Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland will intervene against Brexit appeal

Scotland's top law officer is to apply to the Supreme Court to intervene against the UK Government as it seeks to overturn a court ruling on the triggering of Brexit, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

Nicola Sturgeon has announced Scotland's to law officer will intervene against the UK Government.

The First Minister said “the democratic wishes of the national Parliament of Scotland cannot be brushed aside”.

The Lord Advocate, Scotland’s most senior law officer, is to lodge a formal application at the Supreme Court to intervene in the case.

Ms Sturgeon said it “simply cannot be right” that rights linked to membership of the European Union “can be removed by the UK Government on the say-so of a Prime Minister without parliamentary debate, scrutiny or consent”.

The First Minister added: “So legislation should be required at Westminster and the consent of the Scottish Parliament should be sought before Article 50 is triggered.”

The High Court ruled last week that MPs must vote on whether the UK can start the process of leaving the EU.

The UK government immediately said it would appeal to the Supreme Court, with a hearing due next month.

More to follow.