The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Johnson facing series of challenges in the courts
BREXIT: Backlash continues unabated in wake of PM’s decision to suspend Parliament
Boris Johnson was facing legal challenges in London, Edinburgh and Belfast as the backlash to his decision to suspend Parliament for more than a month in the run-up to Brexit continued unabated.
Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg hit back at the PM’s critics, saying the outpouring of outrage it triggered was “phoney”.
But Mr Johnson’s administration received a double blow as Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and whip Lord Young of Cookham quit their posts.
And the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator made it clear he was not ready to retreat on the issue of the Northern Ireland backstop, despite pressure from the prime minister.
Lord Young, a government whip in the upper house, said he was “very unhappy” with the prime minister’s decision to prorogue Parliament for an extended period as the October 31 deadline for Brexit looms.
Leading Brexiteer Mr Rees-Mogg hit back at critics, insisting the prorogation move was not intended to limit the time available for MPs to debate Brexit but will allow the government to tackle other issues.
He said: “I think the outrage is phoney and it is created by people who don’t want us to leave the European Union and are trying very hard to overturn the referendum result and don’t want the benefits of leaving the European Union.”
Labour and opposition parties vowed to press ahead with attempts to block a no-deal Brexit using legislation.
Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner said: “We will be seeking measures on Monday to try and have what is known as a Standing Order Section 24 debate.”
Meanwhile, legal bids to challenge Mr Johnson’s prorogation move were launched at the High Courts in London and Belfast, and Scotland’s highest civil court.
A cross-party group of around 70 MPs and peers are backing the action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh after beginning a legal move earlier in the summer when they filed a petition aiming to stop Mr Johnson being able to prorogue Parliament.
They are now seeking an interim interdict which would stop the PM taking the option of suspension until a final decision has been made on the case.
An urgent application for a judicial review has also been made at the High Court in London by campaigner Gina Miller.
The legal bid in Belfast to injunct Boris Johnson’s move was adjourned for 24 hours after being launched by campaigner Raymond McCord.
We will be seeking measures on Monday... BARRY GARDINER, SHADOW INTERNATIONAL TRADE SECRETARY