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Parliament suspension sparks furious backlash Parliament suspension sparks furious backlash
(about 3 hours later)
The prime minister's decision to suspend Parliament has prompted an angry backlash from MPs and campaigners. The prime minister's decision to suspend Parliament has prompted an angry backlash from MPs and opponents of a no-deal Brexit.
Hundreds of people protested in London on Wednesday and a petition against the move gained a million signatures. It sparked protests across the country, a legal challenge and a petition with more than a million signatures.
Earlier the Queen approved Boris Johnson's request to suspend Parliament for five weeks in September and October - weeks before the Brexit deadline. The government said the five-week suspension in September and October will still allow time to debate Brexit.
Opponents say it will leave MPs with little time to stop a no-deal Brexit. But critics said it was an "undemocratic" attempt to stop MPs from blocking no deal.
But cabinet minister Michael Gove insisted the suspension was "certainly not" a political move to stop MPs blocking a no deal. Cabinet minister Michael Gove told the BBC the suspension, which was approved by the Queen on Wednesday, was "certainly not" a political move to obstruct opposition to the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Instead, he told the BBC there would be "plenty of time" to debate Brexit before the scheduled departure date of 31 October. He said there would be "plenty of time" to debate Brexit before the scheduled departure date of 31 October.
On Wednesday, Mr Johnson said a Queen's Speech would take place after the suspension, on 14 October, to outline his "very exciting agenda".On Wednesday, Mr Johnson said a Queen's Speech would take place after the suspension, on 14 October, to outline his "very exciting agenda".
He said he did not want to wait until after Brexit "before getting on with our plans to take this country forward".He said he did not want to wait until after Brexit "before getting on with our plans to take this country forward".
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described it as "a smash and grab on our democracy" in order to force through a no deal by not leaving enough time to pass laws in Parliament - and pledged to try to stop the suspension. Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg, who was at the meeting with the Queen, said this Parliamentary session had been one of the longest in almost 400 years, so it was right to suspend it and start a new session.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said the only "constitutional crisis" was being caused by those who opposed the decision of the 2016 referendum.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described it as "a smash-and-grab on our democracy" in order to force through no-deal by leaving MPs without enough time to pass laws in Parliament. He pledged to try to stop the suspension.
And anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller - who previously won a legal battle against ministers over Article 50 - has made a judicial review application to the courts about Mr Johnson's decision.
The prime minister says he wants to leave the EU at the end of October with a deal, but is willing to leave without one rather than miss the deadline.The prime minister says he wants to leave the EU at the end of October with a deal, but is willing to leave without one rather than miss the deadline.
What has been the reaction from politicians?What has been the reaction from politicians?
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow - who does not traditionally comment on political announcements - described it as a "constitutional outrage".House of Commons Speaker John Bercow - who does not traditionally comment on political announcements - described it as a "constitutional outrage".
Former Tory Chancellor Philip Hammond called it "profoundly undemocratic".Former Tory Chancellor Philip Hammond called it "profoundly undemocratic".
The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, said it was a "dangerous and unacceptable course of action". The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, told BBC Newsnight that the prime minister "is prepared to deny people their voice through their representatives in Parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit".
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said MPs must come together to stop the plan next week, or "today will go down in history as a dark one indeed for UK democracy".Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said MPs must come together to stop the plan next week, or "today will go down in history as a dark one indeed for UK democracy".
Others, though, have defended the plan.Others, though, have defended the plan.
Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg, who was at the meeting with the Queen, said the move was a "completely proper constitutional procedure." Conservative Brexiteer Peter Bone said he would not have supported Mr Johnson if he had proposed a suspension until after the Brexit deadline.
But he said this suspension was "absolutely standard procedure".
US President Donald Trump tweeted his support for Mr Johnson, saying it "would be very hard" for Mr Corbyn to seek a no-confidence vote against the PM, "especially in light of the fact that Boris is exactly what the UK has been looking for".US President Donald Trump tweeted his support for Mr Johnson, saying it "would be very hard" for Mr Corbyn to seek a no-confidence vote against the PM, "especially in light of the fact that Boris is exactly what the UK has been looking for".
The leader of the DUP, Arlene Foster, also welcomed the decision, but said the terms of her party's confidence and supply agreement with the Conservatives would now be reviewed.The leader of the DUP, Arlene Foster, also welcomed the decision, but said the terms of her party's confidence and supply agreement with the Conservatives would now be reviewed.
What anger has there been elsewhere? What reaction has there been elsewhere?
On Wednesday evening protesters gathered in Westminster chanting "stop the coup" and carrying anti-Brexit placards and EU flags.On Wednesday evening protesters gathered in Westminster chanting "stop the coup" and carrying anti-Brexit placards and EU flags.
The demonstration - organised hours beforehand - started outside Parliament before spreading towards Downing Street.The demonstration - organised hours beforehand - started outside Parliament before spreading towards Downing Street.
At the scene, BBC correspondent Richard Galpin described the atmosphere as peaceful and lively.At the scene, BBC correspondent Richard Galpin described the atmosphere as peaceful and lively.
Several protesters he spoke to indicated this was only the beginning of the disruption, with more demonstrations being organised for the weekend.Several protesters he spoke to indicated this was only the beginning of the disruption, with more demonstrations being organised for the weekend.
Meanwhile, an e-petition on the government's website demanding Parliament not be suspended had reached 970,000 signatures by 22:40 BST. Meanwhile, an e-petition on the government's website demanding Parliament not be suspended reached more than a million signatures in less than a day.
Anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller - who previously won a legal battle against ministers over Article 50 - has also made a judicial review application to the courts about Mr Johnson's decision.
What happened on Wednesday?What happened on Wednesday?
Three Conservative members of the Queen's Privy Council took the request to suspend Parliament to the monarch's Scottish residence in Balmoral on Wednesday morning on behalf of the prime minister.Three Conservative members of the Queen's Privy Council took the request to suspend Parliament to the monarch's Scottish residence in Balmoral on Wednesday morning on behalf of the prime minister.
It has now been approved, allowing the government to suspend Parliament no earlier than Monday 9 September and no later than Thursday 12 September, until Monday 14 October.It has now been approved, allowing the government to suspend Parliament no earlier than Monday 9 September and no later than Thursday 12 September, until Monday 14 October.
Mr Johnson wrote to MPs to outline his plan, adding: "There will be a significant Brexit legislative programme to get through but that should be no excuse for a lack of ambition!"Mr Johnson wrote to MPs to outline his plan, adding: "There will be a significant Brexit legislative programme to get through but that should be no excuse for a lack of ambition!"
He also called on Parliament to show "unity and resolve" in the run up to the 31 October so the government "stands a chance of securing a new deal" with the EU.He also called on Parliament to show "unity and resolve" in the run up to the 31 October so the government "stands a chance of securing a new deal" with the EU.
But a senior EU source told the BBC's Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming the bloc's position was clear and was not contingent on the machinations of the UK Parliament.But a senior EU source told the BBC's Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming the bloc's position was clear and was not contingent on the machinations of the UK Parliament.
What about the legal challenge?What about the legal challenge?
A number of high profile figures, including former Prime Minister John Major, have threatened to go to the courts to stop it, and a legal challenge led by the SNP's justice spokeswoman, Joanna Cherry, is already working its way through the Scottish courts. A number of high profile figures, including former Prime Minister John Major, have previously threatened to go to the courts to stop Mr Johnson if he shut down Parliament to deliver a no-deal Brexit.
After the announcement, Sir John said he had "no doubt" Mr Johnson's motive was to "bypass a sovereign Parliament that opposes his policy on Brexit", and he would continue to seek legal advice.After the announcement, Sir John said he had "no doubt" Mr Johnson's motive was to "bypass a sovereign Parliament that opposes his policy on Brexit", and he would continue to seek legal advice.
Scotland's top civil court is already considering a challenge to the suspension of Parliament, led by the SNP's justice spokeswoman, Joanna Cherry.
It is not possible to mount a legal challenge to the Queen's exercise of her personal prerogative powers.It is not possible to mount a legal challenge to the Queen's exercise of her personal prerogative powers.
But anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller - who previously won a legal battle against ministers over Article 50 - has made a judicial review application to the courts about Mr Johnson's decision. But Ms Miller - who previously won a legal battle against ministers over Article 50 told the BBC: "If the intention of using this prorogation - and the effect - is that it limits Parliament sovereignty, then we believe that's illegal and unconstitutional."
She told the BBC's Clive Coleman: "If the intention of using this prorogation - and the effect - is that it limits Parliament sovereignty, then we believe that's illegal and unconstitutional." BBC legal correspondent Clive Coleman said that if Ms Miller's legal team can argue the intention of the suspension is "to frustrate the workings of Parliamentary democracy", then "it's all up for grabs".
Prorogation in a nutshellProrogation in a nutshell
Shutting down Parliament - known as prorogation - happens after the prime minister advises the Queen to do it.Shutting down Parliament - known as prorogation - happens after the prime minister advises the Queen to do it.
BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said it was established precedent to prorogue Parliament before a Queen's Speech, albeit generally more briefly, and rarely, if ever, at such a constitutionally charged time. BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said it was established precedent to prorogue Parliament before a Queen's Speech. But the suspension is generally shorter and rarely takes place at such a constitutionally charged time.
Parliament is normally suspended - or prorogued - for a short period before a new parliamentary session begins, during which time no debates and votes are held.Parliament is normally suspended - or prorogued - for a short period before a new parliamentary session begins, during which time no debates and votes are held.
It is different to "dissolving" Parliament - where all MPs give up their seats to campaign in a general election. It is different to "dissolving" Parliament, where all MPs give up their seats to campaign in a general election.
If this prorogation happens as expected, it will see Parliament closed for 23 working days.If this prorogation happens as expected, it will see Parliament closed for 23 working days.
MPs cannot block prorogation.MPs cannot block prorogation.