Members of Parliament opposed Brexit in the lead-up to Britain's June referendum. (File Photo)
LONDON:
A senior British court on Thursday dealt a severe blow to Prime Minister Theresa May's plans to begin the process of exiting the European Union early next year, ruling she must get Parliament's approval before she acts.
The decision greatly complicates May's stated plan to trigger Article 50, the never-before-used mechanism for a country to leave the European Union, by the end of next March at the latest.
Most members of Parliament opposed Brexit in the lead-up to Britain's June referendum, when voters opted for an exit by a 52-to-48 margin.
May's lawyers had argued that she had the right to begin the Brexit process without first getting Parliament's consent. But a London-based High Court ruled that Parliament must first weigh in.
May will now have to decide whether to appeal to the Supreme Court. If she does, the proceedings could extend well into next year.
© 2016 The Washington Post
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The decision greatly complicates May's stated plan to trigger Article 50, the never-before-used mechanism for a country to leave the European Union, by the end of next March at the latest.
Most members of Parliament opposed Brexit in the lead-up to Britain's June referendum, when voters opted for an exit by a 52-to-48 margin.
May's lawyers had argued that she had the right to begin the Brexit process without first getting Parliament's consent. But a London-based High Court ruled that Parliament must first weigh in.
May will now have to decide whether to appeal to the Supreme Court. If she does, the proceedings could extend well into next year.
© 2016 The Washington Post
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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