LONDON - The British Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ruled that Prime Minister Theresa May must consult Parliament before triggering formal negotiations on Britain leaving the European Union (EU).
The British government lost its legal battle to have the right to trigger Britain's exit from the EU without first getting the approval of the British Parliament.
Judges in the Supreme Court in London ruled by 8-3 in favor of a group of individuals who challenged the government's insistence it could trigger the article 50 process to leave the EU.
Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty says: "Any member state may decide to withdraw from the union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements."
The decision is seen as a blow to the government as it says that it has the power to start the Brexit process, but opponents led by investment manager Gina Miller say it needs the parliament's approval to officially commence the at least two-year negotiations.
MPs will now be given a vote in a parliamentary bill before the process can start.
The court rejected claims that Britain's devolved assemblies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales should give their assent before Brexit officially starts. (Xinhua)