This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/24/one-big-relief-eu-officials-celebrate-uk-supreme-court-ruling

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'One big relief': EU officials celebrate UK supreme court ruling 'One big relief': EU figures celebrate UK supreme court ruling
(32 minutes later)
The UK supreme court ruling against Boris Johnson has been celebrated as a sign of a healthy democracy by senior political figures in Brussels and other EU capitals but sparked fears of further Brexit chaos.The UK supreme court ruling against Boris Johnson has been celebrated as a sign of a healthy democracy by senior political figures in Brussels and other EU capitals but sparked fears of further Brexit chaos.
As Lady Hale, the president of the UK’s highest court, read out its unanimous judgment, politicians, officials and diplomats involved in the Brexit talks spoke of their reassurance about the state of the rule of law in the UK.As Lady Hale, the president of the UK’s highest court, read out its unanimous judgment, politicians, officials and diplomats involved in the Brexit talks spoke of their reassurance about the state of the rule of law in the UK.
The decision to prorogue parliament for five weeks in order to avoid parliamentary scrutiny had already provoked criticism by senior politicians in the European parliament, and the court’s confirmation on Tuesday that Johnson’s move was unlawful was welcomed.The decision to prorogue parliament for five weeks in order to avoid parliamentary scrutiny had already provoked criticism by senior politicians in the European parliament, and the court’s confirmation on Tuesday that Johnson’s move was unlawful was welcomed.
Guy Verhofstadt, the EU parliament’s Brexit coordinator, tweeted: “At least one big relief in the Brexit saga: the rule of law in the UK is alive & kicking.Guy Verhofstadt, the EU parliament’s Brexit coordinator, tweeted: “At least one big relief in the Brexit saga: the rule of law in the UK is alive & kicking.
Boris Johnson's suspension of parliament unlawful, supreme court rulesBoris Johnson's suspension of parliament unlawful, supreme court rules
“Parliaments should never be silenced in a real democracy. I never want to hear Boris Johnson or any other Brexiteer say again that the European Union is undemocratic.”“Parliaments should never be silenced in a real democracy. I never want to hear Boris Johnson or any other Brexiteer say again that the European Union is undemocratic.”
The chair of the Bundestag’s foreign affairs committee, Norbert Röttgen, who is a senior member of Angela Merkel’s CDU party, expressed his satisfaction at the judgment.The chair of the Bundestag’s foreign affairs committee, Norbert Röttgen, who is a senior member of Angela Merkel’s CDU party, expressed his satisfaction at the judgment.
He said: “It is not my place to comment on judicial proceedings in Britain. But as a fellow MP I do feel the need to express my joy and solidarity with British parliamentarians”. He said: “It is not my place to comment on judicial proceedings in Britain. But as a fellow MP I do feel the need to express my joy and solidarity with British parliamentarians.”
Philippe Lamberts, the co-leader of the Greens in the European parliament, said: “The decision confirms what we already knew about Boris Johnson. That he will spare no tricks to get what he wants. He is an ample opportunist. But I look at Jeremy Corbyn and I see a lot of opportunism there as well.”Philippe Lamberts, the co-leader of the Greens in the European parliament, said: “The decision confirms what we already knew about Boris Johnson. That he will spare no tricks to get what he wants. He is an ample opportunist. But I look at Jeremy Corbyn and I see a lot of opportunism there as well.”
A former head of the EU council’s legal service, Jean-Claude Piris, tweeted: “It gives me good and emotional feelings too.A former head of the EU council’s legal service, Jean-Claude Piris, tweeted: “It gives me good and emotional feelings too.
“It was so sad to see this great country at the risk of being led to no longer respect the principles and values upon which its democratic institutions have been built over centuries.”“It was so sad to see this great country at the risk of being led to no longer respect the principles and values upon which its democratic institutions have been built over centuries.”
Sources said the impact on the ongoing talks in Brussels was not clear although there was a consensus that it made it less likely Johnson would be able to force through a no-deal Brexit on 31 October now that parliament has further opportunities to act. Sources said the impact on the talks in Brussels was not clear, although there was a consensus that it made it less likely Johnson would be able to force through a no-deal Brexit on 31 October now that parliament had further opportunities to act.
The prime minister is seemingly constrained by the Benn bill which would instruct him to seek an extension if a deal is not agreed with the EU and backed by the Commons but Johnson had suggested he would find a way around the law. The prime minister is seemingly constrained by the Benn bill, which would instruct him to seek an extension if a deal is not agreed with the EU and backed by the Commons, but Johnson had suggested he would find a way around the law.
One EU diplomat said: “Another domestic in this long Brexit saga. Parliament hasn’t been able to formulate a position in the last three years so why would they suddenly now. One EU diplomat said: “Another domestic in this long Brexit saga. Parliament hasn’t been able to formulate a position in the last three years so why would they suddenly now?
“Without decisive action their government is driving this process off the cliff. But seeing as Brexit was about the sovereignty of parliament it was bewildering that government moved to suspend it. So much about this process is contradictory and utterly mind blowing.” “Without decisive action their government is driving this process off the cliff. But seeing as Brexit was about the sovereignty of parliament it was bewildering that government moved to suspend it. So much about this process is contradictory and utterly mind-blowing.”
Fabian Zuleeg, the chief executive of the European Policy Centre thinktank, said: “Conclusions? 31 October no deal unlikely unless BJ is willing to break law and won’t be stopped. Fabian Zuleeg, the chief executive of the European Policy Centre thinktank, tweeted: “Conclusions? 31 October no deal unlikely unless BJ is willing to break law and won’t be stopped.
“So Boris Johnson only has two real options: resign and fight election on clear no deal stance or make deal, capitulating in negotiations. Former looks more likely but unlikely to bring resolution.”“So Boris Johnson only has two real options: resign and fight election on clear no deal stance or make deal, capitulating in negotiations. Former looks more likely but unlikely to bring resolution.”
When asked whether the ruling threw doubt on Johnson’s credibility in the negotiating room, a spokeswoman for the European commission When asked whether the ruling threw doubt on Johnson’s credibility in the negotiating room, a spokeswoman for the European commission said: “We have all seen the news but it is not for us to comment on the internal constitutional matters of the United Kingdom. Our interlocutor is the United Kingdom government and that remains the case. All other judgments I leave to you.”
said: “We have all seen the news but it is not for us to comment on the internal constitutional matters of the United Kingdom. Our interlocutor is the United Kingdom government and that remains the case . All other judgments I leave to you”.
European UnionEuropean Union
UK supreme courtUK supreme court
EuropeEurope
Guy VerhofstadtGuy Verhofstadt
BrexitBrexit
European commissionEuropean commission
Foreign policyForeign policy
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content