BREXIT DEFEAT

High Court gives hope to Remain supporters

By Dave Jones

THE UK Parliament must vote on whether Britain can start the process of leaving the EU, the High Court ruled yesterday (Thursday).

The judgment means Theresa May’s government cannot trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to launch Brexit without the consent of MPs.

However, the government is appealing, with a further hearing expected next month in the Supreme Court.

A Downing Street spokesman said the UK government had no intention of letting the judgment derail Article 50 or ‘the timetable we have set out’.

“We are determined to continue with our plan,” he said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged the government to ‘bring its ne- gotiating terms to Parliament without delay’.

“Labour respects the decision of the British people to leave the European Union,” he said.

“But there must be transparency and accountability to Parliament on the terms of Brexit.”

But Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, said: “Ultimately, the British people voted for a departure but not for a destination, which is why what really matters is allowing them to vote again on the final deal."

Labour heavyweight Owen Smith tweeted: “Labour should amend Article 50 Bill to give the British people the final say on real terms of Brexit. Or I will seek that from backbenches.”

BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith predicted that although a majority of MPs had backed the Remain campaign, most would ultiately be likely to vote for Article 50, as Brexit had been supported in the referendum.

However, if the court's decision was not overturned, there could be delays with potentially ‘months and months’ of parliamentary hurdles.

The prime minister has said she will activate Article 50, formally notifying the EU of the UK's intention to leave, by the end of next March.

Member states have said negotiations cannot begin until Article 50 is invoked.