An Abergavenny man is at the centre of a controversial row which jammed the brakes on Britain’s departure from the European Union.

Last week’s High Court ruling judged that parliament would retain the right to trigger Article 50, and induce the official process for the UK to break from the EU following the vote to leave back in June.

A landmark decision, which has frustrated many Brexiteers, upheld a case brought by Gina Miller, campaign group ‘People’s Challenge’ and other parties which argued the Government would not be able to trigger Article 50 using Royal Prerogative.

The court judgement means that full parliamentary scrutiny, and a vote to trigger the article will be in place, much to the dismay of pro-Leave MPs and commentators.

A local man, played an integral role within the People’s Challenge.

Christopher Formaggia, 49, said he was pleased with the High Court ruling, and denies the process is a plot to block Brexit, but rather an essential tool to ensure proper scrutiny of the process.

“We are humbled by the level of support we have had. Quite contrary to the misinformation being spread in the far-right press: the People’s Challenge has not been funded by secretive, wealthy elitists but by ordinary people who have trusted us with their hard-earned money because this is an issue of such importance to them.

“The skeleton of our argument is black and white — we are not trying to subvert Brexit or overturn the referendum result.

“I hope we have given the Government the chance to have a proper think on the consequences and give the proper weight to the result.

“I feel we have bought them some time on what is a dramatic decision, whichever side of the fence you may sit on. Parliament now has the ability to not jump into a rash decision on the future of this country.??

“Millions of people gave their input and clearly said they wanted to leave the European Union. We are giving the chance for democracy to breathe,” said Mr Formaggia.

“I don’t envy the MPs now. They will have a large amount of disenfranchised people, no matter what happens, to answer to, but I do laugh when we are described as a ‘shadowy metropolitan elite’, as I sit here in my rural council house!” added Mr Formaggia.

The People’s Challenge claims the support of 5,000 people across the UK and Europe, and includes ex-pats and anti-Brexit campaigners such as Grahame and Rob Pigney, who head the group.

Though, preferences differ, many members are pushing for Britain to remain a member of the single market — known as a ‘soft Brexit’.

“We welcome this decision, which clearly establishes the UK’s Parliament as the sovereign authority in terms of the decisions required following the Referendum on 23rd June. The alternative would have meant a horrifying executive power grab that has no place in a modern democracy,” said Grahame.

“We started this challenge in order to protect parliamentary sovereignty and the rights of millions of UK Citizens; the Court’s decision has justified our action. Hopefully the debate on and passing of primary legislation by Parliament will result in a more positive and less divisive way forward for the UK.

“We also take pride in our judges, who have shown themselves to be true guardians of parliamentary democracy through this judgment.

“The Government will no doubt appeal. It can expect us to defend our position with the same vigour and commitment as we brought to bear when arguing the case in the Divisional Court,” he said.

However, a local MP said such moves were clearly a design on blocking Brexit and the will of 17.4m voters.

Conservative MP David Davies, a key figure in the Welsh element of the Vote Leave campaign, said the measure was a ruse to block the referendum result.

“The people of Britain have voted for Brexit. This is clearly an attempt to prevent Brexit from happening but Theresa May has made it quite clear that it will not succeed. 

“I was part of the losing side of the argument on devolution back in 1999. I quickly realised that trying to fight the result would have been futile.

“When you lose, as I have, you have to do so gracefully and move on. I humbly offer this as advice now to those who were on the other side of the argument on EU membership,” he said.

A solicitor representing People’s Challenge, John Halford of Bindmans LLP said the court decision was essential to fostering an oversight to what is described as the most significant UK political event since World War II.

“The oversight, control and democratic accountability needed for decisions on Brexit have to match the consequences of those decisions for UK citizens.

“That is why our constitution empowers Parliament, not the government, to take these decisions. The People’s Challenge group and thousands of backers unhesitatingly committed to defending Parliament’s sovereignty. They have prevailed so far and will resist the anticipated government appeal in the Supreme Court,” he said.

The People’s Challenge group said the initial target of £75,000 was raised within hours and the total was nearing £100,000 within 24 hours of launch. Over 2,500 donors have made contributions.

The next phase in the legal challenge involves an appeal of the decision to the Supreme Court, which the Government is expected to lose on December 7.

Owing to this likely event, Prime Minister May and her team have begun drawing up a parliamentary bill to trigger Article 50 and begin the formal two-year negotiation process, leading to the country’s official withdrawal from the EU.

Downing Street said earlier this week that the planned March 2017 date for triggering Article 50 was still on track, and that MPs will have a chance to scrutinise the process.