PM denies claim he will delay Brexit

BORIS JOHNSON insisted that he will not delay Brexit, despite his lawyers saying he will comply with a law calling for the October 31 exit date to be postponed if there is no deal.

The Prime Minister accepted he must send a letter requesting a delay to Brexit beyond the Halloween deadline if no deal is agreed with Parliament by October 19, Scotland’s highest civil court heard.

But Mr Johnson, right, later said the options facing the country were his proVince Dale, SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC and posed new Brexit deal or leaving without an Jolyon Maugham QC – asked the court to agreement, “but no delay”. require Mr Johnson to seek an extension to

The Prime Minister has previously said avoid leaving the EU without a deal.

“we will obey the law” but will also leave on Andrew Webster QC, representing the October 31 in any circumstance, without UK Government, said the documents it has specifying how he would achieve the submitted to the court are a “clear stateapparently contradictory goals – fuelling ment” as to what the Prime Minister will speculationdo.thathehadidentifiedaloophole to get around the Benn Act. He argued there is no need for an order

He has also declared he would rather be to be made forcing a letter requesting an “dead in a ditch” than ask for a delay. Article 50 extension to be sent under the

Any extension to the Article 50 process – terms of the Benn Act, because the court the mechanism by which the UK leaves the has it on record it will be sent.

European Union – would have to be agreed Judge Lord Pentland is to announce his by all 27 other EU leaders. decision on Monday.

The legal action – led by businessman Mr Maugham told the PA news agency the Prime Minister’s submission said “he would send the letter mandated by the Benn Act” and would not “frustrate” attempts to get an extension.

He added: “We want to see the courts tell him that ‘unless you send the letter, no later than October 19, unless you cease trying to frustrate Parliament’s intention, there will be personal consequences for you, you could go to prison’.”

Meanwhile, Brexit talks with Brussels on Mr Johnson’s plan to replace the backstop could continue over the weekend.

Brussels said that “every day counts” as the clock ticks down to a crunch summit of EU leaders on October 17-18 and Downing Street said “we are ready to talk at any point, including over the weekend”.

The Prime Minister is expected to embark on a tour of European capitals for face-to-face talks next week as well as continuing to speak by phone to counterparts.

The Prime Minister’s Europe adviser, David Frost, has been in Brussels for technical talks with officials.

Mr Johnson’s plans would see Northern Ireland apply EU rules on goods, but stay in a customs territory with the UK.