Looking for loopholes: How could UK PM Johnson avoid delaying Brexit?
LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will refuse to seek a delay to Brexit, raising fears he could try to exploit a loophole to bypass legislation aimed at preventing the country leaving the European Union without a deal.
Junior Brexit minister James Duddridge was repeatedly asked by lawmakers in parliament on Thursday how the prime minister could do both. He said the government’s “Plan A” was to get round the law by agreeing a Brexit deal. He said there could be a scenario where lawmakers pass the divorce deal on or before Oct. 19, and therefore Johnson is not required to write the letter, but then the subsequent legislation gets blocked in parliament and Britain leaves without a deal.The British government could comply with the letter of the law but not the spirit of it, by requesting an extension but seeking to get the EU to reject it.
“Once people realise our plans, there is a good chance we won’t be offered a delay,” the source was quoted as saying.While the Benn Act requires Johnson to seek an extension to Brexit if parliament has not approved either a deal or leaving without a deal by Oct. 19, a different law, the European Union Withdrawal Act, states Britain will leave the EU on Oct. 31.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UK PM Johnson: the law is that UK leaves EU on Oct. 31Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that the Supreme Court ruling again...
Read more »
UK PM Johnson to invite opposition to call vote of no-confidence: Press and JournalBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson will invite opposition parties on Wednesday...
Read more »
PM Johnson goads opponents to call election as tempers flare over BrexitBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson taunted his rivals on his return to parliam...
Read more »
PM Johnson faces hostile parliament as Brexit chaos deepensA defiant Boris Johnson faces parliament on Wednesday after a Supreme Court ruli...
Read more »
PM Johnson goads opponents to call election as tempers flare over BrexitPM Boris Johnson goads opponents to call election as tempers flare over Brexit via ReutersTV
Read more »
British PM Johnson defends use of Brexit 'surrender act'Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday defended his decision to use the term &...
Read more »