Scottish court considers blocking UK parliament suspension

A Scottish court is hearing a motion that could block Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to suspend parliament from mid-September to mid-October.

The Court of Session in Edinburgh said Thursday it is considering whether to issue an interim interdict - Scotland’s equivalent of an injunction - that would prevent the suspension pending a full hearing due to begin on September 10.

The bid is backed by 75 British lawmakers.

Critics have deemed the suspension an attempt by Johnson to rob opposition lawmakers of time to block a no-deal Brexit, meaning Britain would leave the European Union on October 31 without a negotiated settlement.

Johnson lost the leader of his party in Scotland on Thursday as part of the backlash against his plan. Davidson had been a prominent campaigner for Britain to remain in the EU, and had clashed with Johnson over the issue.

“While I have not hidden the conflict I have felt over Brexit, I have attempted to chart a course for our party which recognizes and respects the referendum result, while seeking to maximize opportunities and mitigate risks for key Scottish businesses and sectors,” Davidson wrote.

“I fear that having tried to be a good leader over the years, I have proved a poor daughter, sister, partner and friend,” she wrote.

Thousands of people took to the streets of London, Edinburgh and other large cities to protest the plan to suspend parliamentary sessions from mid-September until mid-October. 
London (dpa), 29 Aug  2019 -