LONDON, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Opponents of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s move to suspend parliament in the final weeks before Brexit lost the first of several legal bids to stop him on Friday.
Scottish judge Raymond Doherty rejected the request for a temporary injunction pending a full hearing in the case on Sep 6.
“I’m not satisfied that there’s a need for an interim suspension or an interim interdict to be granted at this stage,” Doherty said in his ruling.
Queen Elizabeth II has already given the go-ahead to shutter parliament between mid-September and Oct 14 – just two weeks before the Brexit date of Oct 31.
The move was widely seen as limiting the time for parliamentarians to move against Johnson, who has said Britain must leave the EU with or without a deal.
Legal bids to halt the suspension have also been launched in Belfast and London.
Former prime minister John Major, a strong supporter of EU membership, has said he will seek to join the London legal action.
Johnson announced the surprise decision Wednesday to dismiss parliament — known as proroguing – next month for nearly five weeks.
The move sent shockwaves through British politics, triggering a furious outcry from pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal exit.
Wrong-footed, Johnson’s opponents labelled the suspension of parliament a “coup” and a “constitutional outrage”.
Beyond the courts, Johnson’s opponents are planning all manner of moves to stop him in his tracks.
Shami Chakrabarti, Labour’s chief legal advisor, warned on BBC radio: “We will use any means necessary to prevent this undemocratic behaviour – that includes people taking to the streets.”
Protests are planned Saturday in several cities, with some organisers calling for roads and bridges to be occupied.
The leaders of the six opposition parties in parliament said they believed a majority of MPs were against Johnson’s move.
Labour opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would try to start a parliamentary process that would allow Johnson’s opponents to legislate to prevent Britain leaving the EU without a deal and to stop the suspension of business.
Corbyn is also mulling a no-confidence vote in Johnson’s Conservative government, which commands a fragile 320 to 319 majority. — NNN-AGENCIES
