The UK Supreme Court has ruled that the British parliament must vote on whether the procedures for Brexit can start, Tueasday. The judgement means Theresa May cannot begin talks with the EU until MPs and peers give their backing – although this is expected to happen in time for the government’s 31 March deadline. But the court ruled the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies did not need a say. But the government said it already had the powers to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – getting talks under way – without the need for consulting MPs and peers.
The judges rejected the case put by ministers by a majority of eight to three.