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Basing the decision to remove the UK from membership of the EU on the strength of an advisory referendum result and residual prerogative powers may seriously underwhelm the Supreme Court in a few months time.

If detailed parliamentary scrutiny of any proposed Article 50 'trigger' is the court's prescribed route, Mrs May could well decide that a new UK/EU treaty is a more attractive way forward.

At least Mrs May could exercise prerogative power to 'get that ball rolling' even if she would need Parliament to ultimately ratify a new treaty.