This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49735947

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Supreme Court: Prorogation carried out 'in bad faith', judges told Supreme Court: Prorogation carried out 'in bad faith', judges told
(41 minutes later)
The PM's decision to suspend Parliament was carried out "in bad faith", the Supreme Court has heard. The PM's decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks was carried out "in bad faith", the Supreme Court has heard.
The court is considering the legality of Boris Johnson suspending - or proroguing - Parliament for five weeks. Scottish judges ruled the move unlawful, but the government is appealing, arguing it is a political judgement, not a matter for the courts.
A Scottish court ruled the move "unlawful", but the government argues such decisions are not for courts. Defending the ruling, Aidan O'Neill QC said people expected the government to engage "solely in high politics rather than low, dishonest, dirty tricks".
Defending the ruling, Aidan O'Neill QC said prorogation had been used for "an improper purpose" to stop MPs holding the government to account over Brexit. But, he added: "I am not sure we can assume this of this government."
The PM prorogued Parliament earlier this month, saying it would allow him to hold a Queen's Speech on 14 October to outline his new policies.The PM prorogued Parliament earlier this month, saying it would allow him to hold a Queen's Speech on 14 October to outline his new policies.
He has insisted the decision had nothing to do with his promise to leave the EU on 31 October, with or without a Brexit deal, but critics have accused him of trying to silence MPs in the run-up to the 31 October deadline.He has insisted the decision had nothing to do with his promise to leave the EU on 31 October, with or without a Brexit deal, but critics have accused him of trying to silence MPs in the run-up to the 31 October deadline.
Two cases about the prorogation are now being appealed in the court after lower courts reached conflicting judgements.Two cases about the prorogation are now being appealed in the court after lower courts reached conflicting judgements.
Businesswoman Gina Miller and other campaigners are appealing against a ruling by England's High Court, which said the suspension was "purely political" and therefore "not a matter" for the judiciary.Businesswoman Gina Miller and other campaigners are appealing against a ruling by England's High Court, which said the suspension was "purely political" and therefore "not a matter" for the judiciary.
The government, meanwhile, is appealing the ruling by judges at Edinburgh's Court of Session, who said the move by Mr Johnson was "unlawful" and aimed to "stymie" MPs ahead of the Brexit deadline.The government, meanwhile, is appealing the ruling by judges at Edinburgh's Court of Session, who said the move by Mr Johnson was "unlawful" and aimed to "stymie" MPs ahead of the Brexit deadline.
A senior government source has told the BBC's political editor No 10 believes the Supreme Court will judge that prorogation is a matter for the courts "and they will fire warning shots about how a government should not use this to close Parliament illegitimately".A senior government source has told the BBC's political editor No 10 believes the Supreme Court will judge that prorogation is a matter for the courts "and they will fire warning shots about how a government should not use this to close Parliament illegitimately".
However, Laura Kuenssberg said according to the source, No 10 does not believe the court will unravel their plan for a 14 October Queen's Speech.However, Laura Kuenssberg said according to the source, No 10 does not believe the court will unravel their plan for a 14 October Queen's Speech.
'Westminster bubble''Westminster bubble'
Aidan O'Neill QC began two hours of arguments on Wednesday afternoon on behalf of the Scottish challengers to prorogation. Speaking on behalf of the Scottish challengers to prorogation, Mr O'Neill said one of the advantages of the ruling from Edinburgh was it had "distance", which lends "perspective".
He said one of the advantages of the ruling from Edinburgh was it had "distance", which lends "perspective".
"A view of what all of this heated debate [and] political machinations looks like 400 miles away, far from the fever and excitement of the nation's capital, [and] outside the Westminster bubble," he said."A view of what all of this heated debate [and] political machinations looks like 400 miles away, far from the fever and excitement of the nation's capital, [and] outside the Westminster bubble," he said.
Mr O'Neill said he was not calling for the court to "decide a whole new set of rules for how prorogation can be used", but it was "most certainly for the province of the courts" to determine if the move followed constitutional principles. Mr O'Neill said he was not calling for the court to "decide a whole new set of rules for how prorogation can be used", but it was "most certainly for the province of the courts" to determine whether the move followed constitutional principles.
He added: "In the present case, it appears the prime minister's action… has had the intent and effect of preventing Parliament... from holding the government politically to account at a time when the government is taking decisions that will have constitutional and irreversible impact on our country.He added: "In the present case, it appears the prime minister's action… has had the intent and effect of preventing Parliament... from holding the government politically to account at a time when the government is taking decisions that will have constitutional and irreversible impact on our country.
"That cannot be a lawful use of the power of prorogation.""That cannot be a lawful use of the power of prorogation."
Mr O'Neill criticised a Facebook broadcast by Mr Johnson, called the "People's PMQs", as a "parody" of Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament, saying it "undermined the true principle" of accountability. He added: "We say it was for an improper purpose and done in bad faith."
"Claiming a direct line to the people is not democracy but populism," he argued. 'No standards'
The QC suggested the government should engage "solely in high politics rather than low, dishonest, dirty tricks", but "given the attitude that has been taken by its advisers and the prime minister to the notion of the rule of law" that could not be assumed.
He added: "We cannot have a situation in which there are no standards, in which prorogation can be used with impunity."
Mr O'Neill said the Supreme Court's own logo - which contains a symbol for each of the UK's four jurisdictions - showed the rule of law in Scotland must be "respected" along with the others.Mr O'Neill said the Supreme Court's own logo - which contains a symbol for each of the UK's four jurisdictions - showed the rule of law in Scotland must be "respected" along with the others.
Arguing to uphold the Scottish decision, he said the Supreme Court had "the opportunity [and] the responsibility to act as fulcrum of the union" when looking at the issues of the case.Arguing to uphold the Scottish decision, he said the Supreme Court had "the opportunity [and] the responsibility to act as fulcrum of the union" when looking at the issues of the case.
During the morning session, the Supreme Court's 11 judges heard arguments from the government's representative, Sir James Eadie QC.During the morning session, the Supreme Court's 11 judges heard arguments from the government's representative, Sir James Eadie QC.
He told the court prorogation was "a well-established constitutional function exercised by the executive" and decisions about it were "squarely… within that political or high policy area".He told the court prorogation was "a well-established constitutional function exercised by the executive" and decisions about it were "squarely… within that political or high policy area".
"Such decisions are inherently and fundamentally political in nature," he continued, accepting that those decisions were "inevitably shot through with assessments of a political kind", including how a government might secure its "political objectives"."Such decisions are inherently and fundamentally political in nature," he continued, accepting that those decisions were "inevitably shot through with assessments of a political kind", including how a government might secure its "political objectives".
Sir James argued Parliament had previously passed laws addressing aspects of prorogation, but there was no law relevant to this particular case.Sir James argued Parliament had previously passed laws addressing aspects of prorogation, but there was no law relevant to this particular case.
Therefore, he said, the courts could not intervene in the decision.Therefore, he said, the courts could not intervene in the decision.
When asked about the need to uphold parliamentary sovereignty, Sir James said it was "a precious principle", but urged caution before "that phrase is too widely or generally bandied about".When asked about the need to uphold parliamentary sovereignty, Sir James said it was "a precious principle", but urged caution before "that phrase is too widely or generally bandied about".
Prorogation is carried out by the Queen on the prime minister's advice.Prorogation is carried out by the Queen on the prime minister's advice.
Lord Sales, one of the judges, asked whether "if there are constitutional principles that are required to be policed", it would be more appropriate for the courts to do that "rather than for the Queen to be sucked in".Lord Sales, one of the judges, asked whether "if there are constitutional principles that are required to be policed", it would be more appropriate for the courts to do that "rather than for the Queen to be sucked in".
In reply, Sir James said "constitutional protections are provided in the political arena", via measures like no-confidence motions that could unseat a prime minister.In reply, Sir James said "constitutional protections are provided in the political arena", via measures like no-confidence motions that could unseat a prime minister.
"That's where you find the appropriate form of control, not the courts.""That's where you find the appropriate form of control, not the courts."
Tough questions for the governmentTough questions for the government
Sir James submission was shot through with the idea that prorogation is not a matter for the courts.Sir James submission was shot through with the idea that prorogation is not a matter for the courts.
But there were a couple of really interesting interventions from the judges.But there were a couple of really interesting interventions from the judges.
Lord Wilson asked why there were no witness statements setting out reasons for prorogation.Lord Wilson asked why there were no witness statements setting out reasons for prorogation.
That seemed to take Sir James aback - you have the documents you have, he said.That seemed to take Sir James aback - you have the documents you have, he said.
Lord Kerr then asked if the five week prorogation gave the government a political advantage.Lord Kerr then asked if the five week prorogation gave the government a political advantage.
He said it did, but that it was not unlawful.He said it did, but that it was not unlawful.
So two tough questions for the governmentSo two tough questions for the government
One of the judges, Lady Black, said the government's submission was underpinned by the argument that the courts could not get involved because Parliament already acted as a check on government.One of the judges, Lady Black, said the government's submission was underpinned by the argument that the courts could not get involved because Parliament already acted as a check on government.
But, she asked, how could Parliament apply a check on government once Parliament is "removed from the picture"?But, she asked, how could Parliament apply a check on government once Parliament is "removed from the picture"?
Sir James said prorogation always and inevitably had the effect of limiting debate in Parliament, but MPs could resume their scrutiny once the suspension was over.Sir James said prorogation always and inevitably had the effect of limiting debate in Parliament, but MPs could resume their scrutiny once the suspension was over.
It was not appropriate for the courts to "design a set of rules" about how long a suspension should last, he said.It was not appropriate for the courts to "design a set of rules" about how long a suspension should last, he said.
He also pointed out the prorogation dates had not stopped MPs being able to pass a law blocking a no-deal Brexit.He also pointed out the prorogation dates had not stopped MPs being able to pass a law blocking a no-deal Brexit.
Lord Wilson questioned why no witness statement had been provided by a minister to explain why the prorogation decision was taken.Lord Wilson questioned why no witness statement had been provided by a minister to explain why the prorogation decision was taken.
He said: "Isn't it odd that nobody has signed a witness statement to say 'This is true, these are the true reasons for what was done'?"He said: "Isn't it odd that nobody has signed a witness statement to say 'This is true, these are the true reasons for what was done'?"
Just before the morning session concluded, Sir James told the court he would present a written statement setting out what the government would do if it lost the case.Just before the morning session concluded, Sir James told the court he would present a written statement setting out what the government would do if it lost the case.
On Tuesday, Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Keen QC, on behalf of the government, assured the court the prime minister would take "all necessary steps" to comply in that event, but would not comment on whether Mr Johnson might subsequently try to prorogue Parliament again.On Tuesday, Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Keen QC, on behalf of the government, assured the court the prime minister would take "all necessary steps" to comply in that event, but would not comment on whether Mr Johnson might subsequently try to prorogue Parliament again.
He said previous prorogations of Parliament had "clearly been employed" when governments wanted to "pursue a particular political objective" - and MPs could have stopped prorogation by passing new laws.He said previous prorogations of Parliament had "clearly been employed" when governments wanted to "pursue a particular political objective" - and MPs could have stopped prorogation by passing new laws.
Coss-party peer Lord Pannick, on behalf of Ms Miller, said he had no quarrel with a prime minister's right to prorogue Parliament, but argued the "exceptional length" of this suspension was "strong evidence the prime minister's motive was to silence Parliament because he sees Parliament as an obstacle".Coss-party peer Lord Pannick, on behalf of Ms Miller, said he had no quarrel with a prime minister's right to prorogue Parliament, but argued the "exceptional length" of this suspension was "strong evidence the prime minister's motive was to silence Parliament because he sees Parliament as an obstacle".