High Court rules that Government needs Parliament's permission to trigger Brexit

Today is a victory for everyone who believes in the supremacy of parliamentary democracy

The High Court has ruled that the Government cannot trigger Article 50 without Parliament's consent - putting the brakes on the UK's decision to withdraw from the European Union.

The Government is expected to appeal against the ruling, with the Supreme Court already setting aside December 5-8 to hear the matter.

A statement read on behalf of Deir dos Santos, who began legal proceedings just four days after the Referendum, read: "Today is a victory for everyone who believes in the supremacy of parliamentary democracy.

"I've never challenged the result of the Referendum, I in fact voted for Brexit in the Referendum for the sole reason that I wanted power to be returned from Europe to the British parliament.

"I did not think it was right for the Government just to bypass Parliament and to try and take away my legal rights without consulting Parliament first."

Meanwhile, Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox said the Government was disappointed by the decision.

"The country voted to leave the European Union in a referendum approved by acts of parliament. The Government is determined to respect the result of the referendum. This judgment raises important and complex matter of law and it is right that we consider it carefully before deciding how to proceed," he said.