Sky News: The Scottish and Welsh governments will be allowed to intervene in the court battle over how Brexit should be triggered, the Supreme Court has announced.
The High Court ruled earlier this month that Theresa May could not trigger the formal divorce process with the EU without putting the matter before Parliament, a decision the Government is appealing against.
Counsel for the Scottish Government will be invited by the Supreme Court – which will hear the Government’s appeal – to address the court on the relevance of points of Scots law, so far as they do not form part of the law of England and Wales.
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, which describes itself as “fighting for the rights and welfare of some of the most vulnerable and under-represented workers in the UK”, has also been allowed to make submissions.
The Attorney General for Northern Ireland has made a reference to the court on devolution issues and did not need permission to intervene.
The legal challenge over Brexit was bought by investment fund manager and philanthropist Gina Miller and Dier Dos Santos, a hairdresser, with other “concerned citizens”.
Three senior High Court judges ruled that the PM does not have power to use the royal prerogative to trigger Article 50 – the formal process for leaving the EU – without the authority of Parliament.
The Government’s appeal will be heard by 11 judges between 5 and 8 December, with a judgement expected in the new year.
Counsel General for Wales Mick Antoniw welcomed the court’s decision.
He said the Welsh Government would be seeking to “reinforce the importance of parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law”.
Mike Russell, the Scottish government’s Brexit minister, urged the UK Government to “drop the appeal and to accept that Parliament has the right to determine the triggering of Article 50”.
He said: “We recognise the decision of people in England and Wales to support Brexit, but the views of people in Scotland cannot simply be brushed aside.”
Downing Street said in a statement: “It is a matter for the Supreme Court which applications to intervene are accepted.
“The UK Government’s position remains the same, and we will be taking strong legal arguments to court next month.”
