The High Court has ruled that government does not have the power to trigger Article 50 and begin the process of leaving the European Union without gaining parliamentary approval and a vote from MPs
The Lord Chief Justice has ruled that the government's arguments are ‘contrary to fundamental constitutional principles of the sovereignty of parliament.’
The argument was also dismissed on the grounds that ‘there is nothing in the text of the 1972 Act to support it.’
A government spokesperson said: 'The government is disappointed by the Court’s judgment. The country voted to leave the European Union in a referendum approved by Act of Parliament. And the government is determined to respect the result of the referendum.
'We will appeal this judgment.'
Prime Minister Theresa May previously announced that she would trigger Article 50, which formally notifies the EU of the UK’s decision to leave, by the end of March 2017.
After the High Court ruling the pound rose to just above $1.24.
R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, summary of the judgment of the Divisional Court is available here.
