Brexit campaign chief Michael Gove BACKS High Court judges who made shock Article 50 ruling defying Theresa May
Former Cabinet minister said even if he disagreed, the three judges were 'brilliant, thoughtful, wise and decent men'
THE BREXIT campaign chief Michael Gove has come out and backed the judges who made the shock ruling blocking Theresa May from triggering Article 50.
The former Cabinet minister said even if he disagreed with elements of the High Court decision, the three judges were "brilliant, thoughtful, wise and decent men".
Last Thursday’s bombshell decision sparked a constitutional crisis and angered not just those who voted leave by defying the Prime Minister.
Mr Gove’s comments came as the woman who replaced him current Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Liz Truss, continued to face pressure to intervene in the row.
The ruling by the three-man panel at the High Court, which the Government is appealing, means Mrs May must seek parliamentary approval before formally starting the two-year countdown to Brexit.
Former lord chief justice Lord Judge said Ms Truss had a responsibility to defend the judiciary, but her comments had been "a little too late and not a lot".
Mr Gove posted a series of messages on Twitter defending the judges, who have come in for attack after upholding a legal challenge spearheaded by 'Chief Wrexiteer' Gina Miller.
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He said: "The first thing to note is that judicial independence is critical to the rule of law and any proper democracy.
"The high court judges who've ruled on Article 50 are brilliant, thoughtful, wise and decent men - their judgment deserves respect."
He added that he found much of the reasoning and conclusion of the three men - including Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas - "persuasive".
But he stressed that a "raucous, vigorous, press is just as much a guarantor of freedom as our independent judiciary".
Lord Judge told BBC's Newsnight the "personal" attacks in the press on the judges "undermines public confidence in the judicial process".
Mrs May has insisted the Government remains on course to fire the Brexit starting gun by the end of March next year despite the legal setback.
The PM said she was confident the Government had "strong legal arguments" but urged the Supreme Court judges to spell out the details of what ministers have to do if it loses the appeal against the ruling.
If judges rule an Act of Parliament is required, MPs and peers will have a series of opportunities to amend the legislation - potentially causing difficulties to the Government's timetable.
Speaking to the BBC in India, the Prime Minster insisted: "I'm clear that I expect to be able to trigger Article 50 by the end of March next year. That's what I've said consistently and I continue to work on that basis."