[238] Suspending UK Parliament was Unlawful

Completion Date: 26 September 2019
Medium: Paint on card
Dimensions: 16 X 20 inches

Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful, the UK Supreme Court ruled on 24 September 2019.

Judges said it was wrong to stop MPs carrying out duties in the run-up to the Brexit deadline on 31 October.

The Court is bound to conclude, therefore, that the decision to advise Her Majesty to prorogue Parliament was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of Parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification.

The PM, who has faced calls to resign, said he “profoundly disagreed” with the ruling but would “respect” it.

MPs are returning to Westminster ready for Parliament to reconvene on Wednesday.

A senior government official said the prime minister spoke to the Queen after the Supreme Court ruling, but would not reveal the details of the conversation.

It comes after the court ruled it was impossible to conclude there had been any reason “let alone a good reason – to advise Her Majesty to prorogue Parliament for five weeks”.