protesters outside the Supreme Court in London, where the Government is appealing against a ruling that the Prime Minister must seek MPs' approval to trigger the process of taking Britain out of the European Union

PA wire

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

A protesters wearing a judge's wigs and robes stands outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London

Reuters

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

A protester holds up a placard outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London

Reuters

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court

Getty

Supreme Court Brexit Challenge

A man waiting to enter the public gallery waves a European Union flag outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London

Reuters

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.

This is what the Supreme Court Brexit decision did to the poundThe IndependentThe pound fell on Tuesday after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the Government must hold a parliamentary vote to trigger the start of official negotiations to exit the European Union. Sterling has endured a bumpy ride in recent months but has largely edged higher over the last week spurred by Prime Minister Theresa May in a speech last Tuesday offering markets some clarity on her vision for Brexit.

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:04

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."

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:05

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.”

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:08

Britain's highest court just said devolved nations can't stop BrexitThe IndependentMinisters do not need to ask permission from Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales before triggering Article 50, the Supreme Court has ruled. The UK's most senior judges said the Government was not legally compelled to consult devolved legislatures.

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:22

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.”

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:27

The Lib Dems have demanded a second EU referendumThe IndependentThe Liberal Democrats have demanded the British public is given a vote on the final Brexit deal – otherwise they will vote against the triggering of Article 50. The @libdems are clear, we demand a vote of the people on the final deal and without that we will not vote for A50 pic.twitter.com/PQXxncVkUb

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:31

From Sky News' political editor:

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:39

The Supreme Court just derailed Theresa May's Brexit plansThe IndependentThe 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 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. 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

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:40

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:48

What does the Brexit Supreme Court ruling mean for pound sterling and financial markets? Experts react:

Here's what the Article 50 ruling means for the pound and other markets?The IndependentThe pound fell on Tuesday after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the Government must hold a parliamentary vote to trigger the start of official negotiations to exit the European Union. But what does this mean for the pound and other financial markets in the long run? Here's a look at how strategists, economists and other experts are responding.

Kristin Hugo24 January 2017 10:51

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