The Supreme Court in the United Kingdom has on Tuesday 24th September ruled that Prime Minister Boris Johnson suspended Parliament unlawfully, even with the backing of the Queen. The Court ruled that the decision by Boris Johnson remains void and of no effect’.
This ruling by the Supreme Court without a doubt has dealt a huge blow to the Boris Johnson’s government which since it was formed, has been facing serious challenges from the Legislators especially on issues that have to do with Brexit. The ruling specifically will affect Boris’s plan to pull Britain out of the European Union on October 31st, which Parliament has kicked against.
Opposition leaders demanded that he should resign immediately for misleading Queen Elizabeth, who had officially suspended parliament on his advice.
Parliament, where Johnson has lost his majority and he suffered repeated defeats since taking office in July, is now set to be reconvened three weeks early, giving opponents more time to challenge, amend, or block his Brexit plans or even bring down his government.
“The decision to advise Her Majesty to prorogue parliament was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification,” Supreme Court President Brenda Hale said.
In its historic ruling, the court said Johnson had not given any reason – “let alone a good reason” – for suspending the legislature for five weeks.
“The prime minister’s advice to Her Majesty was unlawful, void and of no effect,” said Hale, adding that parliament was therefore not suspended and it was up to the speakers of parliament’s two chambers to decide what to do next.
John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons, where a majority of lawmakers oppose his plan for an Oct. 31 Brexit even if he has failed to secure a divorce deal, said the chamber would convene on Wednesday.
“I’ve instructed the House authorities to undertake such steps as are necessary to ensure that the House of Commons sits tomorrow and that it does so at 11.30 am (1030 GMT),” he said.
Johnson is attending a meeting of business leaders in New York but had said ahead of the verdict he would not resign if he lost the case.
He is due to meet world leaders later at the United Nations General Assembly. The government declined immediate comment.