PM faces fresh legal challenge over Brexit

BORIS Johnson faces a fresh legal challenge by leading civil rights campaigners to “ensure the Government acts within the law” over Brexit.

Liberty said it has lodged papers with the High Court and detailed its intention to bring legal action in a letter to the Prime Minister.

The organisation wrote that it was “gravely concerned” by media reports suggesting that Mr Johnson intends to “ignore his obligations” under Brexit legislation. But the organisation’s lawyers said it will drop the case if the PM makes it clear that he will comply with the legislation.

The European Union (Withdrawal) (No 2) Act, which requires Mr Johnson to seek an extension to the current Brexit deadline of October 31 if no deal is reached with the EU, became law yesterday.

The letter said: “We are gravely concerned by reports in the media suggesting that it is your intention to ignore your obligations under the Act.

“We consider that a decision by any minister of the Crown – let alone the Prime Minister – to deliberately evade obligations under primary legislation would be a grave affront to the rule of law and the UK’s constitutional settlement and would have a profoundly detrimental impact on the whole fabric of our legal system and constitutional order.

“It would plainly be unlawful. We consider that such an unprecedented step would represent a fundamental threat to the civil liberties and human rights enjoyed by those in this country and which our mandate requires us to defend.”

Liberty said it made the move in light of recent comments by Mr Johnson and other members of his Cabinet demonstrating an “apparent intention to flout the law”.

The organisation, which is not affiliated with any political party, said it is “neutral” on Brexit and that the case is not concerned with how or whether the UK leaves the EU.

It said the objective of the legal action is to “ensure that the UK Government respects and upholds human rights and civil liberties”.

Liberty director Martha Spurrier said: “We hope this action is unnecessary. However, we would be failing in our duty if we sit back when doubts about the execution of the law swirl over Westminster.

“It is our fierce independence which makes this a case that Liberty must lead.

“At a time when public faith in parliamentary process is so low, it is essential that party politics are removed from this matter.”