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 8 Version 9
Supreme Court: Prorogation 'a political judgement', government says Supreme Court: Prorogation 'a political judgement', government says
(40 minutes later)
The suspension of Parliament is "the territory of political judgements not legal standards", the government's lawyer has told the Supreme Court.The suspension of Parliament is "the territory of political judgements not legal standards", the government's lawyer has told the Supreme Court.
The UK's highest court is considering the legality of Boris Johnson's decision to suspend - or prorogue - Parliament for five weeks.The UK's highest court is considering the legality of Boris Johnson's decision to suspend - or prorogue - Parliament for five weeks.
Sir James Eadie QC said such decisions were not for the court to decide on.Sir James Eadie QC said such decisions were not for the court to decide on.
Critics have accused the PM of trying to stop the scrutiny of MPs in the run-up to Brexit on 31 October.Critics have accused the PM of trying to stop the scrutiny of MPs in the run-up to Brexit on 31 October.
The PM suspended - or prorogued - Parliament for five weeks earlier this month, saying it would allow him to hold a Queen's Speech on 14 October to outline his new policies.The PM suspended - or prorogued - Parliament for five weeks earlier this month, saying it would allow him to hold a Queen's Speech on 14 October to outline his new policies.
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 a 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 a 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.
Mr Johnson has insisted the decision to prorogue has nothing to do with his promise to leave the EU on 31 October, with or without a Brexit deal.Mr Johnson has insisted the decision to prorogue has nothing to do with his promise to leave the EU on 31 October, with or without a Brexit deal.
But his opponents argue he intended to suspend Parliament in order to limit their opportunities to prevent a no-deal Brexit. But his opponents argue he intended to suspend Parliament in order to limit their opportunities to prevent a no-deal Brexit, and the duration of the shutdown is much longer than necessary for a Queen's Speech.
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.
'Political objectives''Political objectives'
The Supreme Court's 11 judges began sitting at 10:30 BST, starting with two-and-a-half hours of arguments from the government's representative, Sir James Eadie. During the morning session, the Supreme Court's 11 judges heard arguments from the government's representative, Sir James Eadie.
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."
Sir James also addressed arguments that the length of the prorogation was longer than necessary for a Queen's Speech, and instead aimed at blocking MPs from scrutinising the government's Brexit policy. Tough questions for the government
He said prorogation always and inevitably had the effect of limiting debate in Parliament and it was not appropriate for the courts to "design a set of rules" about how long a suspension should last. 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.
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.
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.
So 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.
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.
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.
One of the judges, Lady Black, said timing was particularly important given the looming Brexit deadline, but Sir James said Parliament could resume its scrutiny once the suspension was over. 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'?"
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, another government lawyer 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.
After lunch on Wednesday, Aidan O'Neill QC will make two hours of arguments on behalf of the Scottish challengers to prorogation, and against the appeal made by the government on Tuesday to overturn the ruling from Edinburgh.After lunch on Wednesday, Aidan O'Neill QC will make two hours of arguments on behalf of the Scottish challengers to prorogation, and against the appeal made by the government on Tuesday to overturn the ruling from Edinburgh.
How have we got here?
This country has a system called judicial review. It's an incredibly democratic process whereby you, me, or anyone can go before a court and ask it whether a decision of a public authority - could be a minister, or a prime minister - is unlawful or not.
That process of judicial review has really grown exponentially since the early 1980s and in many people's view it's dragged judges into the area of political decision-making.
On the other hand, some people think this is a critical way of protecting against the abuse of government power.
It somewhat divides opinion, but if people want a different system we're going to have to change the law and change the constitution.
On day one of the hearing, cross-party peer Lord Pannick spent the morning arguing on behalf of Ms Miller in her appeal against the English court's ruling.On day one of the hearing, cross-party peer Lord Pannick spent the morning arguing on behalf of Ms Miller in her appeal against the English court's ruling.
Lord Pannick 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".Lord Pannick 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".
The afternoon saw the Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Keen QC, arguing on behalf of the government against the ruling from the Scottish courts.The afternoon saw the Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Keen QC, arguing on behalf of the government against the ruling from the Scottish courts.
He said previous prorogations of Parliament had "clearly been employed" when governments wanted to "pursue a particular political objective". He added that 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". He added that MPs could have stopped prorogation by passing new laws.
Lord Keen assured the court that if they upheld the Scottish ruling, the prime minister would take "all necessary steps" to comply - although the peer would not comment on whether Mr Johnson might subsequently try to prorogue Parliament again.