LONDON, Sept 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The decision of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to suspend parliament in the run-up to Brexit was not legal, Britain’s Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.
Local media reported that the 11 judges of the country’s highest court were unanimous in their verdict, which they said meant parliament could now immediately reconvene.
“The decision to advise her Majesty to prorogue parliament was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification,” CNA quoted Supreme Court president Brenda Hale saying.
“Parliament has not been prorogued. This is the unanimous judgment of all 11 justices,” she added. “It is for parliament, and in particular the speaker and the lords speaker, to decide what to do next.”
The BBC reported that a raft of MPs have now called for the prime minister to resign – Downing Street said it was “currently processing the verdict”.
Boris Johnson had said he wanted to carry out the prorogation ahead of a Queen’s Speech so he could outline his government’s new policies.
But critics said he was trying to stop MPs from scrutinising his Brexit plans and the suspension was far longer than necessary for a Queen’s Speech.
–NNN-AGENCIES
