Thread by @petermacmahon

Breaking: @UKSupremeCourt rules unanimously that 4 provisions of Scottish parliament Bill incorporation of UN Rights of the Child and European Charter of self-government "outside competence" of Holyrood. Conflicts with part of Scotland Act which legislated for devolution.

.@UKSupremeCourt said actually putting the UNHCR and charter for self-government into Scots law was not disputed, just the effect some of the Bills - passed unanimously by MSPs - would have on UK law. Scottish parliament has to frame legislation within the limits of its powers.

The Bills will now return to the Scottish parliament for "these issues to receive further consideration".

Unionists (and possibly privately some nationalists?) will see this judgement as significant in terms of any possible legislation on a second independence referendum which the Scottish parliament passed without agreement from Westminster.

However, Nationalists are likely to maintain the Scottish parliament has the right to legislate for #indyref2, what @theSNP @NicolaSturgeon and their @scotgov partners @scottishgreens say they will do if Westminster does not agree. UK govt has suggested it will not do so.

Worth also remembering @NicolaSturgeon says she wants a referendum beyond legal challenge, while also saying she would consider Holyrood legislation if there is no Westminster agreement. Some @theSNP figures have suggested they would go all the way to @UKSupremeCourt on that.

And this is a judgement on UNCRC legislation and local self-government. If it came to it legal merits or otherwise of Holyrood bill on a referendum would be separate legal case. I'm a journalist not a lawyer. Legal eagles will tell me whether this judgement sets a precedent?

.@JohnSwinney:“While we fully respect the court’s judgment, it lays bare the weakness of, and the limits in, the devolution settlement." Says ruling means it's outwith Holyrood's power to pass legislation necessary to fully ensure the rights of Scotland’s children are protected.

.@DAJCameron: judgement "confirms the SNP shamefully used children’s rights to play nationalist games." Says never a dispute over the substance of the policy, only the legality of parts of Bill. @ScotTories supported legislation from outset whilst pointing out the legal problems.

.@ScotSecofState Alister Jack welcomes judgement "provides vital legal clarity on these two bills". Says Scotland Act 1998 Scottish Parliament cannot legislate outwith its areas of competence."our concerns were never to do with the policy of the Bills.." but whether it was legal.

.@SarahBoyack: “This court case has been a needless distraction from what really matters. This damning verdict makes it clear that the SNP have been playing cynical political games at the expense of children’s human rights."