Brexit: Supreme Court slows fast UK exit process from Europe

Parliament must vote on whether the government can start the Brexit process, the Supreme Court has ruled.

The most powerful court in the land has upheld a High Court decision that ruled it unconstitutional for UK Prime Minister Theresa May to formally trigger the process of leaving the EU without first consulting MPs.
But the court ruled the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies did not need a say. Both Scotland and Northern Ireland voted against an E.U. departure in the June vote.

Reading out the judgement, Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger said: "By a majority of eight to three, the Supreme Court today rules that the government cannot trigger Article 50 without an act of Parliament authorising it to do so."
The court also rejected arguments that the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly should get to vote on Article 50 before it is triggered. Lord Neuberger said: "Relations with the EU are a matter for the UK government."

Outside the court, Attorney General Jeremy Wright said the government was "disappointed" but would "comply" and do "all that is necessary" to implement the court's judgement.

Eleven Supreme Court Justices delivered the ruling on Tuesday morning, following a four-day hearing last December.

A spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the party will not “frustrate” the process of triggering Article 50, but will seek oversight. “Labour respects the result of the referendum and the will of the British people and will not frustrate the process for invoking Article 50,” a spokesman said in a statement.

Brexit Secretary David Davis will make a statement to MPs at 12:30 GMT.