Sir John Major announces plans to join legal action against Boris Johnson's Parliament suspension

Sir John Major has announced plans to join legal action against the Parliament shutdown
PA
Katy Clifton30 August 2019
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Sir John Major said he wants to join the legal action over Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament.

The former prime minister plans to join the case brought forward by campaigner Gina Miller, he announced on Friday morning.

He said in a statement: “I promised that, if the Prime Minister prorogued Parliament in order to prevent Members from opposing his Brexit plans, I would seek judicial review of his action.

“In view of the imminence of the prorogation – and to avoid duplication of effort, and taking up the court’s time through repetition – I intend to seek the court’s permission to intervene in the claim already initiated by Gina Miller, rather than to commence separate proceedings.

“If granted permission to intervene, I intend to seek to assist the court from the perspective of having served in government as a minister and prime minister, and also in Parliament for many years as a member of the House of Commons."

Sir John Major wants to join legal action over Boris Johnson's decision 
AP

Sir Major said he would be represented by The Rt Hon The Lord Garnier QC and Tom Cleaver, who will be instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

The Prime Minister asked to temporarily close down the Commons until October 14, when there will be a Queen's Speech to open a new session of Parliament.

Mr Johnson’s move sparked outrage, with a petition against prorogation reaching one million signatures and opposition leaders writing to the monarch in protest.

Barrister Tom Hickman tweeted on Thursday that anti-Brexit campaigner Ms Miller had "issued proceedings to challenge prorogation. Mishcon de Reya, Lord Pannick QC, Warren Fitt and me acting".

Campaigner Gina Miller
AP

Speaking to BBC News, Ms Miller said the Prime Minister was "hijacking the Queen's prerogative power" and using it for "unscrupulous means".

She added: "I think that is what so shocking about this, is that its a very cowardly way of using these powers and constitutional convention.

"Our unwritten constitution is a bit like a gentleman's agreement, and you have to say it's not been used in that manner."

A separate bid has been launched by pro-Remain barrister Jo Maugham, director of the Good Law Project, who has filed a motion asking the Scottish Court of Session to suspend the PM request that Parliament be prorogued.

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