WHATEVER the motives of Gina Miller in challenging the government over implementing the EU referendum decision, yesterday’s High Court ruling was a resounding defeat for Theresa May. She had laid bare her intention that Tory ministers alone would draw up the negotiating basis for triggering Article 50.

Three High Court judges have scuppered this plan, which, as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn notes, means that the Prime Minister must now present to Parliament the terms she intends to put before European Union negotiators.

It is an affront to democracy that, while MPs were kept in the dark, Business Secretary Greg Clark spilled the Brexit strategy beans to Japanese car giant Nissan management. Many worries were raised during the referendum campaign — not just by those opposed to Britain leaving — over the future of various services and basic rights. Secret negotiations led by a party traditionally hostile to the NHS, workplace rights, environmental measures and the public sector are guaranteed to increase fears. Government determination to appeal against the High Court ruling and to win Supreme Court authorisation to act as it wishes under cover of royal prerogative should put the labour movement on guard.