Boris Johnson’s quest to suspend legislation hits rock

UK supreme court has ruled that Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament was unlawful.

Mr Johnson suspended  parliament for five weeks earlier this month, saying it was to allow a queen’s speech to outline his new policies.

But the court said it was wrong to stop parliament carrying out its duties in the run-up to the Brexit deadline on 31 October.

Downing street said it was currently processing the verdict.

Delivering its conclusions, the supreme court’s president, lady hale, said the effect on the fundamentals of our democracy was extreme.

Hale announced 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.