UK backs judicial independence

British Justice Minister Liz Truss offered her belated support for the independence of the judiciary yesterday after the High Court faced a string of political attacks over its controversial ruling on Brexit.

Truss had been criticised for staying silent over the backlash against Thursday's landmark judgment that the government cannot start the process of leaving the European Union without parliament's approval.

One newspaper denounced the three judges as "enemies of the people" while members of Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative party accused them of "judicial activism".

"The independence of the judiciary is the foundation upon which our rule of law is built and our judiciary is rightly respected the world over for its independence and impartiality," Truss said in a brief statement.

"In relation to the case heard in the High Court, the government has made it clear it will appeal to the Supreme Court. Legal process must be followed."

The High Court ruling prompted outrage among supporters of Brexit, sparking fears that it could delay the process that May had promised to start by the end of March.