Article 50 ruling due on Monday

The European Court of Justice will deliver its ruling on whether the UK can unilaterally revoke its withdrawal from the EU the day before Tuesday’s crunch vote on the prime minister’s Brexit deal.

Monday’s ruling will come less than a week after a European Court of Justice (ECJ) Advocate General issued a legal opinion stating the UK can unilaterally revoke its withdrawal from the EU.

Manuel Campos Sanchez-Bordona rejected the contention that Article 50 only allows the possibility of revocation following a unanimous decision of the European Council.

The opinion is not binding on the court but campaigners who brought the case said it is considered very influential, and welcomed the news the ruling would be delivered before December 11.

SNP MP Joanna Cherry, one of those involved in bringing the case, tweeted: “#CJEU will give final judgment in #Article50 case at 8am on Monday morning so our aim of ensuring MPs know revocation is possible before the #MeaningfulVote will be achieved.

“Thank to all who have supported us #Brexit #PeoplesVote.”

Campaigners have said if the ECJ rules the UK can unilaterally revoke Brexit it could give the country the option to “stop the clock” on leaving the EU as it would give an alternative to the options of the prime minister’s deal or no-deal. The case was brought forward by a group of Scottish politicians.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the chances of stopping Brexit are high