UK PM set to suspend Parliament from Oct 8-14: Downing Street

[LONDON] British Prime Minister Boris Johnson intends to ask for Parliament to be suspended from Oct 8 to 14, his Downing Street office said on Wednesday, after a previous attempt was ruled unlawful.

"These timings would mean parliament is prorogued for the shortest time possible to enable all the necessary logistical preparations" for Queen Elizabeth II to outline the government's new legislative programme, it said in a statement.

Mr Johnson previously advised the monarch to suspend, or prorogue, parliament from Sept 10 to Oct 14.

Pro-European lawmakers were outraged and saw the move as an attempt to stifle democratic debate on Britain's pending departure from the European Union on Oct 31.

Following legal challenges in England and Scotland, the Supreme Court judged Mr Johnson's advice to the monarch was unlawful, and deemed the lengthy prorogation frustrated parliament's constitutional functions.

Britain's highest court quashed the prorogation, and parliament resumed on September 25.

The move would mean parliament is suspended after the close of business on Tuesday and then miss just two sitting days, on Oct 9 and 10.

Mr Johnson, who took office in July, needs a new suspension if he is to outline his legislative programme for the next session of Parliament.

"I want to deliver on the people's priorities," he said.

"Through a Queen's Speech, the government will set out its plans for the NHS (National Health Service), schools, tackling crime, investing in infrastructure and building a strong economy.

"We will get Brexit done on Oct 31 and continue delivering on these vital issues."

AFP