LONDON, Sept 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) —\u00a0British Prime Minister Boris Johnson challenged opposition MPs to call a confidence vote in his government, in a defiant response to the Supreme Court decision to strike down his suspension of parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Britain’s highest court on Tuesday found the Conservative leader acted illegally in suspending, or proroguing, parliament for five weeks in the run-up to Brexit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Johnson showed no contrition as he faced the newly reconvened House of Commons, and repeated his determination to leave the European Union on Oct 31 with or without a deal with Brussels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To huge cheers from his Conservative MPs, he condemned the court ruling as “wrong”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faced with calls to resign, he instead challenged Labour and other opposition parties to call a confidence vote in his government, saying he would make time for a vote on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Will they have the courage to act or will they refuse to take responsibility and do nothing but dither and delay … what are they scared of?” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called on Johnson to resign, saying: “he is not fit for the office that he holds”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he said he would not back an election until the prime minister’s threat of leaving the EU without a divorce deal was removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the week before parliament was suspended earlier this month, MPs passed a law requiring Johnson ask the EU to delay Brexit if he cannot get a deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If he wants an election, get an extension and let’s have an election,” Corbyn said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johnson, who only took office in July, says he suspended parliament for five weeks until Oct 14 to launch a fresh legislative programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n