Two prisoners serving life sentences who said rules which barred them from voting in the Scottish independence referendum breached their human rights have won the backing of two of the UK's most senior judges.

Leslie Moohan and Andrew Gillon had launched a fight in the Supreme Court in London in July after Scottish judges dismissed their claims.

A panel of Supreme Court justices ruled against them at the end of the hearing - but did not give reasons for their decision.

The panel's written ruling was published today and revealed that the prisoners' appeal was dismissed by a 5-2 majority.

Seven justices had analysed provisions contained in the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Act 2013.

The panel had considered a series of legal questions, including whether provisions prohibiting prisoner voting were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and whether they breached the common law right to vote.

The justices were told that both inmates wanted to vote in the referendum on September 18, but were not eligible under the Franchise Act.

Lawyers for the two men argued that the prohibition was incompatible with prisoners' rights under common and European law.

The ruling today showed that five justices disagreed with the men's argument and dismissed their claims - but two ruled in their favour.

Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger and Deputy President Lady Hale were among justices who ruled against the men.

But Lord Kerr and Lord Wilson said they would have allowed the appeal.

Lord Wilson said he thought prisoners' rights had been "violated" by the "blanket prohibition".

The prisoners had appealed to the Supreme Court after their claims had been dismissed in Scotland by the Outer House and Inner House of the Court of Session.

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