John Major joins legal action over Boris decision to suspend Parliament

August 30, 2019
Report Focus News

Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major announced he wants to join the legal action over Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament.

He plans to join the case brought forward by campaigner Gina Miller, he announced on Friday morning.

He stated in a statement: “I promised that, if the Prime Minister prorogued Parliament to prevent Members from opposing his Brexit plans, I would seek judicial review of his action.

“In view of the imminence of the prorogation – and to avoid duplication of effort, and taking up the court’s time through repetition – I intend to seek the court’s permission to intervene in the claim already initiated by Gina Miller, rather than to commence separate proceedings.

“If granted permission to intervene, I intend to seek to assist the court from the perspective of having served in government as a minister and prime minister, and also in Parliament for many years as a member of the House of Commons.”

Sir Major said he would be represented by The Rt Hon The Lord Garnier QC and Tom Cleaver, who will be instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

It comes after Mr Johnson’s request to prorogue Parliament for five weeks from September 10 was approved by the Queen.

The Prime Minister asked to temporarily close down the Commons until October 14, when there will be a Queen’s Speech to open a new session of Parliament.