Parliament will be suspended today as Boris Johnson steps up battle over no-deal Brexit
Boris Johnson will suspend Parliament at the end of today, Downing Street has said.
The Prime Minister will make the controversial move on Monday to “prorogue” Parliament until October 14. Proroguing means to announce the end of a parliamentary session, according to the government’s official website.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said that while the government would obey the law, Mr Johnson would not be requesting another extension of the Article 50 EU withdrawal process, despite new legislation compelling him to do so.
"The Prime Minister is not going to seek an extension," the spokesman said.
"If MPs want to resolve this there is an easy way – vote for an election today and let the public decide."
It was reported on Monday that Mr Johnson is considering a loophole to avoid asking the EU for a Brexit delay.
His critics accuse him of silencing MPs who don’t want him to take the UK out of the EU without a Brexit deal.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said of prorogation: "I think it is disgraceful.
"Parliament should be sitting. Parliament should be holding the government to account.
"And the prime minister appears to want to run away from questions."
Mr Johnson has long promised that the UK will leave the European Union with or without a deal on October 31.
He was warned at the weekend that he could face jail if he does not delay Brexit.
Mr Johnson refused to rule out prorogation throughout his Tory leadership campaign and after he became prime minister.
Mr Johnson stated his intention at the end of last month to suspend Parliament, but the move had faced challenges in the Commons and the courts.
Last Friday, the High Court ruled that the decision to suspend Parliament was a lawful one.
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It dismissed a case brought by businesswoman Gina Miller, who argued the move by Mr Johnson was “an unlawful abuse of power”.
The unsuccessful legal fight was backed by former prime minister Sir John Major.
An appeal is expected to be heard at the Supreme Court later this month.
MPs will tonight be given the chance to vote on his plan to hold an early general election.
Mr Johnson said the poll would be Labour’s “last chance” of an early election.
The original plan to suspend Parliament for five weeks ahead of the October 31 Brexit deadline led to thousands of people protesting on the streets of Britain.
A petition calling for the suspension to be blocked has garnered more than 1.7 million signatures.
