Lawyer for former premier John Major told the Supreme Court that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s reasons for suspending parliament in the final weeks before Brexit “cannot be true”
John Major from Johnson’s Conservative party, believes the prime minister was acting entirely in his own political interests to avoid scrutiny by MPs as Brexit comes to the crunch, with Britain due to leave the EU on October 31, the lawyer said. Supreme Court is hearing the last of three days of highly-charged arguments over whether Johnson’s advice to Queen Elizabeth II to prorogue, or suspend, parliament for five weeks until October 14 was lawful.
Johnson, who took office in July, insists it was a routine move to allow his government to launch a new legislative programme next month.
But it sparked legal action accusing him of trying to silence MPs, who oppose his threat of leaving the EU next month with no deal.
In a dramatic attack by one former Conservative leader on another, Major alleged “the reasons set out in the documents put before the court by the prime minister cannot be true,” his lawyer Edward Garnier said.
Major, who was prime minister from 1990 to 1997, questioned why Johnson would not explain his motivations in writing.
“The only conceivable explanation is that the true reasons, if disclosed, would be adverse to his case,” Garnier said in a written submission.
Major believes it is “inescapable” that Johnson’s decision was motivated “by his political interest in ensuring that there was no activity in parliament” ahead of a crucial EU summit on October 17-18.
The lawyer added: “It would be very straightforward for the prime minister or a senior official to sign a witness statement confirming (for example) that the decision had nothing to do with Brexit if that were indeed the case, and despite repeated requests nobody has been prepared to do so.”
Lord Advocate James Wolffe, representing the devolved Scottish government, told judges that no justification for a five-week suspension had been advanced.
“I invite the court to take the view that… no substantive justification has been advanced for that duration,” he said.
Wolffe said that even if only seven sitting days were lost, as the suspension overlaps the party conference season, prorogation removes all the legislature’s accountability mechanisms.
The week before parliament was suspended, MPs rushed through legislation demanding Johnson ask the EU to delay Brexit if he has not agreed divorce terms in time.
PM Johnson suspending parliament before Brexit “cannot be true” : Ex PM Major to SC
