THE UK Government has suffered another setback in its attempts to derail a legal challenge that could halt Brexit.
A cross-party group of politicians are seeking a ruling from Europe’s highest court on whether or not parliament can revoke Article 50 without the permission of other EU countries.
Scotland's top judges previously referred the case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), and last week rejected a bid by the government to try to appeal that decision.
Now a fresh attempt by UK officials to launch an appeal in the Supreme Court in London has also run into difficulties.
They wanted judges to examine the case on November 22, but this has now been refused.
Lawyers for the politicians argue the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to interfere.
It will now determine whether it can hear the appeal next week.
Jo Maugham QC, one of the petitioners in the case, wrote on Twitter: “The Supreme Court has refused the Government's request for a hearing on the Article 50 case.
“It will instead determine the Government's application for permission to appeal on the papers during the course of next week.”
It comes after the UK Government was accused of operating "under a cloak of secrecy" by refusing to release legal documents in the landmark case.
The legal battle is being led by Green MSPs Andy Wightman and Ross Greer, Labour MEPs Catherine Stihler and David Martin, SNP MEP Alyn Smith, Scottish LibDem MP Christine Jardine, and SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC.
LibDem MP Tom Brake and Labour MP Chris Leslie are additional parties to the action.
The ECJ is due to consider the question on November 27.
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