Chances of success in Brexit Article 50 appeal to the Supreme Court on a KNIFE EDGE, Government ministers say
Ministers think the decision of whether Parliament should get on a say on triggering Brexit could go down to the wire
THE CHANCES of the Government winning the Article 50 legal appeal on how to trigger Brexit could go down to the wire, ministers say.
The Supreme Court ruling on whether Parliament should get a say on triggering Article 50 is expected in January, and it could go either way.
"I would say the chances of success are 50-50. It is not an easy wicket, but it doesn’t mean you can’t win the day," one government figure said.
Earlier this year a case was taken against the Government which said that a vote in Parliament should be taken before Article 50 can be triggered, which will start the UK's exit from the negotiation.
If the case wins, Theresa May's plans to trigger Brexit by the end of March could be thrown up in the air.
The Government have already drawn up plans for a bill that could be tabled to get Parliament's support if they lose the case.
It argued that they had the right to trigger Brexit under so-called royal prerogative powers.
And the Scottish and Welsh Governments have now argued that they want to get involved too with how Brexit takes place too, which could slow down the process even more.
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A decision is not expected until the middle of January, but the court case will be heard by 11 judges this week.
Dominic Raab MP said today that the Court should respect the voters and clear up the mess of the court case.
"But the more they are seen to frustrate the referendum verdict, the louder the voices will grow, calling for the learned – but unelected – noble lords to be subject to greater democratic accountability," he wrote.