IN any other state other than the UK, Gina Miller would be hailed as a hero who defeated a reactionary Government and forced them to comply with the law of the land. Yet since she brought the Article 50 case against Theresa May’s Government, Miller has been lambasted as a “traitor”, pilloried in the right-wing English media and received threats that she would be beheaded or raped.

The 51-year-old Guyana-born investment fund manager accepted victory graciously yesterday. Standing outside the Supreme Court, flanked by her legal team and security guards, Miller said: “Today, eight of the 11 Supreme Court judges upheld the judgment handed down by the High Court in November, in a case that went to the very heart of our constitution, and how we are governed.

“Only Parliament can grant rights to the British people and only Parliament can take them away. No prime minister, no government, can expect to be unanswerable or unchallenged. Parliament alone is sovereign.”

Miller, who shared her win with the other plaintiff, hairdresser Deir Tozetti Dos Santos and the People’s Challenge group, continued: “This ruling today means that MPs we have elected will rightfully have the opportunity to bring their invaluable experience and expertise to bear in helping the Government select the best course in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations — negotiations which will frame our place in the world and all our destinies.

“There is no doubt that Brexit is the most divisive issue of a generation. But this case was about the legal process, not politics. Today’s decision has created legal certainty, based on our democratic process and provides the legal foundation for the Government to trigger Article 50. I want to express my gratitude to the supreme court, my team at Mishcon de Reya, Lord Pannick QC and my other counsel, for conducting themselves with such integrity and thoughtfulness in the face of extraordinary and unwarranted criticism.

“In Britain we are lucky. We are fortunate to have the ability to voice legitimate concerns and views as part of society. I have therefore been shocked by the levels of personal abuse that I have received from many quarters over the last seven months, for simply bringing and asking a legitimate question. I sincerely hope that, going forward, people who stand in positions of power and profile are much quicker in condemning those who cross the lines of common decency and mutual respect.

“Lastly, I would like to wholeheartedly thank those who have sent me the most heartwarming message of support. They have truly helped to bolster me in this most arduous process.”