Ministers forced to hand over files on Article 50

THE UK Government has been forced to hand over legal documents detailing why it is refusing to let MPs have a vote to decide when and how Britain should leave the European Union.

High Court judge Mr Justice Cranston made the decision ahead of a crunch hearing next month brought by “concerned citizens,” including the People’s Challenge group, who claim Theresa May should not be able to enact Article 50 without Westminster’s approval.

The legal challenge has been described as the most important constitutional law case in living memory.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who wants the Scottish Parliament also to have a vote on the UK’s Brexit proposal, is keeping a “close eye” on the legal case but suggested the matter of whether or not MPs and MSPs should have a vote “probably will end up in the Supreme Court,” the UK’s final arbiter on important constitutional matters.

Attorney General Jeremy Wright, for the Government, said: “The country voted to leave the European Union in a referendum approved by Act of Parliament. We do not believe this case has legal merit.”

In released documents, lawyers for Brexit Secretary David Davis insisted it was “crystal clear” that the UK Government had the power to enact withdrawal.

Meanwhile, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry yesterday said Scotland should not get a separate deal on Brexit.

She said: “It was a UK referendum... we have to negotiate as the UK and get the best result for the UK.”