Foreign
PRIME Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to dissolve the British parliament this month is legal, a Scottish court ruled on Wednesday, in the first of several legal challenges to the plan.
A judge for the Court of Session in Edinburgh said he believed the court was not legally entitled to review Johnson’s political decision to prorogue or suspend, parliament from mid-September to mid-October.
“We think the judge has erred in law on this point and others and will seek to appeal immediately,’’ tweeted Scottish National Party lawmaker Joanna Cherry, who is leading the Scottish legal case.
Johnson said last week that he wanted to submit his government programme in a new parliamentary session, to start after a break.
But critics accused him of trying to use prorogation to limit scrutiny, ahead of his promised deadline for Britain to leave the EU on Oct. 31.
Lawmakers are scheduled to debate and vote on an opposition bill, backed by 21 members of Johnson’s own Conservatives, late Wednesday to prevent a no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31.
The bill “would mean years of uncertainty and delay’’, Johnson tweeted early on Wednesday ahead of a cabinet meeting.
“I am determined to lead this country forward and take Britain out of the EU on Oct. 31,’’ he wrote.
After losing a vote on the bill late Tuesday, Johnson tabled a motion calling for a snap election.
If he wins the backing of two-thirds of lawmakers for a snap election late Wednesday, parliament would be dissolved automatically before the poll, making the prorogation plan redundant. (dpa/NAN)
– Sept. 4, 2019 @ 13:23 GMT |
Tags: Scottish court: Johnson’s plan to dissolve parliament is legal
