UK: Premier Johnson asks Queen to suspend parliament

ANKARA

British prime minister asked Queen Elizabeth II to suspend the parliament, just weeks before the Brexit deadline.

In a letter sent to lawmakers on Wednesday, Johnson said he requested the Queen to suspend the parliament between Sept. 9-Oct. 14.

If the Queen accepts the request of Johnson, the lawmakers will have a rather limited time to pass a legislation that will prevent a Brexit without a deal.

The opposition parties continue negotiations to pass a legislation in the parliament to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

Johnson's move sparked harsh reaction from the British opposition.

Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Labour Party, called the move as an "outrage".

"Boris Johnson’s attempt to suspend parliament to avoid scrutiny of his plans for a reckless No Deal Brexit is an outrage and a threat to our democracy," he said on Twitter.

Corbyn added that the Labour Party will work in the parliament to “hold the government to account” and avoid a "disastrous" no-deal Brexit.

Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow described the move a "constitutional outrage".

"At this time, one of the most challenging periods of our nation's history, it is vital that our elected Parliament has its say... Shutting down parliament would be an offense against the democratic process ...," Bercow said in a written statement.

Clive Lewis, a Labour lawmaker, also reacted on Twitter and said they will call for street protests.

"If Boris shuts down Parliament to carry out his No-Deal Brexit, I and other MPs will defend democracy. The police will have to remove us from the chamber. We will call on people to take to the streets," Lewis said.

Lewis added that they will also call for an extraordinary session of the parliament.

The Queen is expected to announce her decision over the request of Johnson on Wednesday.

Johnson stated that he would take the U.K. out of the EU by Oct. 31 and that although he is confident in negotiating a deal with Brussels, he was also making preparations for a no-deal Brexit.

Britain's Parliament repeatedly rejected the Brexit deal concluded by previous Prime Minister Theresa May.