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BRITAIN-EU-BREXIT-POLITICS
Britain’s Supreme Court enters Brexit crisis
LONDON, Sept 17, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Britain’s Supreme Court began
considering legal challenges Tuesday to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s
controversial decision to suspend parliament for over a month, as the
country’s political crisis over Brexit intensifies.
The court started hearing three days of arguments over Johnson’s move to
shutter, or prorogue, the House of Commons last week until October 14 — just
two weeks before the country is scheduled to leave the European Union.
The politically-charged case, unprecedented in Britain, could lead to
parliament being recalled and Johnson’s political hand severely weakened in
the run-up to the October 31 departure date.
The appeals revolve around “whether it was lawful for the prime minister
to advise Her Majesty to order prorogation,” Supreme Court President Brenda
Hale said as she opened proceedings.
“This is a serious and difficult question of law.
“We are not concerned with the wider political issues.
“The determination of this legal issue will not determine when and how the
UK leaves the EU.”
At a small demonstration outside, protesters held up placards reading
“Defend Democracy”.
One was dressed as the Incredible Hulk — a reference to an analogy made
by Johnson between the comic book character and Britain as it prepares to
leave the EU.
It is not known when Britain’s highest court will reach a decision.
Johnson told BBC television beforehand that he would “wait and see what
the judges say”.
Johnson chaired a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the day after holding his
first face-to-face talks with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker
and EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.
Following the meeting in Luxembourg he insisted there remained a “good
chance” of striking a new divorce deal — if there was “movement” from the
bloc.
But Juncker’s office appeared more pessimistic, saying Britain must “come
forward with legally operational solutions” to the existing withdrawal
agreement struck by his predecessor Theresa May.
“Such proposals have not yet been made,” it said.
– ‘Entirely proper’ –
The Supreme Court’s entry into the three-and-a-half year saga stems from
Johnson’s “do or die” promise to deliver Brexit on October 31.
He suspended parliament for five weeks in what his critics say was a
blatant bid to keep his pro-European opponents from trying to get it further
postponed.
The government counters that parliament is usually dissolved yearly and
that Johnson was simply clearing the way for a new agenda following May’s
resignation in July.
The Supreme Court has called in the maximum 11 of its 12 judges to hear
the case, so that there cannot be a tie.
They must rule on whether they even have the right to adjudicate on the
politically contentious issue, before considering Johnson’s motivations for
the move.
The High Court in England said it was not a matter for the courts to
decide upon, while Scotland’s highest civil court called the suspension
“unlawful”.
David Pannick, representing campaigners appealing against the High Court
decision, opened his case by saying that Johnson had asked Queen Elizabeth II
to suspend parliament “to avoid what he saw as the risk that parliament,
during that period, would take action to frustrate or to damage the policies
of his government.”
London’s Queen Mary University law professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott said
the verdict could have monumental consequences not only for Brexit but also
how the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy functions in future.
“If parliament is prorogued (suspended) with no remedy available then the
balance of power is tipped far too heavily to the executive,” she told AFP.
A defeat for Johnson would leave him open to charges that he has
effectively lied to Queen Elizabeth and likely calls for his resignation.
The British monarch is the head of state and is constitutionally bound to
act on her prime minister’s advice.
– ‘Dead in a ditch’ –
Ahead of its suspension parliament rushed to pass a law forcing Johnson to
ask Brussels for a delay if no compromise emerges from an October 17-18 EU
summit in Brussels.
But he has insisted he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than ask his
European counterparts to postpone Brexit for a third time.
Johnson is hoping widespread fears a chaotic “no-deal” end to Britain’s
46-year involvement in the European project will push its leaders to
compromise.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1649 hrs