Britain's Supreme Court rules government cannot trigger Article 50

Britain's Supreme Court has ruled that the Parliament must vote on whether the government can start the Brexit process on Tuesday, according to BBC reports.

A pro-Europe supporter shows off products whose names have been changed as he waits outside the Supreme Court, before the decision of a court ruling on whether Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London, Britain, January 24, 2017.  [Photo/Agencies]

The ruling means Theresa May cannot begin talks with the EU until MPs and peers give their backing - although this is expected to happen in time for the government's 31 March deadline.

But the court ruled the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies did not need a say.

Campaigners argued denying the UK Parliament a vote was undemocratic.

But the government said it already had the powers to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty - getting talks under way - without the need for consulting MPs and peers.

The judges rejected the case put by ministers by a majority of eight to three.

Attorney General Jeremy Wright said the government was "disappointed" but would "comply" and do "all that is necessary" to implement the court's judgment.