Ex-PM Sir John Major branded ‘bonkers’ over plan to sue Boris Johnson if he shuts down Parliament for No Deal Brexit

SIR John Major was branded “bonkers” as he sparked an extraordinary Tory bust-up by threatening to sue Boris Johnson if he tries to suspend Parliament.

In an incredible intervention, the former PM said he would mount a judicial review to stop the future PM proroguing the Commons to force through a No Deal later this October.

He said shutting Westminster down would be “utterly and totally unacceptable.”

Boris dismissed the threat as “very odd” as senior Tories hit back by branding Sir John “bonkers” and slamming the BBC Today programme for airing his “clear Remain bias.”

One veteran said: “Major’s been driven completely mad by Brexit.”

But others rallied to Sir John’s defence with International Aid Secretary Rory Stewart vowing he too would go to court to stop a prorogation.

Mr Johnson refused once more in Tuesday’s night leadership debate to rule out suspending Parliament to force through a No Deal – saying he had to keep every option on the table.

'REMAIN BIAS'

Sir John stormed into Boris yesterday – saying “national leaders must put the interests of the country first – not themselves.”

He said: “I for one would be prepared to go and seek judicial review to prevent Parliament being bypassed.

“There is no conceivable justification, wherever we are, in closing down Parliament to bypass its sovereignty.

“I seem to recall that the Brexiteers, led by Mr Johnson, actually campaigned in the referendum for the sovereignty of Parliament... They can’t be concerned for the sovereignty of Parliament except when it is inconvenient to Mr Johnson.”

Sir John separately blasted claims he had prorogued Parliament as “absurd.”

He was challenged over the timing of his decision to close down Parliament ahead of the 1997 general election, which prevented a report on the cash for questions scandal being considered by MPs.

Sir John said “we carried the election until almost the very last date” and it was an “absurd charge.”

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