SNP: We’ll take PM to court if he refuses to delay plans
‘A string of tired, pompous clichés’
THE SNP last night threatened to take the Prime Minister to court if he refuses to delay his Brexit plans.
All 35 Nationalist MPs voted for the Letwin amendment, which was meant to force Boris Johnson into stalling Brexit.
But Mr Johnson stood firm, assuring the House that he was not ‘daunted or dismayed’ by the result and remained committed to taking Britain out of the EU by October 31.
The claim sparked fury in the SNP ranks, with the party’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford pledging to take Mr Johnson to court if he refuses to ask the European Union for more time. He said: ‘Boris Johnson has been defeated on his appalling deal.
‘The Prime Minister must now obey the law and secure an extension – or we’ll see him in court.’ Joanna Cherry, QC, SNP justice and home affairs spokeswoman, said the Scottish courts would demand Mr Johnson delay the Brexit deadline.
She said: ‘Boris Johnson has failed to pass his shoddy deal today.
‘He must now retreat to Number 10 and write to the EU to request an extension.
‘The Scottish court case is still live. He has given the court an undertaking that he will send the extension letter and that he will not frustrate the purpose of the Benn Act. If he fails to comply, the court will hand down its decision on Monday.’
Mr Blackford’s response followed his altogether less powerful speech prior to the Letwin amendment being passed – which opponents likened to ‘a string of tired clichés’.
He told the House: ‘The broken promises of 2014 from this Government could not be more stark than they are today. Scotland has been totally and utterly shafted by this Prime Minister.
‘Scotland is the only part of the UK where our democratic rights are not being respected.
‘It is clear the only way to protect Scotland’s interests is to become an equal and independent European country – and the people of Scotland must have that choice.’
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘This is a truly dreadful speech – a string of tired clichés delivered in pompous fashion. What an embarrassment that people looking might think he represents Scotland.’
Mr Blackford also demanded a second independence referendum, underlining comments by the First Minister last week, who said the party was ramping up its efforts to bring about a new poll.
Nicola Sturgeon told her party conference on Tuesday that she would submit an official request to the UK Government to hold another vote – although her proposal has not been agreed to.