Elaine Motion

After hearing arguments from both sides in the Outer House of the Court of Session, Lord Doherty rejected the petitioners’ arguments.

Elaine Motion, executive chairman of legal firm Balfour and Manson, which represents the petitioners, said, however, that the issue was far from over.

“We have marked an appeal to today’s ruling and we hope that will be heard in the Inner House of the Court of Session as soon as possible,” she said.

“We always knew this would be the first step in a long, complex journey and we are pleased to have had the opportunity to make our arguments. We are ready to move forward to the next stage in the process.”

Petitioner Ian Murray, Labour MP for Edinburgh South, said: “The fight against Boris Johnson’s assault on democracy and his plan to crash the UK out of the EU goes on.

“There will be an appeal on this ruling, and there is another court case taking place in England.

“But the main battle is currently in Parliament, where the Prime Minister has lost his majority and does not have the support of the House for his dangerous plan to impose a no-deal Brexit on the country.

“We have wrested control of parliamentary business and will attempt to pass a law that makes a no deal Brexit illegal. We will also fight to secure a final say for the people of the UK on Brexit and we must campaign to remain in the EU.”