Sturgeon cleared to challenge Brexit plan
NICOLA STURGEON will attempt to block Theresa May from triggering Brexit after being given permission by the Supreme Court to intervene.
The court announced yesterday that the Scottish government will be allowed to take part in a controversial legal battle over Article 50, which formally begins the process of leaving the European Union.
The Welsh government will also be allowed to intervene along with a trade union backed by Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader.
Ms Sturgeon wants the Scottish parliament to be consulted before Mrs May starts divorce proceedings with the EU.
The majority of people in Scotland voted in favour of Remain, and Ms Sturgeon has warned that Brexit could lead to a second independence referendum.
In its application to intervene, the Scottish government argued that triggering Article 50 would lead to a “fundamental alteration of the constitutional arrangements of the United Kingdom”.
Ms Sturgeon, announcing the Scottish government’s intention to intervene earlier this month, said: “Let me be clear: I respect the right of England and Wales to leave the European Union.
“This is not an attempt to veto that process. But the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland and the national parliament of Scotland cannot be brushed aside as if they do not matter.”
The Supreme Court also gave permission to the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain to intervene in the court case.
The union wants MPs to block Brexit unless the Government can meet an extensive list of guarantees about workers’ rights.
The participation of a union which supports Mr Corbyn in the case appears to contradict claims by the Labour leadership that the party will not seek to block Article 50.
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said earlier this week: “Labour will not seek to block or delay it.”
It came as Jolyon Maugham, one of the QCs behind the legal action, said that Ms Sturgeon could seek a legal ruling that Article 50 can be reversed.
Supreme Court justices will also invite legal representatives from the Welsh government and a group representing British expats to intervene in the court case, which begins on Dec 5.
Downing Street says it is confident it will win its appeal against the High Court’s decision, which ruled the Prime Minister cannot use executive powers to trigger Article 50.
Mr Maugham argues that the Scottish First Minister could “explode the cosy consensus” that the two-year process for leaving the European Union cannot be undone once it has started by seeking a reference to the Court of Justice of the EU.