May will be told Supreme Court ruling next week

THERESA May will find out on Tuesday whether she has to ask Parliament’s permission to kickstart Britain’s exit from the EU, it emerged yesterday.

The Supreme Court named January 24 as the day it delivers its verdict on a challenge to the Government’s plan to use “royal prerogative” to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and launch formal Brexit talks with the rest of Europe.

Three judges in the High Court ruled last November in favour of campaigners, led by investment manager Gina Miller and hairdresser Deir Dos Santos, who claim MPs and peers must have a say despite the British people’s decisive referendum vote last June.

Backing

The Government appealed to the Supreme Court, where a record 11 justices will decide whether to overturn the High Court decision.

The Supreme Court is widely expected to back the High Court judgment on making Mrs May consult Westminster.

Defeat could also force Mrs May to seek backing from the parliaments of pro-EU Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Labour leadership has said it will not seek to thwart the Article 50 process but defeat in the Supreme Court could embolden other groups planning legal challenges. The High Court is already considering a claim that Britain will need parliamentary approval to quit the European Economic Area.