UK PM Set to Suspend Parliament From 8-14 October: Downing Street

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a month-long suspension of the parliament.

(Photo: AP) 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson intends to ask for parliament to be suspended from 8 to 14 October, his Downing Street office said Wednesday, 2 October 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.

Johnson previously advised the monarch to suspend, or prorogue, parliament from 10 September to 14 October.

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 31 October.

Following legal challenges in England and Scotland, the UK Supreme Court judged 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 25 September.

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

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 31 October and continue delivering on these vital issues," he added.

(Published in an arrangement with PTI.)