John Bercow ‘colluding from his sunbed in Turkey’ to stop Boris shutting Parliament as Oliver Letwin insists Tory Rebels DO have time to block No Deal Brexit
SPEAKER John Bercow has been secretly colluding with Tory rebels from his sunbed in Turkey to try and stop Boris Johnson from shutting down Parliament.
Even though he's been on holiday in Turkey, the Remainer politician has still been in contact with MPs including Sir Oliver Letwin to try and throw a spanner in Boris' plans, the revealed.
Earlier this week the Speaker called the idea to shut down Parliament for a week longer than usual as a "constitutional outrage".
However, he said he wouldn't be commenting any further as he was on holiday.
This morning Sir Oliver said he'd been speaking to Mr Bercow for "many months" and he will carry on doing that.
And he said he thought there was time to stop a No Deal Brexit in the days left before Parliament is shut down.
The news comes as:
- Boris Johnson upped the temperature in Brexit talks by vowing to meet EU chiefs twice a week
- Remainers threatened to force Parliament to sit over the weekend to scupper No Deal plans
- Police marched one of the Chancellor's aides out of No10 after accusing her of leaking No Deal Brexit plans
Sir Oliver, who earlier this year was successful in forcing Theresa May to seek a Brexit extension, said the plan could be to do the same now.
He told Radio 4: "What I've been concerned with is how in the remaining time, we can ensure that Britain doesn't make a sudden disorderly No Deal Brexit on 31 October.
"I believe there's probably time [to do that].
"If we find ourselves in the situation that the Prime Minister has not got a deal by 31 October, I think we will have to seek an extension.
"I hope we can take action in the coming week [with] a series of actions."
But he said he was unsure if there were enough rebels who would join him in the plan.
Several Conservatives including Margot James, Richard Harrington, Philip Hammond and Mr Gauke have all said they will vote to stop a No Deal Brexit next week.
Former Justice Secretary David Gauke said today that next week could be MP's "only opportunity" to stop a No Deal Brexit - and insisted MPs shouldn't give him time to try and seek a new deal with Brussels.
Plans under consideration include a new law to force Boris to seek another Brexit extension, or to amend the current withdrawal deal to ensure that Britain leaves with a deal no matter what.
But the Speaker could be on course for a "collision" with senior advisers if he grants an emergency debate, it was claimed today.
Westminster insiders told that it would be unconstitutional to allow it go ahead because they are meant to be neutral - but the Speaker will likely overrule them.
MPs would use the vote to seize control of the Commons agenda to make room for new laws to stop a No Deal.
"John will overrule them,” the source said.
"Technically they are right but the Speaker is absolutely furious that parliament is being prorogued."
A source closed to the Speaker added: “He could go on a suicide mission. But he is on a collision course, not only with the government but the Queen and the clerks of the House.”
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Jeremy Corbyn confirmed yesterday that he would strike on Tuesday and "legislate rapidly" to try and stop Parliament's shut down and a No Deal Brexit.
And he urged Momentum members and other Labour supporters to take to the streets and join protests against it.
This morning a court is due to rule on whether it's unlawful or not for Boris to shut down Parliament ahead of the Brexit deadline.
Scotland’s highest civil court was due to rule at 10am today whether the move to prorogue Parliament was lawful.
It could force Boris Johnson to reverse the controversial decision.
Another two legal challenges - in London and Belfast - are also trying to stop the move.
And last night former Tory Chancellor Ken Clarke admitted he would back Jeremy Corbyn to be PM if he absolutely had to - but only as long as he couldn't implement any of his leftie policies.
He told Sky News: So long as it were absolutely certain we could keep Jeremy under control and he wouldn't have the slightest chance of implementing any bits of his Labour manifesto, I hate to tell you but I probably would."
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