BUSINESS is expecting an early start to the process of quitting the European Union following yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling.

The court decided that the government needed an Act of Parliament to trigger Article 50 – the process for beginning withdrawal from the EU.

Brexit secretary David Davis told MPs that legislation would be introduced “within days” to ensure the government could stick to its timetable for starting the process by the end of March.

He told MPs: “The point of no return was passed on June 23 last year.”

Simon Boyd of Chistchurch business Reidsteel, who chaired the pro-Leave campaign Business for Britain in the south west, said he respected the Supreme Court’s decision.

“According to the politicians, they’re not going to try and obstruct the will of the people. I think it will be a very short bill that that the Commons vote on and it will be passed,” he said.

“From a business point of view, I don’t want to see the process be delayed or slowed down, which is what’s in the mind of some people who are still trying to rerun the referendum campaign.

“We kind of expected this decision. I don’t think they should have appealed. They should have just written a short bill there and then after the High Court.”

But Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for the South West and a doctor of economics, called on Theresa May to listen to a wider range of views.

“The damaging path the May government want to lead us down, of removing the UK from the single market, exiting the customs union, ending free movement and failing to uphold important environmental legislation, means progressive MPs cannot support the triggering of article 50 at this stage,” she said.

“Theresa May must now provide assurances that her government is pursuing a plan that protects the UK’s economic interests, safeguards jobs, protects our environment and guarantees we do not enter a race to the bottom on corporate tax rates. Only then can we begin to work towards a constructive rather than a destructive future relationship with our European neighbours.”

David Davis has said the government will introduce the “most straightforward bill possible” to trigger Article 50.

He warned against “attempts to thwart the will of the people or frustrate or delay the process”.