The former British prime minister John Major has said he's planning to join legal action aimed at preventing the suspension of parliament.
Mr Major said he is seeking to join campaigner Gina Miller's effort at the High Court in London to challenge the planned prorogation by Boris Johnson.
It's one of several legal challenges to Mr Johnson's moves - with cases also underway in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Opponents of the bid to suspend parliament were today denied an interim interdict (similar to an injunction) at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
SNP MP Joanna Cherry - who is among those leading the effort - said the case will be heard again next week in a full hearing.
Court refuses interim orders at this stage but indicates willingness to hear full arguments early next week. So there is no decision on merits as yet on our attempt to halt #Prorogation. That will happen next week #Cherrycase #Brexit #StopTheCoup
— Joanna Cherry QC (@joannaccherry) August 30, 2019
Lawyers involved in the effort have called on Mr Johnson to lodge an affidavit sworn on oath to the court about the reasons for the planned suspension.
The case will return to court next Tuesday.
John Major intervention
Former Tory leader John Major confirmed his intention to intervene in the English legal bid.
Ms Miller confirmed the move, saying the case will be heard next week:
Court hearing re @BorisJohnson proroguing Parliament will be heard next Thursday 5th September. I will be adjoined by Sir John Major.
— Gina Miller (@thatginamiller) August 30, 2019
In a statement, Mr Major said: "I promised if the Prime Minister prorogued Parliament in order to prevent members from opposing his Brexit plans, I would seek judicial review of his action.
"In view of the imminence of the prorogation – and to avoid duplication of effort, and taking up the Court’s time through repetition – I intend to seek the court’s permission to intervene in the claim already initiated by Gina Miller, rather then to commence separate proceedings."
He added: "If granted permission to intervene, I intend to seek to assist the Court from the perspective of having served in government as a minister and prime minister."
File photo of UK Labour deputy leader Tom Watson speaking to the media outside the Iranian Embassy in London, 20-06-2019. Image: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire/PA ImagesThe Labour Party’s deputy leader Tom Watson has also joined the action.
In a statement, he said Mr Johnson’s move to prorogue the UK Parliament is an “unprecedented affront to democracy.”
“The rights and freedoms of our citizens have been vandalised,” he said.
“This is an abuse of power that can and should be stopped.”
He said he is working with other parties on legislation aimed at challenging Mr Johnson’s attempts to push through no-deal.
“I will be joining the judicial review launched in the High Court by Gina Miller and supported by John Major as a claimant,” He said.
“I intend to assist the court from the perspective of an active legislator to ensure that there is sufficient time for members of all parties to consider and vote on the Bill.”
Proroguing Parliament is an unprecedented affront to democracy. The rights and freedoms of our citizens have been vandalised. I will be joining the Judicial Review launched in the High Court by Gina Miller and supported by John Major.
My full statement... pic.twitter.com/lRryvUK1P2— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) August 30, 2019
Earlier this week, Mr Major said he had "no doubt" Mr Johnson's planned suspension was an attempt to "bypass a sovereign parliament that opposes his policy on Brexit".
Under Mr Johnson's plans, the UK parliament will be suspended in the week beginning September 9th until October 14th - cutting out several sitting days in the lead-up to the planned October 31st Brexit date.
This is the date on which a new 'Queen's speech' - a traditional event which details the legislative agenda of the parliament - will be held.
The British government has denied suggestions it's an attempt to limit attempts by opposition parties and rebel Tories to block a no-deal Brexit, instead claiming it's simply the routine beginning of a new parliamentary suggestion.
However, opponents have sharply criticised the move - describing it as 'undemocratic'.
A rare joint statement from opposition parties yesterday strongly condemned the effort:
A joint statement from @UKLabour, @theSNP, @LibDems, @Plaid_Cymru, @ForChange_Now and @TheGreenParty as we work together to stop Boris Johnson's smash and grab on democracy: pic.twitter.com/e8fd2uSstS
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) August 29, 2019
