Handful of EU campaigners led by multi-millionaire Gina Miller derail Theresa May’s Brexit plans
A dramatic High Court decision threatened to trigger a must-win vote for Mrs May of MPs in the Commons
A MOTLEY handful of EU-based campaigners led by a multi-millionaire sparked fury after throwing Theresa May’s Brexit plans into chaos.
The PM had wanted to invoke Article 50, starting the formal two-year Brexit process, without going to Parliament for a vote.
But three judges ruled in favour of the group of 11 “Wrexiteers” — headed by fund manager Gina Miller.
The dramatic High Court decision threatened to trigger a must-win vote for Mrs May of MPs in the Commons on whether Article 50 should be invoked.
But Downing Street played down suggestions that the PM could call a snap general election next year to ensure she has enough supportive MPs to get her plan through the House.
There was fury that Brexit, voted for by 17million Brits, could be betrayed by the tiny group of Remainers. The outfit, backed by law firm Mishcon de Reya, also includes Brazilian-born hairdresser Deir Dos Santos.
Others are expat Brit Grahame Pigney — based in southern France — and Welsh-Italian environmental consultant Christopher Formaggia, who tweeted last night: “Victory against the fascist May Government.”
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Mrs Miller, 51, who set up her own financial investment firm with 52-year-old husband Alan, said outside the High Court that the ruling was “about our United Kingdom and all our futures”. The
Remainers raised £170,000 online to launch the appeal to block the triggering of Article 50.
Lord Chief Justice Baron Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Sir Terence Etherton and Lord Justice Sales ruled the PM could not trigger it alone via the Royal Prerogative.
The Government immediately appealed and the Supreme Court will hear the case on December 7. Ukip’s Nigel Farage warned of public outrage if Parliament blocked the referendum result.
Law Lord's Euro body
THE judgement that could throw plans for Brexit into chaos was handed down by Britian's top judge - who set up a top Euro legal organisation.
Lord Chief Justice John Thomas, 69 was a founding member of the European Law Institute, which works towards the “enhancement of European legal integration” He was also the Chair of the Working Group on the ELI project on Common European Sales Law in the group, however he has previously been critical of European judges.
In 2014, in a judgement on whole-life tariffs, blasted euro judges who ruled that such sentences were in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Lord Justice Philip Sales, 54 was called to the bar in 1985 and worked in Tony Blair’s old Chamber before becoming the Labour government’s chief lawyer.
At the time he was involved in defending the Government’s decision not to hold a public inquiry into the Iraq war in 2005.
Terence Etherton, 65 the Master of the Rolls, was called to the bar in 1974 and is the second most senior judge in England and Wales – he was Britain’s first openly gay judge.
The three Wrexiteers
Gina Miller
THE investment manager was born in Guyana, South America, where her dad was the Attorney General.
She grew up in Britain and went to the £27,000-a-year Moira House School in Eastbourne, East Sussex, before studying marketing and HR at the University of London.
She and third husband Alan set up SCM Private in 2009 but it has yet to turn a profit and lost £440,700 last year.
Mrs Miller also runs charity the True and Fair Foundation.
Grahame Pigney
THE semi-retired IT consultant set up the People’s Challenge campaign group to crowd-fund cash for the legal challenge.
Mr Pigney, 62, commuted from his idyllic cottage in the Alaigne region of South West France to work in the UK.
The thought of an EU exit disrupting his commute inspired him to take up the legal challenge.
His modest house is tucked away from the main single-track road and overlooks nothing but vineyards for miles around.
Mr Pigney, above, claims the Government’s plan to trigger Article 50 would be “an act of constitutional vandalism”.
Deir Dos Santos
THE Brazilian-born hairdresser is “just an ordinary guy” who challenged the way Brexit was going to happen.
The 37-year-old, who actually voted to Leave, was unhappy with the way the Government planned to trigger Article 50.
Mr Dos Santos has British citizenship and lives in London.
He said after the case: “Today’s judgment is a victory for everyone who believes in the supremacy of our Parliament and the rule of law.
“I have never challenged the result of the referendum — in fact I voted for Brexit for the sole reason that I wanted power to be returned to Parliament.
“But I did not think it was right for the Government then to bypass Parliament and try to take away my legal rights without consulting Parliament first.”