MAJOR FEAR
Sir John Major claims Boris Johnson plans to dodge Brexit extension laws by using the Privy Council
SIR John Major last night claimed Boris Johnson will try to use the Privy Council to dodge Brexit extension laws.
The former Tory PM fears the Government is planning to pass an Order of Council to suspend the Benn Act until after October 31.
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Such a move would be “political chicanery” that “no one should ever forgive or forget”, said Mr Major.
The ancient mechanism can be used by ministers without any involvement from Parliament or the Queen.
Mr Major’s warning came hours after ministers revealed they were looking at ways to get around the Benn Act.
Brexit Minister James Duddridge told MPs that the Government believes there are “deficiencies” with the law because it includes an amendment from Labour’s Stephen Kinnock which would bring back a version of Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
'UTTERLY DISRESPECTFUL'
He said: “The bill is not perfect. The government believes it does have deficiencies and its effect is unclear.”
Speaking at a Centre for European Reform event at the Spanish Embassy, Sir John said: “My fear is that the Government will seek to bypass Statute Law, by passing an Order of Council to suspend the Act until after October 31.
“It is important to note that an Order of Council can be passed by Privy Councillors — that is Government Ministers — without involving the Queen.
What is the Queen's Privy Council?
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a formal body of advisers who serve the sovereign of the UK, in the current case - the Queen.
It is made up of a group of senior politicians who were or are members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords.
The role of the Privy Council is to advise the Queen on the exercises of Royal Prerogative, which is essentially the Queen's overall authority afforded to her by her royal status.
The council has the power to enact Acts of Parliament, this is done through Orders of Council.
The Privy Council currently has a 700-strong membership, composed mostly of politicians and civil servants.
It includes Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott and former PMs Tony Blair and David Cameron, as well as London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
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“I should warn the Prime Minister that if this route is taken it will be in flagrant defiance of Parliament and utterly disrespectful to the Supreme Court. It would be a piece of political chicanery that no one should ever forgive or forget.”
Sir John also delivered an astonishing warning about Mr Johnson’s populist and “divisive” election strategy — claiming it is “profoundly un-Conservative”.
He accused the PM of “whipping up dissent by using highly emotional and evocative language that can only provoke fear and anger and fuel grievances against Parliament and the law”.
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Sir John Major hints Parliament could bypass Boris Johnson and authorise another to ask for Brexit delay
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